Tikunei Zohar – Zhitomir, 1863 – Glosses Handwritten by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Ze'ev Leibowitz

Tikunei Zohar – Zhitomir, 1863 – Glosses Handwritten by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Ze'ev Leibowitz
Tikunei Zohar. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, 1863.
The book opens with an approbation by R. Aharon of Chernobyl (mechutan of R. Yehoshua Heshel), in praise of the printers and of this superior edition, in which mistakes which had crept into previous editions were corrected. The approbation concludes with blessings for "lengthy and good years, and may G-d shower you with goodness, both in material and spiritual matters, with sons, life and plentiful sustenance, Amen".
This copy belonged to the kabbalist R. Yehuda Ze'ev Leibowitz, who annotated it with his lengthy kabbalistic glosses. The glosses are written in his distinctive handwriting, in both cursive and square script, and many include his signature. His glosses contain commentaries from various kabbalistic sources, including the Zohar, the writings of the Arizal, the Remak, the Remez and foremost Chassidic leaders. Some of his glosses cite commentaries and Torah thoughts heard from other kabbalists, including the Baal HaSulam, R. Moshe Yair Weinstock, R. Yosef Weinstock and others. A gloss on p. 120a beginning: "I once wrote to the kabbalist R. Moshe Yair Weinstock…", signed "Yehuda Ze'ev Leibowitz". Some other glosses are signed "Yehuda Ze'ev", "Yehuda Ze'ev son of Golda" or his initials "Y.Z.L".
A penciled inscription on the title page: "R. Yosef Weinstock".
R. Yehuda Ze'ev Leibowitz (1921-2010), disciple of the Baal HaSulam, was a hidden Tzaddik of the generation. An outstanding Torah scholar, both in hidden and revealed realms. His writings were published in the books Kol Yehuda Baal HaKetavim, VeZot LiYehuda, Yizal Mayim MiDaleyav, Or Levi Ziv Yehuda, and others. Born in Satmar, he studied under Rebbe Yoel of Satmar and R. Yehuda Rosner Rabbi of Sekelhid, author of Imrei Yehuda. After surviving the Holocaust, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, and upon the advice of the Chazon Ish, worked at nights in paving roads, living alone in a single room apartment in Tel Aviv. He joined there a group of kabbalists studying under R. Yehuda Leib Ashlag the Baal HaSulam – R. Yehuda Tzvi Brandwein, R. Moshe Yair Weinstock and R. Yosef Weinstock. In contrast to them, he remained anonymous for many years, yet maintained close ties with the foremost Torah leaders, rabbis and rebbes of the generation, such as Rebbe Aharon Rokeach of Belz, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam of Sanz-Klausenburg, and others, who held him in high esteem and considered him one of the thirty-six hidden Tzaddikim. For many years, he succeeded in concealing his greatness, yet in his final years, when he resided close to his relatives in Bnei Brak, numerous stories of wonders he had performed began circulating, and many flocked to him in quest of blessings and salvation.
[2], 182 leaves. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Worming to title page and other leaves. First leaves detached. Tears and minor damage to several leaves. Without binding.