Orchot Chaim – Chamishah Chumshei Torah, with Targum and Rash”i’s commentary, and with the Ohr HaChaim commentary by Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar- the ‘Ba’al Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh.’ Venice, 1741. First edition of the Ohr HaChaim commentary on the Torah, printed by the author. Incomplete copy.
Printed on the title page: “New commentary on chamishah chumshei Torah … prepared and examined … by the sage complete in wisdom, fear of G-d, and humility, Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, resident of the West, who has now left to transfer his beit midrash to the city of Jerusalem … New novellae not imagined by earlier sages …” The author opens his commentary: “The heavens opened and I saw G-dly visions …”
On the title pages, the name of the book is referred to as Orchot Chaim , but in his preface, the author writes that the name of the book is Ohr HaChaim , and at the tops of the book’s pages, “Ohr HaChaim” is printed, and this is how it has been known all through the generations.
The author, Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar (1696-1743), the “Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, ” one of the sages of Salé, Morocco, ascended to the Land of Israel via Italy, where he stayed 1739-1742 in Livorno. He finished this work while he was in Livorno, on Tu B’Av 1741, and immediately sent it to be printed in Venice. The author is one of the few rabbinic leaders throughout the generations who was also granted the title “HaKadosh” across the Jewish world.
Volume I: Bereishit Shemot.
Starts with leaf 20, parashat Lech Lecha. Blemishes, left-margin crop with lack to the text from leaf 20 through leaf 62 (towards the end of parashat VaYeishev). From leaf 63 to the end of chumash Shemot is complete, with the haftarah leaves.
86: 78, 8 leaves. 32 cm.
Volume II: Vayikra, Bamidbar, Devarim. Slight blemishes in the title page. Minimal worming perforations.
Lacking the last 11 leaves of the haftarot.
[2] leaves (including the title page and the Italian censor’s permit.) 60, 72, 58 [1 haftarah leaf is marked א]
31 cm.
New binding.
Chassidic Tehillim with Zohar commentary. Segulah book printed in sanctity by Rabbi Gershon Margaliot, primary disciple of the Be’er Mayim Chaim, by explicit request of the Kedushat Levi of Berdichov. Yisrael Beck Press. Safed, 1833.
This is the first book of Tehillim printed in the Land of Israel. It opens with an important and lengthy introduction by the author Rabbi Gershon Margaliot, av beit din of Skalit and one of the most prominent disciples of the Be’er Mayim Chaim. It describes the segulah of the first Tehillim printed in the Holy Land, directed towards the gates of Heaven. He also writes that his in-law, ‘Defender of the Jewish people’ – Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, visited him at home, where he saw the manuscript and became exuberant, “revealing to him what was hidden in his heart” with his request that he gift him this manuscript so that he could print it. The rabbi of Skalit replied to the Kedushat HaLevi that “my soul desires that it be me who ascends to this place of this alter to print it.” The printer, Rabbi Yisrael Beck, also hints in his foreword to the segulah aspect of this book: “Books printed here in the Land, especially the Tehillim with Zohar , held in one’s home and in his satchel shall save him from distress, damage and fright … Hashem will pour endless blessing upon him.”
Rabbi Gershon Margaliot [d. 1 Tammuz 1838] was one of the most prominent disciples of the Admo”r Rabbi Chaim of Chernowitz, author of Be’er Mayim Chaim and in-law of the ‘defender of the Jewish people’ – Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, author of Kedushat Levi , who also stayed at the former’s home, as detailed in his important introduction to this Sefer Tehillim . Rabbi Gershon was a son-in-law of the Admo”r of Zlotchov, Rabbi Yissachar Ber, author of Mevaser Tzeddek . He ascended together with him to the Holy Land and settled in Safed.
[4], 151 leaves. Lacking final leaf. 14 cm.
The book has been professionally restored and rebound with a leather binding. Overall fine condition. Worming marks with slight blemishes to the text.
