Yesod Yosef and Likutei Yosef – Two Books by Rabbi Yosef of Rovne, One of the First Disciples of the Maggid of ...

Yesod Yosef and Likutei Yosef – Two Books by Rabbi Yosef of Rovne, One of the First Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch – Minkovitz, 1803 – First Editions
Two books by R. Yosef Yoske HaLevi of Rovne, one of the first disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch, printed together. Two books in one volume:
1. Yesod Yosef, allusions and gematriyot of the Holy Names and the Sefirot, with kabbalistic homilies, by R. Yosef Yoske HaLevi of Rovne. Minkovitz (Mynkivtsi), [1803]. First edition.
2. Likutei Yosef, novellae on Talmudic topics, by R. Yosef Yoske HaLevi of Rovne. Minkovitz, [1803]. First edition.
The author, R. Yosef Yoske HaLevi of Rovne (d. 1800; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 149-150), a holy kabbalist, disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch and of R. Michel of Zlotchov. R. Yosef was amongst the elite and initial disciples of the Maggid, R. Dov Ber of Mezeritch, while the latter still served as maggid in Rovne, and he was the one who brought him from Tortchin (Torchyn) to Rovne, with the assistance of his father-in-law R. Aharon Rabbi of Rovne, to serve as maggid. In a letter R. Zusha of Anipoli sent the Chozeh of Lublin in praise of R. Yosef, he wrote: "…regarding the renowned, righteous man, who is astute and erudite, the outstanding Torah scholar R. Yosef… he was already asked to serve as rabbi in several communities, yet he declined… since it would take time away from his Torah study and prayers. And I know him, that he is accustomed to sitting in seclusion, delving in Torah, prayer, Chassidut and asceticism. My brother, the holy R. Elimelech, cherished him greatly, and he also told me… that in the Higher spheres, he saw him clothed in white…".
Two books in one volume. Yesod Yosef: [4], 9, 11-42, [2], 43-88, [1] leaves. Leaves 41-42 bound twice. Likutei Yosef: [1], 26 leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains (including mold stains to title page and several other leaves). Wear, creases and tears. Marginal tear to title page, repaired with paper. Minor worming to several leaves. Leaves trimmed, slightly affecting title page border of Likutei Yosef. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, nos. 232, 280.