Or Pnei Moshe – By Rabbi Moshe Sofer of Pshevorsk – Mezeritch, 1810 – First Edition – With the Two Additional ...

Or Pnei Moshe – By Rabbi Moshe Sofer of Pshevorsk – Mezeritch, 1810 – First Edition – With the Two Additional Leaves of Approbations
Or Pnei Moshe, homily, ethics and Chassidic teachings on the Torah and Five Megillot, by R. Moshe Sofer Stam of Pshevorsk (Przeworsk). Mezeritch (Mezhirichi), [1810]. First edition.
The author was a great Chassidic leader in the generation of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk and his brother R. Zusha of Anipoli, who held him in high esteem. The book bears many approbations extolling the great holiness of the book and its author, accorded by foremost Chassidic leaders such as: R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, the Chozeh of Lublin, R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta and the Be'er Mayim Chaim.
The Chozeh of Lublin writes in his approbation: "…as a child, I subjected myself to his authority, and drank from his faithful waters, and I knew that all his matters were for the sake of Heaven only, to give satisfaction to G-d, and he was so elevated, that R. Moshe Alshech would appear to him…". Indeed, Or Pnei Moshe is based upon the teachings of R. Moshe Alshech, and it quotes him extensively, expounding upon his words. In their approbation, the sons of R. Zusha of Anipoli quote a testimony from their great father, who described to them how the author composed this book, having observed him while he was studying, "and his appearance resembled that of a heavenly angel, and while he was writing his holy book, a tongue of flame would rise from his holy written words".
R. Moshe of Pshevorsk (1720?-1806) was renowned amongst the great Chassidic leaders as a supremely holy and pure Torah scribe. Tefillin and mezuzot he scribed were deemed exceptionally holy, and some were preserved from generation to generation with particular care. Reputedly, R. Elimelech of Lizhensk attested that he saw King David standing beside R. Moshe, and they thereafter became acquainted (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 303). In a letter from R. Moshe to R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, he writes to him that the price of his tefillin is one red-gulden, yet he is unable to keep up with the demand. Many traditions and legends were preserved regarding this matter.
[4], 240 leaves. 21 cm. Partially printed on bluish paper. Fair condition. Stains. Worming to many leaves, affecting text, mostly repaired with tape (including title page). Minor tears and damage to several leaves, slightly affecting text (tear to leaf 222, with loss of text). Small marginal tear to leaf [4] of approbations (affecting one letter). Decorative element added on title page, partially obscuring some text. Stamps. Old binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 32. With the two additional leaves of approbations (leaves 3-4), printed in smaller typeface, added to some copies after the printing.