Chelkat Binyamin Passover Haggadah – Lemberg, 1794 – First Edition of the First Printed Chassidic Haggadah – ...

Chelkat Binyamin Passover Haggadah – Lemberg, 1794 – First Edition of the First Printed Chassidic Haggadah – Segulah to "Bring Many to Repentance"
Chelkat Binyamin, Passover Haggadah with kavanot of the Arizal and the Chelkat Binyamin commentary by Rebbe Binyamin, Maggid of Zalozitz (Zaliztsi) and Zalishchik (Zalishchyky). Lviv: Rebbetzin Yehudit [Rosanes], [1794]. First edition of the first Chassidic Haggadah to be printed.
Approbation by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who acclaims the composition as capable of "bringing many to repentance", and extols the virtues of the author: "…by this righteous and G-dly man, the late R. Binyamin who served as maggid of Zalozitz… and I saw several delightful thoughts, both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, all equally worthy, therefore, it should be published to spread its flavor and fragrance afar, and bring many to repentance…".
The author, R. Binyamin, Maggid of Zalozitz (d. 1791; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 350-354), was proficient both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. A contemporary of the Baal Shem Tov and early Chassidic masters, he was one of the first disseminators of Chassidic teachings. It is unclear whether he merited meeting the Baal Shem Tov, however his works include teachings in his name. His works also include many teachings in the names of the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Menachem Mendel of Premishlan. He described R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov as "my teacher". His works include: Torei Zahav on the Torah; Ahavat Dodim, commentary to Shir HaShirim; Amtachat Binyamin on Megillat Kohelet. All of his works were published posthumously, by his son R. Asher Zelig. R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, in his approbation to this book, describes R. Binyamin as a "righteous and G-dly man.
All his works were published posthumously by his son, R. Asher Zelig. This commentary on the Haggadah is based on kabbalistic and Chassidic teachings, and quotes Torah thoughts from early Chassidic masters in several places.
Ownership inscription on title page, from Tishrei 1903, signed " Yechiel son of R. M.[Z./D.?]". Possibly, this is the signature of Rebbe Yechiel Ashkenazi of Alesk (1882-1932, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p. 192), rebbe in Alesk, Grosswardein (Oradea) and New York. Son of Rebbe Moshe David Ashkenazi of Stanislav, Alesk and Satmar (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 332), and son-in-law of Rebbe Avraham Landman of Strelisk- Bialikomin.
[1], 25, [13] leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Many dampstains, some dark (wine stains?). Worming to the bottom of the title page and to other leaves, repaired with paper. Tears repaired with paper. Stamps. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 156; Yaari 253; Otzar HaHaggadot 373.