Lot 151
Avodat Yisrael - Zhitomir, 1848 - Second Edition
Avodat Yisrael, homilies on the Torah and on Pirkei Avot, by the Maggid R. Yisrael of Kozhnitz. Zhitomir: the Shapira brothers, R. Chanina Lipa, R. Aryeh Leib and R. Yehoshua Heshel, 1848. Second edition.
The author, R. Yisrael Hopstein, known as the Maggid of Kozhnitz (Kozienice; 1737-1815, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 542-548), was a leading rebbe who disseminated Chassidism throughout Poland.
His famous book Avodat Yisrael was not printed in his lifetime, however it is known to be his primary work and a foremost Chassidic book, printed in many editions. Chassidic leaders praised the holiness of the book and its author. For example, the author of Aryeh D'Vei Ila'i writes in his approbation: "His words which burn like fire… will excite the heart of the reader like torches…". The author of Divrei Yechezkel of Shinova said: "All the books of the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov are holy, yet the holy book Avodat Yisrael is Holy of Holies".
[4], 186 pages. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. New binding.
