Sefer HaKanah on the Mitzvot, an important Kabbalistic book published under a name which some claim to be a pseudonym – Rabbi Even Gador Kanah, author of Sefer HaPlia’ah. Poritzk, 1786. [1], 130 leaves.
Printed by the partners Rabbi Shlomo (Rabbi Shlomo Lutzker was a leading disciple of the Maggid and an important writer and transmitter of his philosophy) and Rabbi Elimelech of Poritzk.
Approbations by Rabbi Isaac Hacohen of Koretz and Rabbi Asher Zvi of Ostrohe. Kabbalistic illustrations of the Sefirot and more, as well as the Piyyut HaAderet VeHaEmunah LeChai Olamim with interesting textual variations.
Lengthy introduction by the author beginning with the words: "אמר קנה אבן גדור בנו נחום משפחת רם, נאחז ונתפש הוא ממשפחת רבי נחוניא בן הקנה…" and ending at the end of leaf 18 with the words: "סליק הקדמה לספר הקנה, יהי רצון שנגאל בזאת השנה".
Fine new binding. Moth perforations and damage. Stains and other blemishes. Fair overall condition.
Discovery?!
On the book, ownership stamps of the Beit Midrash of the Kobryner Chassidim in Kobryn: "חו’בה"מד [חותם בית המדרש] חסידים קאברינער בקאברין". On the title page, an ancient signature of Yisrael and on verso, an additional signature of Yisrael of Chernobyl with an addition in a different script of "the Maggid".
When this book reached us, we asked Rabbi Naftali Flintenstein, the chairman of the famed Chassidic institute Siftei Tzaddikim, about the identity of the signatory, "The Maggid Yisroel of Chernobyl". His detailed conclusions are enclosed with this item. In summary, he states that
it can be assumed that the signature is of the Rav Rabbi Yisrael of Bohopoli, a signature from his youth when he frequented his grandfather, the Meor Enayim of Chernobyl. The stamp on the title page of the Beit Midrash Chassidim in Kobryn, where his grandson (Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Kobrun) led his community, supports this assumption. However, we have no other script attributed to Rabbi Yisrael of Bohopoli for comparison.
The Admor Rabbi Yisrael, the Maggid of Bohopoli (1782/1788 – 1847) the son of Rabbi Avraham of Koristshov, the son of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch the Maggid of Koristshov and son-in-law of the Admor of Chernobyl Rabbi Menachem Nachum the Meor Enayim. His Divrei Torah were published in his famed book Ateret Yisrael, which is famed as a Segulah book.