Meir Netivim , responsa and novellae on the Shas and the weekly Torah portions. By Rabbi Meir Margaliot, a disciple of the Ba’al Shem Tov – known by the name of this book, as the Meir Netivim. Two parts. Separate title page for each of the two parts.
This is the first edition of the book by one of the greatest early Chassidim. It contains important approbations by leading Chassidic leaders: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who writes about the author’s scholarly and leadership qualities; Rabbi Zusha of Annipoli, who recommends and requests that anyone with a touch of fear of G-d in his heart should make the effort to purchase these books; the author of Ohev Yisrael of Opatow (written while he was rabbi in Koslov) an an interesting approbation by the gaon and kabbalist Rabbi Asher Zvi of Ostroh, with his group from the renowned kloiz in Ostroh.
Printed on leaf 4, b is Torah novellae by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Apparently, this is the first time his Torah novellae was printed . Printed on leaf 82 is responsum about an agunah, which was sent to Rabbi Ya’akov Yosef of Polonne, author of Toldot Ya’akov Yosef , who then served as rabbi of Nemirov. Part II includes a compilation of Torah novellae by the author’s brother, Rabbi Yitzchak Margaliot, Av Beit Din of Yazlovitz, who followed the Ba’al Shem Tov even before he became renowned, and was the one who led his brother to follow the Ba’al Shem Tov.
Refer to Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Meir Margaliot .
“My sons, you are very dear to me and I love you … I have a handwritten Siddur from which I pray every day, write your names and your mother’s name for any blessing of Shmonah Esreh that you want” (from the words of the Besh”t to the author of the Meir Netivim and his brother R’ Yitzchak Dov).
Part I: responsa. [1791]. 30, 33-97 leaves.
Part II: Talmudic novellae and additions and sermons on the weekly Torah portions. [1792]. [1], 3-56 leaves.
33 cm.
Stefansky Chassidut 313.
Fine condition: Professional restoration of the title page not affecting the text. Aging stains. Stamps and notations. Tear without lack of text to the end of the second part. Reinforcement to the margins of the last leaf. Original semi-leather binding.
“I am certain that everyone who has [my] chumash in his home will be protected from all evil and damage, from disease and lack, and his home will be filled with Hashem’s blessing and all goodness and success, wealth and long life, for him and his children” (Promise from the Heichal HaBerachah of Komárno)
Set of Chamishah Chumshei Torah with the Heichal HaBerachah and Otzar HaChaim commentaries in the Kabbalistic and Chassidic way by the Admo”r Rabbi Yitzchak Yehudah Yechiel Safrin of Komárno. Lvov, 1864-1974. First edition printed by the author in his lifetime. Segulah for protection. It is very unusual to find a complete set in such beautiful condition.
These chumashim with the special Kabbalistic/Chassidic commentary were printed by the author himself, and the printing took ten years. This set is considered one of the fundamental books of Chassidic thought and Kabbalistic doctrine and was beloved by Chassidic leaders in all circles, who ascribed it much importance. The Admo”r promises in his letter: “I am certain that everyone who has [my] chumash in his home will be protected from all evil and damage, from disease and lack, and his home will be filled with Hashem’s blessing and all goodness and success, wealth and long life for him and his children.”
The Admo”r Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komárno [1806-1834] was a nephew and primary disciple of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidichov – Sar Beit HaZohar and disciple of Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta [the “Ohev Yisrael”] and Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, who spoke very highly of him. Aside from his being one of the leading Admo”rim of his generation, with a large community of followers who submitted to his authority, he was also renowned as a wonder-worker. He was known for his great genius in the revealed Torah and especially in Kabbalah, and he composed works in both the revealed and the hidden. He also served as a rabbi in Zhidichov and Komárno.
