Zichron Yosef. First Edition. With the Rare Introductory Leaves Opposing Chassidism. Pedigree Copy. Signatures and ...

Zichron Yosef. First Edition. With the Rare Introductory Leaves Opposing Chassidism. Pedigree Copy. Signatures and Glosses

Shu"t Zichron Yosef - responsa and novellae by Rabbi Yosef Steinhardt, av beit din of Furth. First edition. Furth, 1773. Including the rare introductory leaves with a sharp attack on Chassidism. Mif'al HaBibliographiah writes that the author's introduction was torn out of most of the copies by the Chassidim. The title page and last leaf bear rabbinic owners' signatures that attribute the book to prominent rabbis. Page 111a bears a lengthy gloss.

In the introduction, the author writes against the cult of Chassidism that began to spread in his time. The introduction was written in Nissan 1773, and in it he quotes from the book Zamir Aritzim V'Charavot Tzurim which was printed in 1772. He writes about those who "make most of their days like festivals, chirp and mutter in their prayers, cry out with loud and strange noises and change various traditions." He also writes about those who came to reside in his country (Ashkenaz) - referring to the brothers Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsberg and Rabbi Pinchas, author of Hafla'ah, disciples of the maggid of Mezeritch, who were given rabbinic positions in Germany.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the author, Rabbi Yosef Steinhardt.

[3], 24, [1], 25-46, 46-67, 67- 119 [2] leaf, 33 cm.

Fine condition: Blemish in the margins of the title page, far from the text. Aging stains.