Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
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![Get Pashut, Shulchan Aruch – laws of divorce, with the Get Pashut commentary, by R. Moshe ibn Chaviv. Constantinople, [1719].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale66-public/106.jpg "Get Pashut – Constantinople, 1719 – First Edition – Copy of Rabbi Yesh")
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $2,200
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Get Pashut, Shulchan Aruch – laws of divorce, with the Get Pashut commentary, by R. Moshe ibn Chaviv. Constantinople, [1719]. First edition.
Copy of R. Yeshaya Pick Berlin. At the center of the title page, his abbreviated, handwritten signature: "Y.B. P." (=Yeshaya Berlin Pick).
Ownership inscription at the top of the title page: "Belongs to the outstanding Torah scholar R. Yeshaya Pick of Berlin", with a German signature.
Brief glosses and corrections, presumably in his handwriting, on pp. 4b; 5b; 101b, 111a; 112a and 141a.
R. Yeshaya Pick Berlin (1725-1799), rabbi of Breslau. An outstanding Torah scholar, exceptionally proficient in all realms of Torah, in the Bible, both Talmuds, Midrash and halachic literature. His close colleague, the Noda BiYehuda, acclaimed R. Yeshaya's extraordinary brilliance and righteousness. For most of his life, he did not serve in a rabbinic position. He earned a living from his partnership in a leather business. Only near the end of his life, in 1793, was he appointed rabbi of Breslau, a position he held until his passing. He composed dozens of works which disclose his tremendous knowledge, but was mostly renowned for his glosses printed in the Talmud editions, from the Dyhernfurth 1800 edition onwards. The Chatam Sofer eulogized him: "A renowned Tzaddik… who did not forsake neither large or small topics, and only studied Torah for the sake of Heaven… whom we had said, under his protection we shall live amongst the nations". Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik of Komarno attested in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha, in the name of his teacher, that if R. Yeshaya Pick had attended the Baal Shem Tov, their combined righteousness would have brought the Redemption to the Jewish people (Netiv Emuna, path 6, 11).
[2], 143 leaves. 30.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Wear to title page and several other leaves. Minor tears to margins of title page and subsequent leaf, not affecting text. New leather binding.
Copy of R. Yeshaya Pick Berlin. At the center of the title page, his abbreviated, handwritten signature: "Y.B. P." (=Yeshaya Berlin Pick).
Ownership inscription at the top of the title page: "Belongs to the outstanding Torah scholar R. Yeshaya Pick of Berlin", with a German signature.
Brief glosses and corrections, presumably in his handwriting, on pp. 4b; 5b; 101b, 111a; 112a and 141a.
R. Yeshaya Pick Berlin (1725-1799), rabbi of Breslau. An outstanding Torah scholar, exceptionally proficient in all realms of Torah, in the Bible, both Talmuds, Midrash and halachic literature. His close colleague, the Noda BiYehuda, acclaimed R. Yeshaya's extraordinary brilliance and righteousness. For most of his life, he did not serve in a rabbinic position. He earned a living from his partnership in a leather business. Only near the end of his life, in 1793, was he appointed rabbi of Breslau, a position he held until his passing. He composed dozens of works which disclose his tremendous knowledge, but was mostly renowned for his glosses printed in the Talmud editions, from the Dyhernfurth 1800 edition onwards. The Chatam Sofer eulogized him: "A renowned Tzaddik… who did not forsake neither large or small topics, and only studied Torah for the sake of Heaven… whom we had said, under his protection we shall live amongst the nations". Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik of Komarno attested in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha, in the name of his teacher, that if R. Yeshaya Pick had attended the Baal Shem Tov, their combined righteousness would have brought the Redemption to the Jewish people (Netiv Emuna, path 6, 11).
[2], 143 leaves. 30.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Wear to title page and several other leaves. Minor tears to margins of title page and subsequent leaf, not affecting text. New leather binding.
Category
Manuscripts and Glosses – Ashkenazi Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $18,000
Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $45,000
Including buyer's premium
Large leaf, handwritten (on both sides) and signed by R. Moshe Sofer author of Chatam Sofer. Mattersdorf (Mattersburg), Av 1804.
