ehillim Tefillah LeMoshe (by the Yismach Moshe) – First Edition – Kraków, 1880

ehillim Tefillah LeMoshe (by the Yismach Moshe) – First Edition – Kraków, 1880

Tehillim with the Tefillah LeMoshe commentary by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel, author of Yismach Moshe. Kraków: Joseph Fischer and partners, 1880. First edition, published by R. Moshe David Teitelbaum, grandson of the Yitav Lev.
Approbation and foreword by the Yitav Lev, grandson of the author, who edited the work from the author's manuscripts; foreword by R. Moshe David Teitelbaum (later rabbi of Magyarlápos), who edited the book together with his grandfather and brought it to print. The forewords describe how the Tefillah LeMoshe commentary was not originally composed as a complete, independent work, rather noted sporadically on pieces of paper while the Yismach Moshe recited Tehillim.

[3], 4-322, [8] leaves. Leaves 318-322 bound out of sequence (after "prenumeranten" leaves). Approx. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Creases and wear. Minor tears and worming (not affecting text). Marginal tape repairs to title page. New binding.

The Yismach Moshe, Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841) was an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia and progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar Chassidic dynasties. An outstanding Torah scholar and G-dly kabbalist, 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 (Sátoraljaújhely) and the 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. Over the years, R. Moshe gravitated towards Chassidut, influenced by his son-in-law R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsa, author of 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. 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" (Tehillah LeMoshe). 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.