Mizrachi , elucidation on Rashi’s commentary on the Torah [and other commentators]. Warsaw, 1825. Copy belonging to Rabbi Yisrael of Husiatyn, the title-page bears his owner’s stamp. Throughout the book’s pages are scholarly glosses. 3 of them most likely in his handwriting, some lengthy. (2 volumes).
Volume 1, Bereshit – Shemot; Volume 2, Vayikra – Devarim. The title pages bear the stamp, “[Belonging to the] library of Yisrael Friedman of Husiatyn.”
The Admor Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Husiatyn [1857-1948] was the elder of the Admors of the Ruzhin dynasty, and the last grandson of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. He was born in 1858 to his father, Rabbi Mordechai Feivush of Husiatyn. He succeeded his father as Admor of Husiatyn in 1894, and was Admor to thousands of chassidim. He was known for his truthfulness, and consequently his uncle – the Admor Rabbi David Moshe of Chortkov, stated about him: “He is the truth.” During the First World War he moved to Vienna where he established his court, along with the other Admors of Ruzhin.
He expended tremendous effort towards the settlement of the Land of Israel, and in 1937, he himself immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Tel Aviv. With the rise of the Nazis, he repeatedly begged his followers to escape from burning Europe and would say: “Anyone who has sense should run away now, even in slippers.” To the chassidim who came to wish him farewell at the train station he said: “Those who can sell – sell, and those who cannot sell – should leave everything and escape from here with only a satchel on his shoulder.” During the Holocaust he prayed at the grave of the Or HaChaim in an assembly of leading kabbalists [when danger of annihilation was posed to the Land of Israel’s inhabitants with the advance of the Nazi army towards Egypt under Rommel’s command]. His statement during the assembly that: “The oppressor will not rule the Land of Israel,” became well-known. He passed away at the ripe age of 91, in Chanukah of 1948. Surprisingly, in his will (written in 1939), he requested to be buried in Jerusalem, but “… if Jerusalem is not a possibility,” then in Safed or Tiberias. And since after his passing the road to the Mount of Olives was blocked off, he was buried in Tiberias.
Volume 1: [4] 127 leaves, [2] 86 leaves, [2]. Volume 2: 98 leaves, 61 leaves, 51 leaves. 30 cm.
Very fine condition. Beautiful original binding. Few stains on first and last pages.