Ateret Tzvi by the Holy Rebbe of Ziditchov. First Edition. Lemberg, 1834–1841. Rare Chassidic Sefer!

Ateret Tzvi by the Holy Rebbe of Ziditchov. First Edition. Lemberg, 1834–1841. Rare Chassidic Sefer!

Sefer Ateret Tzvi is a commentary on the Zohar, by the Admor, “Prince of the House of the Zohar, ” the Holy Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchov. This volume includes Part One on Bereishit [although bound by mistake with the title page of Part Three] and Part Two on Shemot.

First Edition. [Lemberg, 1834–1841].

“…And I have hardly seen or heard in our generation anyone like him; he delved into the wondrous wisdom of Kabbalah as no one else did, and he was unique in his generation in the wisdom of truth…” (The author of Bnei Yissaschar in his approbation).

With approbations from: the holy Rebbi Moshe [Eichenstein], brother of the author; the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Ornstein, Av Beit Din of Lvov; the Gaon Rabbi Aharon Moshe Toibish, Av Beit Din of Iași; the holy Rebbi Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel; the holy Rebbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira, Av Beit Din of Dinov; the holy Rebbi Yehuda Tzvi son of Rabbi Shmuel Zanvil [Brandwein] of Stretin; the holy Rebbi Avraham David [Wahrman], Av Beit Din of Butchatch; the Gaon Rabbi Meir Eisen [Eisenstädter], Av Beit Din of Ungvar; the holy Rebbi Yehuda Tzvi [Eichenstein].

Two parts bound in one volume:

Part I: [1], 83, 85–152 leaves. As noted, bound by mistake with the title page of Part Three, but the text is on the Book of Bereishit.

Part II: [1], 54 leaves.

22.2 cm.

Stefansky, Chassidic Seforim, No. 460.

The holy Admor, author of Ateret Tzvi of Ziditchov – the holy Gaon Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch Eichenstein (1763–1831) – was renowned as the “Prince of the House of the Zohar” due to his greatness in the wisdom of Kabbalah. From a young age, he was recognized as an extraordinary prodigy with vast knowledge in all areas of Torah. He was one of the prominent disciples and close followers of the “Chozeh” of Lublin. He also traveled to meet with other leading Chassidic masters, including Rebbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, Rebbi Yisrael the “Maggid” of Kozhnitz, Rebbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, and Rebbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta.

After the passing of his teacher, the Chozeh of Lublin, in 1815, Ziditchov became, under Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch’s leadership, one of the major and most important Chassidic centers in Galicia. His stature was revered to an extraordinary degree, as expressed in the remarkable words of praise spoken about him by the righteous men of his generation.

In his Ateret Tzvi on the Zohar, a glimpse is given of the depth of his knowledge in Kabbalistic wisdom. The title of the work was not given by Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch himself, but by the editor and publisher, Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Rappaport [who also published the rest of Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch’s writings] – the son-in-law of Rabbi Yechiel Michel, the only son of Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch, who had passed away during his father’s lifetime.

Other well-known works by Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchov include: Sur Me’Ra Va’aseh Tov – also called Hakdama VeDerech LeEtz Chaim – a work serving as an introduction to Etz Chaim by Rabbi Chaim Vital, with additions by the holy Rebbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar; his work Beit Yisrael; and Pri Kodesh Hilulim – an introduction and commentary to Pri Etz Chaim on the Kavanot of prayer.

The printing of Ateret Tzvi extended over several years. The first part was printed in 1834, as indicated by the chronogram in the publisher’s introduction following the title page. The third part was printed thereafter (according to the publisher’s words: “I trust in the kindness of God… to also bring forth the Book of Shemot from the press soon…”). The second part was most likely printed in 1841, since one of the approbations, by Rabbi Aharon Moshe Toibish “Av Beit Din of the holy congregation of Iași, ” could only have been given after he assumed his position in Iași in that year.

Overall Very Good Condition, few stains, small marginal tear and tape repair on title page, later binding slightly rubbed.