Chassidut, Rare! Rav Pninim and Shoshanat Ha’Amakim – first edition, Frankfort on the Oder 1782, one of the first books to mention the Ba’al Shem Tov in his lifetime

The book Rav Pninim, novaelle on the Torah and the festivals, by Rabbi Meir Teomim of Lubartow and Lvov, father of Rabbi Yosef Teomim the ‘Pri Megadim’ who published this book written by his father and added his book Teivat Gama on the Torah [not found in the copy before us] and Shoshanat HaAmakim on the rules of the Talmud. On page 29b the author quotes an excerpt from a letter sent by Rabbi Gershon of Kitov to his brother-in-law the Ba’al Shem Tov: “I saw a letter from the holy land from the chassid Rabbi Gershon to his famous brother-in-law the Ba’al Shem Tov Rabbi Yisrael in the following words: When I reached the holy city of Jerusalem I fell on my face and cried and said, Jerusalem is compared to a widow, how did you wear nice clothes during the period of your widowhood, how I wish I could have seen you in your destruction…” From the above description of the Ba’al Shem Tov we can see that the author Rabbi Meir Teomim (died in 1773) wrote those words during the Ba’al Shem Tov’s lifetime and even though his son the Pri Megadim published it after the Ba’al Shem Tov’s death he didn’t make any changes whatsoever to his father’s words. This mention of the Ba’al Shem Tov appears to be one of the first printed in the name of the Ba’al Shem Tov that mentions him during his lifetime. First edition, Frankfurt on the Oder 1782. Stefansky Chassidut 532. [2], 1-44, [1], 82-136 leaves (pages 44-82 is the book Teivat Gama that is missing in this copy), separate title page for Shoshanat Ha’amakim. Two out of the three books that were printed and bound together. A few worming holes, scuffs and folds at the corners of the leaves. 2 leaves are detached. Tears and blemishes with slight damage to the text in several places. Blemishes on the title page of Rav Pninim. Without a cover. Good – moderate general condition. Regarding the connection of the author Rabbi Meir Teomim of Lubartow and Lvov, father of the Pri Megadim to the Ba’al Shem Tov, Rabbi Yitzchak Weiss wrote in his book Elef Ktav (letter 459): Rabbi Yissachar Dov of Belz related that the mother of the Pri Megadim was the second wife of the Rebbe Rabbi Be’er [the great maggid of Mezeritch], and once the Pri Megadim travelled to visit his mother, and when he returned his study partners asked him how it was there for him, and he replied that he felt like a gentile among Jews.