Ginzei Yosef, essays of ethics, homiletics, Chassidut and Kabbalah on the Torah, with novellae on tractates Berachot, Shabbat, Pesachim and Sukkah, by R. Yosef Bloch Rabbi of Alesk (Olesko). Lviv, 1792. First edition. With approbations by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, R. Zusha of Anipoli, R. Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka, R. Avraham Moshe of Pshevorsk and others.
The author, R. Yosef Bloch (1724-1790), was a close associate of the Maggid of Mezeritch. Rabbi of Alesk and maggid in Satanov (Sataniv). He is renowned in the Chassidic world for his book Ginzei Yosef, one of the first Chassidic books. His book contains approbations from eminent rabbis who opposed Chassidut, such as R. Tzvi Hirsh Rosanes Rabbi of Lviv, who wrote: "He did not depart from the tent of Torah, and would make nights as days".
Stamp of R. Chaim Heller (1879-1960, author of Sefer HaMitzvot and LeChikrei Halachot) on the title page and other leaves. Another stamp on leaf [2]: "Elimelech… Endelman". Erased handwritten inscription on title page.
Many words throughout the book, mostly mentions of gentiles, were circled by hand.
[4], 98; 24 leaves. 37 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Signs of mildew to many leaves. Tears, damage and worming to title page and other leaves, mostly to margins, repaired with paper, slightly affecting text on several leaves (title page and several other leaves were professionally restored). Handwritten markings to text. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 110.