Kedushat Levi, Slavuta, 1798 - First Edition which was Printed during the Author's Lifetime. Rare

Kedushat Levi, Slavuta, 1798 - First Edition which was Printed during the Author's Lifetime. Rare

Kedushat Levi, by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev - Slavuta, 1798 - first edition printed in the author's lifetime - impressive copy.

Specifications: 30, 22 leaves. 19 cm. Bluish paper. Stefansky Chassidut, 507.

First edition of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev's renowned work - which he wrote by hand and brought to print in his lifetime. Written on the title page: As I composed ... Levi Yitzchak son of the gaon ... R' Meir ztz"l. The book includes 'Kedushot' for Chanukah and Purim with mussar thoughts, compilations and additions. For generations, the author has been known as the "Ba'al HaKedushat Levi" after the name of his book.

Kedushat Levi is among the fundamental works on chassidut, and among the rarest. It has been studied in depth from then until today. It is known that the author hinted to the Ar"i's writings, and each and every word is built upon kabbalistic foundations, and deep Torah secrets are placed within them. As such, it is insufficient to comprehend the writings as they are without revealing the holy pearls inherent beneath them.

In 1798, our holy rabbi printed the first part of the book in his lifetime. He traveled to Slavuta, and there, at the famous press which had been founded a few years previously by Rabbi Moshe Shapira, our rabbi printed the first part of his book, which included articles on Chanukah and Purim (the chapters are called "Kedushot"), explanations of Aggadot Sabbi D'Bei Atuna, and additional compilations (novellae on Shas from the author's father and the author's son). The section on the Torah was printed only posthumously by his sons in Berdichev.

Great tzaddikim wrote about the segulah of the holy Kedushat Levi. In the author of the Ohev Yisrael's approbation, and that of the holy righteous Rabbi Aharon of Zhitomir: Surely the merit of the gaon, the author, and the sanctity of his books, will shield and shelter everywhere they are found, to divert them like a peaceful river. Later, the Munkatch adjudicators wrote: It is known and accepted by the righteous of the generations that the holy book Kedushat Levi is auspicious for the sweetening of judgments in all Jewish homes.

The holy rabbi Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev [1740-1809] was among the greatest chassidic Admors, known as the "Advocate of Israel." He passed away on 25 Tishrei (Oct. 5) 1809.

In chassidic communities, it is related that before he was born, the Satan claimed that he would both judge favorably and carry everyone along with his enthusiasm, and the Satan's work would be impossible. As a result, three conditions were established before his descent to the world. One, that he would not meet the Ba'al Shem Tov (and indeed, even when he was twenty years old, he never met the Ba'al Shem Tov). Second, that he would encounter opposition. And third, that he would serve as a rabbi, and this would steal from his time.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was known especially for his incessant devotion to Hash-m at all times, and as is said in the name of the maggid of Kozhnitz: All his deeds were done with connection and devotion to the Creator, he did not cease his devotion even for a moment. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's family name was Derbaremadiker, which means 'The merciful one' in Yiddish. Chassidim tell that when the authorities demanded the Jews take on surnames, the appointed clerk approached Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's home to ask him which name he chose. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was intent in his devotions and did not pay attention to the person standing before him, he roared the groaning of his heart to his G-d and begged for his mercy, saying "דערבארימדיקער טאטע"  which means "Merciful Father," and the clerk took this as his choice of surname, and determined that this be his name.

The early chassidic leaders appreciated and admired Rabbi Levi Yitzchak. The Chozeh of Lublin would say: Each and every day I establish a time to thank and praise the Creator of the world for his sending such a great and holy soul, that of the rabbi of Berdichev. The Ba'al HaTanya said: The Holy One, so to speak, is righteous on high, and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak is righteous on Earth. In a letter sent by the Ba'al HaTanya to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, he calls him: ...holy devout ascetic, glory of the generation, right pillar, light of Israel. Due to his greatness, it was decided that following him, no one would serve as rabbi in Berdichev, only as adjudicators.

As advocate of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak wrote: No one is permitted to say anything bad about Israel, only to judge favorably. Righteous people of earlier generations said that the mere mention of the name Levi Yitzchak son of Sarah Sasha would sweeten judgments, and there are those who added that mentioning Berdichev is auspicious, as it says in Tractate Yoma "The seer says: The light shone upon the entire East until Hebron," meaning that it is a disadvantage to arouse the merit of the forefathers.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's grave site is known in Berdichev, and multitudes of Jews go to his grave to pour out their hearts to Hash-m by the one who loved them in his lifetime and advocates for them still. Many salvations have been told by those who have prostrated themselves on his grave over the generations.

Condition: On eight leaves there is slight damage to a number of letters in the title as a result of page cuts. The last leaf has an artistically photocopied completion of a number of words at the top of the leaf.