Ohev Yisrael – Zhitomir, 1863 – First Edition – Wide-Margined Copy – High-Quality Paper

Ohev Yisrael – Zhitomir, 1863 – First Edition – Wide-Margined Copy – High-Quality Paper
Ohev Yisrael, homilies on the Torah according to Chassidic teachings, by Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, 1863. First edition.
The book was brought to press by the author's grandson, Rebbe Meshulam Zusia of Zinkov (Zinkiv). In his foreword, he relates how his father, Rebbe Yitzchak Meir, son of the author, realized that many were copying the Rebbe's teachings and each person according to his own understanding, and was concerned that this would lead to mistakes. He therefore chose one astute, outstanding Torah scholar and designated him to record the holy teachings, after which the writings were reviewed, and when necessary corrected, by the rebbe. Further in the foreword, he explains that the book was named Ohev Yisrael, based on the author's repeated assertion that the one character trait in which he could confidently take pride, even before the Heavenly court, was his outstanding love for his fellow Jew. Before his demise, he instructed his sons to write no other praise on his tombstone but Ohev Yisrael (Lover of Jews).
In his approbation (to the Lviv edition), R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn writes: "…he loved every Jewish person with his heart and soul, and would show great affection particularly to Torah scholars. And our fathers related to us that while he was here [in Lviv], all the leading Torah scholars of the city would arise early to come and absorb his wondrous teachings…".
[1], 117 leaves. 24.5 cm. Light-colored high-quality paper. Wide margins. Good condition. Stains. Worming, mostly to margins. A few wormholes to the middle of the text. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 19. Stefansky Classics, no. 387.