Ohel Yaakov – Józefów, 1830 – Signature of Rebbe Yitzchak of Warka – Copy Owned by Rebbes of Warka

Ohel Yaakov, Part I, homilies on Bereshit, by R. Yaakov Kranz – the Maggid of Dubno. Józefów, 1830. First edition.
Signature of the first Rebbe of Warka on the title page: "Yitzchak son of R. Sh. of Warka".
Stamps on every single page of the book, of his grandson, the Rebbe of Otvosk (Otwock): "Simcha Bunim son of R. Mordechai Menachem Mendel of Warka, presently in Otvosk". Ownership inscription on title page: "Belongs to R. Simcha Bunim son of the righteous rabbi". Stamps on title page and several other leaves of the grandson of the Rebbe of Otvosk: "Simcha Bunim Rajewski, Białobrzegi".
Rebbe Yitzchak Kalish Rabbi of Warka (1779-1848), renowned Chassidic leader in Poland, about whom many stories of wonders and revelations of Divine Inspiration circulated. He was a close disciple of Rebbe David of Lelov, the Chozeh of Lublin, the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa and R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, and close friend of the Rebbe of Kotsk and the Chiddushei HaRim. In 1829, he began leading his followers, which numbered many thousands. He was renowned for his tremendous love and devotion to the community as well as individuals. Most of his sayings and the stories about him, revolve around love for one's fellow Jew. In his times, Poland was under the rule of the Russian Czar, who constantly enacted new decrees against the Jews. The Rebbe of Warka was one of the leading lobbyists before the authorities and devoted himself to trying to annul and mitigate decrees. To that end, he resided for extended periods of time in Warsaw, where he would meet with the various government officials to try and win them over, and in many cases, he met success. He was very active in bolstering Torah observance, and fought the Maskilim who incited the authorities against faithful Judaism. In 1835, the government forbade setting up Eruv wires across the town, and the Rebbe of Warka was successful in having the decree rescinded within a short time (in the archives of the Polish government, an interesting correspondence between the Rebbe and the authorities about this matter was preserved. See: Yismach Yisrael, 15, Bnei Brak 2017). His descendants include the dynasties of Warka, Skierniewice and Amshinov.
It is interesting to note the phenomenon of this book being owned by Chassidic rebbes, despite the fact that its author, the Maggid of Dubno, was an opponent of Chassidism and a close associate of the Gaon of Vilna. Furthermore, his books contain criticism against Chassidism (see for instance his words on Behaalotecha, p. 24b, Warsaw 1903 edition). This ownership may have been inspired by the statement of the Rebbe of Kotsk, who was a close friend of the Rebbe of Warka, regarding the teachings of the Maggid of Dubno: "In his parables, the Maggid of Dubno attained the truth in three things…" (for further detail, see: Siach Sarfei Kodesh, IV, Bnei Brak 1989, p. 74).
His grandson, Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Warka-Otvosk (1851-1907), son of Rebbe Mordechai Menachem Mendel Kalish of Warka. He was appointed rebbe at the age of 17 (in 1868), and led his Chassidim in Warka. He was full of love for Eretz Israel, and twice immigrated there. Following his first attempt to settle in Eretz Israel with his family and disciples, and his banishment by the Turkish authorities, he relocated to the spa-town of Otvosk, and became known by that name. Many years later, he immigrated alone and settled in Tiberias, where he passed away a month and a half later. He was renowned for his love of Mitzvot and the halachic stringencies he practiced, for his conservative approach and fierce opposition to the Enlightenment movement. His three sons succeeded him as rebbes.
R. Simcha Bunim Rajewski, grandson of Rebbe Simcha Bunim Kalish, was the son of Rebbetzin Tzivia, daughter of the rebbe, and R. Yeshaya Elimelech Rajewski Rabbi of Białobrzegi, son-in-law of the rebbe. The couple were childless for many years. Reputedly, one Yom Kippur eve, Rebbetzin Tzivia cried and begged her brother Rebbe Menachem Mendel to bring about a salvation for her. Her brother stipulated that she should not turn anymore to doctors, and he would thereby be able to help her. She indeed later bore three sons, one of whom was R. Simcha Bunim Rajewski, who was named after his illustrious grandfather (they all perished in the Holocaust).
[2], 115, 12 leaves. 22.5 cm. Blueish paper. Stamps on title page and every leaf. Fair condition. Stains. Worming to every leaf, repaired. Severe worming to approx. 10 leaves, with extensive damage to text (each leaf was professionally restored with paper). Marginal tears and damage to title page and other leaves (primarily first and last leaves, repaired). New, elegant leather binding.