Siddur HaGra BeNigle UveNistar, two parts. With Maase Rav and Likkutei Dinim MehaGra, and with kabbalistic explanations and kavanot based on a manuscript siddur and Likutei HaGra (selections from the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna). Compiled by the kabbalist R. Naftali Hertz HaLevi, Rabbi of Jaffa. Jerusalem: J.N. Lewy, [1895-1898]. Two title pages (the first printed in color).
The copy of the Chafetz Chaim. His signature appears on both title pages: "Yisrael Meir HaKohen" (strips of adhesive tape were taped onto the signatures, apparently to preserve them). A few handwritten corrections appear in several places, some on kabbalistic sections of Likutei HaGra. The handwriting of these corrections is very similar to the Chafetz Chaim's handwriting and they seem to have been written by him.
R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin (1839-1933), leader of the Jewish people, was widely known by the name of his first book, the Chafetz Chaim. He founded the Radin yeshiva and authored many halachic and ethical works: Mishna Berura, Shemirat HaLashon, Ahavat Chessed and many more.
The abovementioned glosses on Likutei HaGra are textual corrections to the passages of the Zohar cited there. As is well-known, the Chafetz Chaim studied the Zohar extensively, and each Shabbat he would study the Zohar on the weekly portion. His disciple R. Shlomo Bloch related that he heard from R. Hirsh, the son-in-law of the Chafetz Chaim, that the Chafetz Chaim once confided in him that had the generation not needed him, he would have fully devoted himself to the study of kabbalah, "as he yearns to do in accordance with the essence of his soul… He stated that every Shabbat, the Chafetz Chaim studied the Zohar on the weekly portion and would also tell others to study the Zohar on the weekly portion – even young men – saying that most of the content is like studying midrash" (HaTzaddik Rabbi Shlomo, p. 36). His son R. Aryeh Leib HaKohen wrote in his father's biography: "He greatly endorsed the study of kabbalah and said that it is one of the most elevated facets of the Torah. He would often say that without kabbalah, we grope in the darkness and it is impossible to appreciate the way G-d conducts the world. He was perturbed by the lack of time he had to delve into its depths because community needs compelled him to spend more time studying the revealed aspects of the Torah and he would only study kabbalistic books occasionally and usually late at night. From my youth, I remember that he only owned kabbalistic books of early authors, such as Sefer Yetzira and Safra D'Tzniuta with the Gaon's commentary, as well as Sefer HaTemuna and the Zohar. He also owned Sefer HaPardess by R. Moshe Cordovero, Etz Chaim, Pri Etz Chaim, Avodat HaKodesh, and also the books of R. Y. Gikatilla: Shaarei Ora, Ginat Egoz, and Shefa Tal, and no others" (Dugma MiDarkei Avi, entry 50).
[5], 164 leaves; 160 leaves (lacking title page of Part II, which is only found in some copies). 23 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains. Wear and a few tears. Signs of heavy use. Dark stains to the leaves of Birkat HaMazon and Havdalah. Stamps. New binding, slightly worn.