Complete Set of Midrash Rabbah with Peirush Mahari by HaRav Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov
First Edition. Distinguished Provenance.
Sefer Segulah!
Lvov, 1874–1875
Midrash Rabbah, 4 parts, with Matanos Kehunah and the “Peirush Mahari” — a new commentary in the path of Sod and Kabbalah, based on the Zohar HaKadosh and the writings of the Arizal — by the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov.
The commentary of the Rav of Ziditchov on the Midrash was especially precious in his eyes, as testified by his sons in their introduction. It is for this reason that this sefer was the first of his holy writings to be brought to print.
The printing was undertaken by the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Weiss of Svaliava and Munkatch, who toiled to transcribe the sefer from the author’s manuscript. In his introduction at the beginning of the first part, he attests that many of these holy teachings are rooted in the foundational principles of the author’s rebbe and uncle, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchov.
This copy belonged to the brother of the publisher, Rabbi Mordechai Weiss of Munkatch, whose signatures appear on two of the title pages. There are numerous signatures throughout, along with family notations written in the hand of his son, Rabbi Chaim Avraham. See below regarding the connections of the distinguished Weiss family to the holy author.
Four parts in two volumes, all in its entirety.
Part I: Bereishis, 1874. [4], 136 leaves
Part II: Shemos and Vayikra, 1874. [2], 67; 54, [1] leaf
Part III: Bamidbar and Devarim, 1874. [1], 91; 26 leaves
Part IV: The Five Megillos, 1875. [2], 136 leaves
Sefer Segulah
At the beginning of the sefer there is an introduction by the six sons and son-in-law of the author, who write:
“And you — draw forth and bring into your home the blessings of Heaven, and let this be for you a safeguard and a good and blessed remembrance. May the merit of our master and father, of blessed and holy memory, protect you and your children.”
Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov (1805 – 1873) was a holy man of G-d who led a following of thousands. He was well-versed in all aspects of Talmud, Midrash and Kabbala and testified about himself that he studied the sefer ‘Pri Eitz Chaim’ over a hundred times. He was well versed in the sefarim of his holy rebbi Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov. He dedicated his entire life to Torah and to serving Hashem and prayed and brought about great blessing and abundance for the Jewish people. His commentaries of the Hidden Torah were written while wrapped in tallis and tefillin. His written legacy includes ‘Biur Mahari’ on Midrash Rabba, as well as ‘Likutei Torah VehaShas’.
Lvov, 1874–1875. First Edition. Condition: Overall good. Minor repairs and holes, small tears on several leaves. Beautiful new leather bindings.
Bibliography: Stefansky Chassidus, no. 336.
The Weiss family was closely connected with the holy author: one brother, Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Weiss, published the present Midrash Rabbah; another brother, Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi Weiss, was accustomed to travel to the author and it was the author himself who conferred leadership upon the son of Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi – the Imrei Yosef of Spinka, as told by the Chakal Yitzchak in his introduction.
The Imrei Yosef was also the one who published parts of the sefer ‘Likutei Torah VehaShas by the author (see his words below).
The present Midrash Rabbah with Peirush Mahari belonged to the third brother — Rabbi Mordechai Weiss of Munkatch (d. 1895), who in his youth moved to Eretz Yisrael and eventually served as the Ra’avad of the chassidic community in Teveria.
From the words of the Imrei Yosef in his introduction to ‘Likutei Torah VehaShas’ on Devarim:
"It is well known that when our holy Rebbe, of blessed memory, delivered Torah in public, he brought down an abundance of livelihood and success to the Jewish people. Therefore, when his holy sefer spreads throughout the world — and it is known that tzaddikim are even greater after their passing than in their life — may it be the will of our Father in Heaven that the pride of Yisrael be uplifted, and that all those who believe in Hashem and His holy Torah and in the tzaddikim should see their mazal and fortune rise, be blessed with abundant livelihood and success, and that no harm should befall them, Heaven forbid. May we merit to ascend to Tzion with joy, speedily in our days, Amen…"
