Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
Displaying 13 - 24 of 31
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, novellae on the Torah and the Midrash. Unidentified author. [Hungary? Mid-19th century]. Original novellae of the writer with the addition of teachings he heard. In several places, he mentions things he heard from the Rabbi of Újhely, apparently Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, author of Yismach Moshe. On Leaf [8a], he mentions a teaching he had heard "In the name of the brother of the Hafla'ah" [Rabbi Shmelke of Nicholsburg], and another in the name of the Vilna Gaon. On Leaf [12b]: "I heard in the name of the Av Beit Din of Raszków ". [12] leaves. 24 cm. Fair condition, stains and wear, worming with damage to text. Non-contemporary binding.
Category
Chassidism – Signatures and Dedications, Manuscripts and Glosses
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $300
Sold for: $450
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, novellae on the Torah and on Talmudic tractates. Szerencs (Hungary), 1942. Handsome Ashkenazi writing. Written on the first leaf of the manuscript: "1942 in Szerencs". Apparently, the manuscript was completed throughout 1942 (the date of writing is mentioned in two places, the yartzeit of the author of Yismach Moshe – the 28th of Tamuz and of the author of Menuchat Moshe – 27th of Elul). We do not know the author's identity. To the best of our knowledge, the manuscript was never printed. The writer signed each passage with the initials of "So it seems in my lowly opinion", and he cites many things in the name of Chassidic leaders and from the books written by contemporary Hungarian Torah scholars. In one place he writes "Something I have heard told of the Gaon and tsaddik author of Levushei Mordechai" [18a], and he mentions his teacher several times: "and the Rebbe used to say this explanation…" [33a]. [60] leaves. Good condition. Stains. New and attractive leather binding.
Category
Chassidism – Signatures and Dedications, Manuscripts and Glosses
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $300
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Handwritten notebook with colorful illustrations, explanations of verses, Kabbalistic matters, calculations of the Redemption, etc. – "According to the method of …R' Nachman son of Feige a leading true tsaddik like Moshe Rabbeinu…". By "Ben Tsiyon Nechemya son of Chushiel son of Yekutiel Menachem and Devorah of Poland Pressberger". Jerusalem, 1951. Illustrated title page. Colorful illustrations of Moshe Rabbeinu in the crevice of the rock, "She'on HaGeula", "Degel Meshicheinu", Kupah "Keren Meshiach Hashem", etc. In the introduction the author writes: "Know my good brother, that this Torah I have heard from G-d…who learned with me in the morning while I still lay in my bed in Poland and this was more than 17 years ago, and now I am in Eretz Israel…”. The manuscript contains: Various prayers, list of names of Jerusalem streets in the future, things heard “from the great Chassid… here in Jerusalem” [Rabbi David Shechter – father of Rabbi Ya’akov Meir Shechter, a current leader of Breslov Chassidim], etc. The author and writer is Ben Tsiyon Nechemya Presberger, a Breslov Chassid, author of Hasagat Elokut. Immigrated to Eretz Israel during the Holocaust and lived in Jerusalem. 79 written pages. 20 cm. Overall good condition. Ink smears.
