Sha'ar HaTefillah. Sudilkov, 1825. First Edition. Incomplete Copy

Sha'ar HaTefillah. Sudilkov, 1825. First Edition. Incomplete Copy

Sha'ar HaTefillah. Explanation of prayer according to the approach of chassidut and kabbalah, by Rabbi Chaim [Tyrer] of Czernowitz, author of Sidduro Shel Shabbat and Be'er Mayim Chaim. On the title page: Mogilev [really: Sudilkov]. [1825]. First edition. 

Specifications: 3-10, 102, 113-115 leaves, 19 cm. Blue paper. The title page and last leaf are missing. Stefansky, Chassidut 583.

Background: First edition of this important book written by Rabbi Chaim of Czernowitz, one of the foremost chassidic teachers of all time. The author immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1813 and resided in Safed, where he was buried in a cave named after him. He wrote the book before us about prayer in the Land of Israel when 'he was sanctified with the holiness of the Land of Life.' The book was printed only a few years before his passing. 

Unique Features: The title page and last leaf are missing, but the work contains the leaves at the beginning, pages 3-10, which contain a long 'responsum' in which the author comments on the words of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, author of the Noda B'Yehudah who criticized the customs and liturgy of the chassidim regarding prayer. These leaves were omitted from some of the copies. All the index leaves in the back of the book are also found in the copy before us. 

Condition: Moderate. Worming holes, primarily on the last ten leaves.