Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Displaying 265 - 276 of 302
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $300
Sold for: $450
Including buyer's premium
Seder Mishnah, Part I, on the Rambam's Sefer HaMada, by R. Binyamin Wolf Boskowitz, Rabbi of Kolín and Bonyhád (son of R. Shmuel Kelin, the Machatzit HaShekel). Prague, 1820. First edition, published by the author's son some two years after his death in 1818.
On front endpapers, various inscriptions, including ownership inscription of (?) or dedication (?) to
"R. Tzvi Hirsch Heller, Rabbi of Óbuda (Budapest)", and additional inscriptions, including a kvittel inscription.
"R. Tzvi Hirsch Heller, Rabbi of Óbuda (Budapest)", and additional inscriptions, including a kvittel inscription.
R. Tzvi Hirsch Heller (1776-1835), leading Hungarian rabbi, known as "R. Hirsch Charif" for his brilliance and sharp wit. He served as rabbi of Brigel, Galicia (present-day Brzesko, Poland), and later as prominent yeshiva dean in Brody. He was compelled to flee the city after he was informed on, whereupon he reached Hungary and served as rabbi of Bonyhád, Ungvár (Uzhhorod) and Óbuda (Budapest). He edified prominent disciples, including Rebbe Tzvi Hirsch of Liska and R. Shlomo Ganzfried, author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. He authored Chidushei Tiv Gittin and other works. His widow married the Chatam Sofer [and apparently brought part of his library along with her to her second husband].
Several lengthy learned glosses (somewhat trimmed) by an unidentified writer.
[4], 2-94 leaves. 36 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Minute worming. Original binding, worn, with torn leather spine.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $300
Sold for: $600
Including buyer's premium
Four books printed in the 1700s, some distinguished copies, with handwritten signatures and glosses:
• Levush HaTechelet, on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, by R. Mordechai Yaffe; with Eliyah Zuta, by R. Eliyahu Spira, Rabbi of Tiktin. Prague, 1701. Inscriptions on title page, including: "Consecrated to Beit Midrash HaMagen" [apparently the Beit Yaakov Beit Midrash in Jerusalem, headed by HaRav HaMagen]; "… Mr. Shemaiah Angel". Several handwritten glosses.
• Novellae of R. Aharon HaLevi (the Raah), on Tractate Ketubot. Prague, [1722]. First edition. On title page: "G-d granted me this book, B. Wolf" – signature of R. Binyamin Wolf Löw (1777-1851), author of Shaarei Torah, Rabbi of Werbau, Hungary (present-day Vrbové, Slovakia). He was the son of R. Elazar Löw, author of Maaseh Rokeach (1758-1837). He had previously served as Rabbi of several towns in Poland, Bohemia and Hungary. A renowned Torah scholar and a prominent Torah leader in the generation of the Chatam Sofer and R. Akiva Eger. Many foremost Torah leaders were his disciples, including the Machaneh Chaim and the Kol Aryeh. He left behind works in all fields of the Torah, which were published in his renowned series Shaarei Torah.
• Beit Lechem Yehudah, topical index to aggadic passages in the Talmud by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. [Prague, 1705]. Second edition. Deleted ownership inscriptions on title page.
• Geon Tzvi, halachic novellae on Tractates Yevamot, Ketubot, Kidushin, Bava Kama, Bava Metzia and Chullin by R. Tzvi Hirsch Horowitz. Prague-[Wilhermsdorf], [1737-1738]. First edition.
4 books. Size and condition varies, good-fair to fair. Stains, including dampstains. Worming. Tears. Old bindings.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $300
Sold for: $475
Including buyer's premium
Perach Shoshan, Responsa by R. Yeshuah Shababo Zein, a leading rabbi of Egypt and Safed, son-in-law of R. Yosef HaLevi Nazir, author of Mateh Yosef. Constantinople: Yonah son of Yaakov Ashkenazi, [1732]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Distinguished copy. On first title page, various ownership inscriptions, including the signature of the author of Shaarei Torah – "Wolf, residing in Werbau (Vrbové) and the region – I purchased it from R. Ber of here". Additional ownership inscriptions, and deleted ownership inscription dated 1791.
