Sefer Pri Kodesh Hilulim serves as an introduction and commentary on the renowned foundational work of Kabbalah, Pri Etz Chaim by the Ari, written by the holy Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch Eichenstein of Zhidachov.
First Edition, Lviv, 1833, printed by Rebbetzin Yehudit Rozanis.
On the title page, leaf 17, the page with letter of the holy Rebbi of Rozdol, and on the last page, appear the well-known stamps of the author’s disciple, our holy teacher, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, ‘Chaim Halberstam’. On the margins of the title page is an antique inscription: "This Pri Kodesh Hilulim belongs to the Gaon, Rabbi Chaim Halber stam, the Av Beit Din of the holy community of Sanz."
Additionally, in three places in the sefer, remnants of wax are present. As is famously known, the holy Rebbe of Sanz would pass his fingers through the flame while studying.
In total, there are eleven stamps from Rebbi Chaim. Before us, then, is the sacred and segulah-filled Sefer Pri Kodesh Hilulim by the Holy Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov, studied with supreme holiness by his disciple, the Holy Divrei Chaim of Sanz!
Signatures and Stamps of Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Teomim-Frankel, Av Beit Din of Safkov.
The holy Rebbi Chaim of Sanz, the author of Divrei Chaim (1797–1876), exemplified the three pillars upon which the world stands: Torah, avodah, and acts of kindness. His dedication to Torah study, even from a young age and despite illnesses and suffering, was immense. His deep study during the late hours of the night made him oblivious to everything around him.In Avodah: His prayer service was indescribable. It lasted many hours, filled with fiery enthusiasm and a powerful voice. During certain sections, he would raise his voice, instilling awe and trembling in all present, often bringing the congregation to tears.In Acts of Kindness: His measure of charity was unparalleled in his generation. His sons wrote in the introduction to Divrei Chaim on the Torah that he sustained hundreds and thousands of the poor. Daily, he distributed large sums of charity to dozens, and half of the region’s Jews lived honorably thanks to his generosity.
Rebbi Chaim was a disciple of the tzaddikim Rebbi Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz and Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov. In 1817, he became the rabbi of Rudnik. In 1830, he moved to Sanz and became the most prominent Rebbe in Galicia. Almost all rabbis and Rebbes acknowledged his authority. He left behind fifteen children and merited to see a righteous generation following in his path. Nearly 100 rabbis from his descendants followed his bier at his funeral. Over the years, his descendants numbered in the hundreds of rabbis and Rebbes.
As his disciple, the Holy Afsei Aretz of Nanash eulogized: "He was the Tree of Life above, enlightening and doing good, and also below, bestowing life, livelihood, and goodness to the house of Israel" (Afsei Aretz, vol. 3, p. 98b).
His writings include: She’elot u’Teshuvot Divrei Chaim, Divrei Chaim on Gittin and Mikvaot, Divrei Chaim on the Torah, commentaries on the Haggadah, and collections of customs, stories, and sacred practices.
Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Teomim-Frankel, Av Beit Din of Safkov, was a descendant of the Baruch Taam and the grandson of the holy Rebbi of Shinova. He is mentioned by his grandfather in the responsa printed at the end of Divrei Yechezkel (1999 edition, siman 36). A son-in-law of his great-uncle, the holy Rebbi Shmuel of Chentshin, he served as Av Beit Din of Safkov and passed away at a young age in 1894. His widow later married Rebbi Elimelech Shapira of Grodzisk.
Inscriptions: "Zalman Sander, Mashsba”k of Shinova, " " Leibush Halber[stam], " and "Naftali Goldberg."
The sefer ‘Pri Kodesh Hilulim’ deals with matters of Kabbalah and contains sacred names throughout, making it, like the author’s other works, a segulah-filled sefer. This is noted in the approbation of the author’s brother, Rebbi Moshe of Sambor, in the introduction to Ataret Tzvi (reprinted at the beginning of the Pri Kodesh Hilulim, Orshiva edition, 1928): "Looking upon it will bring benefit to body and soul, providing all good and protection from harm, illness, or misfortune, God forbid, and thus bringing only good to Israel."
The sefer also received the approbation of the holy Rabbi Azriel, Av Beit Din of Munkatch, a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin. Though written in 1835, the approbation was only printed after his passing in a later edition.
The work serves as a commentary on Pri Etz Chaim, part of the writings of the Ari transcribed by Rabbi Chaim Vital. In Pri Etz Chaim, the intentions and Kabbalistic meanings of commandments, such as the waving of the lulav on Sukkot, are explained. This sefer was especially beloved by the tzaddikim of the Chassidic movement, to the extent that sons of Rebbes were often called Pri Etz Chaim or by its initials (Pa’ach). As an introduction and commentary to Pri Etz Chaim, Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov authored Pri Kodesh Hilulim.
[1], 21, 15, [1] leaves. 22 cm.
Stefansky Chassidut, No. 483.
The author, the holy Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch Eichenstein of Zhidachov, author of Ataret Tzvi (1763–1831; Encyclopedia of Chassidut, vol. 3, pp. 596–599), was known as the Sar Beit HaZohar (Minister of the House of the Zohar) due to his mastery of Kabbalah. From a young age, he was renowned as an exceptional prodigy with vast knowledge in all areas of Torah. He was one of the great disciples and close associates of the Chozeh of Lublin. He also traveled and connected with other Chassidic luminaries, including Rebbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, Rebbi Yisrael the Maggid of Kozhnitz, Rebbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, and Rebbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apt.
After the passing of the Chozeh of Lublin in 1815, Zhidachov became a major center of Chassidut under Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch’s leadership. He was greatly revered, with extraordinary praises bestowed upon him by the tzaddikim of his generation.
Among his renowned works are: Ataret Tzvi on the Zohar, demonstrating his profound understanding of Kabbalah, Sur Me’ra Va’aseh Tov, also called Introduction and Path to the Tree of Life—a preface to Etz Chaim by Rabbi Chaim Vital, with additions by Rebbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, the Bnei Yissaschar, Beit Yisrael—sermons on the Torah in the path of Chassidut.
Overall Great Condition, some stains, marginal tear to title page, page repair affecting text to last page, original binding damaged.
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