Derech Chaim VeTochachat Mussar Haskel - Shaar HaTeshuvah and Shaar HaTefillah, by Rebbe Dov Ber, the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch. Kopust (Kopys): R. Yisrael Yoffe, prominent disciple of the Baal HaTanya, [after 1819?].
Signatures on the title page. Stamp on leaf 1.
[5], 189 leaves. Extra copies of leaves 4-15. 17 cm. Bluish paper. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Wear. Open tears, affecting text in several places (large tear to leaf 27, affecting text). Worming affecting text, repaired in part with paper (significant damage to leaf [5] and final leaf, repaired with paper). Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 138.

Rebbe Dov Ber Shneuri (1774-1828), known as the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch, was the son of R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya. After his father passed away (December 1812) while fleeing the French invasion of Russia, he began serving as rabbi in Lubavitch (Lyubavichi). In his father's lifetime, he recorded the latter's teachings, and delivered public lectures based on them, even in his presence, with the addition of his own commentaries. He was gifted with brilliant profundity and an unlimited wellspring of Torah thoughts. His Chassidic discourses would extend over many hours. He had an exceptional talent for clear explanations, whether in writing or orally, and was able to clarify and simplify before laymen the most profound and abstract concepts in Kabbalah and Chassidut. He was endowed with a rare ability to concentrate, and was able to contemplate G-dly concepts for hours on end, completely unaware of his surroundings. The Lubavitcher Rebbe retold that on Yom Kippur, he would stand in his place the entire day, in devoted prayer detached from physicality, without budging, with sweat pouring from his head. He passed away whilst delivering a Chassidic discourse.