Or HaMeir, Chassidic and Kabbalistic homilies and allusions on the Torah portions, Megillot and festivals, by Rebbe Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomir. Korets: [R. Dov Ber of Slavita, after 1798]. Second edition.
Copy of the second rebbe of Slonim, Rebbe Shmuel Weinberg, author of Divrei Shmuel, with several ownership inscriptions in his handwriting and with his signature on the front and back endpapers.
The present book was inherited by the son of the Divrei Shmuel, Rebbe Yissachar Leib Weinberg, as attested by the stamps on the title page and endpaper: "From the estate of my father Rebbe Sh. of Slonim, Yissachar Leib Weinberg".
Several kvitlach notes given to the rebbe were placed between the pages of the book. One note states: "Avraham Tzvi son of Leah – May we have a good inscription and sealing for this new year, a blessed and successful year; may we shelter in the shadow of Tzadikim with complete faith and deep trust. May G-d bless me with all goodness, amongst the Jewish people".
Previous ownership inscriptions on the endpapers, including: "Shmuel son of R. Yosef", "Menachem Mendel, known as R. Mendel Shmuel Kalmans"; and more.
Rebbe Shmuel Weinberg of Slonim, author of Divrei Shmuel (1850-1916), grandson and close disciple of the Yesod HaAvodah – son of his son R. Yechiel Michel Aharon Weinberg. He began serving as rebbe ca. 1883. He always led his flock in Europe and Tiberias with love and exceptional devotion. For most of his life, he was engaged in raising funds for Kollel Reisin to support Torah scholars from Belarus in Tiberias. He also established the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias. Was one of the founders of Agudath Yisrael in 1912. The Divrei Shmuel would often frequent the Tzaddikim and rebbes of his generation, such as the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and R. Mordechai Shraga Feivish of Husiatyn. He often travelled to Rebbe David Moshe of Chortkov, whom he regarded as his prime teacher in all his affairs. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz once praised the Divrei Shmuel and stated that for more than three hundred years, a lofty soul like his had not come down to this world (R. Yitzchak David Lieder, Beit Deli, Jerusalem 2009, pp. 49-50). R. Chaim of Brisk testified that he was well versed in both Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, Sifra, Sifri and Tosefta (R. Shmuel Aharon Lieder, Nitei Esh, p. 471).
His eldest son, Rebbe Yissachar Leib Weinberg (1833-1928, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p 466-467), served as rebbe of Slonim after the passing of his father in 1916, alongside his younger brother Rebbe Avraham Weinberg, the Beit Avraham. The brothers shared a close friendship, and sometimes even led the Tish together, side by side. He was known for his wisdom and insight even in worldly matters, and for his tremendous love for his fellow Jew, giving a warm welcome to one and all. Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch stated about the two brothers, whom he knew from a young age, that he did not find such holy and pure brothers in entire Poland. Rebbe Yissachar Leib passed away on 28th Nissan 1928, leaving behind his son Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel (later rebbe of Slonim – Tel Aviv, 1898-1978, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 95-96).
Or HaMeir is one of the first Chassidic books, and contains teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. The author, R. Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomir was one of the foremost disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch, and a close disciple of R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, R. Nachum of Chernobyl and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. He was also close to R. Pinchas of Korets, who once said that he saw how R. Ze'ev Wolf was accompanied by Eliyahu the Prophet, who revealed to him holy secrets. R. Leib Sarah's said that he "saw upon his face the image of G-d in its perfection". The title page of this book bears exceptional praises about the author, such as: "He cleaved to his Creator at all times, unseparated while walking or sitting…". This book was dictated to his disciple R. Eliezer of Zhitomir, author of Pirkei HaNe'ezar. Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin remarked that "each Jew is obligated to conduct himself according to all that is written in the book". Of all Chassidic works, this book was particularly cherished by R. Chanoch Henich of Alexander (Tiferet Avot, Vizhnitz, 1993, p. 208).
Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz is reputed as saying that R. Ze'ev Wolf delivered only one eighth of the Torah he received from Heaven, and of what he delivered only one eighth was heard; from that which was heard only one eighth was understood; from that which the author of Pirkei HaNe'ezar comprehended he wrote only one eighth, and from that which was printed only one eighth is understood. R. Ze'ev Wolf passed away in 1798 and this book was printed shortly after his passing.

[2], 260 leaves. 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Open tears and worming, with extensive damage to text (many leaves were professionally restored with paper). Various stamps and inscriptions. New binding.

During 1798-1810, this book was printed in several similar editions, including several variants; see: A. Tauber, Bibliographic Studies, pp. 36-39; Y. Yudlov, Ginzei Yisrael, no. 1140. In this copy, the year stated is 1798, just like in the first edition, yet it contains several variations, including the prohibition to reprint the book, which was extended to 20 years.