Bidspirit auction | Avodas Yisrael by the Maggid

Avodas Yisrael by the Maggid of Kozhnitz – Shapira Press – Zhitomir, 1858 * Chassidic and kabbalistic commentary on the Chamisha Chumshei Torah and the haftaros, together with essays for the festivals and special Shabbosos, a commentary on Pirkei Avos, chiddushim on Maseches Chullin, Iggros, and collected writings. Authored by Rabbi Yisrael Hopstein, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. One of the most fundamental sefarim of Chassidus. This edition was printed by a member of the famed Shapira family of printers, a grandson of the Rav of Slavita, Rabbi Moshe Shapira, son of Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz. Rabbi Yisrael Hopstein, the Maggid of Kozhnitz (1737–1814), was a holy man of G-d and an outstanding kabbalist, one of the principal architects of the Chassidic movement and among the greatest figures to shape its path. He was a Rebbe to thousands of chassidim and was renowned as a miracle worker endowed with Ruach HaKodesh. Together with the Chozeh of Lublin, he was regarded as the foremost leader of Chassidus in his generation.  He was born through the blessing of the Baal Shem Tov, who also served as his sandek. He studied Chassidus from the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg. He was one of the four disciples of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk who inherited his spiritual legacy and carried on his path. The overwhelming majority of the leading Chassidic masters of the following generation were his disciples, including the Chiddushei HaRim, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, the Noam Megadim, the Yismach Moshe, the Bnei Yissaschar, and many others. Zhitomir, 1858. Rabbi Aryeh Leib Shapira Press. Page Count: [2], 90, 90–93 leaves. Condition: Some browning to the paper. Stains on the title page. The first two leaves are slightly shorter than the rest. Fine new leather binding.