Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Yesod Yitzchak, With Study Order for a Vach Nacht – Zhovkva, 1810 – First Edition
Opening: $400
Sold for: $525
Including buyer's premium
Yesod Yitzchak, Part I – kabbalistic and Chassidic essays on the topic of Brit Milah; Part II – Halichot Olam, customs and segulot, by R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi of Zuravitz (Żurawica; author of Raza Meheimna and Otiot D'Rabbi Yitzchak). Zhovkva, 1810. First edition.
Many approbations by leading Torah scholars: R. Meir (Kristianpoller) of Brody; R. Yaakov Orenstein of Lvov, author of Yeshuot Yaakov; R. Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody; R. Moshe Shapira of Zaliztsi; R. Aryeh Leib HaKohen of Stryi, author of Ketzot HaChoshen, and others.
The list of pre-publication subscribers, following the approbations, contains information about great rabbis of that generation and their places of residence at the time of printing.
Leaves 41-47 comprise a study order (compiled from the Zohar) for the night before circumcision – the Vach-Nacht.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi (1735-1783), was a shochet and bodek in Zuravitz, a village near Przemyśl. Little is known about him. In the approbations to his books, he is described as a hidden tzaddik who lived in utter poverty, secluding himself in the forest, passionately and fervently serving G-d. He wrote his books at night. The author of Brit Kehunat Olam recounted that tears would stream from his eyes when slaughtering an animal. R. Yitzchak Eizek is said to have requested of the Yismach Moshe (who in his youth lived in nearby Przemyśl) that he come and study kabbalah under his tutelage, however, the Yismach Moshe was not well acquainted with him and refused. R. Yitzchak Eizek was dispirited by the refusal of the Yismach Moshe and therefore, before his death, instructed that all his kabbalistic writings be buried with him because the world is not worthy of them. After his passing, the Yismach Moshe greatly regretted his refusal and, wishing to do good to the soul of the author, arranged that his writings be copied and those copies be buried in his grave, leaving the original manuscripts to be prepared for print. The Yismach Moshe himself oversaw the copying, editing and printing of the book Raza Meheimna (see approbations and forewords to his books Raza Meheimna and Yesod Yitzchak, and Tehilla L'Moshe by R. Moshe David Teitelbaum, Sighet 1906, pp. 3b-4a). Later sources recount that the Baal Shem Tov used to travel to discuss secret matters with R. Yitzchak Eizek, and when his greatness and holiness became recognized, many thronged to him (see: M. Wunder, Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, III, pp. 268-272).
Stamp on the title page: "R.A.B. – Rabbiner in Libau", alongside an inscription (in Yiddish?). Owner's signature using the page number on leaf 10: "Yisrael son of R. Benzion Katz of Hasenfeld".
[5], 5-69 leaves. Leaves 33-34, 53-54 bound out of sequence. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears to title page, repaired. Open tear to leaf 58, affecting text. Marginal wear and creases to some leaves. Damage to several leaves, affecting text. Handwritten markings within text. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 233.
Many approbations by leading Torah scholars: R. Meir (Kristianpoller) of Brody; R. Yaakov Orenstein of Lvov, author of Yeshuot Yaakov; R. Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody; R. Moshe Shapira of Zaliztsi; R. Aryeh Leib HaKohen of Stryi, author of Ketzot HaChoshen, and others.
The list of pre-publication subscribers, following the approbations, contains information about great rabbis of that generation and their places of residence at the time of printing.
Leaves 41-47 comprise a study order (compiled from the Zohar) for the night before circumcision – the Vach-Nacht.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi (1735-1783), was a shochet and bodek in Zuravitz, a village near Przemyśl. Little is known about him. In the approbations to his books, he is described as a hidden tzaddik who lived in utter poverty, secluding himself in the forest, passionately and fervently serving G-d. He wrote his books at night. The author of Brit Kehunat Olam recounted that tears would stream from his eyes when slaughtering an animal. R. Yitzchak Eizek is said to have requested of the Yismach Moshe (who in his youth lived in nearby Przemyśl) that he come and study kabbalah under his tutelage, however, the Yismach Moshe was not well acquainted with him and refused. R. Yitzchak Eizek was dispirited by the refusal of the Yismach Moshe and therefore, before his death, instructed that all his kabbalistic writings be buried with him because the world is not worthy of them. After his passing, the Yismach Moshe greatly regretted his refusal and, wishing to do good to the soul of the author, arranged that his writings be copied and those copies be buried in his grave, leaving the original manuscripts to be prepared for print. The Yismach Moshe himself oversaw the copying, editing and printing of the book Raza Meheimna (see approbations and forewords to his books Raza Meheimna and Yesod Yitzchak, and Tehilla L'Moshe by R. Moshe David Teitelbaum, Sighet 1906, pp. 3b-4a). Later sources recount that the Baal Shem Tov used to travel to discuss secret matters with R. Yitzchak Eizek, and when his greatness and holiness became recognized, many thronged to him (see: M. Wunder, Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, III, pp. 268-272).
Stamp on the title page: "R.A.B. – Rabbiner in Libau", alongside an inscription (in Yiddish?). Owner's signature using the page number on leaf 10: "Yisrael son of R. Benzion Katz of Hasenfeld".
[5], 5-69 leaves. Leaves 33-34, 53-54 bound out of sequence. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears to title page, repaired. Open tear to leaf 58, affecting text. Marginal wear and creases to some leaves. Damage to several leaves, affecting text. Handwritten markings within text. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 233.
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books