Category
Chassidism – Signatures and Dedications, Manuscripts and Glosses
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $700
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Parashat Derachim, by Rabbi Yehuda Rosenes [author of Mishneh L'Melech on the Rambam]. Constantinople, [1728]. First edition. Ownership inscriptions on the title page: "Belongs to R' Nathan son of the late R' Shimon Adler Katz". On Leaf 42/b are handwritten scholarly glosses from c. 19th century. Rabbi Nathan HaCohen Adler (1741-1800) was born in Frankfurt am Main to Rabbi Ya'akov Shimon Adler. He was an outstanding Torah scholar and had vast knowledge of kabbalah. He headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt and was the close teacher of Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer who mentions his teacher frequently in his books on Halacha and on kabbalah calling him "My close teacher, the famed pious Torah genius the great 'eagle'" ["eagle" is a poetic phrase alluding to the meaning of the name Adler], "My teacher, the pious Cohen", etc. Rabbi Adler was pursued by his fellow Frankfurt populace causing him great suffering. They even prohibited him to establish a minyan in his Beit Midrash which was led according to his special Kabbalistic customs. For a while, he served as Av Beit Din of Boskovice but afterwards he returned to his home and his Beit Midrash in Frankfurt. [5], 75 leaves. 30.5 cm. Fair condition, much wear to margins, stains and fungus. Light worming. Worn binding.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $6,000
Including buyer's premium
Shev Ya'akov responsa. By Rabbi Ya'akov Katz Av Beit Din and Rosh Metivta in Frankfurt am Main. Frankfurt am Main, [1742]. First edition. On the title page: Various ownership inscriptions from various times, and many signatures in the handwriting of "Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody". On the title page of Part 2 and on last leaf: Signature of Rabbi "Avraham Binyamin Kluger…". On the sheets are various inscriptions that the book belongs to Rabbi Shlomo Kluger, and on Leaf 41/a is a dedication by Rabbi Efraim Zalman to Rabbi Shlomo Kluger: "Gift to the great Torah scholar…Rabbi Shlomo Kluger, by Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody, Erev Shabbat Kodesh P' Korach 1725" [apparently, this dedication was not written in the handwriting of Rabbi Efraim Zalman Margaliot]. Rabbi Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody (1761-1828), author of Beit Efraim and Mateh Efraim. A famous Torah scholar, renowned throughout the Diaspora and a leading Torah authority, he exchanged halachic responsa with many of the sages of his times. He lived in the generation of the Netivot Mishpat and Ketzot Shulchan. In his younger years, he served in the rabbinate of the city of Uhniv and after a short while moved to Brody. There he did not serve in the rabbinate since he was blessed with extreme wealth. He was close to Chassidism and to the leading disciples of the Magid of Mezritch and gave his approbation to the printing of many Chassidic books although he himself was not considered a Chassid. He was even accused of "censoring" the words of the Magid of Mezritch in his book Panim Yafot on the Torah at the time he sent it to his mechutan, the author of Hafla'ah. (See Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia Vol. 3, pp. 913-915, and Dor De'ah pp. 150-154). His books of responsa and Halacha are basic books of halachic rulings and were celebrated already in his lifetime. The Chatam Sofer eulogized him: “Every day his teachings from the books he wrote resound in our Beit Midrash” (Ishim B’Teshuvot Chatam Sofer, pp. 79-81). Rabbi Shlomo Kluger (1786-1869), a leading Torah authority, served as Ra’avad and Magid in Brody, and had great impact on all Jewish communities, both in the realm of halachic rulings as well as in public leadership. The book Toldot Shlomo, a biography of Rabbi Shlomo Kluger, recounts the efforts Rabbi Efraim Zalman Margaliot expended in 1820 to appoint Rabbi Shlomo as Ra’avad in the city of Brody which was at that time the largest Torah center in Galicia. Rabbi Efraim Zalman who was one of the eldest Torah scholars of his times made the acquaintance