Specifications:
1. Bereishit, 1869: [2], 283, [9] leaves.
2. Shemot, 1867: [2], 320, [46] leaves. Megillat Esther is at its end with the “Ketem Ofir” commentary by the author.
3. Vayikra, 1866: [2], 300, [11]; [4], 15-62 leaves. Dedicated title page for Shir HaShirim. Mif’al HaBibliographiah records another leaf at the beginning of the volume with an introduction and approbation, noting that they only saw this leaf in photocopied editions of the book, and not in the original copies.
4. Bamidbar, 1864: [4], 265, [15] leaves. With Megillat Ruth. Leaf [3] bears the author’s preface, which opens with the words: “The Ar”i elucidates” and leaf [4] opens with the author’s preface beginning with the words: “I requested that my brother possess it.”
5. Devarim, Mankish-Margshish press. [1874]. [2], 211, [3], 26 leaf. One leaf is bound out of place. With Megillat Eichah and Megillat Kohelet.
Complete [5] volume set, 27.5 cm. Each volume has two title pages. Stefansky Chassidut 218; overall fine-very fine condition. Original bindings, professionally restored.
“Whoever has this book with this commentary in his home will certainly be protected from all evil. Not only will it offer him protection, its sacred and pure merit will influence him with the threefold blessing for good children, life and plentiful sustenance.” (Approbation from the wonder-worker of Komárno)
Tehillim with the “Ben Beiti” commentary by the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Tzvi Safrin of Komárno and from his father, the Admo”r Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komárno. Among the most famous Chassidic segulah books.
Approbation at the beginning of the book from the Admo”r’s son, Rabbi Ya’akov Moshe Safrin, known in his generation as a wonder-worker, who writes: “Whoever has this book with his commentary in his home will certainly be protected from all evil. Not only will it offer him protection, its sacred and pure merit will influence him with the threefold blessing for good children, life and plentiful sustenance …” Later on is an introduction by the author’s grandson, Rabbi Chaim Ya’akov Safrin of Komárno, who also promises: “Your prayer will bear fruit, and not, Heaven forbid, be unfulfilled, in the merit of tzaddikim … with this Sefer Tehillim, your home will be protected … a defense from all evil, Heaven forbid, and an influence for an abundance of blessing and success from the source of endless sanctity, the youth Chaim Ya’akov Safrin of Komárno.”
264 pp, 24 cm. Owner’s signature: The youth Shmuel Lauffler.
Fine condition. Brittle paper. Reinforcements to the margins of the title page. Partially detached binding.
“Expert person, expert amulet” for any bad event for fire, plague … from our rabbi, the Ar”i HaKadosh (the title page’s version).
Sha’ar HaYichudim , Tikkun Avonot, Tzaddik Yessod Olam and the Commentary Shirim Shel Shabbat , per the Ar”i. Lemberg, 1855. A Segulah book for protection against fire and plague. In addition, leading Admori”m of all generations (Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and his son the Abir Yaakov of Sadigura, Rabbi Meir of Premishlan and more) tried the amulets it contains and worked wonders with them! as appearing for the first time in the foreword of this edition.
This edition was printed by order of the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Ya’akov of Sadigura. The one who brought it to print, Rabbi Yehudah Leibush Rapaport, wrote in the foreword that the Admo”r of Sadigura took amulets in the book from him, as did his father, the sacred tzaddik, Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, as did all his brothers, the tzaddikim. He also wrote that the sons-in-law of the Admo”r Rabbi Meir of Premishlan wrote that their father-in-law bought the amulets from him, and said that they are a great segulah for all disease and blemishes.
Rabbi Yosef Segal Landau of Iași, close associate of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, who also studied Kabbalah with him, wrote in his approbation that it is a protection against fire, rescue from plague, Heaven forbid, and from many other troubles. Rabbi Yeshayah Schorr of Chotin wrote in the approbation that the amulets are tried-and-true, and this book is an excellent protection for the home.
On page 32b, printed across the entire page: This amulet is for a plague, from the Ar”i HaKadosh; and on the book’s leaves are Kabbalistic diagrams and amulets.
With the Kabbalistic commentary for Shabbat hymns authored by the Ar”i, with the text of the hymns.
