Avodat Yisrael, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. Józefów, 1842. First Edition

Avodat Yisrael, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. Józefów, 1842. First Edition

Chassidic ma'amarim on the weekly Torah portions and on Pirkei Avot by Rabbi Yisrael Hopstein of Kozhnitz - the "Maggid of Kozhnitz."

First edition of one of the fundamental works of Chassidut.

With an approbation by his grandson, Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel of Mogelnitza, from Rabbi Yitzchak of Vorke, and from disciples of the Chiddushei HaRi"m, the Sabba Kadisha of Radoshitz and Rabbi Yeshayah Muscat of Prague.

Chassidic leaders so much looked forward to seeing this sefer's publication that the publisher wrote in his foreword "I heard from my father-in-law, the rebbe [of Mogelnitza] who said in the name of his rabbi and teacher, the righteous rebbi of Mezhibuzh [the Ohev Yisrael of Apta], as well as from several maggidim in the name of this sacred tzaddik, that the day of his salvation will be most awesome, the day the Torah in the work by the maggid is published. He illuminates eyes - and other praises too numerous to mention."

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the sacred Maggid of Kozhnitz.

Stefansky, Chassidut no. 452.

[4], 90, 32 leaf, without leaf [5], which is the leaf of additional approbations added after the printing of the body of the sefer and which does not appear in most copies. 19 cm. Two title pages. Bluish paper.

Very fine condition. Artistic restoration to the margins of the first title page without damage to the text. Aging stains. Slight tears in the white margins of the final leaf. Elegant new leather binding.