JACOB JOSEPH OF POLONOYE. Toldoth Ya’akov Yoseph [homilies to the Pentateuch, etc.]

RARE FIRST EDITION, OF THE VERY FIRST CHASSIDIC WORK PUBLISHED. Known affectionately in Chassidic circles simply as “the Toldoth,” this important work is the primary source for the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, who is cited here over two hundred times. Because of its prestige, a number of Chassidic legends have arisen concerning its publication and dissemination, thus creating a special aura around this particular edition - indeed Chassidim utilized it as a talismanic protection. Upon publication opposition to the work was so considerable among Mithnagdic circles, that numerous copies were publicly burnt. This was due to the Author's criticism of contemporary Torah circles, in which, according to R. Jacob Joseph, contemporary scholars studied for personal aggrandizement and not for "the sake of Heaven." He also criticized the wealthy-classes of society who were treated with an unecessary degree of obeisance by community Rabbis. See S.H. Dresner, The Zaddik (1960) pp.245-54 (esp. p.247, note 21), J. Bloch, A Legendary Edition of the Toldoth Yaakov Yoseph, in: JQR (1941) Vol. XXXI, pp. 245-57; Carmilly-Weinberger, Censorship and Freedom pp.127-30; G. Nigal, Manhig Ve'Eidah, B. Landau, Afterword in reprint of this edition (1960). H. Liberman has made the interesting observation in his Ohel Rochel that the printers had the unusual distinction of publishing this, the first Chassidic book as well as previously, the first anti-Chassidic polemic, Zemir Aritzim (1772)