Tehillim Tzfas, Printed by Rabbi Yisrael Beck
Tzfas, 1833
150 chapters of Tehillim composed by David Hamelech, with Biurei Zohar and Metzudas Tzion commentaries.
This was the first Sefer Tehillim printed in Eretz Yisrael, nearly 400 years after the beginning of the Printing Revolution.
This edition of Tehillim was the first sefer printed in Eretz Yisrael that included the sacred teachings of the Baal Shem Tov’s talmidim!
The Tehillim was printed by the holy Rabbi Gershon Margalios, who led the congregation of Chassidim in Tzfas. Rabbi Gershon Margalios was the son-in-law of the Admor of Zlotchov and publisher of his sefarim ‘Mevaser Tzedek’ and ‘Bas Eini’.
Printed at the end of this Sefer Tehillim is the Sefer Pidyon Nefesh copied from ‘Likutim Yekarim’ (Lvov, 1792), which was one of the earliest Chassidic sefarim printed.
In his preface, Rabbi Gershon Margalios cites several Chassidic sefarim, including ‘Iggeres Hakodesh’ and ‘Likutei Amarim’, and mentions that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev yearned to print the ‘Biurei Zohar’ commentary which appears in this sefer.
The ‘Biurei Zohar’ commentary was copied from the sefer ‘Tamim Yachdav’ (Lublin, 1592). Tzaddikim throughout the generations extolled the praises of this commentary, noting that merely reading the commentary without understanding it still “encompass the segulah to annul all judgment” (see preface).
This sefer was printed al taharas hakodesh by the illustrious chassid Rabbi Yisrael Beck of Tzfas which is a “holy, pure place” (preface).
Tzfas, 1833. First edition of Biurei Zohar commentary with Tehillim. Page Count: [4], 152 leaves.
Pocket Size: Only 14.3 cm!
Condition: Good; adhesions on inner margins and several stains. Margins restored on 4 first leaves. Ornate new leather binding.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Chassidus #596
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev’s Yearning to Print the Commentary: “Seeing the Glory of Hashem Within”
The Biurei Zohar commentary was copied from the sefer ‘Tamim Yachdav’. In his preface, Rabbi Gershon Margalios attests firsthand that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev fervently desired to print this commentary. He relates that the holy Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev once visited his home and “it was his holy way…to seek and search, as perhaps he would find a sefer that would appease his soul. When he reached the sefer ‘Tamim Yachdav’, he saw the glory of Hashem within it…and he [said] that he would be delighted… to print it.”
Rabbi Gershon averred that he wanted to be the one to arrange the printing. Ultimately it wasn’t until many years later, in 1833, that Rabbi Gershon was finally able to print the commentary in the present Tehillim, thus fulfilling the sacred desire of his holy master, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