R. Binyamin Wolf Löw (1777-1851), author of Shaarei Torah, Rabbi of Werbau, Hungary (present-day Vrbové, Slovakia). He was the son of R. Elazar Löw author of Maaseh Rokeach (1758-1837). He had previously served as Rabbi of several towns in Poland, Bohemia and Hungary. A renowned Torah scholar, a prominent Torah leader in the generation of the Chatam Sofer and R. Akiva Eger. Many foremost Torah leaders were his disciples, including the Machaneh Chaim and the Kol Aryeh. He left behind works in all fields of the Torah, which were published in his renowned series Shaarei Torah. He published his first work at the age of 26, and received enthusiastic approbations from the leaders of his generation, R. Akiva Eger, the Chatam Sofer and Maharam Benet. R. Baruch Frankel, author of Baruch Taam, praised him in his approbation as an expert in analyzing all Talmudic topics, early as well as contemporary halachic works. The Ktav Sofer eulogized him as a master in Talmud and Halachic works, who did not cease to delve in Torah day and night, and seldom enjoyed physical pleasures.
[1], 76 leaves. 30 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and worming. Stamps and inscriptions. Early binding, damaged with worming in many places.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $300
Sold for: $400
Including buyer's premium
Simchat Yehudah, on Tractate Keretot and the minor tractates (Sofrim, Semachot, Kallah, Derech Eretz, Perek HaShalom and Avot DeRabbi Natan), by R. Yehudah Najar. Pisa: Shmuel Molcho and sons, [1816].
Bound with: Chagei Yehudah, on the minor tractates (Gerim, Avadim and Kutim), and on the laws of festival days in the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol (Smag), by R. Yehudah Najar. Pisa: Shmuel Molcho and sons, [1816]. First editions, printed in the lifetime of the author, a leading rabbi of Tunis.
Copy of R. Yirmiyahu Löw, author of Divrei Yirmiyahu. His signature appears on the title page.
R. Yirmiyahu Löw (1811-1874) was one of the leading Torah scholars of Hungary in the generation of the Ktav Sofer. Son of R. Binyamin Wolf Löw, author of Shaarei Torah. He served as Rabbi of Vrbové and Ujhel. He authored the Divrei Yirmiyahu series on the Rambam, Talmud, novellae and homilies.
R. Yirmiyahu Löw (1811-1874) was one of the leading Torah scholars of Hungary in the generation of the Ktav Sofer. Son of R. Binyamin Wolf Löw, author of Shaarei Torah. He served as Rabbi of Vrbové and Ujhel. He authored the Divrei Yirmiyahu series on the Rambam, Talmud, novellae and homilies.
[1], 28; 2-30; 14 leaves. [1], 2-44 leaves. 29 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Stamps. Early binding, with leather spine.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $250
Sold for: Unsold
Book of Vayikra, Part III of the Torah, with Onkelos, Rashi, Baal HaTurim, Or HaChaim, Siftei Chachamim and Meira Dachya. Brody: Moshe Leib Harmelin, 1873. Bound at end: Sephardic-rite siddur for Shabbat prayers, with Yotzrot (based on Zhitomir edition).
On title page, ownership stamp of R. "David, shochet of Karvasary" [suburb of Kamianets-Podilskyi], and his ownership inscription and signature dated 1877.
On the pages of the book are tens of lengthy and short glosses in his handwriting, most on Masoretic issues and cantillation, with some glosses with commentaries and novellae.
[2], 3-192 leaves; 23 leaves (lacking leaf 24 with the end of the Yotzer for Shabbat HaGadol). 22.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and dampstains. Wear and signs of heavy use. Tears and worming, slightly affecting text. Close trimming of several leaves, affecting text and glosses. Detached leaves. Original leather binding, damaged and torn (amateur sewing with thread).
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
Geon Yaakov, novellae on Tractate Eruvin, by R. Yaakov Kahana. Lviv: Zalman Leib Flecker and partners, 1863.
Copy of R. Moshe Grünwald, author of Arugat HaBosem, with his stamp on title page: "Moshe Grünwald, Rabbi of Khust and the region".
On the title page appears a signature: "Amram Gr[ün]w[ald]", apparently that of the father of the Arugat HaBosem, R. Amram Grünwald of Csorna.
