Ohr LaShamayim of Apta. Lvov, 1850. First Edition. Rare Segulah Book

Ohr LaShamayim of Apta. Lvov, 1850. First Edition. Rare Segulah Book

"L-rd of the worlds, I know that I am in your hand just as clay in the hand of the potter"

Ohr LaShamayim, Chassidic work by the renowned Admo"r Rabbi Meir'l of Apta, the most prominent disciple of the Seer of Lublin, known by the name of this book, as 'the author of Ohr LaShamayim.' This book is the source of the famous prayer Ribbon HaOlamimim Yadati...  ["רִבּוֹן הָעוֹלָמִים יָדַעְתִּי כִּי הִנְנִי בְּיָדְךָ לְבַד כַּחֹמֶר בְּיַד הַיּוֹצֵר"] - traditionally known as a segulah for sustenance. Complete copy with all of the leaves at the end of the book, including the approbation from his disciple, the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz.

First edition of one of the most famous and important books of Chassidism. The book consists of Chassidic essays on Chamishah Chumshei Torah, compilations and segulahs (principally a segulah for livelihood, see for example the portion Balak, section 44, about the Three Weeks: "They are a segulah for livelihood ... a golden compass ... a pipeline and pool of blessing is there ..") "as spoken by Rabbi Meir HaLevi, Av Beit Din of Stavnitz and Apta, as received from his teacher, Rabbi Ya'akov Yitzchak HaLevi [the Chozeh of Lublin]."

At the beginning of the book, after the introduction, there are several important prayers composed by the author of Ohr LaShamayim. The most famous among them is the prayer that begins Ribbon HaOlamimim Yadati ... [L-rd of the worlds, I know that I am in your hand just as clay in the hand of the potter. And even if I attempt with counsel and tricks and all residents of the Earth stand at my side to save me and support my soul, without Your strength and Your assistance, there is no help and salvation."] This renowned prayer, sung by one and all, was composed by Rabbi Meir of Apta, and it was printed here for the first time. His disciple, the author of Tiferet Shlomo of Radomsk, would regularly recite this prayer every day, in the evening and in the morning. He stated that it is a segulah for livelihood and success (how much more so, its recital from this sacred first edition).

This book states in the weekly Torah portion Balak as follows: There was a commentary in manuscript on the words "Where can Assyria take you captive, " but it was omitted by order of the generation's tzaddikim for concealed reasons ... and indeed, in the approbation by the author's son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, rabbi of Gollnow, he writes that he was forced (by the Chassidic leaders) to leave out the commentary for this secret reason. Chassidic tradition maintains that the missing commentary stated that in 1962, redemption would arrive, and due to the fact that the book was printed over 100 years before 1962, they did not want it to be printed so that people would not despair of the redemption.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Meir HaLevi of Apta.

[1], 74, 77-78, [1 leaf is marked 57] 78-81 [1] leaf, 23 cm. Stefansky, Chassidut, no. 31.

Fine condition: Aging stains. Professional restoration of the corner of the title page with the completion of several words by professional photocopy. Semi-leather binding and marbleized paper, new.