Khomat Ariel—first edition, Lemberg 1867

Khomat Ariel—first edition, Lemberg 1867
The title forms an acronym: “Chiddushim, droshim, writings from the Torah of Adoneinu Ro’e Yisrael Aryeh Leivish”. On the Torah and more, a chassidic work by Rabbi Aryeh Leiv, Av Beit Din of Lantzhot and Kishinev; at the end are collected writings from Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Liska and Rabbi Naftali Zvi of Rofshitz. [2], 74 pages. Stefanski Chassidut 221. 2 pages at the beginning were not bound in their proper places. Much moth damage. Tape on the cover. New binding. Generally ok condition. The author, Rabbi Aryeh Leiv (Aryeh Yehuda Leib) of Lantzhot (1757/8-1824/6) was the son of Rabbi Baruch, a great student of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Maggid of Koznitz. He began to serve as rabbi of Lantzhot in 1777, when he was only 20 years old, and from 1819 he succeeded Rabbi Haim of Chernowitz (the Be’er Mayim Hayim) in the rabbinate of Kishinev, where he served until he died. Author of Khomat Ariel, Divrei Esther, Gevurot Aryeh, and Arba’a Charashim. Known as a genius, there were those who compared his acuteness to Rabbi Yehonatan Ifshitz. The Ohev Yisrael of Aphtha would visit him every year in Kishinev and would send others there for his advice, and he said to the residents “secrets of Torah that were hidden [genuzim] for 400 years were given to Rabbi Aryeh Leib.” See Encyclopedia of Chassidut, Section 1, page 328; Otzar HaRabbanim 3336; Me’orei Galicia, Section 1, p. 292-293.