Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Ner Yisrael by the Maggid of Kozhnitz – Lviv, ca. 1840s – First Edition – Segulah for Protection – Signature of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Turka, Son-in-Law of the Bnei Yissaschar
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,125
Including buyer's premium
Ner Yisrael, by R. Yisrael Hopstein – the Maggid of Kozhnitz, "wonderful commentary, Torah novellae and lofty secrets", on the book Likutei R. Hai Gaon – "profound and awesome secrets on the 42-letter name". "Vilna" [Lviv? ca. 1842-1852]. First edition of the Ner Yisrael commentary.
This book contains two compositions published earlier in Warsaw (1798) with the encouragement of the Maggid of Kozhnitz (see previous item): Likutei R. Hai Gaon, by R. Moshe of Burgos (leading Spanish kabbalist in the 12th century) and Shaar HaShamayim, attributed to R. Yosef Gikatilla (in fact it is part II of the book Sefer HaIyun by Rav Chamai Gaon). This edition includes a profound commentary entitled Ner Yisrael, by the Maggid of Kozhnitz, as well as the 58 kabbalistic principles by the same author, printed here for the first time.
In his works, the Maggid of Kozhnitz focuses on explaining the kabbalah of the Geonim and of R. Yisrael Sarug. His profound teachings, which incorporate writings of the Arizal and key tenets of Chassidut, were written concisely and with allusions, and are difficult to grasp.
The Divrei Chaim of Sanz wrote in his approbation to Avodat Yisrael by the Maggid of Kozhnitz: "In my opinion, there is no one in our generation capable of grasping his wisdom". Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk writes regarding the works of the Maggid of Kozhnitz: "All his holy teachings are impenetrable, and not any brain is capable of understanding even a minute part of his holy teachings, alluded to with profound, exceptionally lofty secrets". The kabbalist, R. Amram Offman wrote a series of books to explain these works; in his preface to his commentary Petilat HaNer (commentary to Ner Yisrael), he writes that this book is a "segulah for protection, as it is well-known that the 42-letter name serves as a protection".
At the end of the book, a transcript of a manuscript of the Baal Shem Tov was added, containing the order for inaugurating a new cemetery ("if one needs to expand the cemetery"), as well as "selections by R. Pinchas of Korets", comprising 130 sections. Regarding these selections, the "Heichal HaBerachah" of Komarno wrote in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha: "What is printed at the end of Ner Yisrael, selections… a false teaching was printed there in his name [section 23], and this was not uttered by his holy mouth [of R. Pinchas]… some jester printed that nonsense" (see enclosed material).
The verso of the title page contains several novellae by the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa, pertaining to the chapter of HaMafkid.
On the title page, signatures of R. Yaakov, rabbi of Turka, son-in-law of the Bnei Yissaschar: "Yaakov son of R. P.A. [Pinchas Aryeh – alive at the time of the inscription]". At a later point, the acronym "zal" (blessing for the deceased) was added near the signatures (R. Yaakov's father, R. Pinchas Aryeh, passed away in 1853).
Another inscription on the title page, attesting that the book was purchased from the estate of R. Yaakov: "Yosef Moshe Sofer, I purchased it from the estate of the rabbi of Turka…".
R. Yaakov, rabbi of Berezov (Brzozów) and Turka (1810-1855) was the youngest son-in-law of R. Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar. Reputedly, when he was a young child, his father R. Pinchas Aryeh presented a kvittel to his teacher, the Chozeh of Lublin, with the names of his two sons. "When he read on the note the name of his son R. Yaakov, the Chozeh exclaimed: 'Ah, he shines!' and then sighed. When he was asked why he sighed, he replied that he does not foresee longevity" (see Ohel HaRebbi, Or HaNiflaot section, 70, where this story is retold in detail). R. Yaakov passed away at the age of 45, several years following the passing of his father.
[2], 24 leaves. Approx. 24 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor marginal tears to title page, not affecting text. Inscriptions. Stamps. New leather binding.
On the title page, the place of printing is stated as Vilna, without noting the year of printing. The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book considers the imprint to be false, and surmises that the book was printed in Lviv, ca. 1840 (other places list 1820 and 1822 as the year of printing). We assume that the book was printed in 1842-1852, since on the title page, the author is noted as the author of Avodat Yisrael, which was first printed in Nisan 1842 (and was only named at the time of the printing, as related at length in the publisher's foreword there). Likewise, at the beginning of the novellae of the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa, printed on the verso of the title page, the latter's son – R. Nechemia of Bichov is mentioned as living, and R. Nechemia passed away in Tishrei 1852.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 394.
