Rav Pninim: One of the First Sefarim to Mention Baal Shem Tov during His Lifetime; Frankfurt, 1782
Explanations on the parshiyos from Rabbi Meir Te’omim, author of Maggid Meisharim, father of the Pri Megadim including mention of the Baal Shem Tov during his lifetime.
This first edition was brought to print by Rabbi Meir’s son, the Pri Megadim, in Frankfurt, 1782, along with his other sefarim, Teivas Gama on Torah and Shoshanas Ha’amakim on Talmud.
The three volumes are bound together with separate title pages for each.
On page 29b the author quotes a passage from a letter that Rabbi Gershon of Kitov sent to his brother-in-law, the Baal Shem Tov.
He writes: "I saw a manuscript from the holy land that the Chassid, Rabbi Gershon wrote to his famous brother-in-law, Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, n"y."
Based on his description, it is obvious that Rabbi Meir Te’omim wrote this during the lifetime of the Baal Shem Tov; It seems that this is one of the very first sefarim to mention the Baal Shem Tov already in his lifetime.
Additionally, the very fact that Rabbi Meir laid hands on a letter from the Baal Shem Tov in Galicia is proof that the Chassidic movement began spreading in the Baal Shem Tov’s lifetime and that he was indisputably accepted in Jewish communities over the world .
136 leaves | 21 cm | Minor holes, rubbed out margins | Rare
