Bidspirit auction | Hasidism – First Edition: Etzei

Hasidism – First Edition: Etzei Ḥayyim. Sighet, 1927; a sumptuous and distinguished copy, with Admor ownership stamps - “…with thanks and blessing to the people of the city of Sighet… who received with love, as one man with one heart, the honor of our dear brother-in-law… R. Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, may he live long, to fill the place of our holy forefathers…” Etzei Ḥayyim on the Torah, two parts—Part I in the manner of aggadah and Part II in the manner of derash—by the holy Admor R. Ḥayyim Ẓvi Teitelbaum of Sighet, father and founder of the Satmar and Sighet Hasidic dynasties. Sighet, 1927. First edition. Presented here is the first edition of Etzei Ḥayyim on the Torah, the work of one of the greatest Hasidic leaders of Hungary and the founder of the most important Hasidic dynasties—R. Ḥayyim Ẓvi Teitelbaum of Sighet, progenitor of the Satmar and Sighet rebbes. At the beginning of the book appears an introduction by “the sons of the holy author, ” apparently written by his distinguished sons-in-law: R. Yeḥezkel Shraga Halberstam of Chishinov and R. Yekutiel Yehudah Halberstam of Klausenburg. In this introduction they bless their brother-in-law, the author’s son, on the occasion of his ascension to assume, with splendor, the rabbinical seat of the city of Sighet in place of his holy forefathers. An exceptionally fine and well-preserved copy, printed on thick, high-quality paper. Original half-leather binding in excellent condition, with attractive blind-stamped decorations on the covers and spine. On the title page and additional leaves appear the ownership stamps of the holy Admor R. Ḥanokh Henikh Twersky of Radomyshel, of blessed memory. [2], 127; [1], 50 leaves. 24.5 cm. Condition: very good. Numerous stamps. Biography R. Ḥayyim Ẓvi Teitelbaum of Sighet (1880–1926), one of the foremost righteous leaders of his generation and a leading figure of Hungarian Jewry. Son of the author of Kedushat Yom Tov and grandson of the author of Yitav Lev, of the central and most important Hungarian-Hasidic lineage. He married the daughter of R. Shalom Eliezer Halberstam of Raczfert, son of the Divrei Ḥayyim of Sanz. A close disciple of his holy father and of the leading righteous men of the generation—of Shinova, Gorlice, and R. Yehoshua of Belz. Renowned as an extraordinary genius, it was testified of him that he never forgot anything he learned. Tens of thousands flocked to him; he established hundreds of disciples and was among the greatest rebbes of his time. His first son-in-law was the Klausenburg Rebbe. His younger brother was R. Yoel Teitelbaum, Av Bet Din of Satmar. His son, R. Moshe Teitelbaum, succeeded his forefathers as rabbi and rebbe of Sighet and later became the Satmar Rebbe. The Satmar rebbes of our time are his direct descendants, generation after generation. R. Ḥanokh Henikh Twersky (1886–1971) succeeded his father, R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Radomyshel. From 1914 he served as rabbi of Radomyshel and in 1919 was appointed rebbe. In 1924 he emigrated to Chicago, where he served as rabbi of the “Lev Sameaḥ” congregation for about forty years. A member of the Council of Rebbes, the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and the executive committee of Vaad Hatzalah. In 1968 he immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Jerusalem, where he passed away on the 22nd of Elul, 1971.