Amudei Beit Yisrael, novellae on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, two parts, by R. Yisrael Meisels Rabbi of Poritsk (Pavlivka). [Berditchev: R. Yisrael Bak, 1818]. Separate title pages for Part I and Part II.
Composition on Shulchan Aruch, comprising two commentaries – Ner Yisrael Amud HaYemini on Magen Avraham, and Patish HaChazak on the Taz. The text of the Shulchan Aruch occupies the center of the page, and is flanked on each side by the two commentaries.
Both title pages bear the signatures of R. Shmuel Heller Rabbi of Safed. Faded stamp (presumably of R. Shmuel) on the first title page.
R. Shmuel Heller (1786-1884) was a leading Torah scholar and a physician, and well versed in general studies. He was raised in the home of the Chozeh of Lublin and immigrated to Eretz Israel upon his advice. He served as rabbi of Safed for sixty years (for his biography and the history of the settlement in Safed, see: HaRav HaManhig VehaRofeh, Safed 1989).
Censorship inscription on first title page. On both title pages, inscriptions attesting to the purchase of the book from the son of R. Shmuel Heller, handwritten and signed by "Chaim Yaakov HaKohen" – R. Chaim Yaakov HaKohen Feinstein, a resident of Safed and Jerusalem, emissary and Torah scholar. He travelled three times between 1866-1887 as emissary for Kollel HaChassidim of Safed, reaching as far as Saana in Yemen and Cochin in India. He authored Imrei Shabbat (Calcutta, 1874) about the prohibition of riding a train on Shabbat, and other works.
Part I: [1], 3-45 leaves. Part II: 5, 7-17, 19-52 leaves (originally: 5, 7-17, 19-54 leaves; lacking two final leaves of Part II). Light-bluish paper. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Open tears and worming, affecting text, repaired. New binding.
The first title page states: "Printed in Dyhernfurth", while the second title page does not indicate the place of printing. In fact, the book was printed in Berditchev, see: A. Yaari, HaDfus HaIvri BeBerditchev, Kiryat Sefer 21 (1944), p. 120, no. 52.