Lengthy letter (2 pages) handwritten and signed by R. Alexander Moshe Lapidot, Rabbi of Grodno. "Grodno in Achorei Nahar" (Vorstadt), Av 1863.

Torah letter addressed to R. Yehoshua Heshel HaLevi Levin of Volozhin, author of Aliyot Eliyahu. At the beginning of the letter, R. Alexander Moshe encourages R. Yehoshua to continue the publication of the Peleitat Sofrim periodical (a Torah periodical R. Yehoshua had initiated in 1847, but managed to publish the first issue only in 1863, and for various reasons it was also the last issue). R. Alexander Moshe expresses surprise at the delay in publication, and encourages him to continue to publish, praising his efforts.

R. Alexander Moshe writes Torah novellae (apparently to be printed in the next issue), commenting on an idea of the Gaon of Kutno.

He goes on to comment on an idea of R. Shmuel Salant published in HaLevanon regarding the laws of eating matzah (this discussion was printed during R. Alexander Moshe's lifetime in Kevod HaLevanon, in a correspondence with R. Shmuel Salant). After his signature, R. Alexander Moshe comments further on the HaTevunah periodical of R. Yisrael Salanter, regarding testimony by document.

R. Alexander Moshe Lapidot (1819-1906), an outstanding Torah scholar in his times and one of the leaders of Orthodox Jewry in Lithuania, R. Yisrael Salanter's right-hand man and a founder of the Musar movement. Disciple of R. Hirsh Broide in the Salant yeshiva and R. Avraham Abele Poswoler Rabbi of Vilna. At the age of 17, he was appointed Rabbi of Jonava; later served as Rabbi of the Vorstadt suburb of Grodno; and in 1866, became Rabbi of Raseiniai, a position he held for 40 years until his death. An exceptional Torah genius and one of the greatest authors of responsa in his time, he joined current leaders in dealing with the problems confronting Russian Jewry and the continuous struggle to maintain the Jewish way of life. He was one of those who attempted to arbitrate the dispute in the Volozhin yeshiva. In his youth, he became close to R. Yisrael Salanter, who exerted a large influence on him and gained him as one of his great supporters. He defended the Musar movement from opposition and was a significant contributor to its spread in the Lithuanian yeshivas. He was a close assistant in R. Yisrael Salanter's great endeavors; and became one of the founders of the Perushim kollel in Kovno. He joined R. Yisrael Salanter, the Chafetz Chaim and R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, in publishing Etz Pri (Vilna, 1881) as part of his efforts to improve attitudes towards those who study Torah.

The present letter is a remnant of the Torah teachings of one of the greatest poskim of his times. Most of the present letter has been printed (apparently from the present manuscript) in Sefer HaZikaron LeMaran Baal HaPachad Yitzchak (Jerusalem, 1984, pp. 623-625, sections 3-4) and Torat Rabbeinu Alexander Moshe Lapidot (Lakewood, 2006).

[1] double leaf. 20 cm. Two written pages. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear, creases and tears. Second leaf repaired with tape.

Three postcards, with letters from Hungarian rabbis, disciples of the Shevet Sofer, addressed to their teacher, R. David Yehudah Baum, dayan and posek in Nové Mesto.

• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yeshayah Kalisch, posek of Pressburg, Sivan 1914.

• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yisrael Reich, Rabbi of Bátorove Kosihy. 1909.

• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Kalman Golderberger. Nyírjákó, 1891.

R. Yeshayah Kalisch, dayan and posek of Pressburg (1883-1944; perished in the Holocaust) was a disciple of the Shevet Sofer in the Pressburg yeshiva, R. Yeshayah Ehrenfeld Rabbi of Šurany, the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs and R. Yitzchak Shmelkes Rabbi of Lviv. Son-in-law of R. Yehudah Leib Friedman, head of the Pressburg Beit Din (1863-1919). In 1913, he was dayan in Pressburg and disseminated Torah in the Talmud society and Pressburg yeshiva. He succeeded R. David Wessely as head posek in Pressburg in 1942.

R. Yisrael Reich, Rabbi of Bátorove Kosihy (Bátorkeszi; 1862-1933), son of R. Yaakov Koppel Reich, Rabbi of Budapest. Disciple of the Shevet Sofer.

R. Kalonymus Kalman Goldberger (ca. 1866-1943; perished in the Holocaust), author of Devar Emet. An extraordinary Torah scholar, disciple of the Chatan Sofer, Shevet Sofer and R. Michael Hoffman, the Dayan of Pupa.

The recipient of the letters,
R. David Yehudah Baum (1865-1918), author of Minchat Yehudah. Disciple of the Shevet Sofer in Pressburg and the Kol Aryeh Rabbi of Mád. Son-in-law of R. Yisrael Isserl Tauber, disciple of the Chatam Sofer, whom he succeeded as dayan, posek and Torah disseminator in Nové Mesto.

3 postcards. 14 cm. Good condition. Stains.

Assorted collection of handwritten leaves, from various locations and times, including Torah novellae, sermons, prayers, piyyutim, tikunim, Tenaim document, letters and copies of letters, receipts and other documents.

See Hebrew description for a partial list of contents.

10 items. Varying size and condition.

Tuv HaAretz, on the spiritual virtues of Eretz Israel, by R. Natan Shapiro of Jerusalem. Venice: Vendramina, [1655]. First edition.

Preface by proofreader, R. Moshe Zacuto. Includes commentary to the mishnayot of Tractate Kelim dealing with the ten levels of holiness and Tikun Chatzot, Tikun Leil Shavuot and Tikun Leil Hoshana Rabba.

R. Natan son of Reuven Shapiro (Maharnash, d. 1666 or 1667), a leading kabbalist and editor of the Arizal's writings. Immigrated from Cracow to Jerusalem, where he was appointed Rabbi of the Ashkenazic community. Embarked as emissary of Eretz Israel to Italy, and passed away in Reggio.

[4], 76 leaves. Leaf 40 bound out of place, after leaf 44. Approx 15 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Light wear. Some tears, including small open tear to title page, slightly affecting title frame. New binding.

CB, no. 6644, 1; Zedner, p. 609; Roest, p. 899.

Shaarei Tzion, kabbalistic prayers and tikunim, by R. Natan Nata Hannover. Prague: grandsons of Moshe Katz, 1692.

Ownership inscriptions on title page.

1, 3-31, 33-34, 36-40 leaves. Lacking three leaves: 2, 32, 35. 18 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Light wear. Marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired with paper filling. Close trimming, affecting headers in several places, and slightly affecting title frame and text. New binding.

CB, no. 6637, 11; Zedner, p. 448.