Auction 65 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 65 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 12, 2019
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Responsa Givat Pinchas, by R. Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz Rabbi of Frankfurt, author of the Haflaa. Lemberg (Lviv), [1837]. First edition.
Copy previously owned by Rebbes of the Munkacs (Mukachevo) Chassidic dynasty. Many stamps of R. "Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro" and of his son R. "Chaim Elazar Shapiro Rabbi of Munkacs".
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro author of Darchei Teshuva (1845-1914, Encyclopedia of Chassidut III, 618-620). Son of R. Shlomo Shapiro Rabbi of Munkacs author of Shem Shlomo, who was the son of R. Elazar of Lantzut (Łańcut), son of R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov author of Bnei Yissaschar. He was an outstanding Torah scholar, halachic authority and kabbalist. A leading Torah scholar and rebbe of his generation, he succeeded his father as rabbi of Munkacs. He established the Munkacs Chassidic dynasty, which numbered thousands of Chassidim. A founder of Kollel Munkacs, he was titled "Nesi Eretz Israel". He authored: Darchei Teshuva, Be'er LaChai Ro'i, Tzvi Tiferet and more.
His son, Rebbe Chaim Elazar Shapiro Rabbi of Munkacs (1872-1937, Otzar HaRabbanim 6243) was a leading Torah scholar, halachic authority, rebbe and kabbalist in his generation. He battled to preserve the sanctity of the Jewish people, and his teachings in Halacha and Kabbalah were disseminated throughout the Jewish world. His books include: Responsa Minchat Elazar, Shaar Yissachar, Nimukei Orach Chaim, Divrei Torah - 9 parts, and more. (See: Darkei Chaim VeShalom).
[1], 47 leaves. 37 cm. Fine copy, with particularly wide margins. Very good condition. Minor stains. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 109.
Category
Books with Signatures and Important Ownership - Chassidic Luminaries
Catalogue Value
Auction 65 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 12, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Letter from the rabbis of Jerusalem addressed to the leaders of the Mantua community, alerting them of a person posing as an emissary of Jerusalem. Signed by the rabbis of the city: Chief Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Ayash, R. Yaakov Koral and R. Yom Tov Danon, with the stamp of the Sephardi community in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, 1814.
The rabbis of Jerusalem begin with writing that they were notified by their emissary - R. Yaakov David Yekutiel HaKohen, that there is a person claiming to be an emissary of the Jerusalem community, circulating in Italian cities and raising funds. The Jerusalem rabbis declare that they do not know the person, that he is an imposter and a charlatan, and warn the Mantua community not to allow him to deceive them, requesting they forewarn neighboring communities as well.
The rabbis first indicate that the sign of a true emissary is if his ledgers and emissary letters bear, apart from their signatures, the two stamps of the Jerusalem community - the old one and the new one. Later in the letter, below the date, the rabbis assert otherwise, writing that the ultimate proof of authenticity is only the new stamp adjoined to their signatures, without the old stamp.
The first signatory on this letter is the Chief Rabbi - R. Yaakov Moshe Ayash, followed by (far left) R. Yaakov Koral - his successor as Chief Rabbi, and finally (in the center) R. Yom Tov Danon (who served as Chief Rabbi after the Chikrei Lev). The stamp of the Jerusalem community is affixed beneath their signatures, serving in this case also as a sample to compare emissary letters with, for establishing authenticity.
[1] folded leaf (address inscribed on verso). 24 cm. Fair condition. Stains, ink stains. Wear, tears and holes. Folding marks.
Category
Eretz Israel - Jerusalem and Safed - Letters and Emissary Letters, in Manuscript and Print
Catalogue Value
Auction 65 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 12, 2019
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $11,250
Including buyer's premium
Two familial letters, signed by Rebbe Yosef Yungerleib of Radvil (Radyvyliv), including letters handwritten by his sons Rebbe Eliezer of Radvil and Rebbe Alexander Shmuel of Vishnevets, and his son-in-law Rebbe Mordechai Lerner of Shumsk. Addressed to their son-in-law/brother-in-law R. Yitzchak Wertheim Rabbi of Bender. Radvil, [1864-1868].