R. Moshe son of Amram Grünwald (1853-1910), the Arugat HaBosem, leading Hungarian rabbi and yeshiva dean. Son of R. Amram Grünwald of Csorna, disciple of the Ktav Sofer. R. Moshe was a disciple of R. Menachem Katz Prostitz of Tzeilem (Deutschkreutz) and the Ktav Sofer of Pressburg. Already as a young man he managed a yeshiva in his hometown Csorna, and he later served as rabbi in several Hungarian communities. In 1893 he was appointed Rabbi of Khust. Although he studied under the Chatam Sofer's pupils, he adopted Chassidic manners and habitually traveled to the Rebbes of Belz and Sighet. In Khust he established an elaborate court and expanded his yeshiva, which became one of the largest and most important in Hungary. Students arrived from inside and outside the country, and many Hungarian rabbis were students of his.
[2], 58, [1] leaves. 35.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and traces of former dampness, and color stains to margins of some leaves. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Tears to signature on title page (from ink erosion). Title page and several other leaves detached. Loose and partially detached gatherings. Early cardboard binding, damaged, detached on both sides, without spine.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $400
Sold for: $750
Including buyer's premium
Responsa Maharit, by R. Yosef di Trani of Safed, Rabbi of Constantinople. Part I, with novellae on Tractate Kidushin, and Part II. Lviv: Zalman Leib Flecker, Uri Ze'ev Salat, Shmuel Goldberg and Yisrael Elimelech Stand, 1861. Two parts in one volume.
Copy of R. Eliezer David Grünwald, author of Keren LeDavid, with many signatures and inscriptions in his handwriting. On first title page – his signature "Eliezer David son of Amram Gr[ün]w[ald]", and his stamps from his tenure as "dayan and posek of Dunaszerdahely (Dunajská Streda)". On front endpaper, his signature "Eliezer David Grünwald", with self-dedication in his handwriting, dated 1888, on his purchase of the book from the Beit Midrash of Humenné through R. Tzvi Aryeh Eichler [1824-1895; disciple of the Ktav Sofer]. Handwritten kvittel inscription, and other inscriptions.
R. Eliezer David Grünwald, Rabbi of Satmar (ca. 1866-1928), prominent Torah leader and yeshiva dean in Hungary and Transylvania. Close disciple of his brother R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem, and also studied under R. Shmuel Ehrenfeld, author of Chatan Sofer. He served as Rabbi and dayan in many prominent communities – Bardejov, Dunajská Streda, Tzeilem (Deutschkreutz), Vişeu de Sus and finally Satmar – establishing in each place a large yeshiva where he edified many disciples, including dozens of rabbis and poskim.
On title page and top of first leaf, ownership signatures of R. Reuven Chaim Klein (the first), author of Shenot Chaim on Rabbeinu Yerucham, disciple of the Chatam Sofer.
R. Reuven Chaim Klein (the first), author of Shenot Chaim on Rabbeinu Yerucham (1826-1873). Orphaned at a young age, he was adopted by the Klein family of Munkacs. He was known for his exceptional skill, and studied in the Pressburg yeshiva in the last year of the Chatam Sofer's life, and in the Ungvár yeshiva under Maharam Ash. He served as Rabbi of cities in the Zborov region and later in Nove Davydkovo, Munkacs region.
On endpapers, additional signatures and inscriptions of "Shmuel Grünwald" and "Amram Grünwald". In Part II, several short handwritten glosses.
Part I: [3], 108, [3] leaves; 62 leaves; Part II: [1], 5-140, [2] leaves. 5 leaves missing from Part II (leaves 1-4 and last leaf with index of Talmudic passages). 36 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears to first title page (repaired with paper). Original binding (fabric and leather spines), torn and worn.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Maasai LeMelech, on Mishneh Torah by the Rambam, by R. Yeshayah Silberstein, Rabbi of Vác. Two volumes:
• Part I – on Hilchot Beit HaBechirah, Klei HaMikdash and Biat Mikdash. Vác, 1913. First edition, published in the author's lifetime.
• Part II – on Hilchot Isurei Mizbeach and Maaseh HaKorbanot. Uzhhorod, 1930. First edition, published posthumously by the author's son and successor.
On endpaper of Part I, short dedication handwritten and signed by the author for "Natan son of Feiga". On title page of Part II, printed label in Yiddish and Hungarian by the publisher – the author's son, on sending the book of "the tzaddik R. Yeshayah Silberstein, Rabbi of Waitzen (Vác)" and the price of the book.
