These precious words, more valuable than gold and pearls, from the one who sits among the sages, who balanced and corrected and made ears for the Torah, a delightful commentary on Psalm 107 and also the intention of the Mikveh found in the sacred writings of the holy Rabbi, the Kabbalist, upon whom the spirit from above rested, our teacher Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov, may his memory be for a blessing. This was transcribed from the mouth of the aforementioned holy one by one of his disciples and is in the possession of the honored, famous rabbi, the holy light, our teacher Rabbi Shmelka, of blessed memory, who is the Av Beit Din of the holy community of Nicholsburg and the surrounding region. In order to benefit the many who fear the Lord and think of His name, it has been brought to the printing house.
Laszczow, printer unknown, 1816.
With the endorsement of Rabbi Mordechai Ziskind, Av Beit Din of Laszczow
At the beginning of the sefer are matters related to Kabbalat Shabbat: the intention of the Mikveh according to the Ba’al Shem Tov, the Zohar’s discourse "Patach Eliyahu, " the poem "Yedid Nefesh" by Rabbi Elazar Azkari, Psalm 107 with the "Commentary of Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov, " and the Zohar’s discourse "Kegavna."
The commentary on Psalm 107 in the way of Kabbalah is attributed to Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov, but this is questionable. See: R. Schatz, the Ba’al Shem Tov’s Commentary on Psalm 107, Tarbiz, vol. 42, 1973, pp. 154-184; M. Rosman, The Ba’al Shem Tov: The Founder of Hasidism, Jerusalem 1999, pp. 160-161. In an ancient manuscript, the commentary is attributed to Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Bar. And see: Kovetz Siftei Tzaddikim, vol. 4, Shevat 1992, pp. 96, regarding this commentary: "Rebbi Pinchas of Koretz said it is not from the Ba’al Shem Tov."
Extremely rare! Never appeared at a public auction.
Published with the book Darchei Yesharim: Which contains upright conduct from Rebbi Mendel of Premishlan—these precious and delightful words, more valuable than gold and precious pearls, who balanced and corrected and made ears for the Torah, compiled from the mouths of the holy ones, the pillars of the world, namely the holy light, the pious and ascetic, our teacher Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov, may his memory be for a blessing, and from the holy light, our teacher Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch. He also added his own insights, which have not been published until now.
This was found in the possession of the distinguished and outstanding rabbi, full of Torah and fear of Heaven, pious and humble, our teacher Rabbi Avraham Abele of Tshidnov, who was formerly the head of the rabbinical court and preacher in the holy community of Witebsk, with accurate and straightforward emendations that explain every obscure matter very well.
We named sefer Darchei Yesharim because it guides people in the path they should follow and the deeds a person should do to live by them, in order to benefit the many."
Laszczow, printer unknown, 1816.
26 Leaves. Without the [4] Leaves of Sefer Moreh Mikdash at the end. 14.6 Cm.
Stefanski, Chassidut #446.
Overall Good condition, some water stains, a couple marginal tears, later binding.
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Lot #189