Bnei Machshava Tova – a Single Copy of the First Edition according to which the Second Edition was Printed – ...

Bnei Machshava Tova – a Single Copy of the First Edition according to which the Second Edition was Printed – Dedication by the Author, the Rebbe of Piaseczno, who was Murdered during the Holocaust
Bnei Machshava Tova. A plan for founding a society of God worshippers. By the Rebbe Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira of Piaseczno. [Jerusalem 1939]. Stencil, printed on one side of the leaf.
First edition. Extremely rare. Is not listed by the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book. Does not appear in libraries in Israel. It is most likely that this is the only copy in the world!

About the composition
The Rebbe of Piaseczno was influential throughout Poland. He was considered an educator of great stature who was known for his exceptional attitude to youngsters. His compositions 'Chovat Ha'Talmidim' and 'Hachsharat Ha'Avrechim' are still being studied by thousands of students. In the unique composition before us 'Bnei Machshava Tova', he calls to establish societies of God worshipers.

The printing of the first edition
The Rebbe of Piaseczno, who lived in Poland, sent the manuscript to his brother Rabbi Yesha'aya in Jerusalem (who was known as a supporter of the Yishuv of the Land of Israel) asking him to express his opinion, typewrite a few copies of the book and send them back to him. The Rebbe wanted the first copies of this composition to be printed specifically in the holy city of Jerusalem. These single copies were given by the Rebbe only to people he knew would accept what was written in them. The Rebbe also wrote on the title page of the booklet that he forbids copying it without his permission.

The printing of the second edition – according to the copy before us
After the Rebbe was murdered during the Holocaust, the members of his family pondered for a long time whether to publish the composition, since, as said, the Rebbe had forbidden to copy the booklet. Only after consulting Rabbis and Rebbes, among them the Rebbe of Koznitz and the Rebbe of Sochotchov, it was decided to print the booklet. The booklet was printed by the members of the Rebbe's family only in 1989 and was written in its preface, it was printed according to the copy before us! It is most likely that this copy is the only one that had survived the Holocaust. Thus, the Rebbe's original composition was saved from oblivion only due to the copy before us.

Author's dedication
On the title page of the copy before us, it was handwritten: "I have obtained this booklet as a gift from Maran Admor Shalita of Piaseczno, Eliyahu ben Rabbi Zvi Hammer of Filtz". On the leaf before the title page, there is a handwritten pencil inscription: "Please inform me immediately if you have received it". This is most likely the handwriting of the Rebbe himself, who wanted to ensure that the booklet was given only to Rabbi Eliyahu Hammer. (See the photocopy of a dedication handwritten by the Rebbe on the book 'Chovat Ha'Talmidim'. A comparison of the two scripts clearly indicates that the script in the booklet before us is the Rebbe's).
On several of the leaves of the book there are handwritten lingual corrections, maybe by the Rebbe – the author.
17 leaves. 32 cm.
Condition: Good.