Auction 89 - Rare and Important Items
Bnei Yissaschar (Dinov) – Two Parts – Zhovkva, 1846-1850 – First Edition
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $18,750
Including buyer's premium
Bnei Yissaschar, Chassidic and Kabbalistic essays on the festivals and months of the year, Part I – Shabbat and the months of Nissan-Elul, and Part II – months of Tishrei-Adar, by Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Dinov. Zhovkva: [1846]-1850. First edition.
Two parts in two volumes. Part II was published in 1846, before Part I, which was only published in 1850. The date of printing is indicated in the colophon, printed at the end of Part II: "And the work was completed on Tuesday, 38th day of the Omer (23rd Iyar), 1846…" (Part II was printed without a title page, since the censorship did not authorize the printing of the book – see below).
Reputedly, the author would experience exceptional holiness and elevation during Chanukah. He once wished to question his prime teacher the Chozeh of Lublin as to the cause of this phenomenon, and even before he had a chance to ask, his teacher explained: You originate from the tribe of Yissachar, and in your earlier incarnation you were a member of the Beit Din of the Chashmonaim, which is why you experience extra holiness during Chanukah. He therefore named his book Bnei Yissaschar. It is recorded that the Divrei Chaim of Sanz once closeted himself in his room on Rosh Hashanah before the shofar blowing, studying the book Bnei Yissaschar for several hours with great intensity, as a preparation for the shofar blowing (foreword to Yod'ei Binah, by R. Elazar Tzvi Shapiro, son of the Bnei Yissachar; Beit Shlomo, New York 2005 edition, p. 15; Shai Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 457).
The printing of this first edition without a title page is also linked with a wondrous story. There was a scholarly young man named Yosef Tarler (1794-1854), who associated with the leading members of the Haskalah from a young age, and would frequently read heretic literature. He once heard the Bnei Yissaschar reading the verses in the Torah pertaining to the prohibition of Gid HaNasheh with great fervor. Yosef responded with mockery, scorning the holiness of the Torah. When the Bnei Yissaschar heard of this, he retorted: "I am certain that he will eventually convert to Christianity…". Upon hearing of the Bnei Yissaschar's prediction, Yosef Tarler mockingly reported it to R. Naftali of Ropshitz, who replied in jest, "If so, it is a mitzva to follow the words of the sages". Yosef Tarler later served as kosher meat trader in Lviv, and when apprehended for forging documents of a Polish nobleman, he evaded punishment by converting to Christianity, together with his family. He was then appointed the official censor in Lviv. When approached for permission to publish the book of the Bnei Yissaschar, following the latter's passing, the apostate censor categorically refused, arguing that he did not wish to approve the printing of the book of the one who had predicted his defection. The first edition was therefore printed without title page, in order to obscure the place and year of printing (Ohel Naftali, Warsaw 1911, pp. 98-99; Naftali Ben Menachem, Temirin, I, pp. 313-316).
Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Langsam-Shapiro (1783-1841), a most prominent Chassidic leader, close disciple of R. Mendele of Rimanov and disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, as well as of the Rebbe of Apta and the Maggid of Kozhnitz. From a young age, he served as rabbi of various Galician towns, yet is primarily renowned as rabbi of Dinov (Dynów), where he was later appointed rebbe in 1815. He also served as rabbi of Munkacs (Mukachevo). He authored dozens of compositions on halachah and aggadah, Chassidut and Kabbalah. His magnum opus is the book Bnei Yissaschar. His descendants branched out into many dynasties of rabbis and rebbes: Dinov, Munkacs, Bikovsk and more.
Two volumes. Part I: [1], 24; 72 leaves. Leaf 64 erroneously bound after leaf 62. Part II: 116 leaves. 24-24.5 cm. Part II mostly printed on bluish paper. Part I in fair condition. Part II in good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming to vol. I, affecting text on title page and other leaves, repaired in part with paper. Minor worming affecting text in vol. II. Marginal open tears to title page of vol. I (affecting text on verso), repaired with paper. Open tears to other leaves of vol. I. Minor abrasions and singeing to vol. II, affecting text in several places. New leather bindings.
