Bidspirit auction | First Edition: The Holy Sefer

First Edition: The Holy Sefer Divrei Chaim – Sanz. The Author’s First Published Work, Printed Anonymously - Sefer HaKodesh Divrei Chaim, by the great Admor of Galicia, the holy Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, famously known by the title of this sefer, Ba’al Divrei Chaim. Zolkiew, 1864. Two parts bound together, each with a separate title page: Part I: Arranged on the laws of Gittin, concerning the names of men and women, divided into four sections: Sha’ar HaOtiot, Sha’ar Seder HaShemot, Sha’ar Shinui HaShemot, and She’elot uTeshuvot. Part II: Ki Mimenu Totza’ot Chaim – on the laws of Mikva’ot, wondrously elucidated. This is the first edition of the halachic sefer by the greatest of the Admorim of Galicia. The sefer was accepted throughout all Jewish communities—among both Chassidim and Mitnagdim—due to the author’s immense Torah genius. Notably, this edition was printed anonymously, and only in the second edition (Munkacs, 1892) did the name of the holy author appear explicitly. This sefer stands as a powerful and silent testament to the author’s profound humility. At the time of printing, the Admor was nearly seventy years old—an eminent Rav and revered leader—yet he instructed his son, the holy Rabbi Baruch of Gorlice, to print the book without his name, and to inscribe on the title page: “Sefer Divrei Chaim, authored by one of the students…” In the introduction, the author humbly apologizes if his words contradict those of Torah giants, writing: “For I know I have not attained even the knowledge of the students of their students, only that my pen slipped against my will… I know my lowly worth and do not come to provoke, only to state the halachah…” The author rejoiced greatly when the sefer was printed, stating that when Mashiach comes and is greeted like a king, with all artisans bearing their tools—authors holding their works—he too would come forth with this sefer in hand, declaring: “And I will stand before him with this work in hand, and I will have no shame in it!” With rabbinic stamps and dedications from Rabbi Naftali Hertz Boimel, Av Beit Din of Kraszczenko and one of the prominent Chassidim of Shinova, and others. Stefansky, Chassidut 117. Part I: [3], 34, [34], 33–44, 1–27 leaves. Part II: [1], 23, [1] leaves. 34 cm. Good condition. Age stains. Minor worming. Front cover detached.