Set of Heichal HaBerachah Chumashim, Komarno – Lviv, 1864-1874 – First Edition – Segulah Book, with a Blessing from ...

Set of Heichal HaBerachah Chumashim, Komarno – Lviv, 1864-1874 – First Edition – Segulah Book, with a Blessing from the Author: "I am Confident that Anyone who Has our Chumash in His Home will be Spared from any Misfortune and Harm, Illness and Want; His Home Will be Filled with G-d's Blessing and All Good, Success, Wealth and Longevity…"
Complete set of Five Books of the Torah, with Targum Onkelos and various commentaries, and with the Heichal HaBerachah and Otzar HaChaim commentaries, by Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin, rabbi of Zidichov (Zhydachiv) and Komarno. Lviv: Pessel Balaban, [1864-1874]. First edition printed in the lifetime of the author, over the course of approximately ten years (order of printing: Bamidbar, 1864; Vayikra, 1866; Bereshit, 1869; Shemot, 1872; Devarim, 1874). Five volumes.
This book contains two original compositions by the author: The Heichal HaBerachah commentary – commentary based on Kabbalistic and Chassidic teachings regarding Masorah, exact spelling of words and spacing between sections; and the Otzar HaChaim commentary on the 613 mitzvot as found in the Torah portions, Kabbalistic and Chassidic commentary explaining which mitzvah is alluded to in each letter of the Ten Commandments (based on the principle of R. Saadia Gaon, quoted by Rashi in Parashat Mishpatim 24, 12). The two compositions are based on the principles of the Arizal and Baal Shem Tov. In these works, the author explains at length the sources of the teachings of the Arizal and the Baal Shem Tov, and how they fit together.
The Heichal HaBerachah chumashim by R. Yitzchak Eizik of Komarno are classic works of Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought. These books were favored by rebbes of all circles (the Zidichov dynasty, the Divrei Chaim and his descendants, the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, and others).
In the author's letter to Chassidim living in Hungary, regarding the distribution of the Chumashim with his commentary, he writes his special blessing and notes the segulah of his holy books: "…I am confident that anyone who has our Chumash in his home will be spared from any misfortune and harm, illness and want, and his home will be filled with G-d's blessing and all good, success, wealth and longevity for him and his offspring… children, life and sustenance, benevolence and mercy, favorable judgement, for a long life".
Apart from Targum Onkelos, the chumash also includes Rashi and Baal HaTurim, Masorah Gedolah and Ketanah, Maskil LeDavid (commentary on Rashi) by R. David Pardo, and Menorat Shlomo – commentary on the Masorah, by R. Uri Shraga Phoebus Rabbi of Dubrovna (son-in-law of the Gaon of Vilna).
The Bereshit volume contains handwritten glosses, in Oriental script (Yemen?), and several glosses in Ashkenazic script (including references to other books by the author). Inscriptions and signatures in the other volumes.
Bereshit vol.: [1], 283, [10] leaves. Lacking first (decorated) title page. Extra copy of leaf of Haftarah of Vayechi at end of volume. Shemot vol. (with Megillat Esther): [2], 320, [45] leaves. Lacking one leaf of Megillat Esther. Vayikra vol. (with Shir HaShirim): [2], 300, [11]; [4], 15-62 leaves. Bamidbar vol. (with Megillat Ruth): [3], 225, [15] leaves. Devarim vol. (with Megillat Kohelet and Eichah): [3], 211, [1], 26 leaves. Lacking first (decorated) title page.
5 volumes. 26.5 cm. Condition varies. Stains (including dampstains), tears and wear. Bereshit: open tears to title page and several other leaves, affecting text, mostly repaired (with paper or photocopy). Worming (mostly minor, affecting text of several leaves). Shemot: tears to title page, subsequent leaves and final leaves. Tears repaired with many wide strips of sellotape (some leaves slightly adhere to each other due to tape). Vayikra: worming, slightly affecting text. Open tear to one leaf, affecting text. Bamidbar: open tears to first (decorated) title page, affecting border, repaired in part with paper. Devarim: title page and subsequent leaf detached (presumably supplied from a different copy). Open tear to title page. Tape repairs. Stamp. Margins trimmed with damage to text of some leaves. New bindings.
The Bamidbar volume (which was printed first) contains a preface. Two variants of the preface are known to us. One is a longer version (two leaves comprising a three-part preface), and the second is a shorter version (one leaf, comprising a single-part preface, with an approbation by R. Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov on verso). The present copy features the shorter preface.