of the younger anonymous rabbi and after conversing with him in Torah thoughts, became very fond of him and for several weeks Rabbi Efraim Zalman tried with all his might to appoint him for this position. This mutual love continued for the eight years they lived together in the city. Rabbi Shlomo Kluger wrote more than 100 books on halacha and Talmudic treatises, many of which were reprinted. His son, Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Kluger (1841-1916), his father’s assistant in public leadership, exchanged much halachic correspondence with many rabbis of his times from all over the world who hoped to acquire his great father’s rulings on various matters. [1], 109 leaves; [1], 139 leaves. 30.5 cm. High-quality paper, good condition, few worming marks and stains. Fabric binding.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $500
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Dvar Shmuel, responsa, by Rabbi Shmuel Abuhav. Venice, 1702. First edition. At the top of the title page is an ownership inscription signed by "Meir Ya'akov ben Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Ish Horowitz Av Beit Din of Frankfurt am Main community, Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 1778". At the bottom of the title page is a long flowery dedication to Rabbi Meir Ya'akov upon his marriage. Rabbi Meir Ya'akov Horowitz (1754-1780), son of the author of the Hafla'ah, was wed at the beginning of the 1770s to the daughter of one of the greatest rabbis of that period, Rabbi Shaul Av Beit Din of Amsterdam [in the book Binyan Shaul, p. 85, he writes that the wedding took place in Binau in 1771, but according to this handwritten dedication, the wedding apparently took place after his father was appointed Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main in 1772]. He died at the age of 26 during his father's lifetime. His father printed a Kuntress of his novellae at the end of his book the Hafla'ah on Ketubot (Leaves 75-86), and writes of his late son: "My son and disciple, to whom I was very attached, died at the age of 26 and was full of Torah and fear of Heaven, was wonderfully sharp and erudite and before his pure soul rose, he requested that I print a few of his novellae…". More of his novellae were printed at the end of Machane Levi by his brother, which was printed together with the book HaMikne. [6], 104 leaves. 29 cm. High-quality paper, good-fair condition. Dampstaining on title page and first leaves. Wear. Cardboard binding with leather spine, ancient and worn. Glued on the inner side of the binding are printed leaves from the book Birkat Tov (Venice, 1713) with approbations by Rabbi David Oppenheim and a poem composed by Rabbi Tuvia HaCohen the physician [author of Ma'ase Tuvia, son of the author of Birkat Tov].
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $250
Sold for: $313
Including buyer's premium
Zahav Seivah, on the Talmud, by Rabbi Nissim Shlomo Algazi. Furth, [1692]. Second edition. On the title page is an inscription and signatures: "Ya'akov Shemesh… 15th of Menachem 1763". Rabbi Ya'akov Shemesh (died 1785, Otzar HaRabbanim 9960), a leading Torah scholar of Frankfurt am Main before the author of the Hafla'ah served in the city's rabbinate; Shemesh served as Av Beit Din of the Kloiz, Beit HaMidrash HaGadol in Frankfurt am Main. (The fourth rabbi to sign the letter of Frankfurt scholars in regard to the "Kleve Get"). During Chatam Sofer's youth, Rabbi Shemesh was his Rabbi and is mentioned by the Chatam Sofer in his works by the title "Mori V'Rabbi" [my teacher and Rabbi]. 113 leaves (mispagination). 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Non-original binding.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Minchat Yehuda, expounding upon Rashi's commentary of the word "Klomar", in Tractate Berachot, by Rabbi Yehuda Stadthagen [Halberstadt]. Amsterdam, [1763]. Many ownership inscriptions appear on the endpapers: "Belongs to Rabbi Leib Eiger…", "V'zot l'Yehuda… son of Rabbi Akiva Eiger who was Av Beit Din of Zulz and Pressburg". Rabbi Yehuda Leib Eiger (died in 1808, Ozar Ha’Rabbanim 7218a), son of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, Av Beit Din of Zulz and Pressburg (Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the first; 1818-1858), served as Rabbi of Halberstadt and Rotterdam. Uncle of Rabbi Akiva Eiger Av Beit Din of Posen (1762-1837); author of Teshuvot R’ Akiva Eiger and Drush V’Chiddush, son-in-law of the Chatam Sofer. Together with his brother Rabbi Wolf, he published his father’s novellae in the book Mishnat D’Rabbi Akiva. His sons were Rabbi Peretz Zobel Eiger author of Ateret Paz and Rabbi Avraham Eiger of Mezhyrich. [4], 34 leaves. Approximately 20 cm. Good condition. Stains. Contemporary leather binding, with damages.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $500
