Siddur Chemdas Yisroel – A Sacred Siddur of the Rebbe of Vitka, Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Landau
Sidur Chemdas Yisroel. Kabbalistic prayer book contains the kavonos of the holy Ari, as arranged by Rabbi Shmuel Vital, the son of Rabbi Chaim Vital. It was published by the "Minchas Elozor" of Munkacs, based on an ancient handwritten manuscript received from the holy Rebbe of Sieniawa, who instructed him to prepare it for printing. Before that, it was in the possession of the esteemed Gaon the Chida. Published in Munkacs 1901. First edition.
On the title page there is two signatures of the Admor of Vitka.
This sacred prayer book is adorned with warm approbations of great Admorim, expressing the significance of this prayer book. Including the
Admor Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz, the Darchei Teshuvah of Munkacs, Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi of Dallin, and more.
As expressed by the Imrei Yosef of Spinka: “I advise with faith that acquiring this siddur will bring excellent protection from all harm and disease, and abundant blessings and success in one’s life and livelihood.”
And in the words of The Admor Rabbi Yosef of Kosson: “A Segulah for body and soul to be guarded from all distress and harm by having this holy Siddur in One’s Home.”
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The holy Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Landau, Admor and Av Beit Din of Vitka, was born in 1880 to his father, Rabbi Moshe Dov Landau, the Rav of Veretzky, and the son-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Weinberger, the Av Beit Din of Bogad. In his youth, he sought the guidance of the holy Shinyever Ruv the Divrei Yecheskel ZY”A, and after his passing, became an ardent follower of his son, the holy Tchechnever Ruv ZY”A, immersing himself in his teachings. While still young, he was accepted to the Av Beis Din of Vitka in Hungary, where he established his yeshiva and studied with outstanding students. After World War I, he moved his residence from Vitka to Niredhazi, where he had his own Shul, and the Chassidim in the city prayed by him. He also founded a yeshiva there, continuing to disseminate Torah to worthy students. His conduct in holiness was well-known and famous, and it was said of him that he did not taste sleep in a bed for more than 45 years. He had a special chair on which he would recline at night, and every night, at the same hour, he would go to the mikveh. He was known for his intense concentration during his studies, oblivious to the surroundings. He passed away in 1944, together with the holy Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer of Ratzfert, may their memory be blessed.
