Kedushat Levi, by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev – Slavita, 1798 – First Edition, Printed in the Author's ...

Kedushat Levi, by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev – Slavita, 1798 – First Edition, Printed in the Author's Lifetime – Fine Copy
Kedushat Levi, Chassidic essays. Slavita, 1798. First edition, published by the author.
Essays relating to Chanukah and Purim (the chapters are entitled Kedushot), commentaries on Aggadot concerning the Elders of Athens, and other selections (Talmudic novellae by the author's father and son).
R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (Berdychiv) (1740-1810, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut III, pp. 17-23) was one of the most glorious figures of the Chassidic movement, famously referred to as "the Advocate of the Jewish people". According to Chassidic lore, when he was born, the Baal Shem Tov offered his disciples to drink LeChaim, declaring that a great soul had just descended to this world, whose task would be to act as defender of the Jewish people. He was born to R. Meir Rabbi of Hussaków, a descendant of the Maharsha and scion of an early dynasty of 36 rabbis. In his youth, he studied with the Pri Megadim in Lubartów, where he also met Rebbe Shmelke of Nikolsburg (Mikulov), who influenced him to join the Chassidic movement and frequent the court of the great Maggid of Mezeritch (Mezhirichi). From a young age, he served as rabbi of various communities (Ryczywół, Żelechów, Pinsk) and was pursued in some places by Mitnagdim for his association with the Chassidic movement. In 1785, he was appointed rabbi of Berdychiv, where he established an important Chassidic center and edified many disciples, becoming famous as one of the greatest Chassidic leaders of his times and serving there until his passing.
Apart from his piety and greatness in Torah, he was known as the epitome of love for his fellow Jew and advocate of all Jews, including sinners and offenders. Dozens of stories circulate of his defense of every Jew, in any situation. These stories became inalienable assets of Chassidic lore and earned him the appellation "Advocate of the Jewish people". The righteous men of his generation greatly revered and acclaimed him. R. Shmelke of Nikolsburg dubbed him "my disciple in exoteric wisdom, master and teacher in esoteric fields", and portrayed even his mundane conversation as replete with Kabbalistic meanings and yichudim. The Chozeh of Lublin would dedicate one hour a day to expressing gratitude to G-d for sending down to the world a soul like R. Levi Yitzchak, and with his passing, R. Nachman of Breslov declared that the light of the world was extinguished and darkness reigned. He composed famous poems and prayers, including "G-t fun Avraham" recited by many at the close of Shabbat. This book is the first edition of Kedushat Levi, published by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev himself. The book is named after the Kedushot essays pertaining to Chanukah and Purim, which comprise the main part of the book. The book was reprinted in the same format in the author's lifetime in Zhovkva, 1806. Approximately a year after his passing, his sons and grandsons published a further edition of the book, with the addition of novellae on the Parashiot of the Torah, based on writings the author left behind (Berdychiv, 1810). The book has since been reprinted many times in its expanded format. A third part of the book appeared in a later period, on Pirkei Avot, based on writings found in the estate of the Maggid of Koznitz (Kozienice).
This book was reputedly written by R. Levi Yitzchak himself, unlike other early Chassidic works which were recorded by the disciples of the authors. The Minchat Elazar of Munkacs (Munkachevo) would exert himself and read this book protractedly, maintaining that Kedushat Levi contained almost all the writings of the Arizal allusively, each word being built on foundations of Kabbalah and requiring deliberate, in-depth study to understand all the profound teachings concealed in it. (According to Breslov tradition, some of the Kedushot on Chanukah and Purim in this work were written by R. Natan of Nemirov, the famous disciple of R. Nachman of Breslov, while he was studying under R. Levi Yitzchak).
Great Torah scholars attested that Kedushat Levi bears the remarkable power of endowing its reader with enthusiasm and devotion in love and fear of G-d, also maintaining that just keeping the book in the house has the capacity to mitigate decrees and protect from destructive forces, as Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heschel – the Apter Rav wrote (in his approbation to the Berdychiv, 1815 edition), as well as R. Aharon of Zhitomir in his approbation to that same edition, and the rabbis of Munkacs (in their approbation to the Munkacs 1939 edition).
A handwritten ownership inscription appears on the title page.
Complete copy. 30, 22 leaves. 20.5 cm. Wide margins. High-quality, blueish paper. Good condition. Stains. Light marginal wear. Complete leaves. Minor worming. Tear to the inner margins of the title page, not affecting title border, repaired. New, elaborate leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 507.