Rav Tuv on the Torah (by the Yitav Lev) – First Edition – Lemberg, 1889

Rav Tuv on the Torah (by the Yitav Lev) – First Edition – Lemberg, 1889

Rav Tuv LeBeit Yisrael, commentaries on the Torah by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, the Yitav Lev, Av Beit Din of Sighet. Lemberg (Lviv): Yaakov Meshulam Ehrenpreis, 1889. First edition.

This book was edited and published by the author’s grandson and close disciple, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Magyarlápos, who recounts in the introduction to Responsa Avnei Tzedek (Lviv, 1885) that his grandfather entrusted him with all his manuscripts to have them printed: "and fortunate am I that he appointed me over his household and lovingly revealed to me his treasury, and entrusted me with his book Yitav Panim to arrange and print, the second part of which was published in full while he was still alive, a few days before his passing away; and when I brought it to his bed, he rejoiced, kissed it on every side, and shed tears of happiness that he merited to see it. And afterwards he called me close to his perfect bed, and his face shone like the sun, and he said to me: My dear son, I give you my blessing and great thanks for having fulfilled my long-held desire. May God repay your labor and may your wages be full. Hurry to take the time to bring Responsa Avnei Tzedek first to the press, and the book Rav Tuv last. I know you to be intelligent and understanding and that you will perform my desire with no deviation, fixing it anywhere it needs to be fixed…”.

On the last leaf are printed two letters from the author: “Regarding the problem that has arisen in winemaking… so as not to transgress the prohibition of Chametz on Pesach and Yein Nesech”.

[1], 181, [1] leaves. Approx. 24 cm. Good condition. Stains and light wear. Creases and light damage. Trimmed, affecting headings of some leaves. New binding.

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.