Tehillim, Diglei Hodaya VehaMitzvah, with Seder Maamadot by the rabbi of Apta. Zhitomir: R. Aryeh Leib Shapira grandson of the rabbi of Slavita, 1866.
Two title pages. On the first title page, the word Jerusalem is emphasized in red. Additional title page for Seder Maamadot. In this copy, Seder Maamadot is incomplete.
Many approbations by rabbis of Eretz Israel and long list of pre-subscribers from Eretz Israel and Russia at the beginning of the book (featuring the names of many prominent rabbis and rebbes).
At the beginning of Seder Maamadot, additional list of pre-subscribers (including the four sons of Rebbe Yitzchak of Skver and others). Before the book of Tehillim: "Order of handwashing to replace immersing in a mikveh", compiled by the maggid R. Mordechai of Chernobyl, from the Baal Shem Tov.
440, 221-225, [11]; [4], 50 pages (originally: 440, 221-225, [11]; [4], 112, 57-64, 61-64, 28 pages). Lacking 102 pages. Lacking pages are all from Seder Maamadot; Book of Tehillim complete. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, some dark. Tears and damage to two title pages and other leaves, slightly affecting text in a few places, professionally restored. New leather binding.

Tzofnat Pane'ach, homiletics on the Book of Shemot, by the disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen Katz Rabbi of Polonne, author of Toldot Yaakov Yosef. [Korets: Tzvi Hirsh Margolies and his son-in-law Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber, 1782]. First edition.
The books of the Toldot Yaakov Yosef are the most important and authentic source of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, containing hundreds of references to teachings the author personally heard from the Baal Shem Tov, emphasized throughout the book and beginning with the words "I heard from my master".
This book was especially cherished by Chassidic leaders, who ascribed great holiness to the author and to his books. The Maggid of Mezeritch commended the author as having merited revelation of Eliyahu and reached lofty heights. R. Pinchas of Korets attested that a book of such stature has never yet existed, and its teachings originate from Heaven. He would customarily say that all new books do not totally conform with the truth, except for the books of the rabbi of Polonne which are "teachings from Paradise", and that with each quotation "heard from my master" one can resurrect the dead (!).
The Chida in Shem HaGedolim writes about this book: "Tzofnat Pane'ach, innovative novellae… homiletics on the Torah portions of Shemot, delightful homily according to the Pardes approaches of interpretation. Authored by R. Yaakov Yosef, who often cited the introductions of his prominent teacher, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov. And we know that this rabbi already published Toldot Yaakov Yosef, and it is widely acclaimed. And there [in Tzofnat Pane'ach], it says that he authored Ben Porat Yosef. And Tzofnat Pane'ach was printed in Korets in 1782" (Maarechet Sefarim, Tzadi). From the words of the Chida, it appears that of all the books of the Toldot Yaakov Yosef, only this one was before him.
[1], 95 leaves. 31.5 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Good condition. Minor stains and wear. Minor worming, slightly affecting text. Marginal tears to several leaves (slightly affecting text on final leaf). Marginal paper repairs to a few leaves. Censorship stamps. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 505.

Degel Machaneh Efraim, Chassidic teachings on the Torah, by R. Moshe Chaim Efraim Ashkenazi Rabbi of Sudilkov (Sudylkiv), grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. Korets, 1810. First edition.
An early Chassidic book. This book is one of the first and most reliable sources of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, which the author, R. Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sudilkov (d. 1800), grandson of the Baal Shem Tov (son of the Baal Shem Tov's pious daughter Odel), received directly from him. In his renowned letter to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov in 1752, the Baal Shem Tov refers to this grandson as a tremendous genius.
The book includes approbations by foremost Chassidic leaders: R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the Maggid R. Yisrael of Kozhnitz, R. Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz the Chozeh of Lublin, R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel Rabbi of Apta, and the Be'er Mayim Chaim. Printed at the end of the book: selections by the Baal Shem Tov, and "the dreams found in the writings of the holy rabbi".
Chassidic leaders greatly praised the holiness of this book, and its ability to inspire whoever studies it with fear of G-d, as R. Levi Yitzchak wrote in his approbation to the book: "I am convinced that this book will enthuse the hearts of our Jewish brethren to worship G-d".
All the approbations emphasize the author's lineage as grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, and that the book is replete with the latter's essential teachings.
[2], 114 leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Significant worming (including extensive worming to some leaves, considerably affecting text). Detached leaves and gatherings. Stamps. Without binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 128.

