Kol Bochim – Kinat Setarim – Prague, 1621 – Important Ownership, Dynasty of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta – Signatures ...

Kol Bochim – Kinat Setarim – Prague, 1621 – Important Ownership, Dynasty of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta – Signatures of the Father and Grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael – Stamps of his Grandson Rebbe Yechiel of Krilovitz
Kol Bochim – Kinat Setarim, kabbalistic commentary to Megillat Eichah, by R. Avraham Galante of Safed (disciple of the R. Moshe Cordovero and close associate of the Arizal). Prague: Moses son of Joseph Betzalel Katz, [1621].
On the first leaves, ownership inscriptions and signatures in various handwritings, indicating that this illustrious copy was handed down from one generation to another in the family of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. The book features the signatures of his father and grandfather, as well as stamps and owners' signatures of his descendants, rebbes of Zinkov and Krilovitz.
On the fourth leaf: Signature of R. Aryeh Leib, grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "Aryeh Leib son of R. Shimshon of Tarnogród". On the first leaf, signature of his son R. Shmuel, father of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "This book belongs to me and this is my name Shmuel son of the rabbi and dean of [Neustadt]". On the verso of the fourth leaf, ownership inscription in an early handwriting (from the 18th century): "This book belongs to the renowned rabbi… the holy light" (the inscription is interrupted, and does not indicate the name of the rabbi. The title "holy light" was used for Chassidic rebbes, and this inscription may be referring to the Rebbe of Apta or one of the rebbes from his dynasty).
The front endpaper bears the stamp of Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (Murovani Kurylivtsi; descendant of the Ohev Yisrael): "Yechiel Heshel, Krilovitz, Podolia" (this stamp also appears on the fourth leaf), with a handwritten inscription beside it: "The book Galante is from the books and estate of my father the Rebbe (this inscription was possibly handwritten by Rebbe Yechiel of Krilovitz). On the first leaf (beside the signature of R. Shmuel father of the Ohev Yisrael), a stamp of the Rebbe of Krilovitz (from an earlier period): "[Yechi]el son of R. M.Z. of Zinkov".
Early signature on pp. 21a and 27a: "So says Avraham son of R. Reuven".
R. Aryeh Leib (1697-1734), grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, was the son of R. Shimshon of Tarnogród. He served as rabbi and dean of Neustadt, and passed away at the young age of 37. His son R. Shmuel wrote about him: "The prominent rabbi, perspicacious and erudite…, the renowned Chassid… pious and modest, amongst the disciples of Hillel… no wisdom eluded him… master in wisdom yet young in years…".
R. Shmuel of Zhmigrad son of R. Aryeh Leib (1720?-1803) was the father of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. His son the Ohev Yisrael wrote about him: "The exceptional, outstanding and renowned leader… of distinguished lineage, R. Shmuel son of the rabbi and dean of Neustadt".
Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (1843-1916), a leading Ukrainian rebbe. He was the son of R. Meshulam Zusha Heshel of Zinkov (son of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov and grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta), and son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. He served as rebbe in the town of Krilovitz, Podolia and would frequently travel to the Podolian towns where his Chassidim resided. He passed away during a visit to his Chassidim in Kishinev. His sons-in-law and grandsons served as rebbes, one of them was Rebbe Yeshaya Halberstam of Tshechov (son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz).
It appears that this copy reached the Rebbe of Krilovitz as an inheritance from his ancestor Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta (1748-1825, son of R. Shmuel of Zhmigrad whose signature appears in this book). The Ohev Yisrael was an elder and leading rebbe of his times.
Incomplete copy. [4], 2-16, 15-44, [2], 45-58 leaves (originally: [9], 2-16, 15-44, [2], 45-66 leaves – lacking 13 leaves: [5] first leaves and 8 final leaves – 59-66). 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Large stains and dampstains. Light worming to several leaves. Tears and damage to many leaves, mostly to margins (repaired with paper), generally slightly affecting text. Many marginal tears to last four leaves, affecting text (primarily of final leaf). New leather binding.