Bidspirit auction | She’erit Yisrael, by the “Tzaddik

She’erit Yisrael, by the “Tzaddik of Vilednik.” First edition. Segulah book Toledot Aharon. Likuttim Yekarim - She’erit Yisrael, a Hasidic work by the renowned miracle-worker, the Admor Rabbi Yisrael Dov Ber of Vilednik, whose grave in Ukraine to this day serves as a focal point for the multitudes who report salvations there. First edition. Lemberg (Lviv), [1864]. Already in his own lifetime, the “Tzaddik of Vilednik” was famed as a wonder-worker and agent of salvation. Rebbes of his generation—including the Tzemach Tzedek of Chabad and others—would send their Hasidim to him for help. He was especially renowned for miracles in the realm of mental and emotional healing; sufferers from across Ukraine would come to Vilednik and return home healed and whole. He also became famous in matters of agunot (abandoned wives), revealing through divine inspiration where their husbands were hiding. In his will he promised that whoever would visit his grave in Vilednik would not have his prayers return unanswered, and that “even if they are unable to approach the grave [due to the crowds], they should grasp the door handle and they will merit salvation” (see Stories of Wonders of the Holy Rabbi ‘She’erit Yisrael’, New York, 5756 [1996], p. 145). On the day of his yahrzeit, the 21st of Tevet, the roads of Ukraine were filled with people despite the harsh Ukrainian winter. Those unable to come would send emissaries to light oil at his grave—as recorded in Stories of Wonders (Zhitomir, 5661 [1901], p. 3): “For to this very day people travel from afar to the holy resting place, and whoever possesses strong faith is immediately answered in all his requests, and many send olive oil to be lit at his grave…”. Even today, his grave in Vilednik remains a place of pilgrimage for prayer and salvations, with Jews from around the world testifying to fulfilled requests, in accordance with his promise. Rabbi Yisrael Dov Ber of Vilednik [5489–5610; 1729–1850] was among the greatest of the Hasidic rebbes—known as a miracle-worker endowed with ruach ha-kodesh. He is considered one of the foremost disciples of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl. The title page indicates his exceptional stature: “the unique one among the disciples of the great and holy Admor… R. Mordechai of Chernobyl… from the dawn of his youth until the concealment of the Holy Ark; he never ceased to cherish him until he laid his hands upon him and revealed to him all the mysteries of his wisdom, and no secret was hidden from him…”. Stefansky, Hasidut, no. 544. [3], 16; 29, [2] leaves. Includes the Tikkun chart leaf, absent from most copies. 25 cm. Bound with: Toledot Aharon, by Rabbi Aharon of Zhitomir. Lemberg, 5625 [1864]. Second edition of this important work. The author, Rabbi Aharon of Zhitomir (c. 5510–5577; c. 1750–1817), was appointed maggid meisharim (preacher) of the city of Zhitomir by his eminent teacher Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, as stated on the title page. His sermons include many teachings heard directly from his master. 43; 48 leaves. 25 cm. Bound with: Likuttim Yekarim from four great spiritual wayfarers: the Baal Shem Tov; his disciple Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch; Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Premishlan, who traveled to the Land of Israel; and Rabbi Yechiel Michel, the Maggid of Zloczow. Lemberg, 5625 [1864]. The editor is not named; some identify him as Rabbi Meshullam Feibush of Zabrizh, a disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, R. Menachem Mendel of Premishlan, and the Maggid of Zloczow. Two of his letters appear in the book (anonymously) and were printed a hundred years later in his work Yosher Divrei Emet with his name. [36] leaves. 25 cm. Condition: Very good, except for a cardboard binding. Minor time stains.