Bidspirit auction | Zera Kodesh – Lemberg, 1868

Zera Kodesh – Lemberg, 1868 – Chassidus First Edition – In Exceptionally Fine Condition First edition of Zera Kodesh , in two parts bound in one volume: Part I on the Chumash, and Part II containing derashos for the months, Yamim Tovim, and the Haggadah Shel Pesach, by Hagaon HaKadosh Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz . Also included are teachings from his father, Reb Mendel of Linsk . Published in Lemberg, 1868. The sefer bears the haskamos of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and the Sho'el U'Meishiv . In his haskamah, the Divrei Chaim relates that although the Ropshitzer had not wished his Torah to be printed, he later became convinced that the publishers had acted properly. He compares it to the writings of the Arizal , which Rabbi Chaim Vital had likewise not permitted to be published, yet were ultimately brought to print through the efforts of later tzaddikim. He concludes with the brachah: ”... וזכות המחבר הקדוש יעמוד לנו להגן עלינו ולראות בביאת גואל צדק בב”א .” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • At the beginning of the sefer appears a fascinating note from the publisher, who writes that he had wished to name the sefer Or HaNer , but the Divrei Chaim of Sanz himself chose the title Zera Kodesh , prompting the publisher to write:  ”ביטלתי את רצוני מפני רצונו הקדוש.” Hagaon HaKadosh Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz was one of the great founding fathers of Chassidus. Born on the very day of the histalkus of the Baal Shem Tov HaKadosh , tzaddikim applied to him the pasuk ”V'zarach haShemesh u'va haShemesh.” He was among the foremost talmidim of the Noam Elimelech , Reb Mendel of Rimanov , and the Chozeh of Lublin , and also traveled to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta . One of the foundational seforim of early Chassidus, published with the approbation and title bestowed by the Divrei Chaim of Sanz.