Sefer Ner Yisrael, by the Holy Rebbe Yisrael Hopstein – the Maggid of Kozhnitz, "wonderful commentary, Torah novellae and lofty secrets", on the sefer Likutei R. Hai Gaon – "profound and awesome secrets on the 42-letter name".
"Vilna" [Lvov? ca. 1842-1852]. First edition of the Ner Yisrael commentary.
Fly leaf (pink color, typically used by the Ruzin Rebbes of that generation) with ownership inscription ”Rabbinner J. Friedmann Bojan Bukowina”
The Holy Rebbe Yitzchak of Boyan (1849–1917) was the son of Rebbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, grandson of Rebbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. He was well-known for his tremendous reverence of G-d and deep devotion which instilled fear in all those around him, hence the title "Pachad Yitzchak." Following his father’s passing, he first lived with his brothers in Sadigura, eventually moving to the city of Boyan, Bukovina in 1886 where he founded the Boyan dynasty. He fled to Vienna at the onset of World War I and remained there until his passing in 1917.
Antique signature on the title page: Yosef Aryeh Halevi.
This sefer 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 th 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 seforim to explain these works; in his preface to his commentary Petilat HaNer (commentary to Ner Yisrael), he writes that this sefer is a "segulah for protection, as it is well-known that the 42-letter name serves as a protection".
At the end of the sefer, 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 sefer 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".
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, 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 sources list 1820 and 1822 as the year of printing). We assume that the sefer 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.
[2], 24 Leaves. 23 Cm.
Stefansky Chassidut 394.
Overall Good condition, some stains and water stains, some minor worming slightly affecting text, new sumptuous red leather binding with owners name.
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Lot #145