Sefer Divrei Emes – By the Chozeh of Lublin
First edition, Zolkova [1830]
Chassidic commentary on the Torah and chiddushim on the Talmud, by Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Halevi Horowitz – the Chozeh (Seer) of Lublin.
This is the first sefer published by the Chozeh of Lublin.
The content of the sefer is based on teachings delivered by the Chozeh on Shabbos and carefully written down by the Chozeh himself. At the beginning of the book are 82 Hanhagos, also from the author’s own handwriting.
The preface includes an approbation by Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, the author of "Ohev Yisrael."
At the end of the sefer is a significant list of signatories, prominent disciples of the Chozeh and other Hasidic masters, headed by the following declaration:
"May the merit of the holy author protect them and their descendants. May the Almighty remove all illness from them, heal their bodies and souls, bless their endeavors, and grant them children, life, and ample livelihood."
Similarly, in the introduction by the author’s grandson, he writes:
"When this holy book comes to you,
Purchase it with full payment.
Do not be deterred by a lack of funds,
For it will bring blessings into your homes.
May the merit of the holy author protect you,
And remove all illness and plague from your midst."
The printing date on the title page is listed as 5568 (1808), but this date was deliberately brought forward due to censorship, which at that time prohibited the printing of Chassidic books. The actual year of printing is 1830 (as evidenced by several proofs; see Kiryat Sefer 37, p. 123, and Y. Alfasi, The Chozeh of Lublin, p. 188).
Zolkova 1808 [1830]. First edition.
Page count: [4], 62: 12, [2] leaves.
Size: 20.5 cm.
Condition: Minor stains; otherwise in good condition. Thick paper, rebound in a new binding.
Stefansky, Sifrei Chassidus #114
Signatories’ Names
At the end of the book are two additional leaves containing the names of those who contributed funds for the sefer’s printing. This is an extraordinary and significant list, including leading disciples of the Chozeh and prominent rabbis and Chassidic masters of the era.
Below is a partial list:
Disciples of the Chozeh and those who sought his guidance:
- Rabbi Shalom of Belz
- Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Ziditshov and his brother Rabbi Dov Berish of Ziditshov
- Rabbi Chaim of Kosov
- Rabbi Chaim of Sanz (in his first year as Rabbi of Sanz)
- Rabbi Shimon of Yaroslav
- Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Strizhov (author of "Sheva Simchot")
- Rabbi Avraham Chaim, Av Beit Din of Linsk (son of Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz)
- Rabbi Asher Yeshayahu of Ropshitz (son-in-law of Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz) and his son Rabbi Elimelech Rubin, Av Beit Din of Sokolov
- Rabbi Aryeh Leibush of Vishnitsa (author of "Ari Debei Ila’i")
- Rabbi Avraham Zev Wolf Frenkel, Av Beit Din of Pshevorsk and Rzeszów (author of "Meshiv Kahalacha")
- Rabbi Yisrael Dov Gilerenter (author of "Dvir HaMutsna" and "Ravid HaZahav").
Leading Chassidic Masters:
- Rabbi Avraham David of Buchach
- Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi of Rozdol
- Rabbi Shalom Halevi of Kaminaka
- Rabbi Shimshon of Ozheran (son of Rabbi Meshulam Fayvish of Zbarizh)
- Rabbi David of Zabolotov (son of Rabbi Moshe Mordechai of Kosov and son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov)
- Rabbi Tzvi of Dilatin (disciple of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna and close friend of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kosov)
- Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh, Maggid of Khirav (disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk and brother-in-law of Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz, who passed away on the 26th of Tammuz 1831)
- His son, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Rimalt, Av Beit Din of Daboromil (disciple of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rymanow)
- Rabbi Naftali Natan Neta Dominits of Radom and Husiatyn
- Rabbi Avraham Reinman of Nara.
Prominent Torah Scholars:
- Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Babad, Av Beit Din of Tarnopol (grandfather of the "Minchat Chinuch")
- Rabbi Meir Halevi Horowitz, Av Beit Din of Labartov (great-grandson of the "Hafla’ah")
- Rabbi Aharon Moshe Tuvish, Av Beit Din of Sanatin and Iași (author of "Karnei Re’em")
- Rabbi Meir Tzvi Witameir, Av Beit Din of Sambor (author of "Shu’t Rematz")
- Rabbi Eliyahu Hershowsky, Av Beit Din of Hovniv and Drohobych (author of "Azor Eliyahu" and a follower of Rabbi Shalom of Belz).
