Bidspirit auction | 'Bnei Chayai U’Mezonei' – The

'Bnei Chayai U’Mezonei' – The sacred book 'Bat Ayin.' Zhitomir, 1869 (5629). A book of blessings - The 'Bat Ayin' on the Torah, one of the foundational works of Chassidut, authored by Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch. This blessing edition, Zhitomir (1869), was printed for the first time with the words of the author, who states that the book contains the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael, as well as the endorsements of great Admorim, written specifically for this edition. The book was first printed in Jerusalem in 1847 (5607) with many omissions and based on an unverified manuscript. It was reprinted in Zhitomir in 1850 (5610) with numerous additions and corrections but still lacked the author's introduction. (See: Kiryat Sefer, Volume 37, pp. 401–402; Beshaarei Sefer, Jerusalem, 1967, pp. 49–53). The edition before us is the third edition and the first to include the complete text, including the sacred introduction by the author, where he notes the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael, as well as endorsements from great Admorim written specifically for this edition. The Admorim of Chernobyl rarely gave endorsements, making these particularly rare. Highlights of the Zhitomir 1869 edition: - Endorsement by Rabbi Aharon of Chernobyl (specifically for this edition): ”Anyone who purchases this holy book at its full price will see good reward in their efforts. May Hashem shine His countenance upon them, granting them... all manner of goodness, amen.” - Endorsement by Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael of Tcherkass (specifically for this edition): ”And the merit of the holy author will stand for them and their descendants, granting success in all endeavors – spiritually and materially – with 'Bnei Chayai U’Mezonei.'” - The sacred words of the author, which appear only in this edition, stating that he imbued the book with the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael: ”And I called the book 'Bat Ayin' because it bears my name... Another reason is that I imbued the writings with the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael, where the eyes of Hashem your God rest always.” [3], 138 leaves. 20.5 cm. Very good condition. Age stains and sparse worming. Most of the blank protective leaves are missing, and the remaining fragments bear inscriptions. Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch (1765–1841), one of the great Chassidic Tzaddikim of the fourth generation of Chassidut. A son-in-law of Rabbi Natan Neta of Avritch, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and his successor in the rabbinate. In late 1830, he immigrated to Tzfat. During the plague of 1841 in Tzfat, he promised that with his passing, the plague would cease – and so it was (Sefer Eden Zion). During the great earthquake in Tzfat, all who stayed with him in the synagogue were miraculously saved. A sign still displayed in the study hall states: ”How awesome is this place, the study hall of Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch, the holy Admor who foresaw the great earthquake in Tzfat in 1837. In his great merit, half the study hall was saved from destruction, and the Admor and his disciples survived.” In recent years, his grave has become a site of pilgrimage for thousands from Israel and abroad, particularly on his yahrzeit. It is a well-known and tried segulah for those in need of salvation to pledge a meal in his memory. His book, 'Bat Ayin, ' is a foundational Chassidic work and is said to have salvific powers, as the ancients noted that 'Bat Ayin' stands for ”Yisrael Nosha B’Hashem Teshuat Olamim.” When the holy book 'Bat Ayin' reached the Tiferet Shlomo of Radomsk, he donned festive garments and drank l’chaim.