"Meir Netivim." Polonnoye, [1791-1792]. Two Sections. First Edition

"Meir Netivim." Polonnoye, [1791-1792]. Two Sections. First Edition

Responsa, novellae on the Talmud and the weekly Torah readings, by Rabbi Meir Margoliot of Lemberg and Ostrog. Polonnoye, [1791-1792]. Two sections. First edition.

Specifications: Section one: Responsa. 1791. 30, 33-97 leaves.

Section two: Novellae on gemara and Tosofot and homilies on the weekly Torah readings. 1792. [1], 3-56 leaves. 33 cm. Stefansky, Chassidut 313.

Unique features: First edition of the book by one of the patriarchs of chassidut. With the approbation of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, who extols the author; approbation from Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli who suggests and requests that anybody with with fear of G-d in his heart should make an effort to purchase the books; approbation from the "Ohev Yisrael of Apt, " written during his rabbinate in Kozlov; and an interesting approbation from kabbalist, Rabbi Asher Zvi of Ostrog from the noted kloiz in Ostrog.

Leaf 4 features printed Torah novellae from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, apparently the first time that his Torah novellae were printed. Leaf 82 features a responsa regarding an aguna that was sent to Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye, author of Toldot Yaakov Yosef, who was then serving as rabbi of Nemirov. The second section features a compilation from the novellae of author's brother, Rabbi Yitzchak Margoliot, Av Beit Din of Jazłowiec, who was close to the Ba'al Shem Tov before he was revealed. He influenced his brother, Rabbi Meir, to draw close to the Ba'al Shem Tov.

Background: Rabbi Meir Margoliot became close to the Ba'al Shem Tov at a young age. In his works, he refers to the Ba'al Shem Tov with great admiration and terms him "Mori Yedidi" - my teacher, my friend. His title as rabbi was officially confirmed by the king of Poland. He served as rabbi in Horodenka and Jaslo and then moved to Lemberg, where he served as Av Beit Din and then as rabbi of the entire district. In 1777, he was appointed rabbi and Av Beit Din of Ostrog and its environs. The fact that he was a government-appointed rabbi who was close to the Ba'al Shem Tov was a significant element in the debate with the chassidic movement. He passed away in 1790, and this book was printed soon after his passing.

Condition: Fine. Professional repair to the gutters of the title page, not affecting text. Tape reinforcements to the last three leaves. Aging stains. Very minimal marginal worming holes.