Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items

Siddur HaRav (Baal HaTanya) – Zhitomir, 1863 – Magnificent Copy with Wide Margins

Opening: $6,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
"Order of prayers according to the prayer-rite of the Arizal", two parts in one volume, for Shabbat and weekdays, by HaAdmor HaZaken R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi – the Baal HaTanya. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heschel Shapira, 1863. Some letters on the title page are printed in red ink.
The text of the Siddur, the laws and the two Chassidic essays were composed and compiled by the Baal HaTanya, and were even published in his lifetime in several editions (the essays are: HaKol Kol Yaakov and Heara LeTikun Chatzot). The other Chassidic essays (commentaries to the prayers) were delivered by the Baal HaTanya and recorded by his son the Mitteler Rebbe, R. Dov Ber Shneuri of Lubavitch (first published in Kopust, 1816 – see item 116). These siddurim are known amongst Chabad chassidim as Siddur im Dach (Divrei Elokim Chaim – words of the Living G-d). This edition includes the additional Dach essays, first printed in the Berditchev (Berdychiv) 1818 edition, and not appearing in the first, Kopust (Kopys) 1816 edition.
In this edition, the Holy Names in Pesukei DeZimra and in other places were vocalized according to Kabbalah. R. Avraham David Lawat testified that the Tzemach Tzedek, Rebbe of Lubavitch, criticized the printers for modifying what the Baal HaTanya established, thereby allowing the siddur to be used even by those who have no knowledge in Kabbalah, including youths (Shaar HaKoller 6, section 9).
[4], 308 pages; 3-124 pages; 188 pages. Lacking title page of part II. 27 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Extensive worming (some repaired with paper). Tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired. New, elaborate leather binding.
Chabad Chassidism – Letters and Printed Books Including Early and Rare Editions
Chabad Chassidism – Letters and Printed Books Including Early and Rare Editions