Zmir Aritzim – Against Chassidut – Second Edition – Königsberg, 1860

Zmir Aritzim – Against Chassidut – Second Edition – Königsberg, 1860
Zmir Aritzim, polemic against Chassidut, by R. David of Makow. [Königsberg, ca. 1860]. Second edition. The title page gives the date 1798 (taken from the first edition).
Polemic book against Chassidut. The title page states: " Zmir Aritzim… since a sect arose amongst the Jews who call themselves Chassidim… their prayers are loud and fiery… witch doctors… changed the text of the prayers… rejecting Torah which gives light to those who study. Therefore I, who sits at the feet of Torah scholars, and defers to the Gaon R. Eliyahu, arose and printed this small book, as a reminder for all generations".
The book Zmir Aritzim printed in Warsaw, 1798 is not the same book as the earlier polemic book against Chassidim, Zmir Aritzim VeCharvot Tzurim, first printed in Oleksynets, 1772, attributed to R. Aryeh Yehuda Leib son of R. Mordechai Sofer of Brody. The present book was printed anonymously, yet it is well-known that it was authored by R. David son of R. Ben Tzion of Makov.
16 leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Binding, title page and final leaf detached. Marginal open tear to title page, slightly affecting border. Worming and tears to final leaf. Binding damaged.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 1266.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.