Sefer Karnaim an ancient kabbalistic work with Dan Yadin commentary by Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli. Includes also Likutei Shoshanim, a collection of writings by Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli.


Zolkova, 1709. First edition. Uncommon title page style – flower border.


Title page & flyleaf with several ownership inscriptions attesting ownership by the famous Holy Kabbalist Rabbi Nosson son of R. Simon Hacohen Adler of Frankfurt. With two short marginal notations in his holy hand. Original vellum binding also has his ownership inscription.


Authenticated by the famous maven Harav Shmerel Zitronenbaum.

This sefer contains the first print of Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli’s famous letter containing the secrets of “Detzach, Adash, B’Achav" known as a special segulah to read the letter on Erev Pesach .

There is a famous segulah to recite the Iggeres Hakodesh by the saintly kabbalist Harav Shimshon of Ostropoli Hy”d on Erev Pesach. The letter describes a revelation he received in a dream regarding the simanim of the Ten Plagues and acronyms ‘Detzach, Adash, B’Achav.’

This sacred letter was printed in countless Haggados with the brief introduction: “This Letter is a great and wondrous secret, and…one who peruses this marvelous secret in depth even once a year and specifically on Erev Pesach is promised that he shall be spared any stumbling block, bizarre death or sin, and his enemies shall not overcome him, and his enemies shall fall before him, and he shall succeed in all his endeavors…”

[28] leaves. 17.5 Cm.

Overall in Good Condition, old paper repair to reverse of title page, stains & ink stains, hole in the margins of the title page & last 2 pages caused by the catches of the binding, original vellum binding lacking the catches.


Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli Hy”d (1600-1648) was one of the greatest kabbalists of all times. He was murdered in shul al kiddush Hashem during the Chmielnicki massacres in 1648 while wrapped in tallis and tefillin. His descendants include illustrious Chassidic figures such as the Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Rabbi Yaakov Shimon of Shepitovka, Rabbi Meshulam Feivish of Zbarazh, Galicia, and Rabbi Chaim of Kossov.


The Bnei Yissachar who quotes Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli in his seferim dozens of times, expressed that the lofty secrets revealed by this sefer warrant the recitation of the brachah “Baruch…shechalak me’chochmaso l’yereav” (Sur Me’ra Va’asei Tov #12, Comments).



The great Gaon Rabbi Nosson son of R. Simon Hacohen Adler (1741 - 1800) was a prominent and holy Kabbalist and a renowned miracle worker. He was the teacher and mentor of the Chasam Sofer who admired and revered Rabbi Nosson as evident in his eulogy. He said: "He achieved the complete purpose of Chassidus and prishus (abstinence)… and all gates of Torah were open before him." The Chasam Sofer attested that at the time of the great fire in Frankfurt, the fire did not near Rabbi Nosson\'s home. The Chasam Sofer\'s son, Rabbi Shimon Sofer recounts that he once described Rabbi Nosson as "an angel of G-d, " to which the Chasam Sofer objected and said: "Why did you write about Rabbi Nosson \'angel of G-d?\' No angel has ever reached this level and no angel has merited what the rebbi [Rabbi Nosson] merited." He also titled him \'\'Hachasid SheBekeunah\'\'


Rabbeinu the Chida said that the verse "הנה נא ידעתי כי איש אלקים קדוש הוא עובר עלינו תמיד" refers to him. Maran the Chasam Sofer titled him "החסיד שבכהונה".


Rabbi Nathan Adler was the disciple of the author of the Pnei Yehoshua and Rabbi Moshe Ropf. His leading teacher was Rabbi David Katz Schiff, who eventually became the Ashkenazic Rav of London. He studied kabbalah with Rabbi Avraham Abush who was the Rav of Frankfurt.

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Lot #17

Sefer Karnayim with Dan Yadin Commentary by Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli- Copy of the Holy Kabbalist Rabbi Nosson Adler with his notations. First Edition. Zolkova 1709. Very Rare!

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