• Letter from Rebbe Yosef of Radvil, addressed to his son-in-law R. Yitzchak of Bender, dated "Wednesday, 5th Shevat 1864". Written by a scribe and signed by the Rebbe, with an addition handwritten by his son-in-law Rebbe Mordechai Lerner of Shumsk.
The Rebbe writes to his son-in-law upon being informed that his daughter is pregnant. He requests of his son-in-law and daughter to fulfill their promise and come stay with him until after the birth. Since the letter was written at the height of the snowy Ukrainian winter, and considering that the distance between Bender in Moldova and Radvil in Volhyn (Volhynia, Ukraine) is some 600 kilometers, the Rebbe asks his son-in-law and daughter to travel by sleigh, and offers to sponsor the travel expenses, 50 silver rubles.
The Rebbe signs at the end of the letter "Yosef son of the rabbi". Rebbe Mordechai Lerner of Shumsk, son-in-law of Rebbe Yosef and brother-in-law of R. Yitzchak, added two handwritten lines on the side of the letter, sending regards to his brother-in-law R. Yitzchak, and signing "Mordechai son of the rabbi".
[1] leaf. Approx. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Filing holes. Folding marks.
• Letter from Rebbe Yosef of Radvil addressed to his son-in-law R. Yitzchak of Bender, dated "Tuesday of Pinchas 1868, Radvil". Written by a scribe and signed by the Rebbe. At the foot of the leaf, three letters were added, handwritten by his sons Rebbe Eliezer of Radvil and R. Alexander Shmuel Rabbi of Vishnevets, and by his son-in-law R. Mordechai Lerner of Shumsk.
The Rebbe writes to his son-in-law affectionately, describing how much he enjoyed receiving their letter with regards from his young grandson, and extends many heartfelt blessings. The letter is signed at the end in the Rebbe's own handwriting: "Yosef son of the rabbi".
At the foot of the letter, Rebbe Eliezer of Radvil-Ustila, son of R. Yosef and brother-in-law of R. Yitzchak, added several handwritten lines, sending regards and blessings to his brother-in-law R. Yitzchak, and signing "Eliezer…" (the signature is partially torn).
On the side of the letter, Rebbe Mordechai Lerner of Shumsk and R. Alexander Shmuel Rabbi of Vishnevets added several handwritten lines, inquiring of R. Yitzchak's welfare, and signing: "Mordechai" and "Alexander Shmuel son of the rabbi".
[1] leaf. Approx. 30 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Filing holes. Large tears affecting text (including the signatures). Folding marks.
Rebbe Yosef Yungerleib of Radvil (1818/1820-1875, Encyclopedia of Chassidut, II, pp. 100-101) was a descendant of the Maggid R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. He was reputed for his holiness and purity, his asceticism and fasts. He would immerse himself in a mikveh dozens of times every day. In Volhyn, he earnt the reputation of a wonder-worker benefitting from Divine Inspiration, and effecting salvations. He was close to R. Yisrael of Ruzhin, who attested that he possessed a lofty soul, and that his conception and birth were in holiness, even predicting that he would later perform salvations for the Jewish people. Reputedly, when Rebbe Nechemia of Bichov (son of the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa) heard this, he gave R. Yosef a kvittel with his name, asking him to mention him in prayer. At the age of 18, R. Yosef was appointed Rebbe of Lanovitz (Lanivtsi), and in 1847, he moved to Radvil, upon the advice of his teacher R. Yisrael of Ruzhin. At the end of 1868, he moved to Vishnevets. His son-in-law and disciple, R. Yitzchak Rabbi of Bender, wrote a biography on his father-in-law named Kisei David, in which he quotes his teachings and holy practices.
His son and successor - Rebbe Eliezer of Radvil-Ustila (1843-1893, Encyclopedia of Chassidut, I, p. 249), was rabbinically ordained by R. Shlomo Kluger. He served as rabbi of Radvil and Ustila (Ustyluh). Rebbe Avraham of Trisk described him as "one who effects salvations like myself".
His son - R. Alexander Shmuel served as rabbi of Vishnevets (d. 1898. Encyclopedia of Chassidut, III, p. 511).
His son-in-law, Rebbe Mordechai Lerner of Shumsk, led a large following of Chassidim throughout Volhyn (d. 1904. Encyclopedia of Chassidut, III, p. 212).