Leaf from the responsa notebook of the Chatam Sofer. Autograph, with interlinear and marginal deletions, corrections and additions. On one side of the leaf is the conclusion of a responsum pertaining to the laws of Shemira BeBaalim. The Chatam Sofer mentions that he corresponded on this topic with R. Mordechai Banet Rabbi of Nikolsburg and chief rabbi of Moravia. The Chatam Sofer then relates his opinion and practice on this matter. The responsum concludes with the date and place of writing: "So are my words, here Mattersdorf, Wednesday 24th Menachem 1804" (this responsum was published in Responsa Chatam Sofer, section 93, see enclosed material. In the book, the responsum was erroneously dated 1802, yet that year the 24th Av did not fall on a Wednesday).
The rest of the leaf contains a responsum addressed to "The senior student", with the Chatam Sofer's guidance in correct conduct and honor due to Torah scholars. In this responsum, the Chatam Sofer reproves him for his disrespect for rabbis (it appears to be a response to a sharp letter which this disciple wrote to him, disparaging a prominent rabbi in his city). The Chatam Sofer originally concluded and signed earlier in the letter: "So are the words of one who awaits to hear of your wellbeing, Moshe Sofer of Frankfurt am Main", and he then reconsidered, added several paragraphs, and crossed out the conclusion and signature from the middle of the letter (this letter was published in Responsa Chatam Sofer, part VI, section 59. See enclosed material).
Careful study of this leaf (with the deleted signature in the middle of the responsum) reveals the Chatam Sofer's method in writing his responsa notebook, simultaneous to the writing of the letters which he sent off to the recipients. Researchers may be able to learn from this manuscript the order in which the Chatam Sofer wrote his responsa - whether the responsa notebook served as a draft for the final responsum sent to the questioner, or conversely, the Chatam Sofer copied the letter into the notebook after he finished writing it. One fact is certain - the printed responsa were based on the responsa notebook, and the text of this manuscript is absolutely identical to that of the printed responsa.
These responsa were written during the Chatam Sofer's tenure as rabbi of Mattersdorf, prior to his move to serve as rabbi of Pressburg, in 1807.
[1] leaf (two written pages. Approx. 70 autograph lines). Approx. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and minor marginal tears. Folding marks.
Out of love and reverence for his teachings, descendants and disciples of the Chatam Sofer customarily preserve his manuscripts, as a segulah for fear of G-d and salvation (Kedem Auction 64, item 18).
Leaf from the responsa notebook of the Chatam Sofer. Autograph, with interlinear and marginal deletions, corrections and additions. On one side of the leaf is the conclusion of a responsum pertaining to the laws of Shemira BeBaalim. The Chatam Sofer mentions that he corresponded on this topic with R. Mordechai Banet Rabbi of Nikolsburg and chief rabbi of Moravia. The Chatam Sofer then relates his opinion and practice on this matter. The responsum concludes with the date and place of writing: "So are my words, here Mattersdorf, Wednesday 24th Menachem 1804" (this responsum was published in Responsa Chatam Sofer, section 93, see enclosed material. In the book, the responsum was erroneously dated 1802, yet that year the 24th Av did not fall on a Wednesday).
The rest of the leaf contains a responsum addressed to "The senior student", with the Chatam Sofer's guidance in correct conduct and honor due to Torah scholars. In this responsum, the Chatam Sofer reproves him for his disrespect for rabbis (it appears to be a response to a sharp letter which this disciple wrote to him, disparaging a prominent rabbi in his city). The Chatam Sofer originally concluded and signed earlier in the letter: "So are the words of one who awaits to hear of your wellbeing, Moshe Sofer of Frankfurt am Main", and he then reconsidered, added several paragraphs, and crossed out the conclusion and signature from the middle of the letter (this letter was published in Responsa Chatam Sofer, part VI, section 59. See enclosed material).
Careful study of this leaf (with the deleted signature in the middle of the responsum) reveals the Chatam Sofer's method in writing his responsa notebook, simultaneous to the writing of the letters which he sent off to the recipients. Researchers may be able to learn from this manuscript the order in which the Chatam Sofer wrote his responsa - whether the responsa notebook served as a draft for the final responsum sent to the questioner, or conversely, the Chatam Sofer copied the letter into the notebook after he finished writing it. One fact is certain - the printed responsa were based on the responsa notebook, and the text of this manuscript is absolutely identical to that of the printed responsa.
These responsa were written during the Chatam Sofer's tenure as rabbi of Mattersdorf, prior to his move to serve as rabbi of Pressburg, in 1807.
[1] leaf (two written pages. Approx. 70 autograph lines). Approx. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and minor marginal tears. Folding marks.
