Yismach Moshe – Both Parts – Sighet, 1898 – Edition with Additions and Emendations

Yismach Moshe – Both Parts – Sighet, 1898 – Edition with Additions and Emendations

Yismach Moshe on the Torah portions, Part I on Bereshit and Shemot, and Part II on Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim, by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Sighet: Moshe Blumenfeld and Yechiel Michel David, 1898. Two parts in one volume.
Third, emended edition of the book Yismach Moshe, brought to print by Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum Rabbi of Magyarlápos (Târgu Lăpuș), upon the request of his grandfather the Yitav Lev.

Two parts in one volume. Part I: [2], 203 leaves; Part II: [2], 154 leaves, 50 pages. Approx. 27 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases and minor wear. Minor marginal tears to some leaves (primarily at beginning and end of volume). Original binding, with leather spine and corners; tears and minor wear to binding and spine.

The Yismach Moshe, Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841) was an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia and progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar Chassidic dynasties. An outstanding Torah scholar and G-dly kabbalist, well versed in all facets of Torah, revealed as well as hidden. During his lifetime he was renowned as a holy G-dly man and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration. He first served as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa) from 1785-1808, and in 1808, was appointed rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely) and the region. At first, R. Moshe was an opponent of Chassidut, and in his youth, he travelled to Vilna to study Torah from the Gaon of Vilna. Over the years, R. Moshe gravitated towards Chassidut, influenced by his son-in-law R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsa, author of Responsa Aryeh D'Vei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. There, R. Moshe saw revelations of Divine Inspiration, and became the Chozeh's close disciple, adhering to Chassidut and disseminating its doctrines. He also travelled to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. From 1815, R. Moshe began distributing amulets to those requiring salvation and "the pen cannot properly describe the wonders performed by those amulets". Reputedly, he deliberated whether to continue writing amulets until he heard a pronouncement from Heaven: "Do not fear for I am with you" (Tehillah LeMoshe). Until this day, most of the texts of amulets and "protections" in Ashkenazi countries are attributed to the Yismach Moshe, including the printed text of the "Protection for the infant and the mother" and "Protection from epidemic". The text of the renowned Kerestir amulets, inscribed by Chassidic rebbes for safeguarding home and property, also originates from him.