Pri Toar, commentary on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah (a response to Sefer Pri Chadash), authored by the holy Rabbeinu Chaim ben Atar, Baal Or HaChaim, printed in Zolkiew, 1810 – Second Edition.
On the front pages, multiple inscriptions in a fine script state:
"This sacred sefer belongs to the holy Rav, Moreinu HaRav Kalonymus Kalman Segal Epstein of Krakow…
" – referring to the ‘Maor VaShemesh’, Zy”a. One inscription even includes his name with the blessing of life, "N.Y.", suggesting it was recorded during his lifetime.
A partial signature on the title page reads
"Kalman" – possibly
his personal signature, though no other known examples exist for verification. While not definitive, the possibility remains open.
The ‘Maor VaShemesh’ was deeply immersed in Or HaChaim and engaged in pilpul with his teachings in his own sefer, Maor VaShemesh. It is therefore very likely that he studied this very sefer with kedushah and taharah.
Rabbeinu HaKadosh Baal ‘Maor VaShomesh’
Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Halevi Epstein (1751-1823) was one of the greatest tzaddikim of all time, a leading disciple of Rabbeinu HaKadosh, the Noam Elimelech of Lizhensk, as well as Rebbe Mendel of Rimanov, the Chozeh of Lublin, and others. The Noam Elimelech himself crowned him as a Rebbe, and he became one of the foremost spreaders of Chassidus in Poland.
Following persecution from misnagdim, including a cherem against Chassidus, he relocated with his flock to Neustadt, where he established his great Beis Medrash. His tzidkus and ruach hakodesh were legendary, as were his wondrous mofsim. His sefer, Maor VaShemesh, remains a cornerstone of Chassidus.
Who will ascend in holiness and bring brachah into his home with this treasured sefer, which was toiled over by a tzaddik—a vessel of kedushah, a shield of protection, and a source of yeshuah and rachamim!
