Chafetz Chaim, on the laws of lashon hara and rechilut. Vilna, 1877. Corrected second edition.

Bound with: Shemirat HaLashon, (Part I), encouragement and ethics for proper speech and Torah study. Vilna, 1879. Second edition. At end of book, Sefat Tamim, on the prohibition of deceit and lying.

The first books of R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, published anonymously, with the author's name appearing only in Russian initials on title page.

On front endpaper, rare inscription handwritten by the Chafetz Chaim: "Defective on some leaves" – in order to note that there are defects in this book. And indeed, there are printing defects on the leaves of the book. On p. 34a of Chafetz Chaim, some lines were misprinted by printing over a crease. On leaf 64, there is a tear in the center of the text with ink smearing, apparently from the time of printing. Other leaves have similar ink smearing, with some letters blurred, from the printing (on p. 142 the top of the page is labeled with an "X", perhaps to mark the defect on this page). The Chafetz Chaim labeled the book as defective in order to avoid defrauding the purchaser.

The Chafetz Chaim used to examine every book for printing errors and misordered pages, and he would mark every book he had personally examined as "proofread". The present book showcases the extent of the Chafetz Chaim's care to detect even minor printing defects before labeling it as proofread.

[1], 2-78 leaves; [1], 2-36, [2] leaves; [3]-14 pages. 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including many dampstains and light mold. Wear and many creases. Marginal tears, affecting text on several leaves. Original binding, with wear and defects.

Does not contain divisional title page for Sefat Tamim, as in some copies.

Large assorted collection of books printed in Russia-Poland in the early 19th century, some distinguished copies, with important signatures and ownership inscriptions.

• Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat. Ostroh, 1805. Approbations of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. David Leykes, head of the Beit Din and preacher in Bar, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.

• Minchat Yaakov, commentary on the Rama by R. Yaakov son of Yosef Reischer. Polonne, [1802 (i.e. 1804)]. Two parts in one volume with divisional title pages.

Copy of R. Yehudah Semnitz (d. 1843), Rabbi of Dolný Štál and dayan in the Beit Din of Maharam Mintz in Alt-Ofen (Budapest).

• Sefer HaTerumot by R. Shmuel HaSardi, with Gidulei Terumah commentary by R. Azariah Piccio. Zhovkva, 1809. Lacking leaves 39-47, 49-52 of fifth sequence (13 leaves). Variant, with approbation of the Maggid of Kozhnitz and list of pre-subscribers.

• Responsa of the Rashba, three parts. Lviv, 1811-1812. Three volumes.

Handwritten references and glosses.

• Maginei Shlomo, Talmudic novellae by R. Yehoshua of Cracow. Lviv, 1816.

Copy of R. Pinchas Aryeh Kahana-Rappaport of Somotor. His ownership inscriptions on endpaper and title page. On title page, another ownership inscription by his grandson R. Meir Eliezer HaKohen Rappaport-Hartstein. Pinchas Aryeh Kahana-Rappaport of Somotor (d. 1843) was a senior follower of the Ujhel-Sighet Chassidic dynasties, a righteous and exceptional Torah scholar, served as shofar blower for the Yismach Moshe in Ujhel.

• Maaseh Rokeach, kabbalistic commentary on the Mishnah by R. Elazar Rokeach, Rabbi of Brody. Mohyliv, [1817]. Second edition.

On title page, signature of "Yochanan Hirsch son of R. M. Schlank" – R. Yochanan Hirsch Schlank (1815-1884), a leader and founder of public institutions in Jerusalem. A disciple of the Chatam Sofer, he immigrated to Jerusalem alongside his father, R. Mordechai Schlank (1773-1861), a prominent disciple of the Chatam Sofer (see: HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, pp. 188-189, 335-336).

• Chidushei Maharibatz, Talmudic novellae by R. Yechiel Margaliot. [Ostroh], 1818. Lacking last leaf.

