Likutei Amarim – Tanya – Zhovkva, 1798 – First Edition of Igeret HaTeshuva Mahadura Kama

Likutei Amarim – Tanya – Zhovkva, 1798 – First Edition of Igeret HaTeshuva Mahadura Kama
Likutei Amarim Tanya, by Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya. Zhovkva, [1798].
The title page states: "Tanya, which is a book of collected writings… and we have added a touch… from the outstanding Torah scholar, the author, to explain the essence and topic of Teshuva, and this is a third part which was not included in the first edition printed in Slavita…" (Slavita emphasized on title page).
This edition is the second printing of the Tanya in the author's lifetime, and was presumably printed without his knowledge. This is the first edition to be printed outside Russia, and to contain chapters of Igeret HaTeshuva – Mahadura Kama at the end of the book (the author later published Igeret HaTeshuva Mahadura Batra in Shklow 1806).
The publisher R. Yaakov of Brody writes at the end of the book that many requested he undertake printing a new edition of this book, since the book was not available in his country (Galicia-Poland), due to the prohibition to export the book from Russia, where it was originally published.
The following statement was printed before Igeret HaTeshuva (p. 67a): "Says the publisher: A precious gem was in my possession from the scholarly author, a manuscript booklet pertaining to topics of repentance, and for the benefit of the public I have brought it to print".
This edition earned two important approbations from prominent rabbis. The first one from R. Moshe Tzvi Hirsh Meisels Rabbi of Zhovkva, and the second from R. Yitzchak HaLevi of Lviv, rabbi of Kraków.
R. Yitzchak Shimshon Meisels Rabbi of Czernowitz, grandson of R. Moshe Tzvi Hirsh, relates in his approbation to the siddur of the Baal HaTanya that he was present when his grandfather accorded his approbation to the Tanya.
The second approbation was given by R. Yitzchak HaLevi of Lviv, rabbi of Kraków, a foremost opponent of Chassidism. He was a leading signatory on the ban against Chassidim in Kraków in 1786, and the book Tzavaat HaRivash was burned at his behest, while this book earned his effusive approbation, with profuse praise of the author and his book.
[3], 2-74 leaves. 16.5 cm. Condition varies: most leaves in good condition. Title page and several other leaves in fair condition. Stains. Tears and worming to title page and subsequent leaf, affecting text with some loss, repaired with paper and text replacement. Inner margins of several leaves repaired with paper. Stamps. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 623.