On the title page: Part I, yet no more were printed.
[2] 44, 47-58 leaves, 22 cm.
Bound with:
Sefer Me’arat Sdeh Hamachpelah – Jerusalem, 1910.
Foreword for the book
Otzrot Chaim by Rabbi Chaim Vital, by Rabbi Moshe Ben Zur. Jerusalem, [1910]. 7, [1], 61, [1] leaves. 22 cm.
Fine condition. Time stains.
She’elot U’Teshuvot Mayim Chayim by Rabbi Chaim HaKohen Rapoport, av beit din of Ostroh. Zhitomir, printed by grandsons of the rabbi of Slavuta, Rabbi Chanina Lipa and Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Shapira. 1857. First edition. With a “letter” from the Ba’al Shem Tov.
Two handwritten comments: “The Ramba”m already mentioned this in Moreh Nevuchim …” written by an unidentified Torah scholar.
With approbations from Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl and the Sar Shalom of Belz, and with a halachic ruling by Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta, who agrees with the author, printed at the beginning of the book as a kind of approbation for it.
Responsa from all four parts of the Shulchan Aruch. Two parts with four title pages and the Otzrot Chaim compilation containing Torah novellae on the weekly Torah portions by the author and his family, with a dedicated title page.
In Part I, section 27, there is a question that was sent from Medzhibozh to Rabbi Meir, av beit din of Konstantin, son of the Ya’avetz – Rabbi Ya’akov Emden, about a question of sircha , a ruling which became a huge dispute ‘and due to the great conflagration that was ignited’ the question was posed to Rabbi Meir. At the beginning of the responsum, there is a description of the event, and then something of a writ from the beit din with a signature of Yisrael Be”sht [Ba’al Shem] of Talist” – Rabbeinu Yisrael Ba’al Shem Tov. This was followed by Rabbi Meir’s lengthy responsum. He writes about the Ba’al Shem Tov: “Great leader of Yehudah and Yisrael … who proffers relief and sustenance … The superlative and famous rabbi Besh”t, Rabbi Yisrael …”
Stefansky, Chassidut no. 341.
84 pp; 151 pp. 34 cm, wide margins.
Fine-very fine condition. Minimal aging stains. Worn binding.
Three pull-out books: One on the completely righteous from the days of the Besh”t and his disciples to this day … the second, the books these sacred personalities authored … and the third, the yarhtzeits of these tzaddikim … brought to print by Rabbi Avraham Ya’akov Goldberg. Lemberg, printed by M. F. Pormba, 1876?
There are several known editions of this book. In this edition, on the last leaf, in the list of yahrtzeits for the month of Adar, Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathansohn is listed as having passed away in Adar. Rabbi Yosef Shaul passed away in 1875. The librarians at the National Library therefore concluded that this book was printed in 1876.
Regarding this rare publication, Gershom Scholem wrote: “Most important publication! Precious find!” This book is not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book .
On alternating tops of leaves: Megillat Yuchsin and Seder HaDorot HeChadash .
[160] pp, 13.5 cm.
Very fine condition. Simple binding.
Two important editions of Sefer Tikkunei HaZohar, which is traditionally studied in Elul.
* Tikkunei HaZohar . Mezeritch, [1809]. Wןth an approbation by Rabbi Bezalal Margaliot [Rabbi Meir Margaliot’s son] a renowned disciple of Rabbi Zuasha of Anipoli, and additional approbations.
Important edition, to the best of our knowledge, has never been sold in auctions.
14, 36, 35-112, 6 leaves, 20 cm. Greenish paper.
* Tikkunei HaZohar … in the format of the Slavuta 1836 edition of Tikkunei HaZohar … proofread … as the Tikkunei HaZohar that was printed by Rabbi Chanina LIpa Shapira in 1865. Zhitomir, 1871.
[2] 182 leaves, 21.5 cm. Leather binding.
Fine overall condition.
