Raza Meheimna – Lviv, 1791 – First Edition – Signature of the Miracle-Worker, Rebbe Meir Yosef Rubin of Kerestir

Raza Meheimna – Lviv, 1791 – First Edition – Signature of the Miracle-Worker, Rebbe Meir Yosef Rubin of Kerestir
Raza Meheimna, kabbalistic secrets of the Hebrew alphabet, by the kabbalist R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi of Żurawica. Lviv, [1791]. First edition.
Copy of the miracle-worker Rebbe Meir Yosef Rubin of Kerestir. His signature (in pencil) appears on the title page: "Meir Rubin". His stamps appear on the title page and on other leaves: "Meir Yosef Rubin of Bodrogkeresztúr".
Handwritten gloss on p. 4b. 
The author, kabbalist R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi (d. 1783), was a shochet and bodek in Żurawica, a village near Przemyśl. In the approbations to this book, the author is described as a hidden tzaddik who lived in utter poverty in seclusion in the forest, passionately and fervently serving G-d. The author of Brit Kehunat Olam recounted that "tears would stream from his eyes when slaughtering an animal". R. Yitzchak Eizek is said to have requested of the Yismach Moshe (who in his youth lived in nearby Przemyśl) that he come and study kabbalah under his tutelage, however, the Yismach Moshe was not well acquainted with him and refused. R. Yitzchak Eizek was dispirited by the refusal of the Yismach Moshe and therefore, before his death, instructed that all his kabbalistic writings be buried with him because the world is not worthy of them. After his passing, the Yismach Moshe greatly regretted his refusal and, wishing to do good to the soul of the author, arranged that his writings be copied and those copies be buried in his grave, leaving the original manuscripts to be prepared for print. The Yismach Moshe himself oversaw the copying, editing and printing of this book (see preface of the publisher and Tehilla L'Moshe, Sighet 1906, pp. 3b-4a).
Rebbe Yosef Meir Rubin (murdered in Auschwitz in 1944), was the son-in-law of Rebbe Avraham Steiner of Kerestir (son of the renowned Rebbe Yeshaya of Kerestir). He was appointed Rebbe in 1927 after his father-in-law's passing. The many salvations he achieved and his blessings that were fulfilled are recounted in the book Batei Avot (Part III, Jerusalem 1965), written by his disciples. He was accustomed to blessing everyone with "children, longevity, abundant livelihood and all good blessings". The author of Batei Avot relates that during WWII, he received a note from his teacher the rebbe, with the following: "Much protection in each corner you go, you should merit returning home in peace". He attested that this note protected him from all harm, like an amulet, during his internment in concentration and extermination camps.
[4], 73 leaves. 23 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Worming. Marginal tears to the last five leaves, affecting the text of the last leaf, repaired (the lacking text on the last leaf was replaced in photocopy). New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 535.