Ya’akov Yoseph of Polonoye. Ben Porath Yoseph [commentary to Bereishith, with responsa and discourses delivered on Shabbath HaGadol and Shabbath Shuvah].

(CHASSIDISM)

Tzvi Hirsch b. Aryeh Leib and Samuel b. Yissachar Segal

Koretz

1781

FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch.

Vinograd, Koretz 9; Stefansky, Chassiduth 90.

The second fundamental work by the first theoretician of Chassidism and the outstanding disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. The final leaf contains the celebrated letter sent by the Baal Shem Tov to his brother-in-law Gershon Kitover, in which the Besh’t recounts his ascension to Heaven and his pivotal query: Eimathai Ka’athi Mar? (“When will the Master come?”), and the Messiah’s response: Kesheyaphutzo Ma’ayanothecha Chutza (“When the wellsprings of Torah are universally disseminated”).