Sefer Ohev Yisroel by the holy Rebbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta.
Zhitomir, 1863. At the holy press of Rabbi Chanina Lipa and Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, grandsons of the rabbi of Slavita, . First edition.
First edition that was printed by the partners Chanina Lipa and Yehoshua Heschel Shapiro in Zhitomir, 1863.
The sefer was edited and published by his grandson the Holy Rebbi Meshulam Zussia of Zhinkov. The sefer contains approbations by leading Rebbis of the generation: Rebbi Aharon of Chernobyl and Rebbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura.
On the second leaf, a special poem by the author’s grandson Rebbi Meshulam Zussia of Zhnikov in honor of his grandfather the author.
In his approbation (to the Lviv edition), Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathansohn writes: "…he loved every Jewish person with his heart and soul, and would show great affection particularly to Torah scholars. And our fathers related to us that while he was here [in Lviv], all the leading Torah scholars of the city would arise early to come and absorb his wondrous teachings…".
Copy with nice margins, 26 Cm. Page 8 is a photocopy.
[1], 117 leaves.
Overall in Excellent condition, good quality white paper, marginal paper repair on verso of the title page, few stains & ink stains, unbound. Marginal hole to last 3 pages with slight loss to text of last page.
The sefer was brought to press by the author\'s grandson, Rebbe Meshulam Zusia of Zinkov (Zinkiv). In his foreword, he relates how his father, Rebbe Yitzchak Meir, son of the author, realized that many were copying the rebbe\'s teachings – each person according to his own understanding, and was concerned that this would lead to mistakes. He therefore chose one astute, outstanding Torah scholar and designated him to record the holy teachings, after which the writings were reviewed, and when necessary corrected, by the rebbe.
Further in the foreword, he explains that the sefer was named Ohev Yisrael, based on the author\'s repeated assertion that the only character trait in which he could confidently take pride, even before the Heavenly court, was his outstanding love for his fellow Jew. Before his passing, he instructed his sons to write no other praise on his tombstone but Ohev Yisrael (Lover of Jews).
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