"The Tehillim of the Frankfurter" – Annotations of His Son-in-Law, the Holy Gaon Rabbi Shalom of Komarna ZYA"A – The Copy Used for Learning by the Holy Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Moshe of Komarna Together with His Grandson, Rabbi Baruch HY"D
A Tehillim with commentary from Rashi and the Zohar, edited by Rabbi Moshe Gillertner, printed in Piotrków, 5665 (1905).
These sacred Tehillim originate from the collection of the holy Gaon, Rabbi Yisrael Perlow, known as Der Frankfurter, and were gifted to his son-in-law, the holy Gaon Rabbi Shalom Safrin of Komarna ZYA"A. Rabbi Shalom annotated its margins with his insights and later entrusted it to his son, the young Baruch, who studied from it together with his grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe of Komarna. In later years, Rabbi Shalom gifted these Tehillim to the renowned kabbalist, the holy tzaddik Rabbi Yechezkel Fish of Mátészalka ZYA"A.
A Treasured Volume from the Frankfurter’s Library
Inside the sefer, an inscription in the holy handwriting of the Komarna Rebbe attests to its origins:
"This I have received from the sacred library of my revered father-in-law, the holy tzaddik, the rabbi of all Israel, ZT"L…"
Annotations of the Komarna Rebbe
This Tehillim was exceptionally beloved by the Komarna Rebbe, and he adorned its margins with his handwritten glosses.
The Tehillim Used for Learning by Rabbi Baruch Safrin with His Grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe of Komarna
At a certain point, this Tehillim was in the possession of the
holy Gaon Rabbi Baruch Safrin (who even signed it, with a signature that appears to be from his childhood). During these formative years, he learned Tehillim daily with his grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Safrin, explaining the straightforward meaning of the pesukim. Several explanations from these sessions have been preserved:
"When the holy Rabbi Baruch HY"D reached the age of mitzvos, a chossid asked him: ‘Baruch, now that you are bar mitzvah, how will you conduct yourself?’ Rabbi Baruch answered, ‘I already know! My grandfather learns Tehillim with me daily, so I know what to do!’ He then continued, ‘Let me tell you how my grandfather learns with me…’" (Shalsheles Komarna, p. 479).
It is highly likely that this is the very Tehillim in which they studied daily!
A Gift to the Author of Lev Yechezkel
Inside the sefer is an emotional dedication from the Komarna Rebbe, presenting it as an everlasting memento:
"With great and eternal love… this is given as an eternal remembrance…"
Next to the dedication, Rabbi Yechezkel Fish inscribed that he received this precious gift.
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The Holy Gaon Rabbi Shalom of Komarna ZT"L (5653–5697 / 1893–1937)
The son of the holy Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Moshe of Komarna, he was a tzaddik of exalted holiness. After being chosen as a son-in-law by the Frankfurter, he lived near him and absorbed Torah from his father-in-law and from his grandfather, the holy Gaon Rabbi David of Zlotopol. In 5689 (1929), after the passing of his father, he succeeded him as Rebbe. He was renowned for his righteousness, immense acts of chessed, and the many miracles and salvations people experienced through his brachos. He constantly spoke about the importance of teshuvah. In 5697 (1937), he traveled to the Tziyun of the Noam Elimelech in Lizhensk, where he fell ill and passed away. His brother-in-law was the holy Gaon, the Minchas Elazar of Munkatch ZYA"A (his father’s son-in-law).
The Holy Gaon Rabbi Baruch Safrin of Komarna HY"D (5673–5703 / 1913–1943)
The last Rebbe of Komarna before the war, he was unique in his conduct, blending the Torah he received from his grandfather, the Frankfurter, with that of his father and grandfather of Komarna. He delivered Torah discourses at his sacred tisch, some in the revealed tradition of Komarna and others in the hidden mystical path of Karlin. He gave his life to help Klal Yisrael during the horrors of World War II, refusing to abandon his chassidim and escape. He was murdered al kiddush Hashem on Shavuos, 5703 (1943). His manuscript on Yoreh Deah was lost during the war.
The Holy Gaon and Kabbalist Rabbi Yechezkel Fish of Mátészalka HY"D, Author of Lev Yechezkel (5645–5704 / 1885–1944)
A man of G-d, a righteous and holy individual, he was the preeminent disciple of the holy Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Safrin of Komarna, who taught him the secrets of Kabbalah. He served as Rav in Mátészalka, succeeding his father, the holy Gaon Rabbi Aharon Yeshaya Fish, Av Beis Din of Hadass. He practiced extreme asceticism, engaging in frequent fasts and self-afflictions. As the Holocaust neared, he spoke often about the obligation for every Jew to be ready to give his life for kiddush Hashem if necessary. Indeed, this righteous man foresaw what was to come, and on the 23rd of Nissan, 5704 (1944), he was taken to the concentration camps, where he was murdered by our enemies, HY"D. His Torah was published in Lev Yechezkel on the Haggadah.
It is related that after the birth of Der Frankfurter, his grandfather, the Beis Aharon, told his son Rabbi Asher:
"This child will not be seen learning excessively (like his grandfather), nor will he be seen immersed in mikvaos (like his father). And yet—he will be greater than both of us!"
