Yismach Moshe on Bereshit – Lviv, 1887 – Rare Edition (No Other Parts Published) – Approbation by the Kedushat Yom ...

Yismach Moshe on Bereshit – Lviv, 1887 – Rare Edition (No Other Parts Published) – Approbation by the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet

Yismach Moshe, Part I, Chassidic and kabbalistic homilies on the Book of Bereshit, by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Lviv: Uri Zev Salat, 1887. Rare edition – only part I on the Book of Bereshit was printed in this edition.
On p. [2a], foreword by the author's grandson, the Yitav Lev, to the first edition (Lviv, 1848), with an approbation by the latter's son, R. Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, the Kedushat Yom Tov, describing the great demand for this book.
Signature: "Abba HaKohen R.G." [Rosenberg?].

[2], 120 leaves. 23 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains; traces of mold (primarily to first leaves). Creases and minor wear. Tear to leaf 102. Leaves trimmed close to text. Title page mounted on paper for reinforcement (marginal paper repairs to leaf [2]). Signature and stamp at foot of title page. New binding.

Rare edition! Friedberg lists it as the third edition (Beit Eked Sefarim, Yud, no. 1102); Ben Menachem states: "nonexistent" (MiSifrot Yisrael BeUngaria, p. 132).

The Yismach Moshe, Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841) was an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia and progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar Chassidic dynasties. An outstanding Torah scholar and G-dly kabbalist, well versed in all facets of Torah, revealed as well as hidden. During his lifetime he was renowned as a holy G-dly man and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration. He first served as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa) from 1785-1808, and in 1808, was appointed rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely) and the region. At first, R. Moshe was an opponent of Chassidut, and in his youth, he travelled to Vilna to study Torah from the Gaon of Vilna. Over the years, R. Moshe gravitated towards Chassidut, influenced by his son-in-law R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsa, author of Responsa Aryeh D'Vei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. There, R. Moshe saw revelations of Divine Inspiration, and became the Chozeh's close disciple, adhering to Chassidut and disseminating its doctrines. He also travelled to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. From 1815, R. Moshe began distributing amulets to those requiring salvation and "the pen cannot properly describe the wonders performed by those amulets". Reputedly, he deliberated whether to continue writing amulets until he heard a pronouncement from Heaven: "Do not fear for I am with you" (Tehillah LeMoshe). Until this day, most of the texts of amulets and "protections" in Ashkenazi countries are attributed to the Yismach Moshe, including the printed text of the "Protection for the infant and the mother" and "Protection from epidemic". The text of the renowned Kerestir amulets, inscribed by Chassidic rebbes for safeguarding home and property, also originates from him.