Bidspirit auction | Segulah Book - Birkas Dovid

Segulah Book - Birkas Dovid by the holy Gaon Rabbi Dovid of Tolna, zt”l, first edition, Zhitomir, 5622 [1862]. - Sefer Birkas Dovid – chassidic and kabbalistic discourses on the Torah and festivals, by the Admor Rabbi Dovid of Tolna. Zhitomir, 5622 [1862]. First edition, printed by Rabbi Chanina Lipa and Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, grandsons of the holy Rebbe of Slavita. First edition printed during the lifetime of the author, the Admor Rabbi Dovid Twersky of Tolna [5568–5642; 1808–1882], son of the Admor Rabbi Mordechai of Tchernobyl. In his introductions the author, who was renowned in his generation as a “worker of salvations, ” blesses that “we shall merit the complete joy of the future and the flow of all blessings without interruption.” Unique copy with three title pages. The present copy contains three title leaves: the two known title pages from this edition [see below], and preceding them a rare dark-blue wrapper leaf, almost never encountered. This rare wrapper also includes the final leaf of the sefer, decorated with an attractive framed engraving. At the beginning of the sefer were printed a title page and introduction, followed by an additional title page and introduction. Aside from the differing border design between the two title pages, only minor variations exist between the title pages and introductions. Their text is nearly identical, aside from typographic changes and slight variations in the honorific descriptions of the author and his holy forefathers. This unusual phenomenon raises questions regarding the reason for printing duplicate title pages and introductions, and whether this was done at the instruction of Rabbeinu the author himself. The holy Rabbi Dovid of Tolna [5568–5642; 1808–1882]: sixth son of the holy Rabbi Mordechai of Tchernobyl and disciple of the holy Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel of Apta. He served as Admor in Vasylkiv, and following persecution by the authorities transferred his court to Tolna. Among his chassidim was his grandnephew, the holy Rabbi Mordechai Dov of Hornisteipel, son-in-law of the holy Rabbi Chaim of Sanz and author of the responsa Emek She’eilah. In the year 5642 [1882], Rabbi Dovid summoned all of his chassidim to spend Shabbos with him on Parshas Acharei Mos, and on that Shabbos he returned his pure soul to his Creator. Ownership inscriptions: “Yosef Leib Grossbard of Warsaw.” Stephansky Chassidus, no. 101. Details: [3], 73 leaves. Front wrapper trimmed slightly at lower margin. Minor age stains. Original worn leather binding, with central geometric blind-stamping and gilt border decoration. Very good condition.