R. Yeshayah Silberstein (1857-1930), author of Maasai LeMelech and foremost Hungarian rabbi. He studied in the Etz Chaim yeshiva in Eretz Israel (where he lived for eight years), and upon his return to Hungary studied in Pressburg under the Ktav Sofer. He succeeded his father as Rabbi of Waitzen (Vác, Hungary), where he established a large yeshiva numbering hundreds of students, many of whom later held rabbinic and Torah positions.
Volume I: [8], 2-314 leaves; volume II: [12], 234 leaves. 37 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and minor tears to margins. Several gatherings and leaves loose. Old bindings, damaged and worn.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $500
Sold for: Unsold
Livyat Chen and Or Yekarot, on the Torah, pilpul and Talmudic novellae by R. Aryeh Yehudah Leib and his son R. Yosef Binyamin Ze'ev Wolf. Venice: Meir da Zara, [1742]. Second edition (based on Zhovkva, 1732 edition).
Copy of the noted Torah scholar R. Yerucham Fishel Perla, with over ten learned glosses in his handwriting (as well as several glosses handwritten by R. Menachem Mendel Kasher, author of Torah Shelemah). On title page and other places, his ownership stamps (in Polish): "Juda Perla -Warschau".
R. Yehudah Yerucham Fishel Perla of Warsaw (1846-1934), a leading Torah genius of Poland, who immigrated to Jerusalem towards the end of his life. As a merchant, he had no need of a rabbinic position. He is renowned for his three-volume commentary on R. Saadia Gaon's Sefer HaMitzvot, and Hagahot HaGrip printed on the margins of various books.
R. Menachem Mendel Kasher (1895-1983) was a close disciple of leading Torah scholars of his native Warsaw: R. Menachem Ziemba, R. Yerucham Perla and others. Known for his proficiency in all Talmudic and Midrashic literature, he was a prolific author of books and articles, including the dozens of volumes of his Torah Shelemah series, and published many ancient and modern works from manuscript, including the writings of the Rogatchover Gaon and R. Yerucham Perla.
R. Menachem Kasher had an intimate association with R. Yehudah Yerucham Fishel Perla, and purchased his large library after his death, a large portion of which he subsequently sold to the Gesundheit library in Tel Aviv. R. Yerucham Perla's glosses on these books have been printed under the name Hagahot HaGrip, as found in his handwritten glosses to these books, located in R. Kasher's library, the Gesundheit library and the Ponevezh yeshiva library in Bnei Brak. The present copy contains stamps of the library of R. Kasher: "Beit Torah Shelemah – 19 Malachi St., Jerusalem".
[4], 92 leaves. 23 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Open tear to title page (repaired with paper). New binding.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $600
Sold for: $750
Including buyer's premium
Collection of books from the library of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva, with his stamps or ownership inscriptions, and of his son R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer, Rabbi of Rechovot, including books with dedications to R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. The collection contains books printed between 1808-1951.
For list of books, see Hebrew description.
15 books in 14 volumes. Size and condition varies. Old bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
R. Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1953), author of Even HaAzel. A leading Torah scholar of Lithuania and Jerusalem, he was born in Mir and studied in the Volozhin yeshiva under the Netziv and R. Chaim of Brisk, who esteemed him highly. After his marriage he served as the first yeshiva dean of the Knesset Yisrael yeshiva in Slabodka along with R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, and later moved to Slutsk where he established a large yeshiva and subsequently succeeded the Ridvaz as Rabbi of the city. He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1924 and was appointed dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva. He was also a leader of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, and father-in-law of R. Aharon Kotler, dean of Kletsk and Lakewood yeshivas.
R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer (1899-1969), son of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and disciple of the Alter of Novardok. He was appointed Rabbi of Pardes Channa, where he established the Kletsk yeshiva, which formed the basis for Midrashiat Noam. In 1947 he was appointed Rabbi of Rechovot, succeeding his father-in-law R. Tzvi Steinman, and established Yeshivat HaDarom. In 1951 he retired from his position as Rabbi of the city, appointing R. Elimelech Bar Shaul as his successor, while he continued to serve as head of the city's Beit Din and dean of Yeshivat HaDarom.
