(CHASSIDISM).

(Russia?)

19th century

(Igroth VeHanhagoth MeRishonei HaChassiduth) [collection of letters by early Chassidic masters, including:R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, R. Eliezer Zusman of Tiberias, R. Avraham of Kalisk, R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, R. Tzvi Hirsch Harker, R. Samuel Gronom and others; 1778-95]

R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk was one of the most prominent, senior disciples of the Maggid of Mehzritch and a colleague and mentor of R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi. In 1777, accompanied by R. Abraham of Kalisk, he emigrated to Eretz Israel, yet continued to guide his Chassidim who had remained in Russia by maintaining a voluminous correspondence with them. These fascinating letters which reflect both the sociological conditions of the early Chassidic movement, as well as interesting theological concerns, have been published in a number of places with slight variances. Their first appearance in print was in Peri Ha’aretz (1814); others editions include Birkath Ha’aretz (1904) and Yesod Hama’alah (1982). The present manuscript contains a number of variants to the published versions. For example, even the letter from R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (f. 56) which was later appeared in the Igroth Kodesh at the end of the Tanya (no. 11) contains additional words not found in the published version. In addition, the scribe writes at the end of the letter “Chasser Kan” which indicates that this letter originally contained more material. This is not noted in the published version.