Shoshanat HaAmakim - Signature of the First Spinka Rebbe, Author of Imrei Yosef

Shoshanat HaAmakim - Signature of the First Spinka Rebbe, Author of Imrei Yosef
Shoshanat HaAmakim, by R. Yosef Teomim, author of Pri Megadim. Lemberg: Chaya, widow of R. Naftali Hertz Grosman, 1837.
A signed ownership inscription on title page: "…Yosef Meir son of R. Shmuel Tzvi" - signature of the first Spinka rebbe, R. Yosef Meir Weiss, author of Imrei Yosef (1838-1909), predecessor of the Spinka dynasty. Son of R. Shmuel Tzvi Weiss, head of the Munkacs Beit Din. Prominent Torah scholar and Chassid, disciple of the Maharam Ash, R. Meir Eisenstädter, Rabbi of Ungvar (Uzhhorod), and of his son R. Menachem Eisenstädter Rabbi of Ungvar. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Shmuel Shmelke of Selish (Vynohradiv), author of Tzeror HaChaim, and of his uncle the kabbalist R. Yitzchak Eizik Weiss of Svalyeve (Svalyava).
An ardent Chassid from his youth, in his early years he travelled to Rebbe Sar Shalom of Belz, who said of him that he has a "good head". He was also accustomed to travelling to Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz and to Rebbe Chaim of Sanz, author of Divrei Chaim. However, his primary teacher was his relative, Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov (Zhydachiv) - the Mahari, who considered him his most illustrious disciple and "would summon him daily and for hours speak with him thoughts of wisdom and fear of Heaven, and at times he studied with him the holy books Likutei Torah V'Shas".
In 1870, his teacher, the Mahari of Zidichov, appointed him rebbe, but he refused to receive Chassidim during his teacher's lifetime. Only in 1876, he conceded and heeded his teacher Rebbe Chaim of Sanz who ordained him rebbe, and from that time on, he began receiving Chassidim in Spinka in the Maramureş region, where he lived. His name quickly spread throughout Hungary and Galicia and thousands of Chassidim became his disciples, among them many prominent Torah scholars such as R. Shalom Mordechai Schwadron, the Maharsham of Berezhany. He also had close ties with tzaddikim of his times, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam of Siget, author of Yitav Lev, Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova, author of Divrei Yechezkel, and others.
He was reputed for his amazing erudition in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. When he traveled to R. Chaim of Sanz, the rebbe "welcomed him heartily and he loved R. Yosef Meir dearly, discussing with him Kabbalistic pilpul at length, although he was not accustomed to discussing these matters with anyone else" (A. Suraski, Shoshelet Spinka, p. 97). The Spinka prayer rite and conduct followed those of Zidichov. R. Yosef Meir's fervent prayers inspired the Chassidic multitudes, and are described as prayers with superhuman exertion. Stories are told of remarkable wonders he performed, through his blessings and counsel pronounced with Divine Inspiration. His son the Mahari of Spinka attests that "his blessings worked many great deliverances and that many barren women bore children through his prayers, and his prayers cured the ill… I can almost say that every word emitted from his holy mouth was answered…" (foreword to his book Imrei Yosef, named Asara Maamarot). Even after his death, his grave was renowned as a site for prayer and salvation. In 1972, his remains were brought to Eretz Israel and he was buried in the special burial plot of Spinka Chassidim in the Segulah cemetery in Petach Tikva.
The heading of leaf 8 bears another early signature: "Chaim ---".
50 leaves. 24.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and worming. New leather binding.