Twersky, Menachem Nachum, of Chernobyl. Me’or Einayim [Chassidic discourses on Pentateuch] * With: Twersky, Menachem Nachum, of Chernobyl. Yismach Lev [Chassidic discourses on Talmud]

Classic Chassidic Work by Founder of Famed Chernobyl Dynasty R. Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl (1730-1797) was one of the major disciples of R. Dov Baer, Maggid of Mezrich, who, being older than most disciples of the Maggid, benefited from exposure to the founder of the Chassidic movement, R. Israel Ba’al Shem Tov. R. Menachem Nachum’s son, R. Mordechai of Chernobyl fathered eight sons (referred to as the “eight branches of the Menorah”) who all became Chassidic masters in their own right. These men went on to establish Chassidic communities that persist until today, such as Rachmastrivka, Skver, Trisk, Talna, etc. R. Menachem Nachum died on the 11th of Cheshvan, 5558 / 1797. Evidently, the publication of both works began here before his demise, for both titles give the impression that the author yet lives. (The “Kavvanath ha-Mikveh” on the verso of the title of Yismach Lev, states “neiro ya’ir” [may his candle burn].) Similarly, there is no indication from the Haskamoth of his colleagues R. Levi Isaac of Berdichev and R. Meshulam Zushyeof Anipoli that the Author died (they cannily attach to his name neither the blessing for the living - birkath ha-chaim - nor the blessing for the dead). However, the first two approbations, by R. Jacob Samson of Shipatevka and R. Aryeh Leib of Waltchisk, attach to R. Menachem Nachum’s name the blessing for the dead, “z[echer] tz[addik] l[i-veracha].” So too, the Hakdamah [Introduction] refers to the author as deceased. There is something most puzzling about these Haskamoth. The three that are dated - by R. Levi Isaac, R. Meshulam Zushye, and by R. Judah Leib Hakohen - are all dated, “Sunday, 23 [Mar]Cheshvan, 5558.” Given that the three resided in different locales, it is unlikely that all three would have affixed their signatures on the exact same day. Furthermore, how is it that these approbators fail to make mention of the fact that the author, R. Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl was recently deceased (but two weeks earlier)? Thus, it is evident that there was some tampering on the printer’s part with the Haskamoth. To sum up, it is safe to assume that the actual printing began before the author’s death and continued on afterwards. See A. Green, Menahem Nahum of Chernobyl: Upright Practices, The Light of the Eyes (1982)