Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Maor VaShemesh – First Edition – Breslau, 1842 – With Two Authentic Title Pages
Opening: $9,000
Sold for: $18,750
Including buyer's premium
Maor VaShemesh, on the Torah, two parts. By Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow. Breslau: Hirsch Sulzbach, [1842]. First edition.
Two parts in two volumes. Divisional title page for each part.
Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, a foundational Chassidic book, printed together with the Chumash in many editions.
The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow (1751-1823), was an outstanding Torah scholar in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, and a leading disciple of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, whom he regarded as equal in stature to the Baal Shem Tov himself. He also frequented the courts of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Following the passing of his teacher R. Elimelech, he began travelling to the Chozeh of Lublin, to R. Ber of Radoshitz, to the Maggid of Kozhnitz and to R. Mendele of Rimanov (who acclaimed him as "Shomer HaBrit"). He was renowned as a holy man already in his lifetime, and accounts of his divine inspiration and wonders circulated. His teacher R. Elimelech of Lizhensk appointed him as rebbe and he became the first disseminator of Chassidut in Cracow, where those seeking to draw near to G-d gathered around him, later becoming prominent Chassidic leaders. He was repeatedly persecuted by opponents of Chassidut (Mitnagdim) in Cracow, who even declared a ban on Chassidut in 1786. When the persecutions reached the point of informing and imprisonment, R. Kalman moved to his hometown of Neustadt and established his court there. He returned to Cracow ca. 1820, and that is where he is buried.
The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow (1751-1823), was an outstanding Torah scholar in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, and a leading disciple of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, whom he regarded as equal in stature to the Baal Shem Tov himself. He also frequented the courts of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Following the passing of his teacher R. Elimelech, he began travelling to the Chozeh of Lublin, to R. Ber of Radoshitz, to the Maggid of Kozhnitz and to R. Mendele of Rimanov (who acclaimed him as "Shomer HaBrit"). He was renowned as a holy man already in his lifetime, and accounts of his divine inspiration and wonders circulated. His teacher R. Elimelech of Lizhensk appointed him as rebbe and he became the first disseminator of Chassidut in Cracow, where those seeking to draw near to G-d gathered around him, later becoming prominent Chassidic leaders. He was repeatedly persecuted by opponents of Chassidut (Mitnagdim) in Cracow, who even declared a ban on Chassidut in 1786. When the persecutions reached the point of informing and imprisonment, R. Kalman moved to his hometown of Neustadt and established his court there. He returned to Cracow ca. 1820, and that is where he is buried.
Two volumes. Volume I: [2], 144 leaves. Volume II: [1], 145-277, [2] leaves. Approx. 23 cm. Browning of paper on title page of second volume and other leaves. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves. In second volume, many marginal tears to one leaf, and small open tear, affecting text. Ownership inscriptions and stamps. Early leather bindings, with defects (first volume lacking spine, repaired with paper).
Copies exist with variant title pages, including copies with a title page to Part I only; copies with a false name for printer, but with the correct date, 1842; and copies with completely falsified imprints. The present copy has two authentic title pages, correctly stating that the book was printed in 1842 in Breslau, by Hirsch Sulzbach.
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books