R. Dov-Baer, Maggid of Mezeritch. Maggid Devarav LeYa’akov - Likutei Amarim.

<<EXCESSIVELY RARE FIRST EDITION OF A FUNDAMENTAL TEXT OF CHASSIDIC PHILOSOPHY.>> Composed by R. Dov Baer, the successor to R. Yisroel Ba’al Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic Movement. It has been suggested that this volume contains <<two highly significant inscriptions / signatures>> indicating two most important former owners of this important text: Grand Rabbi R. Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn (1797-1850) and his firstborn son, R. Sholom Yosef Friedman (1813-1851). The Rizhiner Rebbe (“Der Heiliger Ruzhiner”) was the most influential Chassidic leader of his generation. He was a direct descendant of the author of this work: The Rizhiner’s father, R. Shalom Shachna, was the son of Avraham “the Malach,” who was the son of the Maggid. The conjectured appearance here of the Rizhiner’s signature, along with an inscription indicating that this volume also belonged to R. Sholom Yosef Friedman, indicates that the Sepher passed from father to son. The signature found here is very similar in style to other authentically documented signatures by the Rizhiner Rebbe (see illustration). See Menachem Brayer, The House of Rizhin (2003) pp. 341-51 and p. 151 (facsimile of the Rizhiner’s signature).