Minchat Chinuch, "a wide-ranging commentary to Sefer HaChinuch, with tremendous pilpul and wondrous erudition", Parts I-III. Lviv: R. Uri Ze'ev Wolf Salat, [1869]. Three title pages.

First edition of the book, published anonymously in the lifetime of the author – R. Yosef Babad Rabbi of Ternopil, as stated on the title page: "Authored by one of the great Torah scholars of our times, who is holy and pure, and published it anonymously out of his exceptional modesty… was published through the efforts of R. Reuven Kohen Rappaport".

Only in the second edition, printed in Lviv 1889, about 15 years after the passing of the author, did the publisher reveal the name of the author. Over the years, Minchat Chinuch became a basic book in the world of scholarly and in-depth study, in all study halls, in Galicia and Poland, Lithuania or Hungary, and throughout the Jewish world until this day. To date, hundreds of thousands of copies have been printed in dozens of different editions, apart from dozens of books discussing his teachings and questions.

The author,
R. Yosef Babad (1801-1879), Rabbi of Ternopil, was a leading Torah scholar of his times. He was also known for his holiness, and was close to a number of Chassidic luminaries, and he considered Rebbe Naftali of Ropshitz his mentor. Served as Rabbi of Husakove, Zbarazh, Sniatyn and finally Ternopil, where his illustrious grandfather R. Yehoshua Babad had formerly presided. He dressed in the garb of Chassidic rebbes, and at times he even received kvittels and dispensed advice and blessings.

Does not contain last seven leaves, with Minchat Ani by the publisher, R. Reuven Kohen Rappaport, and Kometz Minchah, with addenda and further novellae by the author.

All three parts in one volume: [2], 116 leaves; 91, 93-148 leaves; 54, 57-73, 73-89, 91-92, [2], 95-105 leaves. Lacking seven leaves at end ([2], 4, [1] leaves). Leaves 79-80 of first sequence appear twice. Misfoliation. 36.5 cm. Varying quality of paper; some leaves printed on dry, brittle paper (at times also dark). Varying condition, fair to good-fair. Stains. Marginal tears and open tears to first title page and other leaves, not affecting text. Worming to several leaves. First title page and last leaves of volume detached (along with bindings). Old binding, with wear and defects (both sides detached, without spine).