Toldot Yaakov Yosef – Korets, 1780 – First Edition – First Printed Chassidic Book – Segula Book – Fine Copy

Toldot Yaakov Yosef – Korets, 1780 – First Edition – First Printed Chassidic Book – Segula Book – Fine Copy
Toldot Yaakov Yosef, commentary on the Torah according to Chassidic teachings, by R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polonne. Korets: Tzvi Hirsh son of Aryeh Leib [Margolies] and son-in-law Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber Segal, [1780].
Fine copy in good condition.
Toldot Yaakov Yosef, the first Chassidic book to be printed, was authored by the Kabbalist R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polonne (d. Tishrei 1781 - Chassidic lore records his birth as 1660, ascribing him a life of close to 110 years), a leading and close disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the first to disseminate Chassidism. This book is the most important and authentic source of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, containing over 280 references to teachings the author personally heard from the Baal Shem Tov, emphasized throughout the book and beginning with the words "I heard from my master".
This book was especially cherished by Chassidic leaders, who ascribed it great holiness. The Maggid of Mezeritch (Mezhirichi) commended the author as having merited revelation of Eliyahu and reached lofty heights. R. Pinchas of Korets attested that a book of such stature has never yet existed, and its teachings originate from Heaven. He would customarily say that all new books do not totally conform with the truth, except for the books of the rabbi of Polonne which are "teachings from Paradise", and that with each quotation "heard from my master" one can resurrect the dead[!]. The Saba of Shpoli (Shpola) would recommend putting this book under the head of an ill person as a Segula (LaYesharim Tehilla).
When R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk immigrated to Eretz Israel, he met R. Pinchas of Korets who queried "Why did the Rabbi from Polonne print one thousand books at the price of one gold coin per book; had he printed a single book, I would have paid for it a thousand gold coins…".
During the course of the battle against Chassidism, this first edition was publicly burnt in Brody and other places, which accounts for the extreme scarcity of this edition (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p. 277).
Complete copy. [1], 202 leaves. Leaves 23-24, 81, 111-112 appear twice. 32 cm. Good condition. Stains, dampstains. Worming to title page and last seven leaves, slightly affecting text. Minor worming in several other places, with minimal damage to text. Marginal paper repairs to a few leaves. Ownership inscription. New, elaborate leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 605.