Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, two parts, by Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Kraków. [Breslau, 1842]. First edition. On both title pages, false imprint: "Printed by Rebbetzin Yehudit Rabinstein, 1785". Some of the approbations are dated 1842.
Two parts in two volumes.
Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, an important and basic Chassidic book, printed together with the Chumash in many editions. The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Kraków (1751-1823), was an outstanding Torah scholar both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, leading disciple of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, whom he regarded as of equal 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, R. Ber of Radoshitz, the Maggid of Kozhnitz and R. Mendele of Rimanov (who acclaimed him as "Shomer HaBrit"). He was renowned as a holy man already in his times, and accounts of revelations of Divine Inspiration and wonders circulated about him. His teacher R. Elimelech of Lizhensk appointed him as rebbe, and he became a leading disseminator of Chassidism in Kraków, where those seeking to draw close to G-d gathered around him, later becoming prominent Chassidic leaders. He was repeatedly persecuted by opponents of Chassidism in Kraków, who even announced a ban on Chassidism 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. In ca. 1820, he returned to Kraków, and that is where he was eventually buried.
Signatures on both title pages: "Yisrael Chaim son of R. Uri" and stamps of R. "Yochanan, shochet, bodek and prayer leader – I. Friedmann – Simleul Silvaniei" (the signature presumably belongs to the renowned Chassid R. Yisrael Chaim Danzig, son of R. Uri of Gorlitz and son-in-law of R. Yochanan Reitches head of the Dinov and Horodenka Beit Din. His son, R. Yochanan Friedmann-Follman served as shochet and bodek in Shamloi, and these are his stamps). A signature on leaf 1: "Uri". Another signature on the title page: "[Asher?] Fenster".
Two volumes: [2], 144 leaves; [1], 145-277, [2] leaves. Approx. 24 cm. Printed in part on greenish paper. Wide margins. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Dampstains. Lacking half the title page of part II (professionally restored with paper and photocopy text replacement). Paper repairs to corners of final leaves. Early leather bindings with gilt-tooled decorations, rubbed, with new leather spines.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 307. There are copies with variant title pages, including copies with a title page to part I only; copies stating a false name of printer, yet the correct date: "1842" and copies with true imprints stating that the book was printed in 1842 in "Breslau, by R. Hirsch Sulzbach". This is a unique copy, featuring both title pages, with entirely false imprints: "Printed by Rebbetzin Yehudit Rabinstein, 1785".