Bidspirit auction | Autographed Glosses by Rabbi Yisrael

Autographed Glosses by Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Yokel Teitelbaum on Teachings of Rabbi Chaim Vital * “It is obvious that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai saw through Ruach Hakodesh what was inscribed Above in the name of the Achronim who would later come down to this world.” Extremely rare glosses in the holy handwriting of Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Yokel Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Volova, on the sefarim of Rabbi Chaim Vital — Sha’ar HaHakdamos and Sha’ar HaPesukim with Sefer HaLikuttim. The lengthy gloss on leaf 3a concludes with his holy signature: Yisrael ייט”ב [=Yaakov Yokel Teitelbaum]. On the title page of the sefer are stamps from the period of his tenure as Av Beis Din of Berbesti. Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Yokel Teitlebaum, Av Beis Din of Volova (1838 – 1924), was the son of Rabbi Shmuel of Gorlice, son of Rabbi Eliezer Nissan of Drohobych, son of the Yismach Moshe. He was a son-in-law of the Yetev Lev. Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Yokel studied under both his grandfather, Rabbi Eliezer Nissan, and father-in-law the Yetev Lev. He frequently traveled to Rabbi Chaim of Sanz who held him in great affection. From 1862 he served as Av Beis Din of Berbesti, from 1889 as Av Beis Din of Gorlice, and from 1894 as Av Beis Din of Volova. In Volova, he also served as a Rebbe, accepting kvitlach and distributing segulos and amulets. He edited and published the writings of his grandfather, Shu”t Heshiv Moshe, as well as his biography under the title ‘Tehillah LeMoshe, ’ printed in Yismach Moshe (Sighet 1906). His Torah teachings were printed in the sefer Hativ Aytiv, in two volumes (Brooklyn 1972). His son was Rabbi Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Lapush. Content of the Gloss on Leaf 3a In the introduction to Sha’ar HaHakdamos, Rabbi Chaim Vital speaks out against “those who slander the sefer Zohar” and its attribution to Rabbi Shimon bar YochaiHe confronts the argument that the text refers to Amoraim who lived after Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, asserting that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, endowed with Ruach Hakodesh, had the ability to perceive all the souls of the sages who would eventually be created, along with their teachings. In this vein, Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Yokel cites evidence from the Zohar regarding Shir HaShirim and from ”Sefer HaKaneh.” He concludes: “And now it is obvious that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai saw through Ruach Hakodesh what was inscribed Above in the name of the Achronim who were yet to be born into this world. Each one is mentioned by name, and he cited their teachings in their names. Understand this well.”  Yisrael ייט”ב.” Three glosses: one on Sha’ar HaHakdamos, one on Sha’ar HaPesukim, and one on Sefer HaLikutim. Two sefarim bound together: 1. Sha’ar HaHakdamos – the first of the eight chapters of Rabbi Chaim Vital. Published by the Kabbalists of Beis El. Jerusalem 1865. First edition. [2], 78, [2] leaves. 32 cm. 2. Sha’ar HaPesukim – the fourth of the eight chapters of Rabbi Chaim Vital, with Sefer HaLikutim, printed for the first time from a manuscript in the possession of the holy Kabbalist Rabbi Shalom Sharabi. Jerusalem 1863. First edition. [4], 158, [2] leaves. Ownership inscription in pencil on the title page: “Belongs to me, to my humble name, Shaul Teitelbaum.” Some stains and wear to margins on the initial leaves. Both sefarim are bound together, new leather spine. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 353