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Knesset HaGedola, Choshen Mishpat, Part 1 (Simanim 1-157). By Rabbi Chaim Benveniste. Izmir, [1660]. Printed by Avraham Gabai. First edition. Ancient signature on the title page [in early Ashkenazi handwriting]: "Moshe Rottenburk", as well as another unidentified signature and an ownership inscription: "…Moshe son of R' Bunim Eiger. I have purchased from R' Mohartz"a". Few scholarly glosses [apparently in the handwriting of Rabbi Moshe Eiger]. Rabbi Moshe Ginz-Schlesinger, was the son of Rabbi Simcha Bunim Eiger, Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf. Disciple of his uncle, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, he studied Torah in Wielen and from 1830 was accepted to the kloiz of Rabbi Leib son of Rabbi Shaul in Hamburg. (In Igrot Sofrim, Letters of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, 22, Rabbi Akiva Eiger writes his brother: "…To send you the good tidings that your son… R' Moshe was accepted to study regularly in the Beit Midrash in Hamburg and he has no other obligations except to sit and study. He came here last week to delight with him before his journey"). He assisted and prepared for print a large part of the teachings of his uncle Rabbi Akiva Eiger as written in the introduction to Drush V'Chidush. Mentioned dozens of times in the writings of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and of the Chatam Sofer, died on Erev Succot 1857. Possibly, the signature "Moshe Rottenburk" belongs to Rabbi Moshe Rothenburg, Av Beit Din of Brisk and Tykocin (Tiktin), who towards the end of his life served as Av Beit Din together with the Chacham Zvi. His responsa were included in the printed responsa of the Maharam Ziskind, by his father Rabbi Mordechai Ziskind who was descended from the Maharam of Rothenburg. Another possibility is that the book was signed by Rabbi Moshe Rottenburk, Av Beit Din of Włodawa and Kazimierz, ca. 1760s-1820s. His responsa were printed in the book Last Responsa of Maharam Rothenburg (Lvov, 1857). 2, 5-132 leaves. (Missing leaves: 33, 36, 66-67, 85-88 - replaced with ancient manuscript from c. 18th/19th century). 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition, wear and stains, minor worming. Old worn binding.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $300
Sold for: Unsold
Yad Ramah, on Tractate Bava Batra, Part 1, by Rabbi Meir ben Todros HaLevi [the Ramah]. Salonika, [1790]. On the flyleaf is the stamp and signature of Rabbi "David Zvi ben Rabbi S. Ehrenfeld", and ownership inscription: "This book belongs to… Rabbi David Zvi son-in-law of… Rabbi Moshe Sofer Av Beit Din and Rosh Metivta of this community". Rabbi David Zvi Ehrenfeld (died in 1862; HaChatam Sofer V'Talmidav, pp. 117-120), close disciple and beloved son-in-law of the author of the Chatam Sofer. A great Torah scholar, he lived near his father- in-law in Pressburg, dealt in trade and refused to accept a rabbinical position. Rabbi Shmuel Ehrenfeld, Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf, author of Chatan Sofer was his son. On the title page is another signature: “Belongs to me Menachem Aharon Pik…” – Rabbi Menachem Aharon Pik (died in 1832; HaChatam Sofer V’Talmidav, p. 321), Dayan and, later, Ra’avad of Nitra [the native city of Rabbi David Zvi Ehrenfeld]. [2], 157 leaves. 28 cm. Good condition, stains and wear. Damages to binding.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $500
Sold for: Unsold
