Zohar, Bereshit – Slavita, 1809 – Copy of Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, the Yismach Moshe

Zohar, Bereshit – Slavita, 1809 – Copy of Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, the Yismach Moshe
Zohar, part I on the Book of Bereshit. Slavita: R. Dov Ber Segal, [1809].
Owner's signature at the top of the title page (slightly damaged and indistinct): "Moshe Teitelbau[m]". This is presumably the signature of Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel, author of Yismach Moshe.
Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841), was an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia. An outstanding Torah scholar and G-dly Kabbalist, sharp and well versed in all facets of Torah, revealed as well as hidden. During his lifetime he was renowned as a holy G-dly man and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration. He first served as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa) from 1785-1808, and in 1808, was appointed rabbi of Ujhel (Satoraljaujhely) and its region. At first, R. Moshe was an opponent of Chassidut, and in his youth, he travelled to Vilna to study Torah from the Gaon of Vilna (R. B. Landau, HaGaon HeChassid MiVilna, p. 291, in the name of R. Zalman Weber. The Klausenburg Rebbe cites an interesting testimony from that visit, which his great-grandfather the Yismach Moshe related about the conduct of the Gaon of Vilna with his disciples – Responsa Divrei Yatziv, Part IV, Yoreh De'ah, section 131). Over the years, R. Moshe gravitated towards Chassidut, influenced by his son-in-law R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsaý, author of the Responsa Aryeh D'Vei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. There, R. Moshe saw revelations of Divine Inspiration, and became the Chozeh's close disciple, adhering to Chassidut and disseminating its doctrines. This transformation took place while he was still serving as rabbi of Shinova. He also travelled to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. From 1815, R. Moshe began distributing amulets to those requiring salvation and "the pen cannot properly describe the wonders performed by those amulets". Reputedly, he deliberated whether to continue writing amulets until he heard a pronouncement from Heaven: "Do not fear for I am with you" (Tehilla L'Moshe). Until this day, most of the texts of amulets and "protections" in Ashkenazi countries are attributed to the Yismach Moshe, including the printed text of the "Protection for the infant and the mother" and "Protection from epidemic". The text of the renowned Kerestir amulets, inscribed by Chassidic rebbes for safeguarding home and property, also originates from him.
His published writings include the well-known books of homilies – Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Megillot and on Talmudic Aggadot, Tefilla L'Moshe on Tehillim, Responsa Heshiv Moshe and other books. His book Maayan Tahor, with the laws of Niddah in Yiddish for Jewish women, was appended to many siddurim. In his books, the Yismach Moshe often quotes the Zohar and explains its words; it is apparent that he studied the Zohar extensively.
[3], 134, 137-253, 253-256, [8] leaves. Lacking two leaves in middle (135-136). 20.5 cm. Greenish paper. Fair condition. Stains, including many dampstains. Traces of past dampness with mold stains on several leaves. Marginal open tears (large marginal tear to leaf 223, not affecting text). Open tears to title page and following leaf, slightly affecting text, and partially damaging signature on title page, repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
Four approbations on verso of title page, by Rebbe Aryeh Leib of Volochisk and Tiberias, R. Yehuda Leib Auerbach of Tortchin, R. Yosef of Konstantin-Yashan and R. Yisrael of Rovne. None of the approbations mention the printer by name, he is only referred to as "owner of the Slavita printing firm" (the printer is R. Moshe Shapira Rabbi of Slavita, who for various reasons concealed his name in those years, using the names of his partners R. Dov Ber Segal and R. Dov Ber son of R. Pesach).