Likutim Yekarim [teachings and homilies of the Baal Shem Tov]

Israel ben Eliezer (the “Baal Shem Tov,” 1700-60) founder of Chassidism, never published his teachings in his lifetime - indeed, he opposed attempts of others to do so on his behalf. Not for some two decades following his death were his sermons and homilies first presented in written form. The Likutim Yekarim is among these first, significant Chassidic texts, containing the revolutionary teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezhritch and other early Chassidic leaders. Views in this work aroused the ire of the Mithnagdim. The present edition contains valuable, additional material by R. Meshulam Feivush (Heller) of Zebarezh (1740-95) (see f. 20) written to an anonymous colleague. This is the first publication of his important sayings and discourses where his name is recorded. He was a descendent of R. Yom Tov Lipman Heller and one of the prime disciples of the Maggid of Mezhritch, R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and other early Chassidic masters. He quotes here many discourses personally heard from them, providing the dates and locations where the discourses were delivered. Bibliographers differ as to the place and date of publication of this scarce edition. Yudlov in particular expands upon its rarity: See ‘The Hebrew Press in Ostraha’ in Alei Sepher Vol. 3, p. 136, no 11; J. G. Weiss, Kavanoth of Prayer in Early Hasidism in Journal of Jewish Studies Vol. 9, nos. 3-4, pp. 163-92 (esp. p. 186).