Damesek Eliezer, commentary on the Zohar, Parts I-III, on Bereshit, by Rebbe Eliezer Tzvi Safrin of Komarno. Przemyśl: Zupnik and Knoller, 1902-1908. First edition. First three parts (of seven) in two volumes.

Distinguished copies:

The first volume belonged to the author's son, Rebbe Menachem Manish Safrin of Felsztyn (Skelivka). On front endpaper, ownership inscription: "This book belongs to… R. Menachem Manish Safrin son of the Rabbi of Komarno"; "Belongs to the Tzaddik of Felsztyn…". Another signature of his son-in-law, Rebbe "Elazar Rubin" of Drohobych-Dombrov.

Rebbe Menachem Manish Safrin of Komarno (1854-1913), served as Rebbe in Felsztyn and Dobromyl.

His son-in-law, Rebbe Elazar Rubin of Drohobych (b. 1883, perished in the Holocaust), son of Rebbe Chaim Yechiel of Dombrov (Dąbrowa Tarnowska). One of his sons-in-law was Rebbe Shalom Moskowitz of Shotz-Sassov-Los Angeles.

The second volume belonged to R. Zechariah HaLevi Pollack, Rabbi of Nagyoroszi. At the beginning is an interesting ownership inscription in his handwriting: "I purchased it from my wealth in the honor of my Rock and Creator, for the benefit of the soul of my father and master the Tzaddik, who passed away on 13th Elul, 1940 in Jerusalem. May whatever I study in this holy book be considered for the exaltation of his holy soul. Here is [Nagy]oroszi, Tuesday of Vayera, 1940 – Zechariah HaLevi Pollack son of my father and master Avraham son of David Yehudah".

R. Zechariah HaLevi Pollack, Rabbi of Nagyoroszi (Northern Hungary) was the son-in-law and successor of R. Yitzchak Lorentz, Rabbi of Nagyoroszi. In 1944, he perished in Auschwitz together with his wife and six children. His manuscript of novellae, Zecher Tov, was lost during the Holocaust.

His father was R. Avraham Segal HaLevi Pollack (ca. 1870-1940), son of R. David Yehudah Pollack, studied at the Pressburg and Bonyhád yeshivas under the tutelage of his grandfather R. Yitzchak Zekel (1813-1891) and his uncle R. Moshe Pollack (1845-1889). After his marriage to the daughter of R. Zechariah Miller of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely), he settled and established his Beit Midrash there. In 1935, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he passed away in 1940.

The author of the book, Rebbe Eliezer Tzvi Safrin of Komarno – author of Ben Beiti (1830-1898), son of Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehudah Yechiel Safrin of Komarno, author of Heichal HaBerachah. An eminent and holy personage and prominent kabbalist of the Zidichov and Komarno dynasties. He was appointed Rebbe of Komarno in 1874 at his father's behest.

Two volumes. Part I: [1], 126 leaves. Parts II-III: [2], 88; [1], 89 leaves. Lacking leaves 90-91 at end of Part III. Approx. 31-31.5 cm. Dry paper. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves, affecting text of last leaf of second volume. Loose and detached leaves in second volume. Old bindings, worn (volume II lacking spine).