Auction 72 Rare and Important Items
Jul 7, 2020
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 16:

Ben Porat Yosef – Korets, 1781 – First Edition – With the Igeret HaKodesh from the Baal Shem Tov, Sent to Eretz Israel

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Ben Porat Yosef – Korets, 1781 – First Edition – With the Igeret HaKodesh from the Baal Shem Tov, Sent to Eretz Israel
Ben Porat Yosef, homilies on Bereshit, with responsa at the end, by R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen Katz Rabbi of Polonne. The famous letter which the Baal Shem Tov sent to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov is printed in this book for the first time (at the end). Korets: Tzvi Hirsh son of Aryeh Leib [Margolies] and son-in-law Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber Segal, [1781]. First edition.
This is the author's second book, published one year after his first book Toldot Yaakov Yosef. In this book, like in the previous one, the author extensively quotes teachings from his prime teacher, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov.
At the end of the book, the famous letter which the Baal Shem Tov sent to Jerusalem, to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov, is printed for the first time. The letter was given to the author, R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, by the Baal Shem Tov, when the former intended to immigrate to Eretz Israel, in the winter of 1752, so that he could deliver it to R. Gershon of Kitov, brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov. After his travel plans were cancelled, the letter remained in R. Yaakov Yosef's possession, and he published it "to benefit the Jewish people". In this letter, the Baal Shem Tov relates of the "ascent of the soul" which he experienced on Rosh Hashanah in 1746 and in 1749, and writes: "I asked the Messiah, when will the Master come, and he responded… when your teachings will be publicized and revealed to the world, and your wellsprings will spread outwards".
The "Saraph", R. Uri of Strelisk related that R. Mordechai of Neshchiz would study the letter every day: "The Tzaddik of Neshchiz resolved to study it every day, without fail, literally like laying Tefillin", he also said in his name that this letter contains allusions to three Holy names "through which one can know the time of the Redemption" (Imrei Kadosh HaShalem, Jerusalem 1961, p. 47, no. 40).
[1], 100 leaves. 30.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming in various places (including title page), affecting text (repaired with paper). Marginal tears to leaves 97-98, with damage and loss of text (professionally repaired with paper; lacking text replaced in photocopy). Title page trimmed with slight damage to border. Censor's inscription and signature on title page. Handwritten marks and inscriptions. Stamps. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 90.

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