Online Auction 41 - Chabad

Special Chabad Auction on the Occasion of the New Year and in Honor of Chai (18th) Elul – Birthday of the Great Chassidic Luminaries, the Baal Shem Tov and the Baal HaTanya

Torat Chaim – Sudylkiv-Kopust, 1826 – First Edition – Variant – Copy with Censors' Omissions and Different Title Wording – Blue Paper

Opening: $500
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium

Torat Chaim, commentary on the essays of R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, by his son R. Dov Ber, the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch. Sudylkiv-[Kopust (Kopyst): Yehuda Yoffe], 1826. First edition.


Sefer Torat Chaim, including Hassidic homilies on the Torah portions, from Bereshit to Chaye Sarah. In this work, the Mitteler Rebbe sets out to explain - thoroughly and at great length - the Chassidic essays of his father, the Baal HaTanya, on the Torah portions.


This variant differs from other known copies in several ways: it has undergone extensive censorship, resulting in hundreds of omissions; three sentences were omitted from title page; place of publication appears on the title page as Sudylkiv (instead of Kopust), and the name of publisher is Yaakov Segal (instead of Yehuda Yaffe, as in other copies).

This edition was printed by the Mitteler Rebbe during his lifetime. The Mitteler Rebbe regarded the studying of this book as highly important; he himself was involved in every aspect of publication, and was adamant in his insistence that the book will be sold at a fair price, so as to allow every Jew to purchase it, even ones who are in possession of lesser means. [1], 8; 90, 93-95; 79 ff. (Misfoliation).


Approx. 21.5 cm. Mostly on bluish paper. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains (mostly on title page and on first and last leaves). Small open tear to title page, without damage to text. Open tear to leaf 58 (of 2nd sequence), affecting text. One leaf partly detached. Leaves trimmed close to text, with damage to headings in several places. Fine new binding.


PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.