Recipient of the letters - R. Yitzchak Wertheim Rabbi of Bender (d. 1911. Encyclopedia of Chassidut, II, p. 337), son-in-law of R. Yosef of Radvil and a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov. He left behind many writings, some of which were later published. As mentioned, one of his manuscript compositions was entitled Kisei David, regarding the life story of his father-in-law R. Yosef, his exalted holiness and stature.
Letters and signatures from Rebbe Yosef of Radvil are extremely scarce! Immediately after his passing, his son R. Eliezer of Ustila searched for signatures of his father but to no avail. R. Yitzchak Landau (close attendant of Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz) writes in Zichron Tov, Piotrkow 1892, in the letters section, following letter 16: "and recently, his son [of R. Yosef], R. Eliezer [of Radvil-Ustila]… and pleaded me exceedingly that I should give him that letter [letter sent from R. Yosef to R. Yitzchak of Neshchiz - letter 16], saying that he does not have a single signature of his father, since the few letters he signed were sent to those they were addressed to, and it was not common for him to sign at all, only in a very few instances, and even then with extensive preparations". (R. Eliezer requested the letter his father sent to R. Yitzchak of Neshchiz from the attendant, since R. Yitzchak passed away childless, and all the letters he had received from leading Rebbes were given over to the attendant, who published them).
To the best of our knowledge, these letters were never published.
Category
Letters - Chassidic Luminaries
Catalogue Value
Auction 65 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 12, 2019
Opening: $600
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Interesting letter regarding the polemic surrounding the Beregsaz rabbinate, addressed to Rebbe Menachem Mendel Paneth of Deyzh (Dej). Beregsaz (Berehove), 1861.
In the letter, dated "Sunday, Parashat Shoftim 1861, here in Beregsaz", eight of the community members address Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Deyzh, author of Maaglei Tzedek, then serving as rabbi of Urişor, and ask him not to suspect them of taking part in the controversy that had erupted then in Beregsaz. They inform him that they tried to oppose it to the best of their ability, and did not support it in anyway. They ask the Rebbe not to bear any grudge against them, and extend their blessings.
The letter is signed by eight members of the community.
The letter was presumably written in the wake of the controversy which broke out surrounding the rabbinic post of R. Avraham Yehuda HaKohen Schwartz, the Kol Aryeh, who was appointed rabbi of Beregsaz in 1861. The dispute was instigated by a small group who supported the dayan R. Moshe Aharon Fränkel as rabbinic candidate. This controversy did not subside throughout the Kol Aryeh's tenure as rabbi of the city, and eventually, he resigned, returning to Mád. Regarding this polemic, see: Ehrenreich, HaKol Aryeh, New York, 2007, Vol. I, chapter 7, The Polemic and its Consequences, p. 223 onwards. This letter documents the early stages of the dispute, a short while before the Kol Aryeh arrived in Beregsaz, while the book covers a later period.
R. Menachem Mendel Paneth (1818-1885), Rabbi of Deyzh and Chief Rabbi of Transylvania, was the son of Rebbe Yechezkel author of Mareh Yechezkel (disciple of R. Mendel of Rymanów, served as rabbi of Carlsburg [Alba Iulia] and of Siebenburgen [Transylvania]). He was a close disciple of his father, of the Chatam Sofer and of the Yismach Moshe. Between 1832 and 1837, he studied in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer and was the only young man in the Pressburg yeshiva who donned a Chassidic silk robe on Shabbat. His teacher, the Chatam Sofer, was very fond of him and used to stroll while conversing with him every Shabbat eve (he would dub him "the golden one"). While studying in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer, he merited a revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi who greeted him in the Beit Midrash, in the disguise of a pauper. In 1842, he was appointed rabbi of Urişor, and in ca. 1855, of Deyzh, where he established a large yeshiva, edifying numerous disciples, many of whom later served as rabbis in Transylvania. During those years, he would frequent the courts of leading rebbes, R. Yisrael of Ruzhin and the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. From the beginning of his tenure in Deyzh, entire areas of Transylvania were captivated by his charm, and many Jews, who until then had no connection to Chassidism, became chassidim.
