Yitav Panim – Homilies on the Festivals by the Yitav Lev – First Edition of Both Parts – Lviv-Munkacs, 1881-1883

Yitav Panim – Homilies on the Festivals by the Yitav Lev – First Edition of Both Parts – Lviv-Munkacs, 1881-1883

Yitav Panim, Chassidic homilies and essays on the festivals [by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, the Yitav Panim]. Part I – Lviv: Yaakov Meshulam Nik and U. W. Salat, 1881; Part II – Munkacs: Pinchas Blayer, 1883.
First edition, printed anonymously in the author's lifetime. The book title is an acronym alluding to the name of the author – Yitav = Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum.

Volume comprising both parts: [1], 163, [2]; [1], 160, [1] leaves. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Marginal tears to some leaves (open tear to title page, repaired with paper, and open tear to leaf 39 of second sequence, affecting text). Inscriptions on title page. Fine, new leather binding.

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet – the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), son of R. Elazar Nisan Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, and son-in-law of R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva who immigrated to Safed. He was a close disciple of his grandfather the Yismach Moshe – Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel, who drew him especially close and disclosed to him Heavenly revelations which he had perceived with Divine inspiration. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. In 1833 (at the age of 25), he was appointed rabbi of Stropkov, and after the passing of his illustrious grandfather, he was selected to succeed him as rabbi of Ujhel. He was then appointed rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went to serve as rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), capital of the Maramureș region, and founded there a large yeshiva, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. Amongst his renowned disciples from that time was R. Shlomo Leib Tabak author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attested that "he was a merciful father to his disciples, carrying them on his shoulders as a nurse carries a suckling, and overseeing each one individually to ensure they studied Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet, he earned worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom, blessings and salvation. He was renowned for his exceptional holiness, and his grandson R. Yoel of Satmar attested that his holiness was never tainted. Numerous stories circulated of the wonders he performed, including incredible insights which were revealed to him with Divine Inspiration and through his exceptional wisdom. He was reputed in his generation as one who could read the minds of those standing before him, and amazing stories were told of this ability. His epitaph reads: "The renowned rabbi, he edified upstanding and reputable disciples, left behind valuable compositions". He is renowned for his books: Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the Festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.