“And the merit of the sanctified author, zlh”h, will protect them physically and spiritually, with children, health and sustenance, and they will merit the coming of Mashiach” (The Divrei Chaim’s blessing for purchasers of this book)
Ohr HaChamah is an extremely important elucidation of the Zohar by the Kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Azoulay (I), author of Chessed L’Avraham , and the Chid”a’s great-great-grandfather. With commentaries by leading Kabbalists that joined the elucidation. Premishlan, 1896-1898. Impressive and complete set, part of which was published here for the first time (see below). The manuscript came in a miraculous way into the possession of the Admo”r Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Shinova, and was printed by him.
In the foreword to Part I, and the foreword to Part IV, the Shinova Rebbe tells of the wondrous development of the printing of this book. The story begins with the Shinova Rebbe’s famous visit to the Land of Israel, where he became aware of the sanctified manuscript that had previously been in the Chid”a’s possession (he mentions it in Shem HaGedolim ) after which all trace of it was lost. The Shinova Rebbe, who saw the manuscript in the possession of a merchant, spent a fortune to redeem it. He also gave money to the printers to print this book that was so important to him. But the story does not end there. The Shinova Rebbe continues, and tells of the next step in the miraculous development: When he visited the renowned rabbi of Safed, Rabbi Shmuel Heller, he found an ancient manuscript there as well, with the commentary by Kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Galante, to the book Ohr HaChamah that is here before us, an important commentary that considerably helps with comprehension of the book, “I therefore desired to print it again with everything together.” Indeed, in the edition before us, he also printed the Ra”g’s commentary, called ‘Zoharei Chamah.’ And the miraculous progression continues, given that the Ohr HaChamah manuscript ends with Vayikra, and the important elucidation on Bamidbar and Devarim is lacking. The Shinova Rebbe writes as follows in the foreword to Part IV: His son, the rebbe Rabbi Simchah Yissachar Ber, who was a son-in-law of the rebbe Rabbi Yehoshua’leh of Belz, found an ancient manuscript in his estate called “Ohr HaChamah” with the continuation of the elucidation, on Bamidbar and Devarim. The Shinova Rebbe (who mentions in his foreword that the manuscript was previously in the possession of the Rama”k) joyfully and enthusiastically rushed to merge this together with the book, and here before us is that very book, wondrous and complete, on the entire Zohar , that in such a miraculous manner presented itself for printing by the Shinova Rebbe.
It is worthwhile to note that the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz, father of the Shinova Rebbe, like his son, considered this book very important and wrote about wondrous matters in his approbation before us: “Is his name not renowned in the sacred books … sweet light and delightful wondrous light that covers and illuminates everything in the world” and the Divrei Chaim concludes his approbation with tremendous blessings for whoever purchases the book: “They shall be blessed with much goodness and the merit of the sanctified author, zlh”h, will protect them physically and spiritually, with children, health and sustenance, and they will merit the coming of Mashiach.”
Part I: Bereshit. [3], 168, 170-177, 180-233, 232-241, [1] leaf.
Part II: Shemot. [1] 272 leaves.
Part III: Vayikra. [2], 93 leaves. With pictures.
Part IV: [1] 166 leaves.
Four parts in three volumes. Approximately 31 cm. Impressive set.
Overall fine-very fine condition.
