Toldot Aharon – Berditchev, 1817 – First Edition – Copy of the Rebbe of Kontikoziva

Toldot Aharon – Berditchev, 1817 – First Edition – Copy of the Rebbe of Kontikoziva
Toldot Aharon, Chassidic and kabbalistic essays on the Torah portions, by R. Aharon of Zhitomir (close disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev). Berditchev (Berdychiv): R. Yisrael Bak, [1817]. First edition. With approbations by great Chassidic leaders: the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, R. Mordechai of Chernobyl and R. Yisrael of Pikov. In all three approbations, the author is termed "the holy light, G-dly man".
Toldot Aharon contains inspirational sermons and guidance in worship of G-d based on Chassidic teachings, recorded by one of the disciples of R. Aharon of Zhitomir, and brought to press within the year of mourning following the passing of the author. The book is written in an animated, passionate style, as the approbations describe it: "His holy words enthuse the hearts of the Jewish people towards their Father in Heaven, like a tongue of flame rising heavenwards"; "His words are impassioned like a fiery flame". The book quotes dozens of teachings received by the author from his prime teacher, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, as well as expressions of his exceptional reverence for his teacher.
The author, R. Aharon of Zhitomir (ca. 1750-1817; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p. 156) was appointed ca. 1798 by his teacher R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev as maggid in Zhitomir, and the latter cautioned the townspeople of Zhitomir exceedingly to treat him with great respect. He held this position for some three years. He later moved to Hungary, where he served as maggid in Karoly (Carei) and Ashvar (Nyírvasvári), which became a Chassidic town under his influence. This book contains the sermons he delivered in Zhitomir in 1798-1801.
Copy of Rebbe Pinchas Rabinowitz of Kontikoziva, with his stamps on the title page and other leaves.
Rebbe Pinchas Rabinowitz (1861-1926, Otzar HaRabbanim 16957) served as rebbe of Kontikoziva (Pribuzhany, Kherson region). He succeeded his father R. Yitzchak Yoel Rebbe of Linitz (Illintsi). He is described as "an outstanding scholar in the revealed realms of the Torah". His composition Avodat Yitzchak on the Torah remained in manuscript. His sons include: R. Yaakov Yisrael, Rebbe of Kherson and R. Menachem Nachum Rabinowitz Rabbi of Haifa. His sons-in-law include: Rebbe Moshe of Stolin and Rebbe Yitzchak of Skver (see: Encyclopedia of Chassidut, III, p. 539).
Leaves 184-191 supplied from a different copy. Initially, when the copy was incomplete, these leaves were replaced in handwriting. The handwritten replacement leaves, bound after leaf 191, were written while the book was in the possession of the Rebbe of Kontikoziva (his stamps appear on the final replacement leaf).
[2], 18, [4], 21-36, 40-191 leaves (misfoliation) + [22] handwritten leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains, and wear. Marginal open tears to title page and tears to other leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper. Large open tear to final leaf, replaced in photocopy. Marginal open tears to leaves 184-191, repaired with paper. Worming (significant worming to lower part of several leaves), affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 604.