Tiferet HaTzvi, work on Tractate Beitzah and novellae on the laws of Yoreh Deah, by R. Uziel Meisels of Ritshvol (Ryczywół), disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch. Zhovkva, 1803. First edition.

The author,
R. Uziel Meisels (1744-1786), rabbi and yeshiva dean in Ostrovtza (Ostrowiec), Ritshvol (Ryczywół) and Neustadt (Nowe Miasto). He was acquainted with the Baal Shem Tov, and quotes his teachings in his books. After the latter's passing, he became a disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, and was a close friend of his disciples: R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, R. Zusha of Anipoli, and others.

Copy of R. Meir Shapiro of Lublin, dean of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva and founder of Daf Yomi. His stamps appear on the title page and front flyleaf: "Meir Shapiro Rabbi of Piotrkow". Additional stamps of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva library.

R. Meir Shapiro (1887-1933), Rabbi of Glina, Sanok, Piotrków and Lublin, dean of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva and founder of Daf Yomi, one of the founders of Agudat Yisrael and leading rabbi in his times. He was one of the youngest and most dominant rabbis in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. An excellent orator, and an active communal worker, he was also a member of the Polish Sejm. R. Meir passed away without leaving behind any offspring, yet he himself would say that he had two children – the first being Daf Yomi, and the second the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva.

On title page, stamp (over the stamps of R. Meir Shapiro) of R. "Moshe Nachum Yerushalimski, Rabbi of Kielce and the region".

R. Moshe Nachum Yerushalimski (1855-1916), a leading author of halachic responsa in his generation, who corresponded already in his youth with prominent Torah scholars of the time, such as the Shoel UMeshiv, R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn. He was also intimately close with the Divrei Chaim of Sanz in his earlier years.

[2], 29; 16 leaves. 29 leaves originally bound at end of book (order of two works switched). 36.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor wear. Minor marginal tears to first two leaves. Minor tears and defects to last leaf, slightly affecting text. Minor worming, occasionally affecting text. Close trimming in several places, affecting headers and catchwords. Stamps. New binding.

Kedushat Levi, two parts, Chassidic and kabbalistic discourses on the Torah portions, festivals, and aggadot, by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Berditchev: Yisrael Bak and Chaim Yitzchak son of Yechezkel, 1816. With approbations by the Ohev Yisrael of Apta and R. Aharon of Zhitomir.

Kedushat Levi was printed by the author
R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev twice in his lifetime, and comprised only the Kedushot discourses on Chanukah and Purim. The first edition was printed in Slavita, 1798, and again in Zhovkva, 1806. After his passing (Tishrei 1809), his descendants published for the first time his discourses on the Torah portions (Berditchev, 1811), but without the Kedushot essays on Chanukah and Purim. In the present edition, both parts were printed together for the first time in one volume – the discourses on the Torah together with the Kedushot on Chanukah and Purim (divisional title page for each part).

This edition also includes many additions from the author's manuscript. Each addition is marked at the beginning and end with a symbol of a hand (wherever several new discourses were printed consecutively, the symbol was only printed at the beginning of the first and at the end of the last, rather than by each).

This is also the first edition bearing approbations by the author's colleague – the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, and the author's disciple – R. Aharon of Zhitomir, author of Toldot Aharon. The Ohev Yisrael writes in his approbation: "And certainly the merit of the author and holiness of these books will be a protection and shelter wherever they are… and one should hurry to buy these holy books, at full price".

Signature on the title page: "Shmuel Mordechai son of R. Yaakov Yisrael". Stamp on leaf following title page: "Ch. Meir son of R. M.Y. Chodirov (several descendants of the author bear the surname Chodrov or Chodorov).

3, 3-18, [1], 22-147; 38 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Varying condition; first leaves in fair condition, most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Open tears to title page and following leaf, affecting large portion of text on both sides of title page, repaired with paper filling (with photocopy text replacement). Worming, affecting text (especially last leaves), partially repaired with paper filling. Last leaves apparently supplied from another copy. New leather binding.