Collection of editions of the book Levushei Serad, commentary to Shulchan Aruch, by R. David Shlomo Eybeschutz, author of Arvei Nachal:
1. Levushei Serad, Yoreh De'ah. Mohyliv, [1812]. First edition of Yoreh De'ah part. Approbations by prominent Chassidic leaders: R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta and the Be'er Mayim Chaim. Stefansky Chassidut, no. 256.
2. Levushei Serad, Orach Chaim. Mohyliv, 1818. First edition of Orach Chaim part. Stefansky Chassidut, no. 253.
3. Levushei Serad, Orach Chaim. False imprint, stating "Mohyliv, 1818" (as in the first edition; regarding the distinction between this edition and the first one, see: R. Yechiel Dov Weller, Editions of Levushei Serad and Arvei Nachal by R. David Shlomo Eybeschutz, Zechor LeAvraham, Holon 1991, p. 96).
4. Levushei Serad, Yoreh De'ah. Hrubieszów, 1819. Stefansky Chassidut, no. 257. Stamp of the Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin library.
5. Levushei Serad, Yoreh De'ah. [Russia-Poland, ca. 1830]. Edition imitating the Hrubieszów 1819 edition, printed after it, leaf by leaf (see: A. Yaari, HaDfus HaIvri BeHrubishov, Kiryat Sefer, XX, 1943-1944, p. 226). Stefansky Chassidut, no. 259.
6. Levushei Serad, Orach Chaim. Zhovkva, 1836. Stefansky Chassidut, no. 254.
7. Levushei Serad, Orach Chaim, parts I and II. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, grandsons of the rabbi of Slavita, 1853. First edition of part II (sections 149-696). Stefansky Chassidut, no. 255.
8. Levushei Serad, Yoreh De'ah. Lviv, [ca. 1850]. Stamps of the library of the Etz Chaim yeshiva in Volozhin. Ownership inscriptions.
9. Levushei Serad, Orach Chaim. Two parts. Zhitomir, 1869-1870.
10. Oryan Telitai – Simlah Chaddasha, Tevuot Shor and Bechor Shor, with Levushei Serad. Zhitomir, 1868.
11. Shelosha Sefarim Niftachim – Simlah Chaddasha, Tevuot Shor, Bechor Shor with Levushei Serad and Daat Kedoshim. Warsaw, [1909]. Stereotype edition of the Warsaw 1891 edition, with the approbations.
Signatures, stamps and ownership inscriptions. Glosses in several places.
Size and condition vary.

Bat Ayin on the Torah, by Rebbe Avraham Dov of Ovruch and Safed. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, [1847]. First edition.
This book is a classic text of Chassidic thought and has in it the holiness of Eretz Israel. It was written by one of the author's disciples, Rabbi Yisrael of Fălticeni, but it was carefully edited by Rebbe Avraham Dov after Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl instructed him to print it. The first edition of the book was printed specifically in Eretz Israel and not in the Diaspora, according to the instructions of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhyn, as written in the publisher's preface. The Zhitomir edition (1869) contains several additional lines in the author's introduction, where he writes that the holiness of Eretz Israel is included in his book: "I called this book Bat Ayin, since that title has the same numerical value as my name… and because I have included the holiness of the Holy Land in my writings, and the land is referred to as being under the constant scrutiny of G-d's watchful eyes" (ayin in Hebrew).
Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl writes in his approbation to the 1869 edition: "I hereby… bless… anyone who buys this book at full price, with success in all their dealings".
The author, Rebbe Avraham Dov of Ovruch (1765-1841), was a renowned chassid and disciple of R. Nachum of Chernobyl and his son R. Mordechai as well as of R. Zusha of Anipoli and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. He served as rabbi of Ovruch for approx. 40 years, and was known as "the holy rabbi of Ovruch". In 1833 he immigrated to Eretz Israel, and established his Beit Midrash in Safed, where he became the leader of the Chassidic communities. Miraculous stories are told of his deliverance from the tragic earthquake in 1837, which took place during the late afternoon Mincha prayers in the synagogues. The Rebbe warned his Chassidim not to leave the synagogue, and he himself lay on the floor of the Beit Midrash while the surrounding congregation held on to his belt. The entire building collapsed with the exception of the narrow area in which the Rebbe and his followers lay (some time later, the Rebbe related that he recognized that the earthquake was not a natural event since the stones were cast to the sides and did not fall directly to the ground in spite of their weight. He understood that great power had been granted to Satan, and he therefore lay submissively on the ground in fulfillment of the verse "Wait a moment until the fury passes"). After the earthquake, he restored the Safed community and did not allow his Chassidim to abandon the holy city. He died of a plague in Safed in 1841; the plague ceased after his passing. Many miraculous stories are told of his lofty holiness and the wonders he performed for the Jewish people.
On several leaves, signatures of "Yechiel Tzvi Margolies" (presumably R. Hirsh Kriniker, an elder Karlin Chassid in Jerusalem at the end of the 19th century).
[2], 125, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, some dark. Minor worming and some tears. Title page and several other leaves professionally restored. Stamps (stamp on title page blotted out with ink). Inscriptions. New binding.
This copy contains the last leaf – list of subscribers from Eretz Israel – which is not included in some copies. This leaf is a historical documentation of the Chassidic settlers in Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias and Hebron in mid-19th century.
A short time after the printing of the first edition in Jerusalem, a second edition was printed in Zhitomir, 1850. The Zhitomir printers were evidently unaware of the earlier Jerusalem printing. The Zhitomir edition was based on a different manuscript, ensuing in differences between the two works (see N. Ben-Menachem, Kiryat Sefer, vol. 37, 1962, pp. 401-402; B'Shaarei Sefer, Jerusalem, 1967, pp. 49-53).
S. HaLevi, no. 38; Stefansky Chassidut, no. 103.