Chesed L'Avraham - Slavita, 1794

Chesed L'Avraham - Slavita, 1794
Chesed L'Avraham, by Kabbalist R. Avraham Azulai. Slavita, [1794]. One of the first books printed by Rebbe Moshe Shapira the Slavita Rabbi. Approbations by prominent Chassidic rebbes: R. Ya'akov Shimshon of Shepetivka and R. Aryeh Leib of Volochysk.
This kabbalistic book was lauded highly by Chassidic leaders and is often cited in early Chassidic literature. "I have heard from those who speak the truth that the elder Rebbe, author of Shulchan Aruch (HaRav) and of the Tanya, instructed to read his precious compositions" (from the approbation by R. Shimon Menashe Chaikin on the author's commentary to Tractate Avot printed in 1910).
On the last page is a signature: "Moshe son of R. Hillel". On the title page is a signature and stamp of R. "Aryeh Leib son of R. Elimelech Dov" - R. Aryeh Leib Hershler (died in 1917), eminent Jerusalem dayan known as "R. Leib Dayan", one of the founders of the Beit Yisrael and Givat Shaul neighborhoods. Member of the government court of law which was composed of the Turkish Paşa (Pasha), the Moslem Kadi, the Greek Patriarch and R. Leib the Jew, who with great wisdom and cleverness represented the interests of the Jewish community of the city.
On p. 31b is a signed notation (in Oriental script) about the Messiah, signed by "Moshe grandson of the great luminary Shinan".
The author, R. Avraham Azulai (1570-1644) was born in Fez, Morocco. Immigrated to Eretz Israel and resided in Hebron. In 1619, upon the outbreak of an epidemic, he fled to Gaza and there completed this book within five weeks. Most of the book is a compilation and arrangement of the teachings of the Ramak which were at that time still in manuscript form and a small part contains the Arizal's writings. The book was first printed in 1685 in two simultaneous printings in Amsterdam and in Sulzbach, and later reprinted in Slavita in 1794.
[6], 87; 1-34, [1] leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. Stains. Restorations to the corner of the title page and to last leaf (slightly affecting text of last leaf). New leather binding.