Sefer Kav Chen, discourses on the Torah and collections on the festivals and various verses, by Rebbe Nachum of Karov (a disciple of the "Seer" of Lublin and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev).

Breslau (Wrocław), no printer mentioned, 1866. First edition.

This is the rare and original edition, including the sharp passage against the mitnagdim. In that year, two variants of the sefer "Kav Chen" were published. In the first printing, it is written on page 7 regarding the recitation of "L’Shem Yichud": "For it is known the opinion of some who stray from God, saying, what need do we have to intend towards the holy Sefirot, is it not better to direct our intention to the Cause of all causes, and what opinion compels us to intend towards the Sefirot. Indeed, this opinion is empty and foolish, and an opinion of folly, for it is known to us according to true Kabbalah…" That same year, a second edition was printed where the wording was slightly changed to a less harsh version: "…for it is known the opinion of some who say to intend towards the holy Sefirot, is it not better to direct our intention to the Cause of all causes… indeed, this opinion is not according to the true Kabbalah of the Ari, which he received from Elijah…"

As stated, the present volume is the first and rare edition with the original sharp polemic wording!

The author, the Holy Rebbe Rabbi Nachum of Karov Zt”l, was in his youth a student of the holy Rebbe the Kedushat Levi Zt”l. Afterwards, he traveled to the Chozeh of Lublin Zt”l  and subsequently, he became closely attached to his primary teacher, the holy Rebbe Rabbi Shmuel of Karov. Additionally, he spent many years traveling to the holy  "Seraph" of Kotzk Zt”l, about whom he said, "I saw a tongue of fire of truth and I submitted myself for over thirty years." He was renowned as a holy man and a miracle worker to the extent that the residents of his city would attach kvitlach  containing requests for healing, salvation, and success to the walls of his sukkah. His sefer "Kav Chen, " contains profound teachings with many words of Kabbalah, as his grandson, the publisher, writes, "To whom all the secrets of wisdom were revealed, and he enlightened our eyes in the Torah of God and His commandments, showing how all are founded on the unification of the Holy One, blessed be He, and His Shechinah, and the ways of God through His holy Sefirot…"

Stamp of Rabbi Nathan Eliyahu Grunfeld, rabbi of the orthodox community in Brunn.

[1], 84 Leaves. Lacking Errata leaf. 21.6 cm.

Stefansky. Chassidut 506.


Overall Good condition, some stains, last couple pages have marginal repairs, new red leather binding.

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Lot #425

Chassidut/Polemic - First and Rare Edition of Kav Chen (Rabbi Noach of Karov) - The Original Edition with Sharp Expressions Against the Mitnagdim. Breslau 1866.

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