Toldot Aharon – Berditchev, 1817 – First Edition

Toldot Aharon – Berditchev, 1817 – First Edition
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.
Signatures on the title page: R. "Yaakov son of Benush of Mazyr" (R. Yaakov son of R. Binyamin Benush, posek in Mazyr in 1825, mentioned in Responsa Tzemach Tzedek, Even HaEzer, part II, section 297).
Handwritten censorship inscription in Russian at the foot of the title page, mentioning the year 1837 (the year of the closure of Jewish printing presses in Russia).
[2], 20, [2], 21-36, 40-191 leaves (misfoliation). 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dark stains to several leaves. Dampstains to final leaves. Wear, tears and worming. Marginal open tears to title page, repaired with paper and tape. Leaves trimmed close to text in several places. Inscriptions, signatures and stamps. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 604.