Toldot Ya'akov Yosef - Mezhbizh, 1817 - Second Edition - Stamps of the Rebbe Rabbi Mordechai Yosef of Shotz

This composition is the first Hassidic one that was printed (its first edition was printed in 1780 in Korzec). Its author is Rabbi Ya'akov Yosef Ha'Cohen of Polonnoye, the disciple of the Ba'al Shem Tov. This is the second edition of the book, which is extremely rare.

This book is the most important and authentic source for the doctrine of the Ba'al Shem Tov. The author presents more then 280 references, Divrei Torah which he had heard from his rabbi (throughout the book, the words "I have heard from my rabbi" are emphasized). In this respect, this is a unique Hassidic book!
The most prominent Hassidic rabbis praised the holiness of the book. Rabbi Pinchas of Korzec said that there has never been such a book in the world and that his Torah is from heaven. The Maggid of Mezhirich said of its author that Eliyahu has appeared before him and he has reached a high spiritual position.

The book is edited as commentary on the weekly portions of the Torah and contains also halachic novellae. The first edition was opposed to since it was printed without "approbations". To the edition before us, the approbation of the "Ohev Yisrael" was added, which writes of the author: "A divine man … rabbi of all exiles …Av Beit Din of Polonnoye".

On the title page, various stamps of the Rebbe of Shotz, Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Moshe Moskowitz, a descendant of the Maggid of Zolochiv. Served as the Rebbe of Shotz in Suceava and Batchan. Died in 1929. His son was the Rebbe of Shotz, Rabbi Shalom Moskowitz, who was a Rebbe in London.

[1]. 3, 5-89, 59 leaves. 21x31 cm.
Condition: Very Good. Blue paper. New binding. Minor moth signs on single leaves. Time stains.