Ahavat Shalom (Kosov) – Lviv, 1833 – First Edition

Ahavat Shalom (Kosov) – Lviv, 1833 – First Edition
Ahavat Shalom, Chassidic discourses on the Torah portions, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov – founder of the Vizhnitz and Kosov Chassidic dynasties. Lviv, [1833]. First edition.
The author, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager (1768-1826; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p. 98), was the son of R. Yaakov Koppel Chassid, who led the prayers in the Beit Midrash of the Baal Shem Tov and was a member of his inner circle of disciples. He was the disciple of the early Chassidic masters R. Elimelech of Lizhensk and R. Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna. In 1802, after the passing of R. Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna, he began leading his own court.
In the foreword, the author's son-in-law, R. Gershon of Rozdol, writes that much of his father-in-law's teachings are focused on three matters: the holiness of Shabbat, giving charity and Tikkun HaBrit. The book was compiled by R. Menachem Mendel's disciple – R. Chaim Natan Nata of Lantshin, who writes in his preface: "I heard these teachings from him on Friday nights and during the Shabbat morning meal, as well as when he would take leave of his visitors while discussing halachah, and brief thoughts conveyed during Seudah Shelishit... and I elaborated on them in my own words...when I was unsure of the proper intent... I intentionally used language which is open to interpretation, and each reader can use his own judgement...".
[4], 131 leaves. 22 cm. Overall fair-poor condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Many mold stains to first half of book. Worming (significant worming to several leaves), affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Marginal tears and open tears to title page and several other leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Large open tear to final leaf, with significant damage to text, repaired with paper (with photocopy replacement of missing text). Some leaves may have been supplied from a different copy. Stamps on title page and other leaves. New leather binding.
False imprint: Lemberg, 1802. See: Avraham Yaari, The Printing Press of Rebbetzin Yehudit Rosanes in Lviv, Kiryat Sefer, 17, 1940, p. 107.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 18.