Large, assorted collection of over twenty Chassidic and halachic books by Chassidic masters and their disciples, printed in Eastern Europe, Russia-Poland, Romania and Galicia – from 1815 to 1921.

See Hebrew description for a detailed list of books.

24 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. Incomplete copies (see Hebrew description). The collection has not been thoroughly examined, and is being sold as is.

Maor VaShemesh, on the Torah, two parts. By Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow. Breslau: Hirsch Sulzbach, [1842]. First edition.

Two parts in two volumes. Divisional title page for each part.

Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, a foundational Chassidic book, printed together with the Chumash in many editions.
The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow (1751-1823), was an outstanding Torah scholar in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, and a leading disciple of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, whom he regarded as equal in stature to the Baal Shem Tov himself. He also frequented the courts of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Following the passing of his teacher R. Elimelech, he began travelling to the Chozeh of Lublin, to R. Ber of Radoshitz, to the Maggid of Kozhnitz and to R. Mendele of Rimanov (who acclaimed him as "Shomer HaBrit"). He was renowned as a holy man already in his lifetime, and accounts of his divine inspiration and wonders circulated. His teacher R. Elimelech of Lizhensk appointed him as rebbe and he became the first disseminator of Chassidut in Cracow, where those seeking to draw near to G-d gathered around him, later becoming prominent Chassidic leaders. He was repeatedly persecuted by opponents of Chassidut (Mitnagdim) in Cracow, who even declared a ban on Chassidut in 1786. When the persecutions reached the point of informing and imprisonment, R. Kalman moved to his hometown of Neustadt and established his court there. He returned to Cracow ca. 1820, and that is where he is buried.

Two volumes. Volume I: [2], 144 leaves. Volume II: [1], 145-277, [2] leaves. Approx. 23 cm. Browning of paper on title page of second volume and other leaves. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves. In second volume, many marginal tears to one leaf, and small open tear, affecting text. Ownership inscriptions and stamps. Early leather bindings, with defects (first volume lacking spine, repaired with paper).

Copies exist with variant title pages, including copies with a title page to Part I only; copies with a false name for printer, but with the correct date, 1842; and copies with completely falsified imprints. The present copy has two authentic title pages, correctly stating that the book was printed in 1842 in Breslau, by Hirsch Sulzbach.

Derech Pikudecha, on the 613 Torah commandments, by Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro, Rabbi of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissachar. Lviv: Franz Galinski, 1851. First edition.

The author,
Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Langsam-Shapiro of Dinov (1783-1841), a prominent Chassidic rebbe and kabbalist, close disciple of R. Mendele of Rimanov and disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, the Ohev Israel of Apta and the Maggid of Kozhnitz. From a young age he served as Rabbi of various Galician towns and of Munkacs, but he is best known for officiating as Rabbi in Dinov, where he was appointed rebbe in 1815. He authored dozens of works on halachah, aggadah, Chassidut and kabbalah. His most famous work is his Bnei Yissachar. He was the progenitor of many dynasties of rabbis and rebbes: Dinov, Munkacs, Bukovsk and others.

In the present work, each of the 613 commandments is explained according to three aspects: action – basics and details of laws; speech – halachic novellae on aspects of the mitzvah; and thought – the deeper reasons for the mitzvah according to rabbinic and kabbalistic teachings. Derech Pikudecha was enthusiastically received, and is referenced alike by Sephardic sages, leading rabbis of Poland-Lithuania and contemporary poskim. The Imrei Yosef of Spinka said that "his first awakening to service of G-d came to him through study of Derech Pikudecha…" (introduction to Imrei Yosef, IX, 6).

Signature on title page.

[1], 74, 65-66, 79-91 leaves. Misfoliation. 21.5 cm. Title page in fair condition, most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Title page detached (apparently supplied from another copy). Margins of title page repaired with paper, affecting title frame. Worming, affecting text (worming in many places to title page). Close trimming, affecting text of one leaf. New leather binding.