Chok LeYisrael – Slavita, 1825-1826 – Complete Set – First Edition of Chok LeYisrael Printed in Slavita

Chok LeYisrael – Slavita, 1825-1826 – Complete Set – First Edition of Chok LeYisrael Printed in Slavita

Chok LeYisrael, with Yosef LeChok by the Chida. Slavita: R. Shmuel Avraham Shapira, [1825-1826].
Complete set in five volumes.
This is the first edition of Chok LeYisrael printed in Slavita.
This edition bears the approbations of prominent Chassidic leaders: R. Mordechai of Chernobyl, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, R. Yitzchak of Radvil and R. Avraham Dov of Ovritsh.
One of the noteworthy approbations to this edition was accorded by R. Chaim HaKohen, a Torah scholar of Vilna, later the rabbi of Pinsk. In his approbation, he refers to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta (who also gave his approbation to this book) with great admiration.
Signatures, stamps and various inscriptions on the endpapers and title pages.
Bereshit: [8], 266, [1] leaves. Shemot: 258 leaves. Vayikra: 232 leaves. Bamidbar: 226 leaves. Devarim: [2], 256, [2] leaves. 18.5 cm. Vol. II partially printed on bluish paper. Condition varies, overall fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains. Wear and worming to some leaves. Tears and damage to several leaves, affecting text. Title pages of first two volumes detached. Some gatherings of vol. III partially detached. Two final leaves of vol. II supplied from another copy. Original leather bindings, damaged and torn.

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The Significance and Segulah of Reciting Chok LeYisrael Daily

The custom of reciting verses from the Bible and passages from Mishnah, Talmud and Zohar, every single day, was established by the Arizal, who observed this custom himself. The order printed in Chok LeYisrael is for the most part based on the writings of the Arizal in various places. The Chida added to this order daily halachic passages, taken from Mishneh Torah LehaRambam and Shulchan Aruch, as well as passages from books of ethics. The Chida's additions are named Yosef LeChok. The purpose of the Chok LeYisrael order of study, as explained in the writings of the Arizal, is both for the completion and tikkun of the soul, nourishing it through the study of the various parts of the Torah, and for affecting tikkunim and yichudim in the Upper spheres.

Many prominent Chassidic leaders, and especially the Tzaddikim of the Chernobyl dynasty, spoke in sublime terms of the segulah of the Chok LeYisrael study order, and attested that it provides a tikkun for sins in matters of holiness. Rebbe Yisrael Dov of Vilednik writes in his book She'erit Yisrael (Shaar HaShovavim, homily I) that studying Chok LeYisrael serves as Tikkun HaBrit, "as I received from my master [Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl], that true tikkun is achieved by attaching oneself to both the Written and Oral Law, through the Chok LeYisrael study order… and therefore in these times with the approach of the Messiah, the Yosef LeChok book has been published, authored by the Chida, disciple of R. Chaim ibn Attar the Or HaChaim, who embodies the lights of both Mashiach ben David and Mashiach ben Yosef, akin to the kabbalistic concept of an all-encompassing Tzaddik capable of effecting a tikkun for the imperfections of the entire Jewish people".

Rebbe Avraham of Trisk, son of R. Mordechai of Chernobyl, writes: "And following the prayers, he should recite Chok LeYisrael, every single day unfailingly… and through this he causes G-d to be filled with mercy for the Jewish people" (Magen Avraham, 96a).

Great rabbis of previous generations have spoken of great segulot attained by reciting Chok LeYisrael. Some wrote that it is also a segulah for livelihood (based on the words of the Talmud, "Chok means sustenance" - in the name of the Shinever Rebbe).R. Yaakov Roke'ach, in his foreword to Chok LeYisrael named Maase Roke'ach, wrote: "It is a mitzvah for every Jew to buy himself a Chok LeYisrael, to read from it every day…".