A rare book in a magnificent leather binding: Pri Ha’Aretz, Chassidut, first edition, Kopys, 1814
The book Pri Ha’Aretz, deep chassidic teachings, by the Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk. At the end of the book are letters by the author and his primary disciple Rabbi Avraham Kalisker, which were sent to their disciples in Europe with words of praise and encouragement about the new settlement in the Land of Israel in general and in Tiberius in particular, requests for financial assistance and instructions about how the chassidim in Europe should act. First edition – Kopys, 1814. [2], 27 leaves, [9]. The last 10 leaves were replaced by professional facsimile, on high-quality paper. Especially new and magnificent leather binding, with embossing, in a matching box. Some of the leaves are cut in the margins close to the text with slight damage to the text, slight stains, a well-preserved copy in good condition. Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (1730-1788) son of Rabbi Moshe, one of the foremost disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch and rabbi of the Baal HaTanya, leader of the chassidim of White Russia and one of the foremost chassidic leaders in the third generation of Chassidut. In 1777 he immigrated to the Land of Israel at the head of the renowned “immigration of the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov”, where he founded the chassidic settlement in Tiberius. He wrote several books, the best known of which is this book “Pri Ha’Aretz,” which was written while he was is Israel. He died on 1 Iyar 1788 in Tiberius and is buried in the section of the Baal Shem Tov’s disciples in the old cemetery in the city.
