One of the first Chassidic books brought to press was Maggid
Devorov L’Yakov, an anthology of teachings from the Maggid
of Mezritch. It was first printed in 1781, and reprinted many
times afterward. The Exhibition presents the first editions:
16. Maggid Devorov L’Yakov, Korzec, 1781.
17. Maggid Devorov L’Yakov, Korzec, 1784.
18. Maggid Devorov L’Yakov, Lemberg, 1792.
19. Maggid Devorov L’Yakov, Ostrog, 1794.
20. Maggid Devorov L’Yakov, Berdichev, 1808, with the
approbation of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev.
The Exhibition likewise presents the Kehot edition:
21. Maggid Devorov L’Yakov, Kehot, 1986.
The Maggid’s teachings are also printed in works concentrating
on the Baal Shem Tov, such as the above mentioned Likutim
Yekorim and Tzavoas Harivosh. The bulk of his teachings
however were repeatedly printed in several books, and their
first editions are also presented:
22. Ohr Torah, Korzec, 1804.
23. Kisvei Kodesh, Lemberg 1862.
24. Ohr HoEmes, Husiatin, 1899.
25. Ohr HoEmes, Zhitomir, 1900.
In later years the Maggid’s teachings were collected and
printed in two volumes entitled Toras HaMaggid. This is also
presented in the Exhibition:
26. Toras HaMaggid, Eretz Hakodesh, 1976.
Many of the Maggid’s teachings were distributed in the form of
handwritten manuscripts. The Exhibition features some of
these:
27. Manuscript 187.
28. Manuscript 1821.
29. Manuscript 2220.
The Metzritcher Maggid did not generally give approbations for
books. The only book for which he did write an approbation is
presented in the Exhibition:
30. Halacha Pesuka, Turka, 1765.
In his approbation the Maggid writes:
"Although my manner was to be among those who refrain
from giving an approbation for any book, however this is
different because it is unique, for it abbreviates and
resolves passages from the Poskim... and it is worthy of
being offered on the altar of the press."
In other words, due to the great dearness of the way the book
was arranged with accumulated rulings from the Poskim, he
decided to extend himself and give an approbation, since it was
so deserving to be printed.
A number of years afterward the Maggid instructed the Alter
Rebbe to write his Shulchan Aruch, and for the same reason.
As the Alter Rebbe’s sons wrote in the introduction:
"It was approved from heaven through the aforementioned
holy Rav [the Metzritcher Maggid] to diligently seek from
among his disciples a man with the spirit of G-d in him to
comprehend and instruct clear halacha, refined according
to the law, rulings with their reasons... and he chose our
revered father, the Rebbe z"l... and urged him to the
utmost, telling him there is no one as intelligent and
insightful as you to descend to the depth of the halacha to
accomplish this task, this holy enterprise, to reveal the
principle and inner reasons for the laws that are brought
ý2:10PM ý9/19/96ý3in all the works of the Rishonim and Acharonim."
Previous chapter
Next chapter
Main menu
