DAVID, MAGGID OF MAKOW. Zemir Aritzim [anti-Chassidic tract]

AUCTION 19 | Tuesday, March 11th, 2003 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts and Works of Graphic Art

Back to Catalogue

<Previous Lot

/248

Next Lot>

Lot 65

(CHASSIDISM)

DAVID, MAGGID OF MAKOW. Zemir Aritzim [anti-Chassidic tract]

Second edition 16pp. Ex-library, portion removed from opening and closing leaves, contemporary sheep-backed boards, rubbed, 8vo Vinograd, Koenigsberg 256; Weiner 3646; M.Carmilly-Weinberger, Censorship and Freedom of Expression in Jewish History (1977) pp.137-38

(Koenigsberg): n.p. 1798 (i.e. 1860)

Est: $400 - $600

An uncommon tract, with a wealth of detail relating to Chassidic life-style. Due to its severe tone in disparaging the Ba’al Shem Tov and other Chassidic leaders, most all copies of this polemic were purchases by the Chassidim themselves and subsequently destroyed. The author, was a central figure in the historical controversy between the disciples of Chassidism and their opponents. Steeped in Chassidic life as a young man, R. David became atttracted to the philosophic outlook of Elijah Gaon of Vilna and adopted the Gaon’s war against the Chassidic philosophy. See E.R. Malachi, in: Sefer Hayovel shel Hadoar (1952) pp. 286-300