Ateret Tzvi by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov – Three Parts – Lviv, 1834-1841 – First Edition

Ateret Tzvi by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov – Three Parts – Lviv, 1834-1841 – First Edition
Ateret Tzvi, commentary on the Zohar, by Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov – "Sar Beit HaZohar", Part I on Bereshit, Part II on Shemot and Part III on Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. [Lviv, 1834-1841?]. First edition.
Three parts in two volumes. Separate title page to each part.
The work was printed over several years. Part I was printed in 1834, as implied by the chronogram in the publisher's words on verso of the title page. Part III was printed next (based on the words of the publisher: "I trust in the kindness of G-d… to soon print the book of Shemot as well…"). Apparently, Part II was printed in 1841 (since the approbation of R. Aharon Moshe Taubes is signed "Rabbi of Iasi" and he was appointed rabbi of Iasi in 1841).
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Eichenstein, the Ateret Tzvi of Zidichov (1763-1831, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 596-599), was known by the name "Sar Beit HaZohar" due to his exceptional knowledge of kabbalah. From a young age, he was renowned as an outstanding genius whose knowledge encompassed all facets of the Torah. A close disciples of the Chozeh of Lublin, he also travelled to other Chassidic masters, such as R. Moshe Leib of Sassov, R. Yisrael the Maggid of Kozhnitz, R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov and R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta. After the passing of his teacher, the Chozeh of Lublin, in 1815, Zidichov thrived under the leadership of R. Tzvi Hirsh, becoming one of the largest and most prominent Chassidic centers in Galicia. He was highly venerated, this being expressed in the exceptional praise he received from tzaddikim of his generation. The Malbim, although not a Chassid, studied kabbalah under him.
A glimpse of his profound kabbalistic knowledge is revealed in his book Ateret Tzvi on the Zohar. The title was not given by R. Tzvi Hirsh, but rather by the editor and publisher, R. Yosef HaKohen Rappaport, who also published R. Tzvi Hirsh's other writings. R. Yosef Rappaport was the son-in-law of R. Yechiel Michel, R. Tzvi Hirsh's only son, who died in his father's lifetime.
Other famed compositions of R. Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov are: Sur MeRa V'Aseh Tov, also known as "Hakdamah VeDerech L'Etz HaChaim", which serves as an introduction to the book Etz Chaim by R. Chaim Vital, and contains additions by R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar; Beit Yisrael; and Pri Kodesh Hillulim – an introduction and commentary to the book Pri Etz Chaim on the kavanot in prayer.
Stamps of Rebbe "Menachem David Hager" – Rebbe of Shotz Vizhnitz-Haifa. Handwritten gloss on f. 82 in Vol. I.
Two volumes. Vol. I: [1], 83, 85-152 leaves (Bereshit). Vol. II: [1], 54 leaves (Shemot); [1], 50 leaves (VaYikra-Devarim). 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text in several places (some worming covered with tape). Some tears. New leather bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 460. For further information about the book, see: A. Segal, VeAl Derech HaAvodah, Jerusalem 2011, pp. 101-120.