Out of love and reverence for his teachings, descendants and disciples of the Chatam Sofer customarily preserve his manuscripts, as a segulah for fear of G-d and salvation (Kedem Auction 64, item 18).
Category
Manuscripts and Glosses – Ashkenazi Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $25,000
Estimate: $30,000 - $35,000
Unsold
HaYam HaTalmud, novellae on Tractate Bava Kama, by R. Moshe Yehoshua Heshel Orenstein Rabbi of Tarnogród and Rohatyn, with Mefarshei HaYam – "glosses and additional novellae" and responsa by the editors of the book – R. Mordechai Ze'ev Segal Ettinger of Lviv and R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn Rabbi of Lviv. Lemberg (Lviv), 1827. First edition.
Copy previously owned by R. Akiva Eger, with two lengthy glosses in his handwriting. Both glosses are signed: "Akiva".
The glosses were written by R. Akiva Eger in the margins of a responsum from his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer published in this book (leaf 69). The glosses contain a validation of the words of the Chatam Sofer, including a proof in support of the latter's opinion. The glosses were written in Rashi script, as R. Akiva Eger occasionally did, and consist of approximately 20 lines.
The book bears approbations by foremost Torah scholars of the generation, including R. Akiva Eger and the Chatam Sofer. The former requests of the editors at the end of his approbation: "And with the completion of the printing of this book, I ask to please send me one copy". This is the copy they sent R. Akiva Eger, who even annotated it with two glosses.
About the glosses:
The last section of the book is comprised of correspondence between the Torah scholars editing the book and foremost Torah scholars of their time, including responsa by R. Akiva Eger and his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer, and others. The responsum of the Chatam Sofer regarding the commandment to remember the Exodus from Egypt was printed on pp. 68b-70a (this responsum was later published in Responsa Chatam Sofer, I, Orach Chaim, section 15, and briefly in the glosses of the Chatam Sofer on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, section 67). The Chatam Sofer differs in this responsum with the Magen Avraham, who ruled that whoever recites Shirat HaYam (Song of the Sea) has thereby fulfilled his obligation to remember the Exodus from Egypt. In the margin of this copy (p. 69a), R. Akiva Eger defends the opinion of his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer with a Midrash Rabba on Shemot, which explicitly corroborates the Chatam Sofer's position.
Further in that same responsum, the Chatam Sofer discusses the topic of blessings recited over Mitzvot amongst others the blessing over the Lulav. In this copy (p. 69b), his father-in-law R. Akiva Eger added a handwritten note, stating that the blessing over shaking the Lulav is not inherently connected to the topic at hand, and was just mentioned by rote.
The contents of the first gloss were later published in the glosses of R. Akiva Eger to Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim section 67. The glosses were first published as an independent book, in Berlin 1862, and were also included in the Shulchan Aruch edition printed that year in Johannisburg). The text of the printed gloss is as follows: "My son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg in his responsum printed at the end of Yam HaTalmud contested this… and in my humble opinion, his argument is correct, since the Midrash says…" (there are slight textual variations between the glosses printed in the Johannisburg and Berlin editions). In the printed gloss, only part of the Midrash is quoted. This caused several Acharonim to question R. Akiva Eger's words, contending that from the words of the Midrash quoted, there is still no contradiction to the Magen Avraham, and some asserted that a typographical error crept in (see enclosed material). But in this handwritten gloss, the Midrash is quoted in its entirety, and consequently, the query becomes irrelevant.
The contents of the second gloss were not published.
Reputedly, R. Akiva Eger would annotate new books he received during his afternoon rest (see his daily schedule published in Alei Zikaron, III, Av 2015, p. 4).
Regarding R. Akiva Eger's practice of occasionally writing his glosses in Rashi script, and signing his glosses "Akiva", see: MiBeit Genazim, Brooklyn, 2010, p. 233; Responsa Ginat Vradim HaShalem, Orach Chaim, Jerusalem, 2008, p. 8; Encyclopedia Rina ViYeshua, III, Bnei Brak 1996, p. 58.
This book was bequeathed to R. Akiva Eger's son, R. Yitzchak Leib Eger. His German stamp appears on the title page: "I.L. Eger – Johannisburg". R. Yitzchak Leib (d. 1871) resided in Łomża and later in Johannisburg (Germany; presently: Pisz, Poland), where he published the Shulchan Aruch with his father's glosses in 1862. In his foreword, he attests that he only published glosses personally handwritten by his father, and not those his disciples recorded in his name. His father mentions him in his novellae: "The question my wise son, the groom
performed on the second day on Yom Tov, mentioning Yitzchak Leib posed" (Drush VeChiddush, on Tractate Ketubbot, p. 40a). In his father's final years, R. Yitzchak Leib kept a special notebook in which he recorded novellae he heard from him, mostly on tractate Chullin.
