Manuscript, Messianic Calculations Written by the Yismach Moshe, Omitted by His Grandson the Yitav Lev of Sighet in ...

Manuscript, Messianic Calculations Written by the Yismach Moshe, Omitted by His Grandson the Yitav Lev of Sighet in the Printed Version / Five Novellae Revealed to the Yismach Moshe in Dreams – With Glosses Handwritten by the Editors, His Descendants the Yitav Lev Rebbe of Sighet and Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Laposch

Manuscript leaves, novellae of the Yismach Moshe which were being prepared for print, with the glosses of his descendants the Yitav Lev Rebbe of Sighet and Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Laposch, with differences compared to the printed version and unpublished sections:
• Two manuscript leaves, aggadic novellae and homiletics on Torah portions, Neviim, Ketuvim and Megillot, by R. Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely) – the Yismach Moshe. Written by a scribe. With two glosses handwritten by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet – the Yitav Lev, [Gorlitz? 1849-1851]; and with many glosses handwritten by Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Laposch (Târgu Lăpuș), [Laposch, 1900s].
Two large-format leaves, written on both sides (two columns per page). Copying of the Yismach Moshe's novellae on Aggadah and homilies, in preparation for printing.
A section discussing the topic of Mashiach and the time of its coming is recorded at the end of the first leaf, continuing at the beginning of the second leaf. This section was published in the book Yismach Moshe, Parashat Ki Tissa. In the present manuscript, the Yismach Moshe reckons that the Final Redemption should take place in the 5500s (1740-1840). He explains that the time of the Redemption is alluded to by the letter Vav of G-d's name – the sixth century of the six millennium (i.e. 5500s), and the sixth year of one of the decades of that century (i.e. 5566, 5576, 5586 etc. – 1806, 1816, 1826). However, since this section was eventually printed only in 1851, after the dates indicated by the Yismach Moshe had already elapsed, the Yitav Lev placed it in parentheses to indicate that it should not be printed, and wrote instead: "And the exact time in that millennium is hidden to us". The Yitav Lev also wrote an introductory sentence to this section.
• Six leaves, aggadic novellae and homiletics, including five novellae revealed to the Yismach Moshe in his dreams. In most of them, the Yitav Lev added transition sentences in his handwriting, [Gorlitz? 1849-1851]; with many glosses handwritten by Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Laposch, [Laposch, 1900s].
Six large-format leaves, written on both sides (two columns per page), copying of the novellae in Aggadah and homily of the Yismach Moshe, in preparation for printing. The leaves contain the following dreams:
1. On Motzaei Shavuot it was revealed to him that the Arizal lived 34 years in order to repair what Bilam damaged in the 34 years of his life. This was published in Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Parashat Balak. The section begins with a gloss handwritten by the Yitav Lev (who added the verse to which the section relates to).
This is one of the renowned dreams of the Yismach Moshe, and it is quoted and explained in many books, which discuss the various questions which arise from this dream. See enclosed material.
2. On the eve of Wednesday Parashat Bo 1794, the Yismach Moshe dreamed an answer to a difficulty raised by Tosafot on the topic of a stolen Lulav. This was published in the book Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Parashat Emor. With several transition sentences handwritten by the Yitav Lev. One of the sentences of the Yitav Lev was deleted and not printed (tears to some glosses, affecting text).
3. The Yismach Moshe was explained in his dream the reason for the saying of the sages, that G-d is more particular about the honor of the Tzaddik than His own honor. This was published after being edited in Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Parashat Behaalotecha. With a gloss handwritten by the Yitav Lev. In addition, at the end of this section there is an instruction for the editor handwritten by the Yitav Lev, as to the location of this section in the book.
4. A dream from Thursday night, Parashat Miketz, 5th night of Chanukah, Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet 1801 in Shinova. This was published in Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Parashat Beshalach. With glosses handwritten by the Yitav Lev.
Another dream is mentioned further on the same page.
This leaf contains other passages with glosses handwritten by the Yitav Lev. Enclosed is the subsequent leaf (the leaves are numbered 11-12), also with glosses handwritten by the Yitav Lev.
5. It was revealed to the Yismach Moshe in a dream that the one who reads the Torah portion in public must first forgive everyone, so that he bears no grudge on any Jewish person. This was published in Yayin HaRekach by the Yismach Moshe, Orach Chaim section 141.
The writings of the Yismach Moshe contain many wondrous novellae revealed to him in dreams. As his great-grandson Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Laposch writes in his book Tehillah LeMoshe: "His visions and dreams were wondrous, and he stated that his dreams are a form of prophecy, and several times he explained in his dream sharp and witty teachings".
[8] leaves. 41-42 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Tears affecting text.

Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely; 1759-1841) was an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia. An outstanding Torah scholar and G-dly Kabbalist, sharp and well versed in all facets of Torah, revealed as well as hidden. During his lifetime he was renowned as a holy G-dly man and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration. He first served as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa) from 1785-1808, and in 1808, was appointed rabbi of Ujhel and its region. At first, R. Moshe was an opponent of Chassidut, and in his youth, he travelled to Vilna to study Torah from the Gaon of Vilna (R. B. Landau, HaGaon HeChassid MiVilna, p. 291, in the name of R. Zalman Weber. The Klausenburg Rebbe cites an interesting testimony from that visit, which his great-grandfather the Yismach Moshe related about the conduct of the Gaon of Vilna with his disciples – Responsa Divrei Yatziv, Part IV, Yoreh De'ah, section 131). Over the years, R. Moshe gravitated towards Chassidut, influenced by his son-in-law R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsa, author of Responsa Aryeh D'Vei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. There, R. Moshe saw revelations of Divine Inspiration, and became the Chozeh's close disciple, adhering to Chassidut and disseminating its doctrines. This transformation took place while he was still serving as rabbi of Shinova. He also travelled to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. From 1815, R. Moshe began distributing amulets to those requiring salvation and "the pen cannot properly describe the wonders performed by those amulets". Reputedly, he deliberated whether to continue writing amulets until he heard a pronouncement from Heaven: "Do not fear for I am with you" (Tehillah LeMoshe). Until this day, most of the texts of amulets and "protections" in Ashkenazi countries are attributed to the Yismach Moshe, including the printed text of the "Protection for the infant and the mother" and "Protection from epidemic". The text of the renowned Kerestir amulets, inscribed by Chassidic rebbes for safeguarding home and property, also originates from him.
His published writings include the well-known books of homiletics – Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Megillot and on Talmudic Aggadot, Tefillah LeMoshe on Tehillim, Responsa Heshiv Moshe and other books. His book Maayan Tahor, with the laws of Niddah in Yiddish for Jewish women, was appended to many siddurim.

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum – the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), son of R. Elazar Nisan Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, and son-in-law of R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva who immigrated to Safed. He was a close disciple of his grandfather the Yismach Moshe – Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel, who drew him especially close and disclosed to him Heavenly revelations which he had perceived with Divine inspiration. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. In 1833 (at the age of 25), he was appointed rabbi of Stropkov, and after the passing of his illustrious grandfather, he was selected to succeed him as rabbi of Ujhel. He was then appointed rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went to serve as rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), capital of the Maramureș region, and founded there a large yeshiva, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. Amongst his renowned disciples from that time was R. Shlomo Leib Tabak author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attested that "he was a merciful father to his disciples, carrying them on his shoulders as a nurse carries a suckling, and overseeing each one individually to ensure they studied Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet, he earnt worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom, blessing and salvation. He was renowned for his exceptional holiness, and his grandson R. Yoel of Satmar attested that his holiness was never tainted. Numerous stories circulated of the wonders he performed, including incredible insights which were revealed to him with Divine Inspiration and through his exceptional wisdom. He was reputed in his generation as one who could read the minds of those standing before him, and amazing stories were told of this ability. His epitaph reads: "The renowned rabbi, he edified upstanding and reputable disciples, left behind valuable compositions". He is renowned for his books: Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the Festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.

Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum (1855-1935), grandson and close disciple of the Yitav Lev of Sighet. Together with his grandfather, he published Tefillah LeMoshe on Tehillim by their ancestor the Yismach Moshe. In 1906-1908, he published two volumes of Yismach Moshe on Neviim, Ketuvim and other topics. Likewise, he edited and published some of the works of his grandfather the Yitav Lev. In 1882, he was appointed rabbi of Laposch (Târgu Lăpuş, present day: Romania). In his final years, he settled in the United States, where he served as the Volover Rebbe.

Throughout his life, the Yismach Moshe composed novellae on all parts of the Torah – Halachah, Aggadah, Derush and Chassidut. He wrote these novellae sporadically, on pieces of paper, rather than in an organized fashion. After his passing, his writings were given to the Yitav Lev, his grandson and disciple, who gave them to a scribe to be copied methodically. After the writings were copied, the Yitav Lev began editing and arranging the novellae according to topics. While he was editing them, he added glosses, introductory and transition sentences, and many sources. From these writings, the Yitav Lev printed the Yismach Moshe series on the Torah portions, between 1849-1861. In time, when the Yitav Lev became busy with his rabbinical position, his yeshiva and disseminating Torah to his many disciples, he handed over the rest of the writings to his son-in-law, R. Yisrael Yaakov Yukel Teitelbaum Rabbi of Gorlitz and to his grandson R. Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Laposch, for them to edit and arrange other works of the Yismach Moshe for print. R. Yisrael Yaakov Yukel Teitelbaum of Gorlitz edited Responsa Heshiv Moshe (Lviv, 1866). R. Moshe David Teitelbaum of Laposch edited Tefillah LeMoshe on Tehillim (Krakow, 1880), and in 1906 and 1908, he compiled and published two new volumes of Yismach Moshe, comprising a compilation of ten small works on Neviim, Ketuvim, Megillot, Aggadot and more.

These leaves were used in the preparation of several books of the Yismach Moshe, and show the initial stages of editing – prior to the rearrangement according to subjects – bearing the handwritten editing notes of his holy descendants.