R. Menachem Mendel served as the halachic authority in his times in Transylvania, and corresponded with most of the leading rabbis of Hungary and Galicia. His responsa are published in the series Responsa Avnei Tzedek, Shaarei Tzedek and Mishpat Tzedek. He is renowned in the Chassidic world for his book Maaglei Tzedek on the Torah, published in the last year of his life. In this book, he quotes extensively thoughts he heard from his three prime teachers, his father, the Chatam Sofer and the Yismach Moshe. Special significance is ascribed to this book as a segulah for livelihood (see: Maaglei Tzedek HaMevoar, Bnei Brak, 2007, p. 22). He successfully combined in his leadership both his positions as rabbi and as rebbe.
[1] leaf. 28 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Folding marks. Ink faded. Left margin trimmed close to text.
Category
Letters - Chassidic Luminaries
Catalogue Value
Auction 65 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 12, 2019
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy letter (approx. 33 lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbe Yitzchak Zelig Morgenstern Rabbi of Sokołów. Sokołów, [1930]. Written on the second leaf of the printed invitation to the wedding of his daughter, Sarah, with R. Binyamin Morgenstern son of R. Yaakov Aryeh Rabbi of Wyszków.
Letter with particularly significant and noteworthy content, addressed to R. Tzvi Hirsch Farber, a foremost London rabbi. The Rebbe writes against the government's initiative to entrust the authority over ritual slaughter and Kashrut to the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire. The letter also reveals an interesting insight imparted by the Chatam Sofer. The Rebbe begins with enjoining R. Tzvi Hirsch and the rabbinical council to express their vehement protest on this matter, to the point of instructing the Orthodox rabbis who are members of the Chief Rabbinate, not to collaborate with this scheme, as they are required to have foresight. The grounds for the objection are firstly, the unfeasibility of governing the Kashrut of the entire country, and mainly, since there is no guarantee as to what kind of rabbis and Chief Rabbi will later be instated. He relates that the government bade the Chatam Sofer to become the chief rabbi of Hungary, with authority over the rabbinate and all religious matters, yet the Chatam Sofer categorically refused to accept this position, contending that he did not know who his successors would be.
The Rebbe later in the letter relates of a similar issue which was raised in the famous Rabbinical Congress in St. Petersburg in 1910, in which the Rebbe participated as a representative of Poland, together with other leading Polish rabbis. On that occasion, all the rabbis unanimously ruled against delegating all religious affairs to a special committee of rabbis, arguing that one cannot foresee who would later succeed them. They recalled the controversy which arose in France, when the government wished to give the Chief Rabbinate the power to liberate Jewish women from their marital status, just like priests in other faiths are authorized to release women from their husbands. The Rebbe then mentions how the Orthodox rabbis in Kovno are campaigning against the institution of a chief rabbinate controlling all religious affairs. Consequently, the London community, who already have a Chief Rabbinate and can see for themselves the power they hold, must endeavor to dissuade the government from assigning the Chief Rabbinate the Kashrut institute, upon which the holiness of the Jewish people rests. "Surely, your government, which upholds religious freedom, will not force upon you this unnecessary institution, and may G-d be with your mouths… One who writes for the sake of truth and religion - Yitzchak Zelig Morgenstern Rabbi of Sokołów".
R. Yitzchak Zelig Morgenstern (1865-1940, Encyclopedia of Chasidut, II, pp. 402-404), a foremost rebbe and rabbi of Poland and leader of European Orthodox Jewry. A grandson of R. Mendele of Kotzk and son of the Rebbe of Pulav (Puławy). He served as rabbi of Sokołów since 1899. One of the initiators of the Rabbinical Association of Poland and its vice president, a founder of "Agudat Yisrael" and representative of the Gerrer Rebbe in the "Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah". From 1904, he served as Rebbe in Sokołów and Otwock, establishing a yeshivah which he headed. Thousands of Chasidim flocked to his court for guidance and encouragement, advice and assistance. Amongst his descendants were dynasties of Rebbes (Novominsk and others). Remnants of his novellae were published in the book She'erit Yitzchak (Tel Aviv, 1989).
[1] folded leaf. 22 cm. Good condition. Filing holes to the invitation leaf, slightly affecting the text of the invitation.
Category
Letters - Chassidic Luminaries
Catalogue Value