Foundational Sefer Chassidus!
Kedushas Levi by the Admor Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
First Edition
Slavita, 1798
Chassidic essays on Chanukah and Purim (referred to as “kedoshos—holy [days]”), chiddushim on Shas and commentary on Aggados in Shas, all intertwined with mussar, “to stir and arouse the heart to [cleave to] the G-d of Yisrael” by the holy Rebbe and master defender of Klal Yisrael, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
This sefer was brought to print by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak himself in the sacred Shapira Press founded by Rabbi Moshe Shapira of Slavita. It was one of the first sefarim printed in the famed Slavita press alongside Rav Yaivy (1792), Noam Elimelech (1794), Tanya (1796) and Meohr Einayim (1798).
“From the day that its spiritual light emerged, this sefer transformed into one of the most fundamental and studied chassidic works. Sages and tzaddikim of his generation and ensuing generations attested and said that this holy work is a segulah for imbuing enthusiasm, dveikus, fear of heaven and love of Hashem in the heart of the reader” (Toldos Kedushas Levi p. 40).
In the beginning of the sefer, the author printed chiddushim by his father Rabbi Meir, Av Beis Din of Hoskov, and in the end of the first volume, included chiddushim by his sons Rabbi Yisrael, Av Beis Din of Pikov, and Rabbi Meir, author of Kesser Torah.
Sefer Kedushas Levi – A Segulah for Shemirah and Sweetening Judgment
Throughout the generations, chassidic masters extolled the praises of this sacred work, expressing that the mere presence of the Kedushas Levi in one’s home is an effective segulah for protection.
The Ohev Yisrael of Apta writes: “Surely the merits of the…author…and the sanctity of his sefarim will serve as a shield and protection wherever they are found” (Ohev Yisrael’s haskamah to Berditchev Edition).
The Kedushas Levi’s prime disciple Rabbi Aharon of Zhitomir writes similarly in his haskamah to the sefer: “Surely the merits of my master…author…and the sanctity of his sefarim will serve as a shield and protection wherever they are found, to draw upon them as a river of peace” (Ohev Yisrael’s haskamah to Berditchev Edition).
The Rabbanim of Munkacs express in their preface to the Munkacs 1933 edition: “It is known and accepted by the tzaddikim of every generation that this holy work, Kedushas Levi, is effective to sweeten judgment in every Jewish home…”
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740-1810) is one of the legendary progenitors and disseminators of Chassidus who was extolled as a heavenly angel on earth. He was a disciple of both the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, and at the time of his birth, the Baal Shem Tov expressed that an exalted soul had descended to the world and that he would serve as Klal Yisrael’s spiritual defender. Indeed, Rav Levi Yitzchak is renowned for constantly recalling the merits of Klal Yisrael and highlighting the beauty and goodness of their actions.
As he himself writes in his magnum opus ‘Kedushas Levi’, “Only one who constantly relates the righteousness and greatness of Yisrael…is worthy of being a leader of Am Yisrael.”
On the 45th day of the Omer in year 5545 (1785), at the age of 45 years, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak assumed the position of Rav in Berditchev, and he is since renowned to all as the Rebbe Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev or the Berditchever. Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhiner was known to say that the mere mention of the name “Berditchev” is sufficient to arouse heavenly compassion.
Slavita, 1798. Rabbi Moshe Shapira Press. Page Count: 30, 22 leaves.
Page Size: 18.8 cm.
Condition: Blue paper. Miniscule holes professionally restored to the extent that they are nearly imperceptible. Ornate new leather binding with matching leather-bound case.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod #385; Stefansky Chassidus # 507
