Tehillim - Warsaw, 1864 - Segulah Book - Edition Published by Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz - Incomplete Copy

Tehillim - Warsaw, 1864 - Segulah Book - Edition Published by Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz - Incomplete Copy
Tehillim with the Rashi and Metzudot commentaries, Yiddish translation and Seder Maamadot by the Rebbe of Apta. Warsaw: R. Nathan Schriftgisser, 1864. Separate title page for Seder Maamadot. This edition, which was published for public benefit, was funded by Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (Nesukhoyezhe), as stated on the title page of his book Toldot Yitzchak (Warsaw, 1868) and in his biography Zichron Tov (p. 49, new edition p. 84). This Tehillim is reputed as a Segulah book, and though it was printed at the time in six thousand copies, not many copies are extant today. The book Zichron Tov relates (Regarding his Charitability, section 4) that in 1864, the Rebbe decided to print Tehillim books and sell them at half the cost price, "so that people would choose to buy them and recite Tehillim daily, to benefit the public, and in the honor of King David his ancestor, and he printed some six thousand… and bound them in leather". He originally intended to sell each copy for only two Gulden, yet after a fire destroyed his Beit Midrash, he raised the price to one ruble each, in order to finance its rebuilding. "As each book was sold, the Rebbe would hold it in his hand, granting a blessing to the recipient of the Tehillim, and sometimes kissing the Tehillim before handing it to the buyer". The book further relates of R. Yitzchak of Neshchiz's reticence in public, and how in the last year of his life, he departed from this custom and delivered discourses of his novellae on the weekly portion and of his commentary on Tehillim. When presenting the latter, "the Rebbe would hold… the Tehillim printed in Warsaw, expounding from it his Torah novellae" (ibid, Regarding his Torah Novellae, section 11). The main title page and the title page of Seder Maamadot state that the Maamadot were compiled "according to the renowned Torah scholar… R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta" (the Ohev Yisrael, Rebbe of Apta). The approbation of the Ohev Yisrael's son, R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov (from the Medzhybizh 1827 edition), is presented on the verso of the title page of Seder Maamadot. Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (1789-1868) was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neshchiz. A close disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, he married his granddaughter and transmitted many Torah thoughts in his name. He was also a disciple of R. Baruch of Medzhybizh and of the Chozeh of Lublin. Appointed Rebbe at a young age, he held this position for over sixty years. He was reputed for his prayers, the wonders he performed, and his Heavenly revelations. He was revered by all sects of Chassidism for his holiness and exceptional piety, and as one "who facilitates the flow of Heavenly bounty to the entire Jewish people" (as stated in a letter by R. Baruch Shapira, prominent Chassid of the Peshischa and Kotsk dynasties). His renowned disciples include: Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk, Rebbe Yaakov Tzvi of Parysów and others. Incomplete copy: 303, [1], 2-23, 26-31 leaves. Lacking 4 leaves: Title page and subsequent leaf of Tehillim (replaced in photocopy) and leaves 24-25 of Seder Maamadot. 19 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains and light wear. Tears. Tears and worming to some leaves (mostly at beginning of book), affecting text, repaired, with professional photocopy replacement. New leather binding.