Chassidic Tehillim with the
Zohar commentary. Segulah book printed in sanctity by Rabbi Gershon Margaliot, primary disciple of the ‘Be’er Mayim Chayim, ‘ by explicit request of the ‘Kedushat Levi’ of Berdichev. Rabbi Yisrael Beck Press, Safed, 1833.
This is the first Tehillim printed in the Land of Israel. At the beginning of the book, there is a lengthy and important preface by the author, Rabbi Gershon Margaliot, av beit din of Sakolit and one of the leading disciples of the Be’er Mayim Chayim. He writes there about the segulah of the Tehillim printed for the first time in the Land of Israel, directed towards Heaven’s gate. He writes in addition that his in-law, “Defender of the Jewish People” – Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, visited his home and saw the manuscript. As was his way, he grew spiritually excited and revealed the depths of his heart with his request that Rabbi Margaliot gift him this manuscript in order to print it. The rabbi of Sakolit responded to the Kedushat Levi, “My soul desires that it be me who climbs up and ascends to this alter – this printing, as discussed.”
The printer, Rabbi Yisrael Beck, also hints to the segulah of this book in his foreword: “Books printed here in the Holy Land, especially Tehillim with the
Zohar , that a person keeps in his home and in his bag, … Hashem shall save him from all sorrow, damage and fright … may Hashem pour endless blessing upon him.”
Pedigree copy: The provenance of this Tehillim is the library of Rabbi Yehudahleh Horowitz of Dzikov. (Authentication will be provided upon request.) According to his faithful associate, Rabbi Simchah Hendler, shlit”a: “Every book in his possession was used by him regularly.”
There is also another rabbinic owner’s signature on the title page: “I, the youth, Asher son of Aharon … all who read from it shall rejoice … amen, may it be His Will.”
Rabbi Gershon Margaliot [d. Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 1838] was one of the leading disciples of the Admo”r Rabbi Chaim of Chernowitz, author of
Be’er Mayim Chayim , and in-law and relative of the “Defender of the Jewish People” – Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, author of
Kedushat HaLevi , who also stayed in his home, as stated in the important introduction to this Tehillim. Rabbi Gershon was a son-in-law of the Admo”r of Zlotchov, Rabbi Yissachar Ber, author of
Mevaser Tzeddek . They ascended together to the Holy Land, where he settled in Safed.
[4] 152 leaves. 17.5 cm. Leaf [4] and leaves 151-152 have been completed by professional photocopy.
Fine condition: Aging stains. Professional restoration to the margins of the title page and the margins of the following two leaves. Elegant new binding.
The original binding is also included – with handwritten notations of the Kohen Gadol’s Yom Kippur service on it in Ashkenazic script, and rabbinic signatures and stamps.
