Auction 30 - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters

Degel Machane Efraim – Korets, 1810 – First Edition

Opening: $15,000
Sold for: $18,750
Including buyer's premium
Degel Machane Efraim, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Efraim Ashkenasi of Sadilkov, grandson of Rabbi Yisrael the Besht. Korets, 1810, first edition.
On the Torah consecutively, Chassidic style. Approbations by Chassidic leaders: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichov, the Maggid Rabbi Yisrael of Koznitz, Rabbi Ya'akov Yitzchak HaLevi Horwitz "HaChozeh" of Lublin, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel Rabbi of Apta etc. At the end of the book are "likutim" (compilations) of the Besht as well as "the dreams found in the writings of the Holy Rabbi" (one leaf).
An early Chassidic book. This book is one of the first authorized sources of the Besht's Torah thoughts which he absorbed directly from the mouth of the holy author, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sadilkov (1748-1800), the Besht's grandson, son of his righteous daughter Edel. Chassidic leaders spoke at length of the holiness of the book and its ability to inspire its reader with fear of Heaven, and as Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev wrote in his approbation to the book: "I promise that by this work, the hearts of our brothers the People of Yisrael will be stirred to serve G-d".
Whole copy in good condition, greenish-bluish paper. Apparently combined of two copies. [2], 114 leaves. 19.5 cm. Good condition, stains, moth marks, wear to leaf margins and restored tears to several leaves [minor damage to text]. Censor stamp to title page. Signatures, gloss on last leaf blurred]. Handsome new leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut no. 128.
hassidism
hassidism