Yismach Moshe on Neviim, Ketuvim and Festivals – First Edition – Sighet, 1906-1908 – First Printing of Yismach ...

Yismach Moshe on Neviim, Ketuvim and Festivals – First Edition – Sighet, 1906-1908 – First Printing of Yismach Moshe’s Letter to his Son Rabbi Elazar Nisan of Drohobych

Yismach Moshe, Part I – homilies on Neviim, Ketuvim and the Five Megillot, and Part II – homilies on the festivals, by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Sighet: Avraham Kaufman and sons, 1906-1908.

First edition of Yismach Moshe on Neviim, Ketuvim, Megillot and Festivals, which “was a wonderful treasure buried for over sixty years”. Introductions by the publisher, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Magyarlápos (grandson of the Yitav Lev of Sighet) on the reverse side of the title pages of both parts.

Two parts comprising ten works. Part I, comprising six works: 1. Yismach Moshe on Neviim and Ketuvim. 2. Yashir Moshe on Shir HaShirim. 3. Klil Tiferet on Ruth. 4. Evel Moshe on Eichah. 5. Mor ULevonah on Kohelet. 6. Asis Rimoni on Esther. Part II, comprising four additional works: 7. Yayin HaRekach on Aggadot and Pilpul. 8. Siach Sefunim on prayers, piyyutim and Shabbat songs. 9. Tochachat Chaim Amirah Ne’imah, sermons for Elul and high holidays. 10. Evkat Rochel, selections.

At the beginning of Part I (leaves 1-12) is a biography of the author called Tehillah LeMoshe – by the author's great-grandson, R. Yisrael Yaakov Yukel Teitelbaum of Volove (1838-1924), and the latter's son the publisher Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Magyarlápos.

At the end of the book is printed for the first time the ethical letter sent by the Yismach Moshe to his son, R. Elazar Nisan Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Drohobych, after his wedding (“and it is known that the early Chassidim would study this letter at regular intervals” – Magen Avraham, Likkutei Dibrot Kodesh, p. 6).

On the title page of Part I, signatures and stamps of R. “Aryeh HaKohen, shochet – here, T[âr]g[u] Lăpuș”.

Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel (1759-1841), the Yismach Moshe, an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia, and progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar Chassidic dynasties. An outstanding Torah scholar and kabbalist, he was an expert in both the revealed and hidden Torah. He was famed during his lifetime as a holy wonderworker possessing ruach hakodesh. He first served as rabbi in Shinova from 1785-1808, and subsequently in 1808 he was appointed rabbi and Av Beit Din of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely) and the region. Rebbe Moshe was originally opposed to Chassidut, and in his youth he traveled to study with the Vilna Gaon. He joined Chassidut at a later age, influenced by his son-in-law, R. Aryeh Leib Lipschitz, Av Beit Din of Vishnitza (Nowy Wiśnicz), author of Responsa Aryeh DeVei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. With the Chozeh he became aware of clear manifestations of ruach hakodesh, and from that point on he became his close disciple, devoting himself to the Chassidic way and spreading its teachings in his regions. He likewise traveled to visit the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. Starting in 1815, he began to distribute amulets to those in need of salvation, thereby performing countless wonders. It is told that he hesitated about whether to continue making amulets until he heard a heavenly voice calling out to him while he was awake: "Do not fear, for I am with you" (Tehillah LeMoshe). To this day, most of the amulets and shemirot in Ashkenazic lands are attributed to the amulets of the Yismach Moshe, including the printed shemirot for children and child-bearing women and for plague. The famous "Keresterir's amulets", which were written by rebbes as a Segulah to guard one's house and property, originate with the Yismach Moshe.

Part I: [3], 2-96 leaves. Part II: [3], 2-97 leaves. 23.5-25 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Creases and minor tears. Worming in Part I. Trim affecting headings in Part II. Inscriptions and stamps. New bindings.