Siach HaSadeh, homiletics on the Torah, by R. Eliezer HaLevi, the Maggid of Pinsk. Shklow: Sarah daughter of Moshe Segal, [1787]. Only edition.

On p. 2b, poem by author with his name in acrostic. On last leaves, sermon for Sukkot, eulogy for R. Aharon HaLevi head of the Cracow Beit Din, sermon for a drought, sermon for children's plague.

The author,
R. Eliezer son of R. Meir HaLevi, the Maggid of Pinsk (d. after 1795), Rabbi of Chomsk and later rabbi of a Kloiz in Pinsk, where he also served as posek and maggid (not to be confused with R. Eliezer HaLevi, Rabbi of Pinsk). Grandfather of the Yesod HaAvodah, first Rebbe of Slonim.

The book includes an approbation by R. Avigdor Rabbi of Pinsk, infamous as a leading adversary of Chassidut in Lithuania and Belarus. R. Avigdor served as Rabbi of Pinsk between 1785-1793, succeeding R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who was dismissed in 1785 by the mitnagdim. In 1800, R. Avigdor was among the informers to the Russian government against Chassidut and against the Baal HaTanya, causing his second imprisonment at the end of that year.

The author of this book is the only rabbi of his generation who requested an approbation from R. Avigdor. His second book, Reiach HaSadeh (Shklow, 1795), also included an approbation by R. Avigdor.

On title page and inside boards, stamps of R. "Shmuel Yitzchak Hillman, residing in Byerazino". R. Shmuel Yitzchak Hillman, author of Or Yashar (1868-1953), a rabbi of Lithuania, England and Jerusalem, Chief Rabbi of Glasgow and head of the London Beit Din, father-in-law of Chief Rabbi of Israel R. Yitzchak Eizik HaLevi Herzog.

132; 29 leaves. 33 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including major dampstains. Wear (heavy wear to first leaves). Worming, affecting text. Marginal tears and open tears to several leaves, affecting text on one leaf, and marginal tears on title page, repaired with paper (over parts of the title frame and text inside the frame). Old binding, worn, with worming.