Noam Elimelech - Very Rare Edition. Russia-Poland, C. 1920

Noam Elimelech - Very Rare Edition. Russia-Poland, C. 1920

Noam Elimelech by the Rebbe R' Elimelech of Lizhensk, with his will. [Russia/Poland press, early 19th century]. Square decoration in the center of the title page with the shape of a diamond and circles inside.

Very rare edition of this important sefer. Not listed by Mif'al HaBibliographiah nor in Otzar HaSefer HaIvri. One copy is known to be extant in the National Library, serial number 990011947310205171 from Gershom Scholem's library, in which he wrote, "Unknown press, not listed by Friedburg. Definitely printed at the same time and place as the other first printing of Degel Machaneh Ephraim. (The external signs match - c. 1809.)" Researchers at the Library itself estimate the book to be from c. 1820. The sefer is mentioned by Stefansky, Chassidut no. 381 (without a copy of the title page), indicating: Lemberg, c. 1830.

Noam Elimelech is the most important Chassidic work of all time. It is considered a segulah book, and is also printed in miniature editions, like the book Raziel HaMalach, to be used as an amulet. Another ancient tried-and-true segulah is to put it by the head of a woman in childbirth as a segulah for an easy birth. Maternity wards in Israeli hospitals regularly keep copies of Noam Elimelech to offer women experiencing difficult births.

Leading Admo"rim often mention this work in their books: Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta, Rabbi Kalonymus - author of Ma'or VaShemesh and others. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said: “Rabbi Elimelech’s sanctity is at a lofty exalted level, more than what can be seen and discerned from his book.” (Chayei Mohara”n). Rabbi Mendel of Rimanov, a leading Admo”r of Galicia, said that only after he had immersed in a mikveh before the onset of Shabbat was he able to understand anything in Noam Elimelech. Rabbi Heschel, av beit din of Talust, said, "Whoever can comprehend this sefer has the ability to revive the dead."

[1], 46, [26], 9, [14] leaf. 23 cm. Stamp.

Fine condition. The sefer has undergone complete restoration from worming damage that blemished individual words in several leaves. New leather binding.