Yismach Moshe – First Edition, Lemberg 1848-1851 – Bereshit Shmot Vayikra. Signatures of the Holy Rabbi Yehuda’le ...

Yismach Moshe – First Edition, Lemberg 1848-1851 – Bereshit Shmot Vayikra. Signatures of the Holy Rabbi Yehuda’le of Dzhikov

Sefer Yismach Moshe on the Torah – discourses of Chassidut and Kabbalah following the order of the weekly Torah portions, authored by the holy Gaon Rebbi Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely).

Volumes 1, 2 and 3, on Bereshit, Shmot & Vayikra . Lemberg (Lviv), 1848-1851. First Editions.

Front & back flyleaves with signatures of the wondrous Tzaddik, Rebbi Yehuda Horowitz of Dzhikov — “Rebbi Yehuda’le Dzhikaver” (1905–1989)

One of the revered righteous men of the previous generation. Son of the holy Rabbi Alter Yechezkel Eliyahu of Dzhikov, who was the son and successor of the Atteres Yeshuah of Dzhikov. His mother, Rebbetzin Chava, was the daughter of the holy Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz, and Rabbi Yehuda’le became a devoted disciple of his grandfather. In his first marriage, he was the son-in-law of his uncle, the holy Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz.

Despite many pleas, he refused to establish a Chassidic court. He lived in Jerusalem and served as Rosh Yeshiva and spiritual guide in Yeshivat Beit Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky. He was known for intense self-denial and constant tears. In his later years, he moved to London and spoke very little with people. Many seekers of spiritual wisdom and purity sought his presence and closeness.

After his passing, his grave became a prominent and revered pilgrimage site. His Torah teachings and annotations on various works have been published in recent years. (See more about him in Elfassi, Vol. II, pp. 3–4.)

[Part one]: Bereshit [1848]. [1], 117 Leaves.

[Part two]: Shmot. 1850. 90 Leaves.

[Part three]: Vayikra. 1851. 42 Leaves.

23 Cm.

Stefansky Chassidut 239.

The Yismach Moshe series was edited and prepared for print by the author’s grandson and devoted disciple, Rebbi Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev. In several places, his glosses and additions are printed, beginning with the words “Amar HaMesader” ("The editor said") or the acronym “A"H”.

The author, the holy Gaon Rebbi Moshe Teitelbaum of Ujhel, known by the title of his work Yismach Moshe (1759–1841), was the progenitor of the Sighet, Satmar, and other prominent Chassidic dynasties. Known from a young age as an outstanding genius, he even merited to visit the Vilna Gaon and engage with him in Torah discussion in his youth (see The Holy Gaon, Author of Yismach Moshe, by Rabbi Yosef Moshe Sofer, Brooklyn 1984, pp. 25–26). He served as rabbi of Shinova and later of Ujhel. He became close to the Chassidic movement at an older age, becoming a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. In 1808, he was appointed rabbi of Ujhel, where he began spreading Chassidut throughout Hungary. He was renowned in his time as a divine Kabbalist and wonder-worker, and was heavily involved in writing amulets (kameot). His works include the halachic responsa She'eilot u'Teshuvot HeShiv Moshe, Yismach Moshe on Tanach, and Tefillah leMoshe on Psalms.

Antique signature on first title page: Yaakov Goldstein, Huszt 1850.

Flyleaf with inscription & signature of his grandson R. Yaakov Chaim Goldstein who received the sefer from his grandfathers estate through his brother R. Nachman Goldstein. Rear flyleaf with inscriptions of his family births & deaths from 1897-1911.

Overall Good Condition, quality pages, some marginal stains and water stains, first title page has marginal repairs and large tear, second title page has tear slightly affecting text, original binding damaged.