DOV BAER OF LUBAVITCH (The Mittler Rebbe). Bi’urei HaZohar [commentary to the Zohar according to the doctrine of Chabad].

(CHASSIDISM).

Yisrael Jaffe

Kopust

1816

FIRST EDITION. Printer’s device of Israel Jaffe on title (Yaari, no. 183). Printed in double columns on faded blue paper. Wide-margined, fine copy.

Vinograd, Kopyst 53.

First edition in marvelous condition. The publication of Bi'urei HaZohar by R. Dov Baer was part of a multi-faceted literary campaign designed to prove his rightful claim to the spiritual mantle of his father R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (deceased 1813), which was hotly contested by R. Aharon Halevi of Starosselje, the principle disciple who studied under R. Shneur Zalman for more than thirty years. The notice on the title-page here, stating that R. Dov Baer had been designated by his father to transcribe the interpretations of the Zohar imparted every Friday night to his sons, sent a transparent message to the Chassidim that it was only R. Dov Baer who was the rightful spiritual heir as Rebbe, and not his father’s disciple. See M. Rosman, Founder of Hasidism (1996) pp. 189-209, especially p. 202.