Or Olam Books – Sod Yachin UBoaz / HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar – By Rabbi Meir Margolies, Author of Meir Netivim ...

Or Olam Books – Sod Yachin UBoaz / HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar – By Rabbi Meir Margolies, Author of Meir Netivim, Disciple of the Baal Shem Tov – Ostroh, 1794 / Polonne, 1795
Two books – Third Light and Fourth Light of the Or Olam series of books, by R. Meir Margolies Rabbi of the Lviv region and Ostroh, author of Meir Netivim, a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. First editions.
1. Sod Yachin UBoaz – the will of R. Meir Margolies to his sons, with many profound kabbalistic and Chassidic matters. Ostroh, [1794]. First edition. With "approbations of great Torah scholars, famous Chassidic leaders": R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, R. Aryeh Leib of Apta and Sochatchov, R. Zusia of Anipoli, R. Chaim of Krasni, R. Yisrael "Maggid of Koznitz", and others.
[2], 3-22 leaves. 20.5 cm. High-quality paper. Condition varies, good to good-fair. Worming to leaves 17-22, occasionally affecting text. Stains. Marginal tears. Censor stamps and ownership stamps. New leather binding.
2. HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar (the good and straight path), a long poem composed of good practices and laws, briefly summarizing the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch and the 613 commandments. Polonne, [1795]. First edition. With "approbations of great Torah scholars": R. Meir of Konstantin – son of the Yaavetz, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel Rabbi of Kolbuszowa (later, the Rabbi of Apta), and others.
This composition was written by the author in response to a request by his son R. Shaul Margolies that he briefly summarizes the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch. R. Meir wrote a long acrostic poem, in alphabetical order, forming also his name Meir and the name of his son Shaul. The poem contains all the laws and practices of the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch and the 613 commandments.
[2], 3-40 leaves. 21 cm. High-quality greenish paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal wear and tears. Marginal tears affecting text to leaves 3-4. Worming to leaves 25-40, occasionally affecting text. Censor stamp and other stamps. New binding.
The Meir Netivim was a prolific author in both revealed and esoteric realms of the Torah, in halacha and in homily. After his passing, his writings were arranged and published by his sons. The series of his books was named Or Olam, and includes five parts ("lights"): Responsa Meir Netivim, two parts – First Light and Second Light (Polonne, 1791-1792); the two present books – Sod Yachin UBoaz (Third Light) and HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar (Fourth Light); and Kotnot Or – Fifth Light (Berditchev, 1816), the 613 commandments in rhyme and acrostics. The titles of the Fourth Light and Fifth Light are printed on the title page of Sod Yachin UBoaz.
The author, R. Meir Margolies (1700/1708-1790), a prominent rabbi in his times, was a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and one of the first to cleave to him, even before the Baal Shem Tov became famous. R. Meir is considered a "colleague-disciple" of the Baal Shem Tov and mentions him in several places as "my teacher" and "my friend". In his book Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh, 1794), he writes of "my teachers, prominent in Torah and Chassidut, headed by my friend the pious R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… and from my youth, when I attached myself with bonds of love to my teacher and friend R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… I knew with absolute certainty that his conduct was in holiness and purity, piety and ascetism… occult matters were revealed to him…". His son R. Betzalel, who succeeded him as rabbi of Ostroh, writes in his approbation to the book Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov (Berdichev 1815 edition): "…as I heard from my father… who from his youth was part of the holy entourage of the Baal Shem Tov, and R. Meir would frequently speak in his praise…". See item 116 for an extended biography.
Stefansky Chassidut, nos. 435 and 169.