Four books, with ancient signatures and ownership inscriptions: · Korban Reshit, responsa and halachic novellae. By Rabbi Yehuda Leib Margaliot, Frankfurt an der Oder, [1778]. On Leaf 2 and on last page are signatures "…David Deutsch" – Rabbi David Deutsch Av Beit Din of Ir-Chadash (Nowe Miasto (1756-1830), author of Ohel David, see Item 218]. · Keter Kehuna, Part 1. By Rabbi Yitzchak Avraham Katz. [Zhovkva, 1805]. Ownership inscription: "Belongs to the great Rabbi Shimon of Kromau" – Rabbi Shimon Oppenheim of Kromau (Moravia), (1753-1851), disciple of the Nodah B'Yehuda, and Dayan in Budapest during the time of the Maharam Mintz, author of Har HaKarmel. · Shemot BaAretz, by Rabbi Moshe Ben Haviv. Karlsruhe, [1766]. Owner's inscription on title page: "Yosef B.Y.C. Feilbogen" – The B.Y.C. Feilbogen family was a famous family of rabbis in Moravia. His son Rabbi Binyamin B.Y.C. Feilbogen printed the book Bnei Yosef (Leipzig, 1872), in memory of his father, Rabbi Yosef B.Y.C. Feilbogen who served for 17 years as Rabbi of the city of Velyki Mezhyrichi (Gross Mezheritch), after he had served for 26 years and Rabbi of Hlukhiv. · Machzik Beracha, Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah. By the Chida. [Livorna, 1785 – missing title page, damages to several leaves]. On the leaf of introduction is a signed dedication for the city of Tiberias, dated Tevet 1787, by the Tiberias emissary to North Africa, who after two years returned to Eretz Israel and brought the book "from the holy camp of Livorno" [apparently, the book was sent from Livorno, the city in which the author, the Chida resided, to the holy city of Tiberias. We could not decipher the signature of the emissary. In the book Sheluchei Eretz Yisrael no documentation can be found of a Tiberias emissary to North-Africa from 1785-1787. Mentioned on page 631 is the emissary Rabbi Avraham Lev Aryeh who was in 1747 in Livorno on a mission to European countries. See enclosed copy]. On the margin is an Oriental curly signature: “David Ma’aravi”. In Part 2, Leaf 102/b is a gloss signed; “HaTza’ir Y.A.A.”, in which he refers to the words of his grandfather Rabbi C. Abulafia in his book Chanan Elokim. On the last page are curly signatures of “-Y.S.--- Abulafia” [evidently, Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Abulafia of Tiberias, 1845-1894]. 4 books, size and condition vary.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
Auction 49 Part I - Books, Chassidism, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
January 19, 2016
Opening: $300
Sold for: $400
Including buyer's premium
Elya Mizrachi, commentary on Rashi's commentary on the Torah. Amsterdam, 1708. Printed by Shlomo Proops. Many signatures and ownership inscriptions by Furth rabbis from 1730-1750: "Shmuel Helli"; "I have purchased it from R' Shmuel Helli, for…Yoel son of R' Moshe Shlenker of Furth"; "I have purchased from the above estate – … Ya'akov HaKatan called Ya'akov Berlin". The famed Rabbi Ya'akov Berlin (1708-1750), a leading Torah scholar, disciple of the Shev Ya'akov and prominent Furth sage. Authored the books Be'er Ya'akov (Furth, 1767) and Zichron Ya'akov (Furth, 1770). [In his book Zichron Ya'akov the name of the printer "Yoel son of R' David Shlenker of Furth" is mentioned – apparently, grandson of Rabbi Yoel Shlenker whose signature is on this book]. His teachings are often cited in the books written by Torah authorities and in the books of the Chatam Sofer. Other signatures and ownership inscriptions: "Gotleib Kahana Sapir", "Belongs to the great Torah scholar…R' Aharon David Deutsch Av Beit Din of Balassagyarmat". Ownership inscriptions and stamps of his son Rabbi "Yosef Yisrael Deutsch – Av Beit Din of Balassagyarmat". The renowned scholar Rabbi Aharon David Deutsch (1813-1978), disciple of the Chatam Sofer, Av Beit Din of Sebes and of Balassagyarmat (Hungary). Author of Goren David responsa. His son Rabbi Yosef Yisrael Deutsch (1845-1927) Av Beit Din of Szendrő, and from 1878 he succeeded his father in the Balassagyarmat rabbinate. Authored Ben Garni. [1], 241 leaves. 31.5 cm. Fair condition, wear and worming. Detached leaves. Worn ancient wooden binding, covered with light-colored leather, with ornamentations, clasp remnants. On Leaf 211/b is a printed illustration, a map of Eretz Israel.
Category
Signatures and Dedications
Catalogue Value
