Auction 72
Lot 190:
Sefer Kohelet with the Chemdat Yisrael commentary, by Rabbi Yisrael Nachman of Drohobycz and Safed, son of Rabbi Yosef who was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. On the last page, he refers to Chiddushim that he heard when he was travelling from place to place, including one “in the name of the Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna” and more.
Rare edition!
As indicated by the title page, the author served as Rav of several cities before immigrating to Eretz Yisrael. After settling in Safed, he returned to Livorno, where he printed this book and three additional books, which are in practice the only Chassidic books ever printed in Livorno, and among the only ones printed in any Eastern country or the Balkan.
First edition in the author’s lifetime. Saadon Press – Livorno, 1820. In the Rare Book Collection of the National Library. At the end, Kuntres Kehal Yisrael, exegeses on the language of the Maharsha by the author. In addition, Hoda’a and Bakashat Elef Alfin and Elef Beitin. 3, [1], 4-62 leaves. Many approbations by the Rabbis of Livorno, Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia of Tiberias and more. Stefansky Chassidut 215.
Fine new binding. Fine margins. The title page and some other leaves are professionally restored. Varied stains. Fungus stains? Some moth damage. Good overall condition.
The author the Gaon Chassid Rabbi Yisrael Nachman ben Rabbi Yosef of Drohobycz (a disciple of the Ba’al Shem Tov), was a Rav in Galicia, Poland, and Hungary. Immigrated to Safed, and for a certain period also served in the Rabbinate of Sidon (Lebanon). In 1804, on his way to Eretz Yisrael, he met the Chida in Livorno, and told him a great deal about the Ba’al Shem Tov and the Chassidic movement. The Chida in his books introduces what he heard from him in his father’s name.
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