Or HaMeir (R. Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomir) – Korets, 1798 – First Edition – Fine, Wide-Margined Copy

Or HaMeir (R. Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomir) – Korets, 1798 – First Edition – Fine, Wide-Margined Copy

Or HaMeir, Chassidic and Kabbalistic homilies and allusions on the Torah portions, Megillot and festivals, by Rebbe Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomir. Korets: printer not indicated, [1798]. First edition.
Or HaMeir is one of the first Chassidic books, and contains teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. The author, R. Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomir was one of the foremost disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch, and a close disciple of R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, R. Nachum of Chernobyl and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. He was also close to R. Pinchas of Korets, who once said that he saw how R. Ze'ev Wolf was accompanied by Eliyahu the Prophet, who revealed to him holy secrets. R. Leib Sarah's said that he "saw upon his face the image of G-d in its perfection". The title page of this book bears exceptional praises about the author, such as: "He cleaved to his Creator at all times, unseparated while walking or sitting…". This book was dictated to his disciple R. Eliezer of Zhitomir, author of Pirkei HaNe'ezar. Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin remarked that "each Jew is obligated to conduct himself according to all that is written in the book".
Of all Chassidic works, this book was particularly cherished by R. Chanoch Henich of Alexander (Tiferet Avot, Vizhnitz, 1993, p. 208).
Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz is reputed as saying that R. Ze'ev Wolf delivered only one eighth of the Torah he received from Heaven, and of what he delivered only one eighth was heard; from that which was heard only one eighth was understood; from that which the author of Pirkei HaNe'ezar comprehended he wrote only one eighth, and from that which was printed only one eighth is understood. R. Ze'ev Wolf passed away in 1798 and this book was printed shortly after his passing.
Inscriptions on the title page: "Avraham Abish son of R. Moshe ---"; "Yehuda Tabbach"; "Beit Midrash of the philanthropist… Meir Lisbona" (identical inscription appears also on p. 10a).

Fine, wide-margined copy on high-quality paper. [2], 58, 61-80, [2]; 52, 55-98, 101-120; 64 leaves. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor worming to title page and other leaves, slightly affecting border and text. Marginal tear to one leaf, not affecting text. Stamps. New leather binding.

During 1798-1810, this book was printed in several similar editions; see: A. Tauber, Bibliographic Studies, pp. 36-39; Y. Yudlov, Ginzei Yisrael, no. 1140. In this copy, the prohibition to print the book is set at 15 years, not 20.