Bound with: Beit HaLevi and Torat HaBayit, commentary and novellae on Tractate Kinim by R. Moshe Elazar son of R. Shmuel Zanvil HaLevi. Ostroh, [1818. Second edition]. Lacking title page.

• Levush Ateret Zahav, Yoreh Deah, by R. Mordechai Yoffe, the Levush. Berditchev, [1819]. With printer's device on title page.

• Levush HaButz VehaArgaman, Even HaEzer. Berditchev, [1819]. With printer's device on title page. Lacking last 4 leaves.

• Ohel Yitzchak, on Shechitot UBedikot by R. Yaakov (Mahari) Weil, by R. Yitzchak son of Eliezer. Lviv, 1819.

Ownership inscriptions and signatures, including "Meshulam Feish Rottenberg" [Rebbe Meshulam Feish Rottenberg of Koson-Boro Park (1932-2014), son and successor of Rebbe Pinchas Shalom HaLevi Rottenberg of Koson-Bronx-Boro Park].

• Atzei Levonah, on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, by R. Nisan son of R. Aharon of Dubno. Sudylkiv, 1834. First edition. Bluish paper.

Copy of R. Refael Silberman, Rabbi of Safed. On title page and other places, his signature and stamps. Stamps of his grandson and spiritual successor, R. Avraham Leib Silberman (1839-1918), head of the Safed Beit Din and later Rabbi of the Ashkenazic community of the city for over forty years. Son and successor of R. Mordechai Silberman (1819-1872) of Uman.

12 books in 13 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The collection has not been thoroughly examined, and is being sold as is.

Tehillim, with the Beurei Zohar (Meorei Zohar) and Metzudat Tzion commentaries. Safed: Yisrael Bak, [1833].

Kavanat HaMeshorer is printed at the beginning of each Psalm. The volume also contains prayers recited before and after reading Tehillim on weekdays, Shabbat, Yom Tov and Hoshana Rabba night, a prayer on behalf of the sick, and order of Pidyon Nefesh.

One of the first books printed by R. Yisrael Bak in Safed, about a year after he established his printing press in the city.

The printer of Berditchev, R. Yisrael Bak (1797-1874), a disciple of the Chassidic masters R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin. At a young age he established a printing press in Berditchev, where he was active for about nine years. Following his immigration to Eretz Israel, ca. 1831, he settled in Safed, where he established a printing press. After the great 1837 earthquake which completely destroyed the town, he established the first Hebrew printing press in Jerusalem, the only press in the city for over 20 years.

On title page, leaf 73 and back endpaper, ownership inscriptions in Oriental script.

[4], 69, 72-137, 140-152 leaves (lacking 4 leaves: 70-71, 138-139). 15 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Wear and signs of heavy use. Damage to inner margins of several leaves, affecting text (repaired with tape). Worming in many places, affecting text. Stamps. Non-original binding.

Assorted collection of nine ethical and midrashic books printed in Jerusalem from 1863 to 1876.

See Hebrew description for a list of books.

9 books. Varying size and condition. Inscriptions and stamps. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.

Shenat HaSheva, with Be'er Sheva, laws of the Shemitah year, leaving the land fallow and relinquishing debts, by R. Moshe Nechemiah Kahanov, dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva. Jerusalem: Yoel Moshe Salomon, 1881.

In a note on p. 31a the author writes that due to the untimely death of his son during the printing of the book, he was compelled to publish it in brief with many omissions, in a limited print run of 100 copies (due to lack of funds).

On leaves 33-34 at the end of the volume – Zichron Yosef, with the author's eulogy for his son R. Yosef Chaim Eliyah and with a lament written by the son for another untimely death.

Handwritten corrections of printing errors.

[1], 2-34 leaves. 18.5 cm. Dry, somewhat brittle paper. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Creases and tears. Marginal tears and open tears to last leaf, one repaired with tape, affecting text. Stamps. New binding.

Includes rare leaves 33-34 with Zichron Yosef, which do not appear in some copies.

Sh. Halevy, no. 382.