Bnei Yissaschar – Zhovkva, 1846 – First Edition, Printed Without Title Page, with a Fine, Handwritten Title Page – ...

Bnei Yissaschar – Zhovkva, 1846 – First Edition, Printed Without Title Page, with a Fine, Handwritten Title Page – Signature and Glosses of R. Yaakov Ketina, Head of the Khust Beit Din, Author of Rachamei HaAv
Bnei Yissaschar, Chassidic and Kabbalistic essays on the festivals and months of the year, Part II, Tishrei-Adar, by Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Munkacs and Dinov. [Zhovkva, 1846]. First edition.
Part II of this book was published before Part I, which was first printed in Zhovkva, 1850. The date of printing is indicated in the colophon at the end of the book: "And the work was completed on Tuesday, 38th day of the Omer [23rd Iyar] 1846…".
This first edition was printed without a title page, since the censorship did not authorize the printing of this book (see below). This copy includes a fine, handwritten title page, set within a decorative border. The writer even composed an original text for the title page, including the year of printing (based on the colophon): " Bnei Yissaschar... these delicacies were prepared by the prominent rabbi and Chassid, R. Tzvi Elimelech, many followed the light of his Torah when he served as rabbi of Munkacs and the vicinity, and later… at Dinov, Poland… printed in Zhovkva 1846".
Reputedly, the author would experience exceptional holiness and elevation during Chanukah, and once, when he wished to question his prime teacher the Chozeh of Lublin as to the cause of this phenomenon, his teacher explained, even before he had a chance to ask: You originate from the tribe of Yissachar, and in your earlier incarnation you were a member of the Beit Din of the Chashmonaim, which is why you experience extra holiness during Chanukah. He therefore named his book Bnei Yissaschar. It is recorded that the Divrei Chaim of Sanz once closeted himself in his room on Rosh Hashanah before the shofar blowing, studying the book Bnei Yissaschar for several hours with great intensity, as a preparation for the shofar blowing (foreword to Yod'ei Binah, by R. Elazar Tzvi Shapiro, son of the Bnei Yissachar; Beit Shlomo, New York 2005 edition, p. 15; Shai Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 457).
The printing of this first edition without a title page is also linked with a wondrous episode. There was once a scholarly young man named Yosef Tarler (1794-1854), who associated with the leading members of the Haskalah from a young age, and would frequently read heretic literature. He once heard the Bnei Yissaschar reading the verses in the Torah pertaining to the prohibition of Gid HaNasheh with great fervor. This Yosef responded with mockery, scorning the holiness of the Torah. When the Bnei Yissaschar heard of this, he retorted: "I am certain that he will eventually convert to Christianity…". Upon hearing of the Bnei Yissaschar's prediction, Yosef Tarler mockingly reported it to R. Naftali of Ropshitz, who replied in jest, "If so, it is a mitzva to follow the words of the sages". Yosef Tarler later served as kosher meat trader in Lviv, and when apprehended for forging documents of a Polish nobleman, he evaded his punishment by converting to Christianity, together with his family. He was then appointed the official censor in Lviv. When approached for permission to publish the book of the Bnei Yissaschar, following the latter's passing, the apostate censor categorically refused, arguing that he did not wish to approve the printing of the book of the one who had predicted his defection. The first edition was therefore printed without title page, in order to obscure the place and year of printing (Ohel Naftali, Warsaw 1911, pp. 98-99; Naftali Ben Menachem, Temirin, I, pp. 313-316).
Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Langsam-Shapiro (1783-1841), a most prominent Chassidic leader, close disciple of R. Mendele of Rimanov and disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, as well as of the Rebbe of Apta and the Maggid of Kozhnitz. From a young age, he served as rabbi of various Galician towns, yet is primarily renowned as rabbi of Dinov, where he was later appointed rebbe in 1815. He also served as rabbi of Munkacs, capital of Carpatho-Russia. He authored dozens of compositions on Halachah and Aggadah, Chassidism and Kabbalah. His magnum opus, by whose name he became known throughout the Jewish world, is the book Bnei Yissaschar. His descendants branched out into many dynasties of rabbis and rebbes: Dinov, Munkacs, Bikovsk and more.
Signature on the handwritten title page: "I hereby sign my name, Yaakov Ketina". The book contains three glosses, presumably in his handwriting (pp. 22a and 26a).
R. Yaakov (Klein) Ketina (d. 1890), head of the Khust Beit Din prior to the Maharam Schick's tenure there as rabbi. He was a close disciple of the Divrei Chaim, rebbe of Sanz. He authored Rachamei HaAv and Korban HeAni, which he published anonymously (Rachamei HaAv has since been published in dozens of editions).
116 leaves + [1] handwritten and hand-decorated title page. 22 cm. Bluish paper. Good condition. Stains. Light wear to several leaves. Tear to leaf 9, affecting several letters. Minor worming. Stamp on title page. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 92.