Early Chassidic work
Rav Yaivy
First Edition.
Slavita, 1792
Impressive wide-margin copy with original binding .
Essays on Chassidus, commentary on the Torah, Tehillim, mussar and chiddushim on Shas by the Admor Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, Maggid of Ostroh, disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch.
A large segment of this sefer is a commentary on 53 chapters of Tehillim, corresponding to the 53 years Reb Yaivy lived. On the final day of his life, he elucidated Chapter 53 of Tehillim.
Rav Yaivy was one of the first Chassidic sefarim ever published, as well as one of the very first sefarim printed by the tzaddikim of Slavita in their famed Slavita Press. In this sefer, Rav Yaivy cites many teachings from the Baal Shem Tov and his venerable disciples.
Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Ostroh, known as Rav Yaivy after his initials Yaakov Yosef ben Yehuda (1738-1791) was a prime disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch and close to many talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov. In 1766, he succeeded his father Rabbi Yehuda Leib as Maggid Meisharim and Rav of Ostroh, and he inscribed many of his father’s chiddushim in the present sefer.
Rav Yaivy’s drashos attracted crowds to Ostroh, and he inspired many souls to embrace Chassidus. In this sefer, he strongly condemns perverse social pressure, corruption and slander; he rebukes community dignitaries for intimidating the public and the affluent for acting arrogantly due to their wealth. Most prominently though, he cautions the public regarding the grave sin of talking during prayers, and the sefer actually opens with his special pamphlet on the topic, Morah Mikdash, literally “fear of the temple”.
Despite his stark messages of reproof, Rav Yaivy’s sefer is also replete with overflowing love and compassion toward Klal Yisrael, particularly for those who follow Hashem’s ways with pure faith and do not pursue the vanities of this world.
The sefer opens with a written approbation by the Admor Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, author of Kedushas Levi, who refers to the author Rav Yaivy as a “Holy man of G-d”. It also features letters of approbation by the Rabbanim of Ostroh who inscribe, “And the wise man will take wisdom and he will not fear the great expense, and should purchase this sefer with great alacrity.”
Slavita, 1792. First Edition. Page Count: 2, 139, 47 leaves.
Page Size: 34 cm.
Condition: First and last leaves and several other leaves restored at margins. List of owners on title page. Original Slavita Press leather binding!
Bibliography: Stefansky, Chassidus #530
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