Degel Machane Efraim – Korets, 1810 – First Edition

Degel Machane Efraim, Chassidic exegesis according to the order of the verses in the Torah, by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Efraim Ashkenazi of Sudilkov, grandson of Rabbi Yisrael the Ba'al Shem Tov. Korets, 1810, first edition.
Approbations by Chassidic leaders: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdychiv, the Maggid Rabbi Yisrael of Koznitz, Rabbi Ya'akov Yitzchak HaLevi Horwitz "HaChozeh" of Lublin, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel Rabbi of Apta and others. At the end of the book are "likutim" (compilations) of the Ba'al Shem Tov as well as "the dreams found in the writings of the Holy Rabbi" (one leaf).
An early Chassidic book. This book is one of the first authorized sources of the Torah teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov which were heard directly from him by the holy author, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sudilkov (1748-1800), the grandson of the Ba'al Shem Tov, son of his pious daughter Edel. Chassidic leaders greatly praised the holiness of the book and its ability to inspire its reader with fear of Heaven, and as Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdychiv wrote in his approbation to the book: "I promise that this work will stir the hearts of our brothers the People of Israel to serve G-d".
[2], 114 leaves. 19.5 cm. Greenish paper. Good-fair condition, stains, worming, wear to margins and restored tears [slightly affecting the text on several leaves]. Professional restoration to all leaves, censor stamp on title page. Inscriptions and signatures, [blurred] gloss on last leaf. New, handsome leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 128.