First published chasidic Sefer “The Toldos Yaakov Yosef”, Koritz 1780
Very First Published Chassidic Sefer
The sefer that changed it all
Explanations on the Chamisha Chumshei Torah from Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaCohen of Polonne, a prized disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the first to spread his teachings.
Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaCohen of Polonne, otherwise known as the Toldos, was the cherished closest disciple of the Baal Shem Tov to whom he taught most of his teachings.
The publishers allude to this deep connection between the Baal Shem Tov and the Toldos following the title page with the verse: "And
Yisrael loved Yosef."
This
sefer was published in Koritz, 1780, still during Rabbi Yaakov Yosef’s lifetime, by both his son, Rabbi Avraham Shimshon – Av Beis Din of Roskow, and his son-in-law, Rabbi Avraham Dov Auerbach – Av Beis Din of Chmielnick and future successor of his father-in-law’s position.
The appearance of sefer Toldos Yaakov Yosef in 1780 was a significant milestone in the dissemination of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings in particular, and of the Chassidic movement in general.
Prominent Chassidic leaders held Sefer Toldos Yaakov Yosef in great esteem, carefully studying each and every nuance of the text.
Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz was quoted saying
, "There was never a sefer
such as this, for it is Torah from heaven, " and the Shpoler Zeide would place it under the head of the ill for healing.
Three hundred times throughout the
sefer the Toldos writes, "
and I heard from my teacher (the Baal Shem Tov), " and Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz would remark that one could revive the dead with each and every such phrase.
It is no wonder that this
sefer intensified the struggle against the Chassidic movement and aroused the renewal of bans against it. The
sefer was strongly attacked and in the city of Brody was even publicly burned.
Stefansky, Chassidus 605
[1], 202 leaves | 29.5 cm | Old semi-leather binding | Several professional restorations, few light stains | Complete copy | Fine condition
