The Ba’al Shem Tov
& his greatest student’s teachings
Darchei Yesharim
First Edition
Zolkva, 1794
An early and exceptionally rare Chassidic Sefer
The well-known commentary of Baal Shem Tov on Mizmor 107 in Tehillim which was written with Ruach Hakodesh is printed here for the first time. Furthermore, this is in fact the first printing of any of the Ba’al Shem Tov’s actual words (as opposed to those said in his name).
This sefer contains the tefillos recited by Chassidic communities, on Erev Shabbos and Kabolas Shabbos. Includes practices and chiddushei Torah of the Ba’al Shem Tov and his greatest students; the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Premishlan.
The custom to say Hodu (Mizmor 107 of Tehillim) in all Chassidic communities on Erev Shabbos was established by the Ba’al Shem Tov (Me’or Einayim, Salvita, 558, p. 57a), the Ba’al Shem Tov made a commentary on it which is printed here for the first time. Rabbi Shalom of Koidinov, author of ‘Mishmeres Shalom’ commented, “It is known that our holy teacher, the light of Israel, the Ba’al Shem Tov z”l instituted to say Mizmor 107 every Erev Shabbos before Mincha, and he made a commentary based on his Ruach Hakodesh, who can understand his secret?” (Shem Aharon 12:1).
The sefer contains the tefillos ‘Pasach Eliyahu, ‘Yedid Nefesh, ‘Mizmor 107 of Tehillim with the Ba’al Shem Tov’s famed commentary, and ‘Kegavna’ before Maariv (accompanied for the first time by the addition which is said by one davening alone). The booklet ‘Morah Mikdash” of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Ostra, the author of ‘Rav Yevi’ is printed at the back.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Premishlan (1728- -1771) was one of the greatest and most prominent students of the Ba’al Shem Tov, his quotes and practices are brought down by all of the early gedolim of the chassidus. In 1764, he moved to Teverya together with Rabbi Nachman or Hordonka and died there. His greatest student was Rabbi Meshulam Feivish of Zebriz, who wrote about him, “I heard from them and from their writings that we know that they had ruach Hakodesh, and some of them had revelations of Eliyahu Hanavi like the Ba’al Shem Tov and our teacher, Rav Dov Ber z”l and our teacher Rav Menachem Mendel [of Premishlan].” (Yosher Divrei Emes letter 26)
[Zolkva 5554/1794]. First Edition, 30 leaves. Size: 14.4 cm, Good condition. High quality leather binding
Stefansky, Sifrei Chassidus #143
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