Tehillim – Safed, 1833 – Printed by Rabbi Yisrael Bak

Tehillim – Safed, 1833 – Printed by Rabbi Yisrael Bak

Tehillim, with the Beurei Zohar and Metzudat Tzion commentaries. Safed: R. Yisrael Bak, [1833].

One of the first books printed by R. Yisrael Bak in Safed, about one year after he established his printing press in the city.

The printer of Berditchev, R. Yisrael Bak (1797-1874), a disciple of the Chassidic masters R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin. At a young age he established a printing press in Berditchev, where he was active for about nine years. Following his immigration to Eretz Israel, ca. 1831, he settled in Safed, where he established a printing press. After the great 1837 earthquake which completely destroyed the town, he established the first Hebrew printing press in Jerusalem, and the only press in the city for over 20 years.

On verso of title page, introduction of printer R. Yisrael Bak: "As for all the buyers who purchase and expend their gold and silver on the books printed here in the Holy Land, and especially the books of Tehillim with the Zohar which one should keep close at hand, may G-d save them from all distress, damage and anxiety…". Another lengthy introduction by the publisher, R. Gershon Margaliot, telling how he begged R. Yisrael Bak not to print the kabbalistic Beurei Zohar by itself but rather next to the Tehillim verses, as it was in fact eventually printed.

Kavanat HaMeshorer is printed at the beginning of each Psalm. The volume also contains prayers recited before and after reading Tehillim on weekdays, Shabbat, Yom Tov and Hoshana Rabba night and a prayer on behalf of the sick and order of Pidyon Nefesh.

Ownership inscriptions and dedication on endpaper and title page, and stamp on endpaper of R. Menachem Mendel Diesendruck (1902-1974), rabbi of the Sephardic community of Lisbon and rabbi of the Sephardic Beit Yaakov community in São Paulo.

[4], 152 leaves. 15 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Small open tear to title page, not affecting text. Early binding, with leather spine. Wear and damage to binding (front part of binding partially detached).