Bidspirit auction | Nachal Eshkol. Dubno, 1809. A

Nachal Eshkol. Dubno, 1809. A unique and extremely rare sefer. * Commentary on the Torah and Derashos by Rabbi Chaim Ozer HaKohen of Kremenets and Brody. Singular edition. Extremely rare. A complete copy with the original title page has never before appeared at auction. Certain title pages feature a variant that lists the printing location as Brin. This copy includes both versions: the rare original that correctly identifies Dubno as the printing location, and the variant that uses Brin—a modification implemented to circumvent censorship. The sefer includes teachings and citations in the name of many Chassidic masters and their writings, as well as Torah thoughts from dozens of rabbis and maggidim of the time, some of which are otherwise unknown. Among the Chassidic greats mentioned: The Baal Shem Tov – ”And I heard in the name of the Baal Shem Tov” (f. 21a) The Maggid of Mezritch – ”And I heard in the name of the Maggid, Rabbi Dov Ber, compiler of Likkutei Amorim, Maggid Meisharim of Mezritch” (f. 8a, 33a and more) Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz – ”And I heard in the name of the renowned chassid Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz” (f. 14b) Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka – ”From the great man, the esteemed Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon, Av Beis Din of Shepetivka, who now rests in the Holy Land” (f. 82a) Rabbi Aryeh Leib the Mochiach, author of Kol Aryeh – ”A parable from our great preacher Rabbi Leib of Polonnoye” (f. 74b) Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov – ”I heard an explanation of the possuk in the name of the famous chassid Rabbi Yechiel Michel, maggid of Yampol” (f. 16b; also see 45a) Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev – ”I heard in the name of the gaon, Av Beis Din of Berditchev” (f. 13a) Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov – ”And I heard a good interpretation in the name of the chassid Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov” (f. 13b) Rabbi Ze’ev Wolf of Zhitomir, author of Or HaMeir – ”That I heard in the name of the chassid Rabbi Ze’ev of Zhitomir” (f. 52b) Rabbi Baruch of Kosov – ”And I already said this in the name of Rabbi Baruch of Kosov” (f. 92a) Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg – ”From the chassidic gaon of Nikolsburg” (ff. 28a, 40a, 66a, 90b) Also cited are the Chassidic works: Sifrei Talmidei HaBaal Shem Tov (f. 3a, 82a), Noam Elimelech (f. 98a), Rav Yavey (ff. 52b, 80b), Likutim Yekarim (f. 6b), Ahavat Dodim (f. 82a), and teachings from the Maggid of Wodzisław (f. 3a, father of Rabbi Bunim of Pshischa), the Maggid of Dubno (numerous times), Rabbi Meshulam Igra (f. 62b), and others. The author, Rabbi Chaim HaKohen of Kremenets and Brody (c. 1760–c. 1825), was a descendant of the Maharshal, the Bach, and the Shach. He studied in the famed beis midrash of Brody under the gaon Rabbi Chaim Sanzer (see title page) and taught in one of the prominent study halls in Brody. He was renowned in his time as a famous darshan. At the beginning of the sefer are 17 haskamos from the gedolei hador, with four additional approbations preceding Sefer Bamidbar. The haskamos were granted by: Rabbi Meir, Av Beis Din of Brody; Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot; Rabbi Moshe of Kolbasov, brother-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, who writes: “Had my brother-in-law the chassid still been alive, he certainly would have given his approbation as well…” Dubno, 1809. Singular edition. Page count: [5], 8, 8–16, [1], 20–30, [1], 32–66, [1], 68–98 leaves. Size: 22.3 cm. Condition: Minor tears on initial leaves, tiny holes and slight loss to some leaves, all professionally restored with paper fill. Bound in new leather binding. Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Chassidus no. 386 / Ginzei Yisrael 888. For a more comprehensive list of sages cited in the sefer, see: Wunder, Chachmei Galicia vol. II, pp. 1057–1058.