Zmir Aritzim, "Against the Chassidic sect and their many saints, the false prophets", by R. David of Maków, with a foreword by Efraim Deinard. Newark, New Jersey, 1899.
Special bibliophile edition. The book was printed in a tall narrow format, on paper in various colors: green, red, blue, pink, light brown, orange and white. On some of the blue pages, the text is printed in red ink.
The title page states that this is the second edition, but in fact it is the third edition, since the book was first printed in Warsaw in 1798 and later in Königsberg in 1860.
Zmir Aritzim is one of the most trenchant books challenging Chassidism. In his book, the author calls to fight Chassidism, derides its customs, and sharply and bluntly contests the heads of the movement, especially its founder, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov and the books attributed to him by his disciples.
Efraim Deinard (1846-1930) was an author and Hebrew bibliographer, book collector and dealer, one of the greatest of modern times, historian and polemicist, considered a fascinating and colorful figure. Born in Sasmaka (present day Valdemārpil, Latvia), from a young age he frequently travelled around the world, studying various Jewish communities and collecting Hebrew books and manuscripts. In the 1880s, he maintained a book shop in Odessa. In 1888 he immigrated to the United States. In 1913 he moved to Eretz Israel, returning to the United States in 1916. Deinard authored dozens of books, including research books and sharp polemic books (including books against Christianity and against Chassidism). He was considered a provocative writer and many of his books evoked harsh criticism.
[1], 76, XXVIII pages (including English title page). Lacking one middle leaf (pp. 13-14). 15 cm. Paper in various colors, dry and brittle. Good-fair condition. Minor stains. Tears and wear. Several detached leaves. Original binding, damaged.