Bnei Yissaschar [mystical discourses on the Sabbath, New Moon and the Festivals]

(CHASSIDISM) SHAPIRA (SPIRA), TZVI ELIMELECH OF DYNOV.

n.p.

Zolkiew

1846-50

FIRST EDITION . Two parts in two volumes. Volume on the months of Tishrei-Adar printed without a title page.

Vinograd, Zolkiew 959 & 1011; Mehlman 1181; Stefansky, Chassiduth 91-2.

The encyclopedic Bnei Yissaschar has been acclaimed as a monumental achievement of Chassidic thought. The Author, R. Tzvi Elimelech Shapira, popularly known as R. “Hersh Melech,” was a disciple of the Chozeh (“Seer”) of Lublin. He instructed every Jew to study the Kabbalah, for “through mysticism, the Jews will be redeemed, even prior to the appointed time, thus avoiding the birth-pangs of the Messiah.” See T. M. Rabinowicz, The Encyclopedia of Hasidism (1996) pp. 451-2. Chassidic legend has it that the reason this book was printed without a title page was that one of the author’s disciples was expelled because of a jocular heretical remark. This disciple vowed vengeance upon the Chassidic court of his former master. He was later appointed as censor in Zolkiew. The book was thus printed without a title so that the erstwhile censor should not realize who the author was. Four years later another censor was appointed - and thus a title-page was added. On the author, see the two volume biography by R. Nathan Ortner, HaRav Tzvi Elimelech MiDynov (1978).