Early Chassidic Sefer: Alfa Beta by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna, Shapira Press. Zhitomir, 1848
Sefer Alfa Beta containing proper conduct arranged according to the Alef-Beis and a commentary on Pirkei Avos. "One who studies them at all times will find good taste, healing for the soul and strength for the bones." ( stated on the title page.)
It was authored by the holy Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna, author of ‘Tzemach Hashem L’Tzvi’, among the talmidim of the Maggid of Mezeritch and the Maggid of Zlotchov.
This sefer is one of the earliest Chassidic sefarim and was first printed in 1790.
The holy Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz, patriarch of the Shapira printing, would frequently cite matters from this sefer (Imrei Pinchas p. 349), and the holy Rabbi Yechezkel of Shinova would learn from it daily.
"Fortunate is the one who tastes its sweet honey and flowing nectar." (Rabbi Shimele Zhelichover, in the haskamas to the 1934 Lublin edition)
It was printed at "The Brothers’ Press" by the grandsons of the Rav of Slavita: Rabbi Chanina Lipa, Rabbi Aryeh Leib and Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Shapira.
Rare edition: Most copies show 1849 as the year of printing on the title page, while on the present edition the year 1848 appears on the title page.
Zhitomir, 1848.
Page Count: 26 leaves. Size: 15.2 cm. Condition: Good; professional restoration on first 3 leaves, repair to title page. Elegant new leather binding.
