Yitav Lev – First Edition – Sighet, 1875

Yitav Lev – First Edition – Sighet, 1875

Yitav Lev, Chassidic, homiletical and ethical discourses on the Five Books of the Torah [by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet]. Sighet (Sighetu Marmației): Maramaroscher Actien-Buchdruckerei, 1875. First edition.

Five parts in two volumes. Main title page at the beginning of Part I, and five shorter divisional title pages for each book of the Torah.

The book was printed anonymously in the author's lifetime. The book title is an acronym alluding to the name of the author – Yitav stands for Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum. In his introduction, the author explains why he published his work anonymously. He cites the Panim Meirot’s introduction, where he was in doubt “whether it’s good for a person not to reveal who the author is, or whether there is an obligation to mention the author…”. Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah humbly offers a resolution: “Regarding halachot that pertain to law, it is important to know who the author is and whether he can be relied upon… but regarding Aggadah and ethics, what do we need to know the author’s name for? The words are proven if they penetrate their listeners’ hearts… So I decided it was better to conceal it, since I am ashamed to stand among the ranks of Torah scholars, since my soul knows my little worth…”.

Ownership inscription on main title page: “Yehudah son of R. Chaim Tuviah Rosman[?], M[arosú]jvár”; inscription at the top of Vayikra title page: “Yehudah Rosman, M[arosú]jvár” (see: Alei Zikaron 26, Tishrei 2016, p. 48).

Five parts in two volumes. Volume I (Bereshit-Shemot): [4], 2-141, [2] leaves; [2], 3-91 leaves. Volume II (Vayikra-Devarim): [4], 2-55 leaves; [2], 2-80, [1] leaves; [2], 2-52, 55-70, [1] leaves. Does not contain [2] leaves of errata for Shemot. Approx. 24.5-25.5 cm. Good condition. Many stains and wear. Marginal tears restored with paper and tape on some pages. New, matching leather bindings.

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.