Bat Ayin on the Torah, by Rebbe Avraham Dov of Ovruch and Safed. Zhitomir: R. Avraham Shalom Shadov, 1869.
Third edition, with an approbation by Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl who blesses the publisher and those who purchase the book: "And I bless him and every person that buys this holy book at its full price, that their toil should be well rewarded, and G-d should shine His light upon them that they merit… all types of good", and an approbation by R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy who blesses those who buy the book: "And the merit of the holy rabbi should stand for them and for their children that they should be successful in all their endeavors in spiritual and material matters, with children, life and plenty".
This book was first printed in Jerusalem in 1847, copied from a manuscript written by one of the Rebbe's disciples – Rabbi Yisrael of Fălticeni. In 1850, the book was reprinted in Zhitomir according to a different manuscript written by R. Meshulam Zussman of Zhitomir, another disciple of the Rabbi of Ovruch, with many additions and variations of content and style in comparison to the Jerusalem edition (see previous item). This is the third edition, printed by R. Aryeh Leib, posek in Zhitomir, son of R. Meshulam Zussman, who prepared the copying on which the 1850 Zhitomir edition was based. This edition is based on the 1850 edition, with the addition of the abovementioned introduction and approbations.
The author, Rebbe Avraham Dov of Ovruch (1765-1841), was a renowned chassid and disciple of R. Nachum and his son R. Mordechai of Chernobyl and of R. Zusha of Anipoli and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. He served as rabbi of Ovruch for 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 which ceased after his passing. Many miraculous stories are told of his lofty holiness and the wonders he performed for the Jewish people. His holy book Bat Ayin is considered a classic book of Chassidic thought.
[3], 138 leaves. 20.5 cm. Darkened paper. Good-fair condition. Stains and dampstains. Occasional worming. Various stamps. New binding.