First Edition Sefer Pri Ha’aretz by Rabbi Menachem Mendle of Vitebsk, Kapost 1814
Chassidic explanations on the
parshiyos along with fascinating letters regarding proper service of G-d, authored by the famed Rabbi Menachem Mendle of Vitebsk. There is also novellae from Rabbi Avraham Hamalach (the angel), son of the Maggid of Mezritch.
The letters published at the end of the
sefer play a fundamental role in the recounting of the history of the Chassidic movement. The first two letters deal with the polemic dispute between the Chassidim and
misnagdim, which was at its peak at the time; Rabbi Menachem Mendle’s letters are all reconciliatory and filled with words of appeasement.
In other letters, he describes his immigration to Eretz Yisrael, the hardships they endured and the support the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael receive from "
shekel hakodesh" charities. His letters are packed with inspiration, guidance and moral rebuke, addressed to his community back in Russia living under Gentile oppression.
There are added remarks from his disciple, Rabbi Avraham Kalisker, in several of the letters.
This first edition Pri Ha’aretz was published in Kapost, 1814.
Rabbi Menachem Mendle of Vitebsk (1730 – 1788) was an illustrious patriarch of the Chassidic movement and a prized disciple of the holy Baal Shem Tov. He immigrated to Eretz Yisrael in 1776, establishing a Chassidic foundation there. Despite his move, he remained in close contact with his brothers back in the Diaspora via messengers and the letters published at the end of this sefer.
"Light of the world and treasure of life for whom the inhabitants of the world move, a holy man, light of Israel, role model of the generation…" – These are just a taste of the lofty descriptions attributed to Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk by Rabbi Baruch of Medzhybizh, grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.
Stefansky, Chassidus 477
[2], 27, [9] Pages | 20 cm | Professionally restored | FIne condition
