Anthologies of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings were not
published during his lifetime (1698-1760), nor for thirty years
thereafter.
The first printing of such a work was in 1792, when within a
span of three years four books were printed in rapid
succession. Two first editions of these books are featured in the
Exhibition:
1. Likutim Yekorim, Lemberg, 1792.
2. Keser Shem Tov, Zolkiew, 1792.
The two remaining works are:
Tzavoas Harivosh, 1793.
Darchei Yeshorim - Hanhogos Yeshoros, [Zolkiew, 5554].
*
Each of these Seforim was published numerous times
throughout the years. Kehot, the Lubavitch publishing house,
reprinted two of them in new, amended editions, with
addendums, analyses, annotations and indexes. These are also
presented in the Exhibition:
3. Keser Shem Tov, Kehot, 1987.
4. Tzavoas Harivosh, Kehot, 1991.
There are also handwritten manuscripts of the Baal Shem Tov’s
teachings and customs. Several of these are presented in the
Exhibition:
5. Hanhogos Yeshoros and other teachings, Manuscript
635.
6. Hanhogos Yeshoros and other teachings, Manuscript
252.
7. Pirush L’mizmor Kuf-Zayin Sheb’Tehillim (Commentary
on Psalm 107), Manuscript 148.
This Pirush was printed several times, most recently in Sefer
Tehillim Im Pirush Noam Elimelech, New York, 5756 (and
see there, page 458).
It is also copied in Manuscript 104 (page 43b), in Manuscript
549 (at the beginning), and in Manuscript 2063.
8. Kavonas Hamikva; Seder Netilas Yadayim Lmi She’ein Lo
Mikva (Intentions for the Mikva; Order of Washing the
Hands), Manuscript 790.
These were printed several times, most recently in Sefer Baal
Shem Tov (Parshas Yisro, sections 12 and 20), where
references are provided.
Kavanas Hamikva is also copied in the beginning of Manuscript
549.
Additional Kavanos of the Baal Shem Tov for the Mikva are
printed in many places, most recently in the addendum to Sidur
Im Divrei Elokim Chaim, Kehot, 1986 (page 629), where
references are provided.
9. Pirush L’mishna Ro’oh Es Hametziah, Manuscript 251.
This commentary is also copied in Manuscript 570 (page 104b).
10. Traditions from the Baal Shem Tov, Manuscript 239.
*
In addition to the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings and customs
printed in the anthologies listed above, Baal Shem Tov stories
are also assembled in the book Shivchei HaBesht.
This was first printed in Kopyst in 1815 by the Chassidic printer
R. Yisrael Yafe, a disciple of the Alter Rebbe. He writes in his
introduction that he arranged the book according to instructions
he heard from his Rebbe.
Right away in that and the following year the book was
reprinted several times:
11. Shivchei Baal Shem Tov, Berdichev, 1815.
12. Shivchei Baal Shem Tov, Laszczow, 1815.
13. Shivchei Baal Shem Tov, Korzec, 1816.
There are no extant handwritten manuscripts of Shivchei Baal
Shem Tov except for one, written before the book was first
printed. It is housed in the Library Archives and presented here:
14. Shivchei Baal Shem Tov, Manuscript 1203.
Based on this manuscript a special edition of the book was
published:
15. Shivchei HaBesht - Kesav Yad, Jerusalem, 1982.
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