Bidspirit auction | She’erit Yisrael – The Foundational

She’erit Yisrael – The Foundational Work of the “Tzaddik of Vilednik.” Second Edition with Important Additions Printed Here for the First Time. Rare. - She’erit Yisrael, by the holy Rebbe Rabbi Yisrael Dov Ber of Vilednik. Second edition, revised and expanded, published by Rabbi Michael Levy, son of Rabbi Alexander Sender Frumkin. Includes important additions not found in the first edition. A rare and important Chassidic edition of one of the foundational works of the Chernobyl school of Chassidism. In this edition there appear for the first time the author’s “Guidelines and Admonitions”—twenty-one sections which, judging from their wording, were apparently copied directly from the author’s own manuscript. The author, the holy Rebbe Rabbi Yisrael Dov Ber of Vilednik [1789–1850], was among the leading Chassidic masters of Ukraine and one of the foremost disciples of the renowned Rebbe Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl. The title page describes him in extraordinary terms: “The most distinguished among the disciples of the great and holy Rebbe... Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl... From the dawn of his youth until his master was gathered to the heavenly academy, he never departed from his side. His master cherished him, laid his hands upon him, revealed to him all the mysteries of his wisdom, and no secret was hidden from him...” Already during his lifetime, the “Tzaddik of Vilednik” was renowned as a miracle worker and a source of salvation. Many of the leading Rebbes of his generation directed petitioners to him for blessings and assistance. Chassidic tradition relates that even the famed Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn sent followers to seek his counsel and blessing. He became especially famous for helping those suffering from emotional and mental afflictions. People traveled from across Ukraine to Vilednik, believing in the power of his prayers and blessings. Numerous traditions also attribute to him remarkable powers of divine inspiration and relate how he assisted abandoned wives (agunot) by revealing the whereabouts of missing husbands. According to a well-known tradition, he promised before his passing that all who visited his grave would merit salvation, and even those unable to reach the actual gravesite because of the crowds could merely grasp the handle of the entrance door and receive his blessing. For generations, his resting place in Vilednik became a major pilgrimage destination. On his yahrzeit, the 21st of Tevet, thousands journeyed there despite the harsh Ukrainian winter. To this day, his gravesite remains one of the most visited Chassidic pilgrimage sites, attracting worshippers from around the world seeking prayer and salvation. The volume was published with the approbation of the eminent gaon Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson. Stephansky, Chassidut, no. 544. [4], 51 leaves (with irregular pagination). 20.5 cm. Condition: Good. Time staining. Several letters trimmed from one leaf at the margin. A desirable copy of a rare edition of one of the foundational works of Chernobyl Chassidism, authored by one of the most celebrated miracle-working Rebbes in the history of the Chassidic movement.