Orach LeChaim (R. Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov) – Berditchev, 1817 – First Edition

Orach LeChaim (R. Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov) – Berditchev, 1817 – First Edition
Orach LeChaim, kabbalistic and Chassidic homiletics on the Torah, five parts, by Rebbe Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov. [Berditchev: R. Yisrael Bak, 1817]. First edition.
With interesting approbations by prominent Chassidic leaders, such as R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev; R. Yisrael, the Maggid of Kozhnitz; the Chozeh of Lublin; R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta; and R. Chaim Thirer, author of Be'er Mayim Chaim.
The author, R. Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov (ca. 1726 – 1816; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 80-81), a prominent Torah scholar and Chassidic leader in his times. He was the son of R. Gedalia Rabbi of Zhovkva, and son-in-law of R. Pinchas Horowitz – the Haflaa. In his second marriage, he was the son-in-law of R. Yissachar Dov of Zlotchov, author of Bat Eini. A disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov, the Haflaa and his brother R. Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg.
In his lengthy foreword to the book, R. Efraim Zalman Margolies of Brody extols the author's virtues and recounts the latter's life story. He describes the author as outstanding in Torah and Chassidut and well versed in kabbalah. He relates how he would spend most of the day in prayer and acts kindness, and inspired many to repent. The author once sent a letter to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta requesting that he pray for his recovery, and the Ohev Yisrael responded in surprise that he doesn't pray for himself, assuring him that the prayers of a person of his stature would surely be accepted (Igrot HaOhev Yisrael, letter 23-2). The author prepared his book Orach LeChaim for print in 1804-1814, and received the approbations of many Chassidic leaders who wrote about him with deep friendship and affection, but he did not manage to print it. The book was only printed in 1817, a year after the author's passing.
Lengthy gloss (trimmed) on p. 25b of second sequence, by an unidentified writer.
Handwritten bar mitzvah dedication on the front endpaper, from R. David Frankel (presumably of Husiatyn), to R. Eliezer Tzvi Taub (presumably son of R. Yehuda Yechiel Taub of Rozlo, brother of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Taub of Kaliv; perished in the Holocaust).
52; 59; 3, 2-29; 37; 31 leaves. Extra copies of leaves 2-3 of third sequence. 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains (several leaves with wax stains and significant stains). Worming, affecting text. Minor open tear, slightly affecting text on one leaf. Leaves trimmed with damage to headings in several places. Printing defect, with loss to text on one leaf. Paper repair to final leaf, slightly affecting text. New leather binding.