Nezer Yisrael – The Maggid of Kozhnitz. First Edition. Important Signatures.

Nezer Yisrael ...

Nezer Yisrael – The Maggid of Kozhnitz. First Edition. Important Signatures.

Nezer Yisrael, commentary and explanations on Zohar and Zohar Chadash, authored by Rabbi Yisrael of Kozhnitz. Lemberg, 1864 (5624).

The first edition of the sacred commentaries and glosses of the Holy Maggid of Kozhnitz on the Zohar HaKadosh.

With an interesting introduction by the publisher, the grandson of the author, and important approbations.

The Holy Maggid of Kozhnitz, one of the greatest Chassidic leaders in Poland, was born in Apta in 1737 (5497). He studied in Przysucha, where he was introduced to Chassidut. He later traveled to Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, who directed him to the Maggid of Mezritch, who received him with great enthusiasm. After the passing of the Maggid of Mezritch, he became a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, and was considered one of his four primary students, inheriting his spiritual qualities. Rabbi Yisrael was regarded as the heir of the power of the heart.

In 1765 (5525), he was appointed Maggid of Kozhnitz, and from 1786 (5546), he served as Rebbe to thousands. Together with the Chozeh of Lublin, he was regarded as one of the central figures of Polish Chassidut. He was a great Torah scholar and an outstanding expert in Kabbalah. His halachic responsa, chidushim on the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, and glosses on the Zohar, Tikkunei Zohar, Sefer HaTmunah, and Raziel HaMalach were all published. He passed away in Kozhnitz in 1815 (5575).

Owner’s Stamps & Signatures:

Stamps of Rabbi Yitzchak Mordechai Shapira, and signature of Shalom Shapira, Kfar Chassidim.

Rabbi Yitzchak Mordechai Shapira (1867-1930), the Rebbe of Gwoździec (Gwoździec, Galicia, now Ukraine), was born in Sadigura to Rabbi Avi Ezra Zelig Shapira, Rebbe of Stryi and son of Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira of Mogielnica, one of the greatest Polish Chassidic leaders of his time. His mother, Hadassah Faiga, was the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman of Sadigura. After his father’s passing, he became Rebbe in Gwoździec, alongside his brother Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel, who became Rebbe in Drohobych.

(See: Alfasi, Encyclopedia of Chassidut, Vol. 2, p. 532).

His son, Rabbi Shalom Yosef Shapira, was the son-in-law of his father’s cousin, Rabbi Yerachmiel Moshe of Kozhnitz. He was one of the founders of Kfar Chassidim and Kiryat Ata, as well as Agudat Avodat Yisrael. He served as the first secretary of Kfar Ata and later worked in the village’s administration. Despite being a great Torah scholar and holding rabbinic ordination, he refused to serve as a rabbi.

Bibliographic Reference: Stefansky, Chassidut, No. 385.

A rare book.

[2], 5-40 leaves. Size: 23.5 cm.

Condition: Good. Some worming and stains.