Auction 37 - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters

Yesod Yitzchak – Zhovkva, 1810 – First Edition

Opening: $1,800
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Yesod Yitzchak, kabalistic and Chassidic interpretations of matters pertaining to circumcision. Halichot Olam, customs and segulot. Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac HaLevi Mazarowitz [author of Raza MeHeimna and Otiot D'Rabbi Yitzchak]. Zhovkva, 1810. First edition.
Many approbations by leading Torah scholars: Rabbi Meir [Kristinpoller] of Brad; Rabbi Ya'akov Orenstein of Lvov, author of Yeshuot Ya'akov; Rabbi Efraim Margaliot of Brad; Rabbi Moshe Shapira of Zaliztsi; Rabbi Aryeh Leib HaCohen of Stryy, author of Ketzot HaChoshen; etc.
On Leaves 41-47 is a kuntress of what to study the night before circumcision called "Vach-Nacht" [compilations from the Zohar].
The author Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac HaLevi (1735-1783), mekubal and hidden tzaddik among the lamed-vav (36) tzaddikim in the Ba'al Shem Tov's generation and teacher of Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, author of Yismach Moshe. Served as Shochet and Bodek and teacher in the village of Zhuravichi, hid his holy ways so much that many thought he lost his mind, was unlearned and uncouth. At nights, he would toil in prayer and kabbalah and write his books. The Ba'al Shem Tov would travel to discuss secret matters with him. When his greatness and holiness became famous, masses thronged to him leading him to wander from his home. During his travels he died in the city of Przemyśl. The story about him is told that when yet healthy and well he sent his wife to call the Chevra Kadisha and told them that the time had come for him to die and asked them to copy his many kabalistic writings before dressing him in his shrouds until they see his face burn like a torch. 100 Torah scholars copied his writings until they saw his face change and the box of writings close on its own, they then buried him and eulogized him fittingly. The copies were buried in his holy grave but his manuscripts reached the Maggid of Kremnitz Rabbi Ya’akov Yisrael HaLevi, who printed the books Raza MeHeimna (Lvov, 1791), Otiot D’Rabbi Yitzchak (Zhovkva, 1801) and Yesod Yitzchak to print.
[1] 69 leaves. 21.5 cm. Thick paper, good condition, use stains, few restored damages. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 233.
hassidism
hassidism