ABRAHAM DOV BAER (AUERBACH) OF OVRUCH. Bath Ayin [Chassidic homilies to the Pentateuch and Festivals]

(CHASSIDISM)

Israel Bak

Jerusalem

1847

FIRST EDITION. Title with printer’s device (Yaari no. 201) depicting the Old City of Jerusalem. Final two pages with interesting list of pre-publication subscribers to the work, both men and women, all residents of the Holy Land.

Vinograd, Jerusalem 59; Halevy 38

The First Chassidic Text Printed in Jerusalem. A greatly venerated work, replete with lyrical hymns in praise of the Holy Land and the spiritual heights attainable upon residing there. The Author (1765-1841), was a colleague of both R. Zushye of Annapoli and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, and was a disciple of R. Nachum of Chernobyl. In 1830 he migrated to Safed where in time he was regarded as the spiritual leader of all the Chassidim resident in the Holy Land. See T.M. Rabinowicz, The Encyclopaedia of Hasidism (1998) p.5.