This book contains two compositions published earlier in Warsaw (1798) with the encouragement of the Maggid of Kozhnitz (see previous item): Likutei R. Hai Gaon, by R. Moshe of Burgos (leading Spanish kabbalist in the 12th century) and Shaar HaShamayim, attributed to R. Yosef Gikatilla (in fact it is part II of the book Sefer HaIyun by Rav Chamai Gaon). This edition includes a profound commentary entitled Ner Yisrael, by the Maggid of Kozhnitz, as well as the 58 kabbalistic principles by the same author, printed here for the first time.
In his works, the Maggid of Kozhnitz focuses on explaining the kabbalah of the Geonim and of R. Yisrael Sarug. His profound teachings, which incorporate writings of the Arizal and key tenets of Chassidut, were written concisely and with allusions, and are difficult to grasp.
The Divrei Chaim of Sanz wrote in his approbation to Avodat Yisrael by the Maggid of Kozhnitz: "In my opinion, there is no one in our generation capable of grasping his wisdom". Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk writes regarding the works of the Maggid of Kozhnitz: "All his holy teachings are impenetrable, and not any brain is capable of understanding even a minute part of his holy teachings, alluded to with profound, exceptionally lofty secrets". The kabbalist, R. Amram Offman wrote a series of books to explain these works; in his preface to his commentary Petilat HaNer (commentary to Ner Yisrael), he writes that this book is a "segulah for protection, as it is well-known that the 42-letter name serves as a protection".
At the end of the book, a transcript of a manuscript of the Baal Shem Tov was added, containing the order for inaugurating a new cemetery ("if one needs to expand the cemetery"), as well as "selections by R. Pinchas of Korets", comprising 130 sections. Regarding these selections, the "Heichal HaBerachah" of Komarno wrote in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha: "What is printed at the end of Ner Yisrael, selections… a false teaching was printed there in his name [section 23], and this was not uttered by his holy mouth [of R. Pinchas]… some jester printed that nonsense" (see enclosed material).
The verso of the title page contains several novellae by the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa, pertaining to the chapter of HaMafkid.
On the title page, signatures of R. Yaakov, rabbi of Turka, son-in-law of the Bnei Yissaschar: "Yaakov son of R. P.A. [Pinchas Aryeh – alive at the time of the inscription]". At a later point, the acronym "zal" (blessing for the deceased) was added near the signatures (R. Yaakov's father, R. Pinchas Aryeh, passed away in 1853).
Another inscription on the title page, attesting that the book was purchased from the estate of R. Yaakov: "Yosef Moshe Sofer, I purchased it from the estate of the rabbi of Turka…".
R. Yaakov, rabbi of Berezov (Brzozów) and Turka (1810-1855) was the youngest son-in-law of R. Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar. Reputedly, when he was a young child, his father R. Pinchas Aryeh presented a kvittel to his teacher, the Chozeh of Lublin, with the names of his two sons. "When he read on the note the name of his son R. Yaakov, the Chozeh exclaimed: 'Ah, he shines!' and then sighed. When he was asked why he sighed, he replied that he does not foresee longevity" (see Ohel HaRebbi, Or HaNiflaot section, 70, where this story is retold in detail). R. Yaakov passed away at the age of 45, several years following the passing of his father.
[2], 24 leaves. Approx. 24 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor marginal tears to title page, not affecting text. Inscriptions. Stamps. New leather binding.
On the title page, the place of printing is stated as Vilna, without noting the year of printing. The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book considers the imprint to be false, and surmises that the book was printed in Lviv, ca. 1840 (other places list 1820 and 1822 as the year of printing). We assume that the book was printed in 1842-1852, since on the title page, the author is noted as the author of Avodat Yisrael, which was first printed in Nisan 1842 (and was only named at the time of the printing, as related at length in the publisher's foreword there). Likewise, at the beginning of the novellae of the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa, printed on the verso of the title page, the latter's son – R. Nechemia of Bichov is mentioned as living, and R. Nechemia passed away in Tishrei 1852.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 394.
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books