Special Copy of the Tanya. Eastern Europe, 19th Century

Special Copy of the Tanya. Eastern Europe, 19th Century

Beautifully handwritten copy of the book Likutei Amarim - Tanya, from the Zholkva 1799 edition, with the title page, approbations and introductions. Apparently from Eastern Europe, 19th century.

Handwritten copies of the Tanya were very common in the period preceding its printing, and due to many errors, some of which were intentional (by those opposed to Chassidut), the Alter Rebbe decided in 1796 to print it in an official version only, and to forbid its being copied for five years. He then also sent special emissaries to the righteous Rabbi Yehudah Leib HaKohen and Rabbi Zusha of Annipoli to request their approbations for the printing of Tanya. Rabbi Yehudah Leib HaKohen said, "Tanya is the ketoret for all the spiritual plagues in the period preceding the coming of Mashiach." Rabbi Zusha said, "With the Tanya, the Jews will go to greet Mashiach." Tanya was printed again in 1900 (for the 36th time) at the famed press of the Widow and Brothers Romm in Vilna, with many corrections. After a number of years, the owners of the press sold the exclusive printing rights of the corrected version to the Admor the RaSha"B for the benefit of the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah. From then on, by order of the Admor the RaYY"Tz, all editions of this book are photocopies of this publication only. This manuscript was therefore apparently written during the 19th century.

[2] 76 leaves. 20 cm. Ink on thick white high-quality paper. Straight and clear professional Ashkenazic writing, with titles at the tops of the pages and chapter numbering. Antique owner's signature on the flyleaf.

From the manuscript collection of the Dutch collector Yaakov Naftali Hertz Levi, including a dated ex-libris (bookplate) of "Ya'akov Naftali Hertz Levi N.H. Van Biema."
Very fine condition. Original parchment binding.