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $250
Sold for: $313
Including buyer's premium
Collection of books of R. Meir Eisenstadt, Rabbi of Eisenstadt, author of Panim Meirot, from the library of R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer, Rabbi of Rechovot, a descendant of the author, with inscriptions and signatures:
• Meorei Esh, on the Torah and Five Megillot, including Kotnot Or by R. Meir Eisenstadt, the Panim Meirot, and Or Chadash, by R. Elazar Kallir, R. Meir Eisenstadt's grandson. Fürth, [1766]. First edition. On title page, ownership inscription in pencil: "R. Meltzer, Pardes Channa".
Learned glosses in Ashkenazic script dating to the period of printing (some damaged).
• Responsa Panim Meirot, by R. Meir Eisenstadt. Sudylkiv, [1833].
On front endpaper, genealogical inscriptions with a family tree tracing lineage back to the author of the book, handwritten and signed by R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer, as heard from his father R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. The inscription lists eight generations between the Panim Meirot and R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, with another genealogical and historical note. The inscription is rewritten on a separate leaf by R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer (unsigned).
• Responsa Panim Meirot, Parts II-V, by R. Meir Eisenstadt, Lviv, 1899. Library stamps (deleted). On front endpaper, signature of R. "Refael Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer".
• Enclosed: Asifat Zekenim, Shitah Mekubetzet – on Tractates Bava Batra and Nazir, by R. Betzalel Ashkenazi. Livorno: Carlo Giorgi, 1774. First edition. Signatures of R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer, Rabbi of Rechovot.
4 books. Size and condition varies. Good-fair to fair-poor condition. In Kotnot Or, open tears to first leaves, and traces of former dampness and mold to many leaves. Old bindings.
R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer (1899-1969), son of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and disciple of the Alter of Novardok. He was appointed Rabbi of Pardes Channa, where he established the Kletsk yeshiva, which formed the basis for Midrashiat Noam. In 1947 he was appointed Rabbi of Rechovot, succeeding his father-in-law R. Tzvi Steinman, and established Yeshivat HaDarom. In 1951 he retired from his position as Rabbi of the city, appointing R. Elimelech Bar Shaul as his successor, while he continued to serve as head of the city's Beit Din and dean of Yeshivat HaDarom.
His father,
R. Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1953), author of Even HaAzel. A leading Torah scholar of Lithuania and Jerusalem, he was born in Mir to R. Baruch Peretz Meltzer, a direct male descendant of the Panim Meirot. The evening before R. Isser Zalman's sudden death, when his niece Rebbetzin Gutel Shach visited him, R. Isser Zalman told her to tell her husband R. Elazar Menachem Shach (dean of the Ponevezh yeshiva) that she comes from a distinguished family, and wrote down his entire lineage for her. The very next morning R. Isser Zalman passed away (BeDerech Etz HaChaim, Rechovot, 1986, I, pp. 30-31).
R. Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1953), author of Even HaAzel. A leading Torah scholar of Lithuania and Jerusalem, he was born in Mir to R. Baruch Peretz Meltzer, a direct male descendant of the Panim Meirot. The evening before R. Isser Zalman's sudden death, when his niece Rebbetzin Gutel Shach visited him, R. Isser Zalman told her to tell her husband R. Elazar Menachem Shach (dean of the Ponevezh yeshiva) that she comes from a distinguished family, and wrote down his entire lineage for her. The very next morning R. Isser Zalman passed away (BeDerech Etz HaChaim, Rechovot, 1986, I, pp. 30-31).
The present inscription handwritten by R. Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer was apparently copied [during the mourning period for his father] from the very same inscription handwritten by his father, R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, written on the evening before his death (facsimile in BeDerech Etz HaChaim, p. 30; see enclosed photocopy).
Catalogue Value
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $800
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Large collection with remains of manuscript leaves, extracted from a "bindings genizah". [Ca. 14th-17th centuries].
Most of the fragments are in Sephardic script, and some in Oriental (Yemenite) script. One fragment is in Ashkenazic script. Most on paper, some on parchment.
Includes: Fragments of works on philosophy, medicine and grammar, Talmudic novellae, and more (some works are unidentified). Some of the works represented include the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol or Smag (group of leaves); commentary on Avot by R. Matityahu HaYitzhari, Yad Ramah on Sanhedrin, Avodat HaKodesh by the Rashba, the Narboni commentary on Moreh Nevuchim, Menorat HaMaor by R. Yitzchak Aboab, Nachalat Avot by R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, and more.
Approximately 100 fragments of leaves (most paper, some parchment). Size and condition Vary.
Catalogue Value