Komarno Mishnayot – Complete First Edition Set – Lviv, 1861-1862

Komarno Mishnayot – Complete First Edition Set – Lviv, 1861-1862
Six Orders of the Mishnah, with the commentaries of R. Ovadia of Bartenura and Tosfot Yom Tov, and with the commentaries Maaseh Oreg, Pnei Zaken and Atzei Eden, by Rebbe Yitzchak Eizek Yehuda Yechiel Safrin of Komarno. Lemberg (Lviv), 1861-1862. First edition. Five volumes from the first printing, with the printers' device – shield grasped by a bear and a gazelle; volume of Taharot from the second printing (same edition), without the printers' device.
The Rebbe of Komarno composed three commentaries on the Mishnayot: Atzei Eden covers nearly the entire Mishnah (ending in the middle of Ohalot) and comprises a short summary of the commentaries on the Mishnah (divided into two parts: Etz HaChaim and the Kabbalistic Etz HaDaat); two other commentaries on Order Zera'im and Order Taharot – Maaseh Oreg on the Talmud Yerushalmi and the Tosefta pertaining to the Mishnah, and Pnei Zaken which contains the halachic conclusions according to the Rambam. The commentaries were first printed in Lemberg 1861-1862, and include Kabbalistic explanations and allusions on the Mishnah and the Halacha.
The author's introductions were printed at the beginnings of Part I (Zera'im) and Part VI (Taharot). At the end of the introduction to Taharot, he writes: "I will copy the Tosefta… and explain it according to the foundations of the Rambam, in the works named Maaseh Oreg and Pnei Zaken. Afterward, I will explain the Mishnah according to the Rambam and based on the books of the Gaon of Vilna… I have arranged the Tosefta according to the order of the Gaon of Vilna…" (referring to the book Taharat HaKodesh, Zhovkva 1804, containing the commentaries and corrections of the Gaon of Vilna).
Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin Rabbi of Zidichov and Komarno (1806-1874), a G-dly kabbalist and leading transmitter of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, a nephew and close disciple of the Sar Beit HaZohar, Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov. He was cherished by foremost Chassidic leaders – the Chozeh of Lublin (who served as his matchmaker), the Rebbe of Apta, R. Moshe Tzvi of Savran, his uncle R. Moshe of Sambor, R. Yisrael of Ruzhin, and others. He authored many books on Chassidut and Kabbalah, including the Heichal HaBerachah commentary to the Five Books of the Torah, based on the teachings of the Arizal and the Baal Shem Tov. The Heichal HaBerachah Chumashim are considered fundamental books in Chassidic thought and Kabbalah. They were especially cherished by rebbes of various dynasties (the Zidichov dynasty, the Divrei Chaim and his descendants, the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, and others), who extolled the exceptional holiness of the kabbalistic teachings contained in his commentaries.
Stamp on title page of Taharot: "Chaim Aharon David Deutsch son of R. Y.Y. [Yosef Yisrael] Rabbi of Balassagyarmat" – grandson of the Goren David; signature-stamp of his brother: "Noach Yaakov son of R. Y.Y. Deutsch, son-in-law of the rabbi of Selish [Vynohradiv]".
The back endpaper of the Zera'im volume bears a signature and an ownership inscription of R. Tzvi Hirsh Hershkowitz. The title page of Mo'ed volume bears signatures and stamps of "Akiva Roth" (possibly R. Akiva Roth of Grosswardein, grandson of R. Shimon Sofer).
6 volumes. Zera'im: [5], 97; 26; 94 leaves (leaf 31 of last sequence appears twice). Mo'ed: [1], 59, 61-141 leaves. Lacking [1] leaf after title page (with the Rishon L'Tzion commentary). Nashim: [1], 129, [1] leaves. Leaf 29 bound out of sequence. Nezikin: [1], 4, 7-14, 17-184 leaves. Lacking [1] leaf after title page (with the Rishon L'Tzion commentary). Not including rare Perek Kinyan Torah leaves (missing in most copies). Kodshim: [1], 94; 43 leaves. Taharot: [1], 296 leaves. Misfoliation.
27-28.5 cm. Overall good-fair condition (condition varies). Stains and wear. Worming to some volumes. Tears to title page of Zera'im, slightly affecting printers' device. Repaired tears to some other title pages. Tears to several leaves in Kodshim volume, affecting text. Margins of Taharot volume trimmed, affecting headings of several leaves. New bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 367.
There were two printings of the first edition, with minor differences. The first printing was published in 1861, with the printers' device appearing on the title pages. The second printing was published in 1862, using copies of the first printing, with new title pages not including the printers' device. The device, with an illustration of a bear and a gazelle, alludes to the names of the printers – R. Dov Berish Luria and R. Tzvi Hirsh Sperling.