Avodat HaKodesh - Lemberg, 1849. Rare Copy. Signed by the Admo"r Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Toib of Razleh

Avodat HaKodesh - Lemberg, 1849. Rare Copy. Signed by the Admo"r Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Toib of Razleh

Kabbalistic book by kabbalist Rabbi Meir ibn Gabbai. Lemberg, 1848-9. Four parts with four "gates." Copy which belonged to the Admo"r Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Toib of Razleh.

Handwritten notation by the Admo"r on the flyleaf: "This sefer, Avodot HaKodesh, belongs to me, the youth Pinchas Chaim Toib son of the local Av Beit Din, z"l, and grandson of the Rabbi of Komárno, shlit"a. There is a similar handwritten notation written again of the same leaf, and a third time at the end of the book. The Admo"r's stamp on the title page: Pinchas Chaim Toib Av Beit Din of Rozdil." Another stamp: "Moshe Ezra Toib son of the tzaddik of Razleh, son-in-law of the tzaddik of Kolomyya, shlit"a."

The Admo"r Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Toib of Razleh, born in 1867, was a grandson of Rabbi Eliezer Tzvi of Komárno, from whom he received the bulk of his education. As a child, he knew his mother's grandfather, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komárno. He moved to Linsk after his wedding. There was a fire in Linsk in 1887, after which he returned to Razleh. That same year, his father passed away and he was appointed his successor in the city's rabbinate at 19 years of age. He received Chassidut from Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga of Shinowa, from his uncle Rabbi Yehudah Tzvi of Startin and from Rabbi Ya'akov Moshe of Komárno. Despite the fact that he himself traveled to the tzaddikim of Chassidism, Chassidim began to gather around him and accept his leadership. He became famous for his greatness in Torah and especially in kabbalistic wisdom. He was known to be an expert in all kabbalistic literature. He was honored and admired by all the rabbinic leaders and tzaddikim of his generation. Rabbi Elimelech of Bluzhov called him "once-in-a-generation" and Rabbi Yisrael of Vizhnitz would dress in Shabbat finery in his honor. He authored many books, and they have all remained in manuscript. He passed away in the middle of 1866. His life story appears in Aveidat HaPerach [Marghita, 1936]. Also refer to Encyclopedia L'Chassidut III, 550-551.

His son Rabbi Moshe Ezra was the Admo"r of Somash-Ivar, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut III, 368.

Rare, special copy: The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book lists the first part as being printed without a title page. The National Library has several incomplete copies of the book, and the catalog states: Apparently part I was printed without a title page. The copy before us has a title page, and on its reverse, the approbation of Rabbi Anzil Tzezmer of Satira, renowned disciple of the author of Ketzot HaChoshen who edited his book Avnei Miluim; author of Shu"t Maharia"z.

[1] 49 [should be 45], 20, 25-65 [should be 69], [1], 103, [1] 58 leaves. 20 cm.

Fine condition. Simple binding. Minimal worming perforations in the white margins.