Derech Chaim by the Mitteler Rebbe Kopust, After 1819

the book Derech Chaim VeTochachat Mussar Haskel ...

Derech Chaim by the Mitteler Rebbe Kopust, After 1819

the book Derech Chaim VeTochachat Mussar Haskel, "Words of reproach, which subjugate man's heart and bring him closer to his Father in heaven, in complete repentance", with Shaar HaTeshuvah and Shaar HaTefillah, by R. Dov Ber, the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch.

Derech Chaim VeTochachat Mussar Haskel. Kopust (Kopys): R. Yisrael Yoffe, prominent disciple of the Baal HaTanya, [after 1819?].

In his preface to this book, the Mitteler Rebbe mentions how Chabad Chassidim cherish manuscripts, preferring them over printed books.

Mamorim on Teshuva and Tefilah, by R. Dov Ber Schneerson (1773-1827), “the Mittler Rebbe” of Lubavitch, who inherited the mantle of Chassidic leadership from his father, R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, “the Alter Rebbe”. He was the first Rebbe to live in town of Lubavitch and had an immense influence on his Chasidim in particular and on communal Jewish life in Russia in general. He was also a prolific author and his seforim are fundamentals of Chasidic thought.

This first edition has three variants with different paginations. According to the official bibliography of the Otzar Ha’Chasidim (Kehot), (Derech Chaim, p. 117), the three editions were printed in Kapust in 1819. R. Sholom Duber Levine in his essay regarding this edition (Yagdil Torah Chabad, Year 8 Issue 59, p. 247-254), writes that this edition was printed either somewhere in Russia/Poland or in Kapust, in an underground Chabad printing press which was established after the 1837 decree prohibiting publishing Jewish books. In this printing press, only five works were printed with forged censor authorizations and with fake dates of printing. The title pages of each of these five printings bear an old decoration originating in a Russian printing press which was closed at that time.

[5], 189 leaves. 16.5 cm. Greenish paper. Fair condition. Stains, including significant dampstains and traces of past dampness, with mold. Wear. Open tears to title page and several other leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper.

Worming, affecting text. New leather binding.

Stefansky Chassidut, no. 138.