Meor Einayim, Chassidic discourses on the Torah, by Rebbe Menachem Nachum [Twersky] of Chernobyl. Slavita (Slavuta): [R. Moshe Shapira, 1798]. First edition.
Meor Einayim is a fundamental work of the Chassidic movement, and one of the first Chassidic works citing the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezeritch. The author, the maggid R. Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl (1730-1798, Encyclopedia LaChassidut, III, pp. 168-175), was a founding father of Chassidism and the progenitor of the Chernobyl dynasty. He studied directly from the Baal Shem Tov and was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch. He served as maggid in Norynsk, Pohrebyshche and Chernobyl. He acceded to his disciples' entreaties to print his teachings and delegated the task to his disciple R. Eliyahu son of R. Ze'ev Wolf Katz, instructing him to publish his writings in the "fine and magnificent printing press established in Slavita…" (the printing press of R. Moshe Shapira, then in its infancy).

The book was reputedly originally eighteen times longer, but when arranging it for printing, R. Nachum of Chernobyl commanded his disciples to burn many leaves, leaving only the teachings which were divinely inspired. His writings were divided by his disciples into two parts: one part on the Torah, including selections, published under the title Meor Einayim (the present book), and a second part pertaining to Talmudic aggadot, named Yismach Lev. The two parts were printed in Slavita the same year. In later editions, the two parts were combined and printed together under the title Meor Einayim. R. Nachum of Chernobyl passed away during the course of the book's preparation for print.
Chassidic leaders ascribed great importance and holiness to the book, studying it every day and preserving it for protection. The Chozeh of Lublin and R. Yitzchak of Skver (grandson of the author) reputedly said that the book has the power to light up a person's soul, similarly to the Zohar, and R. Yitzchak Eizik of Komarno asserted: "Meor Einayim should never budge from your eyes, and all its teachings are lofty and holy".

[2], 160 leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dark stains. Worming, affecting text, mostly repaired with paper filling. Tears, including open tears, affecting text of several leaves, repaired with paper filling. Bottom margin of title page repaired with paper filling (several leaves may have been supplied from other copies). Stamps. Handwritten inscriptions on title page. New leather binding.
Does not include Yismach Lev, which was printed with it the same year.