Bidspirit auction | A Foundational Sefer of Chabad

A Foundational Sefer of Chabad Chassidus – Sha'arei Avodah – First Edition – Shklov, 1821 Sha'arei Avodah (Avodas HaBeinonim) , on the foundations of avodas Hashem according to the teachings of Kabbalah, with profound explanations of the teachings of the Baal HaTanya , by his foremost talmid, the gaon Rabbi Aharon HaLevi Horowitz of Strashelye . First edition. Shklov, 1821. The title page states that the sefer is based upon the teachings which the author received from his rebbi: ”...according to the foundations of avodah which he received from our holy rebbi, the glory of Yisroel, Rabbi Shneur Zalman...” In the introduction to this sefer, Rabbi Aharon discusses at length his differences with the approach of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch! Although the Rebbes of Lubavitch and Kapust strongly disagreed with Rabbi Aharon's path in avodas Hashem, Sha'arei Avodah nevertheless preserves many teachings of the Baal HaTanya. For this reason, it is said that the sefer continued to be studied quietly in Chabad circles. Rabbi Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye (1766–1828) was one of the Baal HaTanya's foremost talmidim for some thirty years, living in close proximity to his rebbi for eight of those years. When the Baal HaTanya was imprisoned in St. Petersburg, Rabbi Aharon accompanied him there and helped raise 60,000 rubles toward securing his release. After the Baal HaTanya's passing, Rabbi Aharon developed his own distinct approach to his rebbi's teachings. He regarded himself as continuing the Baal HaTanya's derech and led his own court of chassidim during the same period that the Mitteler Rebbe was leading Chabad. Among his principal works are Sha'ar HaYichud Veha'Emunah , Sha'ar HaTefillah , and Sha'arei Avodah . His stature and unique approach are discussed at length in Beis Rebbe (pp. 195 ff.).