Teshuot Chen (Linitz) – Berditchev, 1816 – First Edition

Teshuot Chen (Linitz) – Berditchev, 1816 – First Edition

Teshuot Chen, Chassidic discourses on the Torah portions, by R. Gedaliah of Linitz. Berditchev: Shmuel son of Yissachar Segal, 1816. First edition.

The author, R. Gedaliah of Linitz (1738-1803), disseminated Torah in Myropil and Ostropil, and at the end of his life in Linitz (Illintsi). During his youth he was in the company of the Baal Shem Tov several times, and in his book he also cites teachings of the Baal Shem Tov he heard firsthand. A close disciple of R. Aryeh Leib, the Mochiach of Polonne, author of Kol Aryeh (a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov), he also received Torah from other leading disciples of the Baal Shem Tov, and he cites many of their teachings in the present book.

The author disseminated the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and was one of the primary sources of Shivchei HaBesht (which often cites R. Gedaliah). He was reputedly held in high regard by the Baal Shem Tov, despite his young age; "although he was only 18 or 20 years old, the Baal Shem Tov nevertheless honored him greatly as one of his leading disciples" (his grandson R. Yehoshua Heshel of Monistritch, Torat Avot, section Erech Avot). The discourses in the present book were written and published by his disciple R. Yehudah Leib of Linitz (son of R. Dov Ber of Linitz, author of Shivchei HaBesht).
Stamps on title page and an additional leaf: "Moshe Reinman of Kozmir (Kazimierza)".

[5], 45 leaves. Approx. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including light traces of former dampness. Tears, including open tears to last leaf, affecting text, repaired with paper filling (with photocopy and handwritten replacements of missing text). Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper filling and tape. New leather binding.