Sefer Ateret Tzvi, Jessnitz: 1722.

168 leaves (11 7/8 x 7 3/8 in.; 302 x 188 mm). Foliation: [2], 166 (of 167)= 168 leaves, lacking only the final leaf. Title page loosening at foot. Lightly wormed; first two leaves strengthened at gutter and remargined; corner lacking f. 18; marginal tears ff. 154-66; tape repair f.164; final 2 leaves laid to size. Moderately soiled and stained. Signature of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi appears on ff. 1r and 166v; other manuscript additions found on title page as well as ff. 1r, 23r, 25v, 29r, 61v, 107r, and 156r. Several pages with previous owners’ inkstamps; modern inkstamps (graphologist and tax stamp) on front pastedown and free endpapers. Modern crushed morocco, housed in modern heavy leather clamshell box, extra gilt.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). His signature, ff. 1r, 166v.

THE ONLY KNOWN SEFER SIGNED BY THE "BA'AL HA-TANYA"

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was the founder and first Rebbe of the Chabad, or Lubavitch branch of Hasidic Judaism. He was the youngest disciple of Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the successor to the Ba'al Shem Tov. 

Shneur Zalman is frequently referred to as the Ba'al ha-Tanya (Master of the Tanya), after the popular cognomen of his philosophical masterwork, whose formal title is Likkutei Amarim (collection of statements) but is more commonly known by its opening word, Tanya.

In addition to the Tanya, Shneur Zalman, at the behest of his teacher, the Maggid, undertook to write a hasidic version of the sixteenth century law code of Rabbi Joseph Caro, the Shulhan Arukh, with reference to later commentaries, as well as subsequent responsa, for the nascent Hasidic movement. The resulting work, entitled Shulhan Arukh ha-Rav is still used today by most Hasidim as their basis for daily practice. The work is broadly considered an authoritative halakhic text, and is frequently cited by later authorities, as well as in many contemporary responsa by leading rabbinic authorities of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

It was in this role as a contemporary halakhist, that Shneur Zalman most likely had occasion to consult and annotate the present volume, Sefer Ateret Tzvi, by Tzvi Hirsch ben Azriel of Vilna. This concise summary and super-commentary of the  Hoshen Mishpat section of Caro's Shulhan Arukh treats aspects of Jewish law regarding finance, torts, legal procedure as well as the laws concerning loans and interest, and is accompanied by a selection of the author's responsa as well as several takkanot (ordinances) of the Va'ad Arba Aratzot (Council of Four Lands). It would have proved invaluable to the work of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, whose signature and marginal notes are inscribed upon its pages.

The signatures and handwriting within this volume have been examined by scientific experts in manuscript graphology, comparing the writing to all other known examples of Shneur Zalman's writing. In addition chemical ink analysis has been performed to ensure that the ink used in the manuscript additions is consistent with the time period indicated. Finally leading scholars in the field of hasidic manuscripts as well as contemporary experts on Chabad have been consulted, including Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levine, Directo​r of​ the Central Chabad-Lubavitch Research Library. All concur that the present volume is a rare and important artifact of one of the earliest and most important founding fathers of Hasidism. Reports available upon request.