Likutei Amarim – Tanya – Zhovkva, 1798 – First Edition of the Igeret HaTeshuva, Mahadura Kama

Likutei Amarim – Tanya – Zhovkva, 1798 – First Edition of the Igeret HaTeshuva, Mahadura Kama
Likutei Amarim Tanya, by HaAdmor HaZaken Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya. Zhovkva: Mordechai Rubinstein, [1798].
The title page states: "Tanya, which is a book of collected writings… and we have added a touch… from the outstanding Torah scholar, the author, to explain the essence and topic of Teshuva, and this is a third part which was not included in the first edition printed in Slavita…" (the word Slavita is emphasized on the title page).
This edition is the second printing of the Tanya in the author's lifetime, and was presumably printed without his knowledge. This is the first edition to be printed outside Russia, and to contain chapters of Igeret HaTeshuva – Mahadura Kama at the end of the book (in Shklow 1806, the author published Igeret HaTeshuva Mahadura Batra).
This is the first time the book was titled Tanya, a title used ever since. In the first edition, the book was named only Likutei Amarim.
The publisher R. Yaakov of Brody writes at the end of the book that he was repeatedly asked to undertake the printing of a new edition of this book, since the book was not available in his country (Galicia-Poland), due to the prohibition to export the book from Russia, where it was originally published.
The following statement appears before Igeret HaTeshuva (p. 67a): "Says the publisher: A precious gem was in my possession from the scholarly author, a manuscript booklet pertaining to repentance, and for the benefit of the public I have brought it to print".
This edition earned two important approbations from prominent rabbis. The first one from R. Moshe Tzvi Hirsh Meisels Rabbi of Zhovkva, and the second from R. Yitzchak HaLevi of Lviv, rabbi of Kraków (an elder rabbi of his generation, son-in-law of R. Aryeh Leib Rabbi of Amsterdam, and brother-in-law of R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam).
R. Yitzchak Shimshon Meisels Rabbi of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi), grandson of R. Moshe Tzvi Hirsh, relates in his approbation to the siddur of the Baal HaTanya that he was present when his grandfather accorded his approbation to the Tanya.
The second approbation was given by R. Yitzchak HaLevi of Lviv, rabbi of Kraków, a foremost opponent of Chassidism. He was a leading signatory on the ban against Chassidim in Kraków in 1786, and the book Tzavaat HaRivash was burnt at his behest, while this book earned his effusive approbation, with profuse praise of the author and his book.
[2], 74 leaves. 17 cm. Fair condition. Dark stains and wear. Marginal tears and open tears, not affecting text, minor repairs to title page and final two leaves. Stamp. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 623.