Nefesh HaChaim, by R. Chaim Rabbi of Volozhin (Valozhyn). Vilna and Grodno, 1824. First edition. Forewords by his sons R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and R. Yosef of Chorzów. Approbations by the rabbis of Vilna, R. Shaul Katzenelbogen and R. Avraham Abele Poswoler.
A classic book of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (many parts of the book were written in response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the path and opinion of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples). The author, R. Chaim of Volozhin, cherished this book more that all his many halachic writings, and before his passing, he ordered his sons to expedite its publishing. The book was edited and brought to print by his son R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and by his nephew, the kabbalist R. Avraham Simcha of Amtchislav (Mstsislaw), who both served as heads of the Volozhin Yeshiva.
[6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 17; 4 leaves (leaves 1-4, which belong before section 4, were bound at the end of the book). 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Significant tears to title page margins and several other leaves. Dark stains and scribbles in several places. Ownership and familial inscriptions on flyleaves. New leather binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 478.

Siddur with the commentary of R. Yaakov Emden, Part I - Amudei Shamayim (prayers for weekdays and Shabbat) and Part II - Shaarei Shamayim (prayers for festivals and more), Ashkenazi rite. Altona: [printed in the home of the author R. Yaakov Rabbi of Emden - the Yaavetz, 1745-1747]. First edition.
Two parts out of three of the siddur with R. Yaakov Emden's commentaries, based on revealed parts of the Torah and on Kabbalah - following the teachings of the Arizal. The first edition of this siddur is renowned for its great precision. R. Yaakov Emden expended great effort in establishing the exact text of the siddur, in the vocalization and accuracy of the words. This siddur was reprinted in many editions and was named by later printers "the Beit Yaakov siddur". In the siddur's later editions (Lviv and Warsaw), modifications and errors affected the text of the prayers, and all that remains of R. Yaakov Emden's corrections and precisions are his comments, integrated in his commentary printed in the margins.
R. Yaakov Emden's siddur became widely accepted in the Chassidic world, and its second edition was printed in Korets in 1818, at the initiative and with the approbation of great Chassidic leaders: the rabbi of Apta and R. Mordechai of Chernobyl. The latter describes in his approbation the rarity of the first edition - the teachings of the Yaavetz are so cherished that "the siddurim have already become worn out, and there is not one to be found in the whole city". The Korets edition included only parts I and II, and in 1836, the third part was printed in Berditchev at the initiative and with the approbation of R. Mordechai of Chernobyl and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin (who praised the siddur in his approbation: "It was established and originates from golden foundations, in order to indicate the correct path with pure intellect on the topic of prayer"). The Imrei Yosef of Spinka wrote in the name of the sons of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, who heard from their father who had a tradition that the Baal Shem Tov told R. Efraim, brother of the Yaavetz: "Your brother the Yaavetz was connected to the Upper spheres all day" (approbation of R. Moshe Halberstam to the Eshkol edition of the siddur, Jerusalem 1993). Tzror HaChaim (by R. Ch. Liebersohn, Biłgoraj 1913, p. 22), quotes in the name of the Baal Shem Tov: "Chacham Tzvi had five sons, whom the Baal Shem Tov attested all merited Divine Inspiration, yet he offered especially effusive praise on one of them, without disclosing which one, but his friends confirmed that he was referring to the Yaavetz". The Yeshuot Moshe of Vizhnitz writes in his approbation to that same edition: "…This siddur did not depart from the tables of our teachers and ancestors, who utilized it constantly, especially while leading the Seder on Passover night". Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch quoted precisions and practices from this siddur several times in his discourses, and once remarked "R. Yaakov Emden exercised ultimate precision in every way, to the point of being meticulous even regarding the letters etc." (BeTzel HaChochma, p. 265). Title page of Part I: "Palatin Bet El, resting upon seven Amudei Shamayim, also called Ohr Shivat HaYamim". On the verso of the title page, approbation by R. Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen Rabbi of Altona-Hamburg-Wandsbek, extolling the virtues of the siddur. He relates in his approbation of cantors who are not meticulous to follow the rules of grammar "and sometimes upon hearing such mistakes, I berated them…". Title page of Part II: "The palace of the city of G-d, is open to 14 gates… Shaarei Shamayim… for the days and months of the year". The approbation of R. Aryeh Leibush Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Amsterdam, brother-in-law of the author and outstanding Torah scholar, is presented on p. 159b, followed by the author's apology for printing the approbation at the end of the siddur (rather than at the beginning, as is customary), explaining that it was received only at the end of the printing: "…and it is already known that the position does not bring honor to the person, and we find that the last one is the most cherished, and the Torah does not follow chronological order...".
Two parts in two volumes. Vol. I: [1], 356, 354-385, 389-415, 417-418 leaves. Vol. II: 159 leaves. 16.5-17 cm. Some leaves significantly darkened. Good-fair condition. Stains. Dampstains to title page of Part I and other places. Stamps on title pages and other leaves. New matching leather bindings.
Stefansky Classics, no. 415.

Seder Tikkun Shabbat, Shabbat prayers and songs, prayers for festivals and the High Holidays, Nusach Ashkenaz, Shabbat laws and customs based on musar and kabbalah, and selections on various topics, by R. Moshe of Zaloshin (Działoszyn). Warsaw, 1827. First edition.
In R. Akiva Eger's approbation, which is printed following the preface, he refers to the author as "my friend, friend of G-d, the rabbi who excels in Torah and Chassidism", and praised this composition as "stemming from the heart of a Tzaddik, who loves righteousness".
It must be noted that although the text of the prayers follows Nusach Ashkenaz, the book nevertheless includes the Chassidic additions recited before mincha of Erev Shabbat - Hodu and Patach Eliyahu.
The book quotes many teachings from prominent Chassidic leaders, and the author warns in his preface not to omit any sections from the book: "This composition comprises some teachings from authors belonging to the Chassidic sect, as well as some authored by opponents of Chassidism. However, let us not mention this folly and stupidity, and break up the holy Jewish people into two camps". He writes that the dispute between Chassidim and their opponents, which affects the unity of the Jewish people in this world, causes division in the Upper Spheres, as stated in kabbalistic books, and he therefore calls upon the Jewish people to unite with the goal of worshipping G-d wholeheartedly, "How long will we form two groups, two sects… the Chassid mocks the opponent, and the latter scorns the Chassid. And sometimes, the lowest of the low has the audacity to express his opinion on a prominent Chassidic leader, and conversely, the simplest of Chassidim dares to speak against a leading Torah scholar of the generation who opposes Chassidism".
R. Moshe of Zaloshin, son of R. Gershon (1789-1831, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 273-276), a leading Polish Tzaddik, father of Rebbe Yaakov Aharon of Zaloshin and R. Yosef Gershon of Dvart (Warta). According to several sources, R. Moshe of Zaloshin was a foremost disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, but this fact is disputed by Chassidic historians (see Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 273-274). It is an established fact however that the Chozeh of Lublin greatly revered him, going so far as to praise him "from the age of ten he dedicated himself to G-d".
Stamps and inscriptions on the front endpaper (the leaf is torn and lacking).
[12], 21-152, [229] leaves. Lacking 2 leaves (from the Shabbat morning songs and Birkat HaMazon. Missing leaves unnumbered). Approx. 17.5 cm. Overall fair condition. Several leaves in poor condition. 35 leaves of Shabbat morning prayers bound out of place. Tears to title page and several other leaves, affecting text. Lacking text from one torn leaf replaced in handwriting. Stains. Significant wear. Worming. Without binding. Old leather spine, torn.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 421.