Ben Porat Yosef, homiletics on Bereshit, with responsa at the end, by R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen Katz Rabbi of Polonne. The famous letter which the Baal Shem Tov sent to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov in Jerusalem is printed here for the first time at the end of the book. Korets: Tzvi Hirsh son of Aryeh Leib [Margolies] and his son-in-law Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber Segal, [1781]. First edition.
This is the author's second book, published approximately one year after his first book Toldot Yaakov Yosef. In this book, like in the previous one, the author quotes extensively teachings from his prime teacher, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov.
[1], 100 leaves. 30.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming to title page and many other leaves, with extensive damage to text (some leaves with significant damage), repaired in part with paper (most leaves restored). Open tears, repaired with paper. Stamps. Leaves trimmed with slight damage to headings. New binding.

The Famous Letter from the Baal Shem Tov
The famous letter which the Baal Shem Tov sent to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov in Jerusalem, was printed for the first time in the first edition of the book Ben Porat Yosef (at the end of the book). The Baal Shem Tov gave this letter to the author R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne when the latter intended to immigrate to Eretz Israel, in 1751, so that he could relay it to R. Gershon of Kitov. After his travel plans were cancelled, the letter remained in R. Yaakov Yosef's possession, and he published it "to benefit the Jewish people". In this letter, the Baal Shem Tov narrates of the "ascent of the soul" which he performed on Rosh Hashana of 1746 and 1749, and relates: "And I asked Mashiach, when will the Master come, and he responded… when your teachings will be publicized and revealed to the world, and your wellsprings will spread outwards".
R. Uri of Strelisk related that R. Mordechai of Neshchiz would study the letter every day: "The Tzaddik of Neshchiz resolved to study it every day, without fail, literally like laying Tefillin", he also said in his name that this letter contains allusions to three Holy names "through which one can find out the time of the Redemption" (Imrei Kadosh HaShalem, Jerusalem 1961, p. 47, 40).

The Books of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonne – "Teachings from Paradise"
The books of R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, author of Toldot Yaakov Yosef, are the most important and authentic source of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, containing hundreds of references to teachings the author personally heard from the Baal Shem Tov, emphasized throughout the books 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 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[!].

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Mishnat Chachamim, novellae on the Six Orders of the Mishnah, Parts I-VI, by R. Meshulam Feivish HaLevi Horowitz of Kremenets. Ostroh, [1796]. First edition.
The present copy was divided into six parts - each part in a separate volume. With six title pages (see below).
Approbations by the Noda BiYehuda, the Haflaah, R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam, and other prominent rabbis.
The author, R. Meshulam Feivish HaLevi Horowitz (b. ca. 1710 - d. Kislev, between 1785 and 1790) was born in Kremenets (Eastern Galicia), and lived there his entire life teaching Torah. The Noda BiYehuda in his approbation uncharacteristically extols his virtues, comparing him to the Torah scholars of early generations.
His daughter married R. Avraham HaMalach, and was the grandmother of R. Yisrael of Ruzhin.
Handwritten inscriptions on title page of Zera'im volume
Six volumes. Zera'im: [3], 33 leaves. Mo'ed: [1], 15 leaves. Nashim: [1], 22 leaves. Nezikin: [1], 20 leaves. Kodashim: [1], 24 leaves. Taharot: [1], 46 leaves. 18.5-20.5 cm. Condition varies. Two volumes in good condition, other volumes in good-fair to fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Open tears affecting text to some leaves in two volumes (including title pages), repaired with paper. Worming affecting text in several volumes. Leaves trimmed with damage to text and title page borders in several places. Stamps. New (matching) bindings.
This copy, which is divided into six volumes, includes six title pages – one at the beginning of each order. The first is a general, illustrated title page. The next two are title pages printed especially for Orders Mo'ed and Nashim (bearing the titles of the orders). The fourth one, bound before Nezikin, is identical to the first illustrated title page. Orders Kodashim and Taharot open with non-illustrated title pages.
The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book records a copy with four title pages only (without title pages of Kodashim and Taharot).

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Torei Zahav, homiletics, ethics, kabbalah and Chassidut on the Torah portions, festivals, Megillat Eichah and Megillat Esther, by R. Binyamin, the Maggid of Zalozitz (Zaliztsi). Mohyliv: [Tzvi Ze'ev Rabinstein?, 1816]. First edition.
The author, R. Binyamin, Maggid of Zalozitz (d. 1791), was well-versed both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. A contemporary of the Baal Shem Tov and early Chassidic masters, he was one of the first disseminators of Chassidic teachings.
46, 48-101, 101-108, 107-112, 117-119, 119-122, 125-126 leaves. Misfoliation. 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains, and significant traces of past dampness to lower margins of many leaves. Worming, slightly affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Tears, including minor open tears, to title page and other leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Glosses on leaves 47-48. New leather binding.

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Brit Kehunat Olam, kabbalistic homiletics and allusions, by R. Yitzchak Eizek Katz Rabbi of Korets and Ostroh. Three parts – first editions:
• Brit Kehunat Olam, Part I. Lviv: Judith, wife of R. Tzvi Hirsh [Rosanes], [1796]. First edition of part I.
[4], 16, [2]; 7; 18; 27 leaves. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, slightly affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Leaves trimmed with damage to headings in several places. Inscriptions. Stamps. New leather binding.
• Brit Kehunat Olam, Parts I-II. Lviv: [Joseph Schnayder], 1848. First edition of Part II.
The printing of Part II was delayed for many years, due to the prohibition to print kabbalistic books in Galicia (initiated by Galician maskilim). Upon the annulment of this prohibition in 1848, Part II, which was still in manuscript form, was immediately brought to press. Part I, which by that time had sold out, was reprinted in the same volume.
[3], 37; 23; [1], 3-15 leaves. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Upper margins of several leaves trimmed; slight damage to text on one leaf. Stamps. New binding.
• Brit Kehunat Olam, Part III. Munkacs: Dov Ber Blayer and brother-in-law Yaakov Kahn, 1891. First edition of part III.
28 leaves. Without leaves 29-32, with prenumeranten lists, found in some copies only. 22.5 cm. Slightly dry paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming. Marginal closed and open tears, not affecting text. Leaves trimmed close to text in several places. New binding.

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Meor Einayim, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions, and commentary on Aggadot and Midrashim (following the order of the Talmudic tractates), by Rebbe Menachem Nachum [Twersky] of Chernobyl – collection of editions:
• [Polonne: Yosef HaKohen, 1810]. Second edition of Meor Einayim, and third edition of Yismach Lev. Lacking title page (replaced in photocopy). From this edition onwards, Yismach Lev was printed together with Meor Einayim, under the title Meor Einayim.
• Hrubieszów: R. Menachem Mendel Finkelstein, [1818]. Open tears to title page and other leaves.
• Lviv: Chawe Grohssmann, 1848.
• Lviv: Avraham Yosef Madfis, 1858. Handwritten inscriptions on title page.
• [Lviv: printer not indicated, 1863]. Signature and stamp.
• Lviv: Avraham Yosef Madfis, 1870.
• Warsaw: [J. Berger], 1881.
• Warsaw: [J. Berger], 1889. Handwritten inscription on the title page.
8 books. Size and condition vary. Most with new bindings.

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