Keter Shem Tov – Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov – Both Parts – First Edition – Zhovkva, 1794-1795

Keter Shem Tov – Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov – Both Parts – First Edition – Zhovkva, 1794-1795
Keter Shem Tov, selections of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, arranged by R. Aharon HaKohen of Żelechów and Apta (Opatów). Two parts in two volumes. Part I – Zhovkva, [1794]; Part II – Zhovkva, 1795. First edition. Printed by Yehuda Leib Meyerhoffer and Mordechai Rabinstein.
Keter Shem Tov is a renowned compendium of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings. The book contains teachings of the Baal Shem Tov selected from the books of his disciples, R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne and the Maggid of Mezeritch. This is one of the first printed compendiums of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.
These two volumes were published in Zhovkva, 1794-1795. Approbations by Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Liska, R. Shlomo of Karlin and R. Avraham Moshe of Pshevorsk appear at the beginning of Part I, followed by "Tzavaah from the Baal Shem Tov". The subsequent leaf contains a letter which the Baal Shem Tov addressed to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov, in Eretz Israel. An approbation by R. Moshe Tzvi Hirsh Meisels is printed at the beginning of Part II .
The compiler of this book, R. Aharon HaKohen of Żelechów and Apta (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p. 157), authored several popular Chassidic books, including Or HaGanuz LaTzadikim, the Tefilla Yeshara – Keter Nehora siddur and other books. Disciple of R. Uziel Meisels of Ryczywół, he succeeded R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev as rabbi of Żelechów, and later served as rabbi of Biłgoraj. In 1803, he was appointed rabbi of Apta, alongside Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Ohev Yisrael.
Two volumes. Vol. I: [2], 28 leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Dampstains. Frequent worming to first leaves. Marginal tear to title page, slightly affecting border. Marginal tears and damage to additional leaves. Several detached leaves and gatherings. Stamps. New leather binding.
Vol. II: [30] leaves. Lacking last leaf (replaced in photocopy). 18.5 cm. Good-fair to fair condition. Stains and minor wear. Worming to many leaves, affecting text (professionally repaired with paper). Several detached leaves. Stamps. New leather binding (non-uniform bindings).
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 249.
This edition has several variants. The first part was published in several variants with minor typographic variations and differences to the text of the title page (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, listing 139450). Two different title pages were printed for Part II, one a copy of the text of Part I, with the addition of the words "Part II", and the second with a different text. Some copies feature both title pages, but most copies only have one title page. This copy features the first type of title page.