Noam Elimelech - Slavuta Edition. Segulah Book. First Edition with Approbation of Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli - the ...

Noam Elimelech - Slavuta Edition. Segulah Book. First Edition with Approbation of Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli - the Author's Brother

Noam Elimelech - Slavuta edition. Chassidic essays on the Torah by the Rebbe Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, with 'Likkutei Shoshanah' and 'Iggeret HaKodesh.' Holy book, printed in sanctity by the Admo"r Rabbi Moshe Shapira. Slavuta, 1794. Before us is the second most important edition, after the first edition. 

The Slavuta edition before us was brought to print by the Admo"r Rabbi Yisrael Avraham, Av Beit Din of Chorny-Ostrov - one of the leading Admo"rs of his generation, son of Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, and nephew of the author, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. Also appearing here for the first time is the approbation from his father, Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, the author's brother. The foreword by the son of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, the Admo"r Rabbi Elazar Weissblum, is printed after the approbations, considered by Admo"rs "almost like the whole book of Noam Elimelech." (See discussion below.)

There are three important approbations from Chassidic leaders on the back of the title page, including an approbation by Rabbi Ya'akov Shimshon of Shpitovka. He mentions the printer's name, Rabbi Moshe Shapira, in his approbation: "The exalted rabbi, the complete sage, Rabbi Moshe, son of ... Rabbi Pinchas." (The printer's name is not written on the title page.)

The Rebbe Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk [1717-1787]  was considered the Admo"r of the Admo"rim (or, as the Chassidim express it, the Rebbes' Rebbe). His disciples include leading Admo"rs: the seer of Lublin, the maggid of Kozhnitz, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta, Rabbi Isaac of Kaliv, Rabbi Mendel of Rimanov, and many others. He was related to as one of the lofty seraphim, to the point that the Chassidic tzaddikim would say that there is a special gehinnom for those who do not add the title "The Rebbe" before Rabbi Elimelech's name. They would also say that one of the questions Mashiach will ask will be "Did you support the grandchildren of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk?" And the Admo"rs would practice this as halachah, and give respectably to any of his descendants who would chance by them. Those of his descendants who are in need benefit accordingly to this day. When there is a mass gathering at his grave site in Lizhensk on 21 Adar, his grandchildren stand mentioning the above saying and receive respectable gifts from those who arrive to prostrate themselves at his grave.

The book Noam Elimelech is the most important Chassidic book of all time. It is considered a segulah book, and it is also printed in miniature editions - like the book Raziel HaMalach - to be used as an amulet. Another tried-and-true ancient segulah is to put it under the head of a woman giving birth as a segulah for an easy birth. The maternity wards at the hospitals regularly have copies of Noam Elimelech to offer to women having difficulty during their births. Leading Admo"rim frequently mention this book in their works, including Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta; Rabbi Kalonymus author of Me'or VaShemesh, and others. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said: "Rabbi Elimelech's sanctity is at a lofty exalted level, more than what can be seen and discerned from his book." (Chayei Mohara"n). Rabbi Mendel of Rimanov, a leading Admo"r of Galicia, said that only after he had immersed in a mikveh before the onset of Shabbat was he able to understand anything in Noam Elimelech. Rabbi Heschel, Av Beit Din of Talust said: Whoever can comprehend this book has the ability to revive the dead. The Ba'al HaTanya called it "The Book of Tzaddikim" (while calling his own book, Tanya, "The Book of the Mediocre"). He added, "Not every mind can endure it." 

The edition before us, despite its chronologically being the third edition, is considered the second edition in terms of its importance - both for its segulah value and its material value - after the first edition (which is currently priceless). This is for the following reasons: First, the one who brought it to print was, as mentioned, Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli's son, who was also the nephew of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, and was himself one of the leading Admo"r's of his generation, to the extent that his father, Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, said that his soul was that of King Chizkiyahu of Yehudah. This was none other than the Admo"r Rabbi Yisrael Avraham, Av Beit Din of Chorny-Ostrov. He passed away at a young age and was succeeded by his widow in leading the Chassidim - a unique case, unparalleled in the annals of Chassidism. Her in-law, the Admo"r Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, participated at a tisch she ran during the time "Rava D'Ravin" at the third Shabbat meal. Another reason is the press at which this edition was printed - that of the Admo"r Rabbi Moshe Shapira (who is described by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi as: "The rabbi, the luminary, famous and exalted in Torah and Divine reverence) - rabbi of Slavuta, and son of Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz. At the Slavuta press, even the printing tools and letters were immersed in a mikveh before beginning the work. Therefore, books that were printed there are known for their sanctity and are a special segulah for protection and success. Another reason is that in the edition before us, the approbation from Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, older brother of the author, appears for the first time. It is known that the name "Noam" in the title of the book Noam Elimelech is Rabbi Zusha's name (the Hebrew translation of the Yiddish "Zusha" is Noam). Another reason is the foreword by the son of the Rebbe Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk - the Admo"r Rabbi Elazar Weissblum, who writes interesting expressions of prayer and blessing in his words: "... for the sake of the honor of Your Name, please fulfill these blessings which were always in my father's mouth, with which he would bless the Jewish people and devote himself to them at all times, to cancel evil decrees with his faithful prayers and devotion ... as You were with my father zlh"h, please be with me, and with my brothers and friends beloved to my soul." This important foreword was omitted from some of the subsequent editions. Ohel Shlomo relates that this foreword was especially beloved to the Admo"r, the author of Tiferet Shlomo of Radomsk "almost like the whole book Noam Elimelech" because it contains testimony as to how the author devoted himself to the Jewish people, aside from his devotion to the sanctification of His Blessed Name. The Admo"r even appealed to the printers and requested they print the book per the Slavuta press edition before us, in which this foreword appears (Ohel Shlomo Part II, page 31).

82, 84-150 leaves. Approximately 20 cm. Stefansky Chassidut no. 376. Bluish paper.
Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains primarily in the upper margins. New leather binding.

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