Be'er Ya'akov - Signature of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta

Be'er Ya'akov - Signature of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta
Be'er Ya'akov, novellae and commentary on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch and Talmudic treatises, by Rabbi Yakov [Ya'akov] Berlin. Furth, 1767. On the margin of page 40/a, is the signature of the Rebbe, author of Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, Medzhibozh". Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel (1748-1825, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, Vol. 1 84-91), son of R. Shmuel of Żmigród. His first rabbinical position was in Kolbasov, Galicia. A visit to the city by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdychiv and R. Moshe of Sasiv drew him to Chassidism. He became a disciple of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotshov and of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. In 1800, he was appointed to the Apta Rabbinate and in 1808 he moved to serve as Rabbi of Iasi until his relocation to Medzhibozh. He was considered the eldest, most prominent rebbe and Jewish leader of his times. Stories of the many wonders and salvations he performed have been passed from generation to generation. R. Yisrael of Ruzhin and R. Zvi Hirsh of Zhiditchov are among his celebrated disciples. He was notable for his love of the Jewish people and was used to saying that with the attribute of this "love for his fellow Jew" ingrained in his heart, he will stand before the Heavenly Court. [See a letter in Igrot HaOhev Yisrael on which he signs: "who loves all Jews…"]. On his tombstone he asked to write only the praise Ohev Yisrael (a lover of Israel), which also was the title of his book, which became a basic Chassidic book. The author, R. Yakov (Ya'akov) Berlin (1708-1750), a leading Torah scholar of the city of Furth, in the days of R. Yosef Steinhart, author of Zichron Yosef and other distinguished rabbis. His book Be'er Ya'akov was highly acclaimed by prominent Torah scholars of all times and is frequently cited in their writings. Among those who quote him are the Nodah B'Yehuda, the Chatam Sofer, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the Chida, Rabbi Bezalel Ranshburg, Rabbi Yehuda Assad, the authors of Aruch LaNer, Chayei Adam, Aruch HaShulchan, and others. Chassidic Torah scholars also highly esteemed the book [see: Rabbi Binyamin Shlomo Hamburger, HaYeshiva HaRama B'Fi'orda, Vol. 1, pp. 467-473]. [2], 121, 123-144 leaves (originally [3], 144 leaves. Lacking 2 leaves). 29 cm. Condition varies among the leaves, most in fair condition, some in poor condition. Heavy worming. Stains. Tears and restorations to several leaves. New binding.