Auction 65
Lot 96:
Divrei Emet on the Torah, Chassidic Divrei Torah by the holy Rav Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Halevi Horowitz of Lublin, more famously known as the Chozeh of Lublin, the Rav of many leading Chassidic rabbis.
First Edition, Zholkva. According to the title page, the year of printing is 1808; however, based on the approbations that forbid the printing of the book until 1841, scholars assume it was printed in 1830 or 1836. Gershom Scholem stated that 1831 is the correct year since the list of subscribers includes Rabbi Zvi of Ziditchev, who, in 1836, had already passed away. Originally, [4], 62, 12, [2] leaves. In this copy, [2] leaves at the end are missing containing the list of subscribers. In the National Library, the book appears in the Rare Book Collection. Stefansky Chassidut no. 114.
Was edited by the author’s grandson Rabbi Yaakov Kopel Horowitz-Sterbfeld of Lublin and with his foreword. At its end, Likutim by the author. Approbations by the Admot the Ohev Yisrael of Opatow and Rabbi Meshulam Zalman Av Beit Din of Lublin.
Fine new binding. Restored title page. Stains. Good overall condition.
Inside the book, ancient corrections and comments handwritten on the margins of the sheets. On the title page, a blurred signature with the name Azriel. The signature is similar (see enclosed picture) to that of the Gaon Rabbi Azriel Green (passed away in 1841) the son of Rabbi Shimon one of the leading disciples of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Sar Shalom of Belz. Served as Av Beit Din of Munkatch, succeeding the author of the Bnei Yissachar, who was his in-law. About this there is an interesting story: when the Bnei Yissachar left Munkatch, the community searched for someone to replace him, yet no one agreed to do so except for the aforementioned Azriel. When the Bnei Yissachar heard about it, he surprisingly said that he saw they would eventually be in-laws, which is indeed what happened shortly afterward. Rabbi Azriel authored the book Nachalat Azriel (Munkatch, 1939).
Apparently, the glosses were also handwritten by him since they are older than the other signatures appearing in the book (see below).
On the title page and at the end of the book, an ownership signature: "מנחם זאב ברש"י קרא" – Rabbi Menachem Ze’ev ben Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Kara. His father, Rabbi Shlomo Yosef, was an important Naggid in Munkatch, who followed the Bnei Yissachar of Dinov during the time he served as Rav of Munkatch.
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