Bidspirit auction | Yitav Lev – First Edition

Yitav Lev – First Edition – Sighet, 1875 – Five Parts in Three Volumes - Yitav Lev, Chassidic, homiletical and ethical discourses on the Five Books of the Torah [by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet]. Sighet (Sighetu Marmației): Maramaroscher Actien-Buchdruckerei, 1875. First edition. Five parts in three volumes. The book was printed anonymously in the author's lifetime. The book title is an acronym alluding to the name of the author – Yitav stands for Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum. In his introduction, the author explains why he published his work anonymously. He cites the introduction of the Panim Meirot, who was in doubt ”whether it's better for a person not to reveal who the author is, or whether there is an obligation to mention the author…”. Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah humbly offers a resolution: ”Regarding halachot that pertain to law, it is important to know who the author is and whether he can be relied upon… but regarding aggadah and ethics, what do we need to know the author's name for? The words are proven if they penetrate their listeners' hearts… So I decided it was better to conceal it, since I am ashamed to stand among the ranks of Torah scholars, since my soul knows my little worth…”. Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet – the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), a close disciple of his grandfather the Yismach Moshe – Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel, and disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshayah of Ropshitz. In 1833 he was appointed rabbi of Stropkov, and after the passing of his illustrious grandfather, he was selected to succeed him as Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely), and was later appointed Rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), Drohobych and finally Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), where he founded a large yeshiva and earned worldwide renown, with thousands of Chassidim flocking to seek his counsel and blessings. Stamps and ownership inscriptions on title pages and last leaf of third volume and title page of second volume of ”Eliyahu Rizel Ober Apsha (Verkhnye Vodyane)”. Another inscription of ”Shalom Rosenthal Grosswardein (Oradea)” [a distinguished Satmar Chassid, later rabbi of the Arizal synagogue in Safed] and an older stamp. Three volumes. Volume I (Bereshit-Vayikra): [3], 141, [2] leaves; 91 leaves; [3], 55 leaves. Volume II (Bamidbar): [1], 80, [1] leaves. Volume III (Devarim): [1], 52, 55-70, [3] leaves. Errata for Shemot and Vayikra bound at end of Devarim. 24 cm. Varying condition of volumes; volume I in fair-good condition, volumes II-III in good to good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains (especially to volume I). Wear to volume I. Marginal tears to several leaves, and small open tears, slightly affecting text. Light worming in several places. New bindings (uniform).