Two parts in two volumes. Part II was published in 1846, before Part I, which was only published in 1850. The date of printing is indicated in the colophon, printed at the end of Part II: "And the work was completed on Tuesday, 38th day of the Omer (23rd Iyar), 1846…" (Part II was printed without a title page, since the censorship did not authorize the printing of the book – see below).
Reputedly, the author would experience exceptional holiness and elevation during Chanukah. He once wished to question his prime teacher the Chozeh of Lublin as to the cause of this phenomenon, and even before he had a chance to ask, his teacher explained: You originate from the tribe of Yissachar, and in your earlier incarnation you were a member of the Beit Din of the Chashmonaim, which is why you experience extra holiness during Chanukah. He therefore named his book Bnei Yissaschar. It is recorded that the Divrei Chaim of Sanz once closeted himself in his room on Rosh Hashanah before the shofar blowing, studying the book Bnei Yissaschar for several hours with great intensity, as a preparation for the shofar blowing (foreword to Yod'ei Binah, by R. Elazar Tzvi Shapiro, son of the Bnei Yissachar; Beit Shlomo, New York 2005 edition, p. 15; Shai Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 457).
The printing of this first edition without a title page is also linked with a wondrous story. There was a scholarly young man named Yosef Tarler (1794-1854), who associated with the leading members of the Haskalah from a young age, and would frequently read heretic literature. He once heard the Bnei Yissaschar reading the verses in the Torah pertaining to the prohibition of Gid HaNasheh with great fervor. Yosef responded with mockery, scorning the holiness of the Torah. When the Bnei Yissaschar heard of this, he retorted: "I am certain that he will eventually convert to Christianity…". Upon hearing of the Bnei Yissaschar's prediction, Yosef Tarler mockingly reported it to R. Naftali of Ropshitz, who replied in jest, "If so, it is a mitzva to follow the words of the sages". Yosef Tarler later served as kosher meat trader in Lviv, and when apprehended for forging documents of a Polish nobleman, he evaded punishment by converting to Christianity, together with his family. He was then appointed the official censor in Lviv. When approached for permission to publish the book of the Bnei Yissaschar, following the latter's passing, the apostate censor categorically refused, arguing that he did not wish to approve the printing of the book of the one who had predicted his defection. The first edition was therefore printed without title page, in order to obscure the place and year of printing (Ohel Naftali, Warsaw 1911, pp. 98-99; Naftali Ben Menachem, Temirin, I, pp. 313-316).
Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Langsam-Shapiro (1783-1841), a most prominent Chassidic leader, close disciple of R. Mendele of Rimanov and disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, as well as of the Rebbe of Apta and the Maggid of Kozhnitz. From a young age, he served as rabbi of various Galician towns, yet is primarily renowned as rabbi of Dinov (Dynów), where he was later appointed rebbe in 1815. He also served as rabbi of Munkacs (Mukachevo). He authored dozens of compositions on halachah and aggadah, Chassidut and Kabbalah. His magnum opus is the book Bnei Yissaschar. His descendants branched out into many dynasties of rabbis and rebbes: Dinov, Munkacs, Bikovsk and more.
Two volumes. Part I: [1], 24; 72 leaves. Leaf 64 erroneously bound after leaf 62. Part II: 116 leaves. 24-24.5 cm. Part II mostly printed on bluish paper. Part I in fair condition. Part II in good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming to vol. I, affecting text on title page and other leaves, repaired in part with paper. Minor worming affecting text in vol. II. Marginal open tears to title page of vol. I (affecting text on verso), repaired with paper. Open tears to other leaves of vol. I. Minor abrasions and singeing to vol. II, affecting text in several places. New leather bindings.
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books