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מאיר נתיבים מהדורה ראשונה - Sefer Meir Netivim, Two Parts – By the Holy Gaon Rabbi Meir Margaliyot, One of the “Sixty Warriors” of Our Master the Baal Shem Tov – Polonne, 1791–1792 – First Edition Sefer Or Olam – Meir Netivim, Two Parts: Part One – Responsa, Part Two – Pilpulim, Derashot and Remezim on the Torah Parshiot, by Rabbi Meir Margaliyot, Av Beit Din of the Galil Lviv and Ostroh, one of the foremost disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. Polonne, [1791–1792]. First Edition. With approbations of the great Chassidic leaders, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, and the “Ohev Yisrael” of Apta. Includes Chiddushim from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, printed at the beginning of the Sefer. Stefansky Chassidut, no. 313. The author, the Holy Gaon Rabbi Meir Margaliyot (1700/1708–1790), was among the greatest and most important Rabbis of his generation, one of the foremost disciples of our master the Baal Shem Tov, and one of his earliest close followers, already before he became known and famous in the world. Rabbi Meir is considered a “disciple–colleague” of the Baal Shem Tov, and he mentions the Baal Shem Tov in several places in his Sefarim with the titles “My Teacher” and “My Friend.” In his Sefer Sod Yachin U’Boaz (Ostroh, 1794) he writes regarding the level of Torah study for its own sake: “…as my great Teachers in Torah and Chassidut warned me, foremost among them my friend, the Chassid, Mofes Hador... Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… and from my youth, from the day I joined with love and attachment to my Teacher, my friend the Chassid Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… I knew faithfully that these were his practices in holiness and purity, in great piety and separation and wisdom, a righteous man who lived by his faith, to whom the hidden was revealed, the honor of Hashem is to conceal a matter.” His son, Rabbi Betzalel, who succeeded him as Rabbi of Ostroh, wrote in his approbation to Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov (Berditchev, 1815): “…and as I heard from the holy mouth of my master my father… that he was from his youth was one of the ‘Harvesters of the Field, ’ the holy fellowship from the Tree of Life with the Baal Shem Tov OBM, and it was a common saying in the mouth of Rabbi Meir, who often told of his praise…” More about him, see item 67. The Meir Netivim was a prolific author in both Nigleh and Nistar, Halacha and Derush. After his passing his writings were edited and brought to print by his sons. The series of Sefarim was titled Ohr Olam. The Sefer before us, Meir Netivim, in its two parts, was his first Sefer printed. At the beginning of the Sefer were printed enthusiastic approbations from the great Chassidic leaders, including Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, and the “Ohev Yisrael” of Apta. In the introduction of the Sefer were printed Chiddushim of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev on Masechet Pesachim. In the introduction (leaf 4/2), the sons of the author write: “Because of the great holy affection which our relative, the grandson of our great-uncle, the Gaon the Chassid, the holy man of God... Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, may he live, Av Beit Din of the holy community of Berditchev, has for the pure and holy composition of our honored father the Gaon the author, it is worthy to mention a small portion of his Torah Chiddushim.” In the last eight leaves of the Sefer were printed Chiddushim on Masechet Berachot by the author’s brother, Rabbi Yitzchak Dov Ber Margaliyot, Av Beit Din of Yazlovitz, one of the prominent disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. Ancient signature on the title page: “Shaul ? […]”. Ancient gloss on the front guard leaf regarding Mechitzos and Techum Shabbos. 97, [1], 48, [8] leaves. 35 cm. Good–Fair condition. Wear and damp stains on some leaves. Wear and tears on the edges of the title page, restored. New leather binding.