Pri HaAretz - Rebbe Mendel of Vitebsk - Mohilev, 1818

Pri HaAretz, Chassidic and Kabbalistic essays on the Torah, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk. Mohilev (Mohyliv-Podilskyi), [1818]. Second edition. This book contains a collection of discourses which R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk delivered in Tiberias, following his immigration to Eretz Israel. The book was first printed in Kopust (Kopys), 1814. The title page states: "And they were collected together by the rabbi who was outstanding in Torah and fear of G-d, R. Elazar Zussman, scribe of the Holy Land, and from him it reached our hands". R. Elazar Zussman was the scribe of R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, R. Avraham of Kalisk, and all the Chassidim who reached Eretz Israel in the famous 1777 immigration. The identity of the writer of this book is subject to dispute. Some say the essays were recorded by his disciples, primarily R. Elazar Zussman, who also edited and arranged them for print (Beit Rebbi). Conversely, according to a tradition of Slonim Chassidim, the entire book was written by R. Menachem Mendel himself, while R. Elazar Zussman only edited and arranged it for print, adding the opening words "Patach HaRav" and "Shaal HaShoel" (Yesod HaMaala, I, p. 59). In the opinion of the researcher R. Yehoshua Mondshine, R. Elazar Zussman "was the one who wrote the letters of the righteous men and Chassidim from Eretz Israel, and it is evident that he also wrote the teachings of R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk in the holy book Pri HaAretz, and the numerous figures of speech he uses render it an almost impenetrable book" (HaMaasar HaRishon, Jerusalem 2012, p. 222). Pri HaAretz is one of the most profound and difficult to understand Chassidic books. The Yesod HaAvoda of Slonim declared that he wishes that in the times of Mashiach and in the World to Come he will be able to uphold the lofty levels described in this book. "We have a tradition from reliable people that this book never left the table of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin, who would say that whoever is able to understand this book, is capable of combining the lower wisdom with the higher wisdom" (Yesod HaMaala, ibid). [24] leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming to several leaves. Marginal tears and wear to last leaves. Most of the book printed on blueish paper. Last leaves on white paper (possibly supplied from a different copy). New binding. Stefansky Chassidut, no. 478.