This copy was later owned by Rebbe Moshe Halberstam of Bardiyov (Bardejov). His (penciled) signature appears on the title page: "Moshe Halberstam". The front endpaper contains many penciled inscriptions, and stamps of "Chevra Mezonot MiTalmud, the Great Torah Scholar Rabbi of Bardiyov". R. Moshe Halberstam, rabbi of Bardiyov (1850-1904, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 269), was a leading Hungarian rebbe, son of R. Baruch Halberstam of Gorlitz and son-in-law of his uncle R. Aharon Halberstam Rabbi of Sanz. His grandfather, R. Chaim of Sanz, entrusted him with the editing of his book Responsa Divrei Chaim.
R. Akiva (Güns) Eger (1761-1837), a leading Torah scholar in his times, was born in Eisenstadt to R. Moshe Güns and his mother - daughter of the first R. Akiva Eger (rabbi of Pressburg, author of Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva). Before he reached the age of 13, he began studying in the Breslau yeshiva under the tutelage of his uncle and teacher R. Binyamin Wolf Eger and at the age of fifteen, he was already delivering Torah lectures. After his marriage in 1778, he moved to Lissa (Leszno) to the home of his father-in-law R. Itzek Margolies. In spite of his young age, he was regarded as one of the leading scholars of the city which was the hub of Torah study at that time.
In 1792, he was appointed rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec) and established a yeshiva there. In 1815, he began serving as rabbi of Posen (Poznań), a position he held for 23 years until his death in 1837. In Posen as well, he founded a yeshiva and taught many disciples. He was a holy person with Divine Inspiration, though supremely humble and gracious, he knew how to insist upon the honor due to the Torah and the rabbinate. He issued numerous regulations and established many public institutions. He replied to the thousands of questions addressed to him from around the world and recorded many novellae.
His descendants were also leading Torah scholars: R. Shlomo Eger (1786-1852), one of Warsaw's most influential Jews and his father's successor in the Posen rabbinate, author of Gilyon Maharsha and other books; R. Avraham Eger of Rawicz who edited his father's writings (with his own additions signed "A.A.B.H.H." - acronym of the Hebrew "Amar Avraham ben HaRav HaMechaber" [Avraham, son of the author says]); his renowned son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer, who after the death of his first wife, married the daughter of R. Akiva Eger (Rebbetzin Sorel, who bore him R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Wolf - the Ketav Sofer, and R. Shimon Sofer - rabbi of Kraków).
R. Akiva Eger devoted his entire life to Torah study and was known for his amazing proficiency and profound definitions which became basic tenets of Torah learning until our times. His books and novellae are key Torah texts for yeshiva students and poskim alike. R. Elazar Menachem Shach, author of Avi Ezri, writes in his approbation to the book Pote'ach She'arim – Teachings of R. Akiva Eger (Jerusalem, 1985) "For us, R. Akiva Eger, his opinions and reasoning are as conclusive as one of the Rishonim…".
His works include: Responsa of R. Akiva Eger, published by his sons in his lifetime, under his instruction. After his demise, his sons continued publishing his novellae in Drush VeChiddush, and additional volumes of his responsa series. Other responsa and novellae are being published until this day based on manuscripts (such as the books Kushiot Atzumot, Ketav VeChotam, Michtavei R. Akiva Eger and others). His various books were reprinted in many editions, including some annotated and expanded editions, which were enriched with related selections of his Torah teachings appearing in other places.
The glosses of R. Akiva Eger are valued in the yeshiva world and by Torah scholars for their perspicacity and profundity, and they invest much effort in studying them. He himself considered his glosses a composition worth publishing, as is apparent from his letters to his son R. Avraham Eger, printed at the beginning of Hagahot Rabbenu Akiva Eger, Berlin 1862. Amongst his glosses, renowned are his glosses to the Talmud, named Gilyon HaShas (first printed in his lifetime in the Prague and Vilna editions of the Talmud), his glosses to the Shulchan Aruch, and Tosefot R. Akiva Eger on the Mishna. Over the years, his glosses to various books were published in later editions of those books and in Torah anthologies.
10; 81 leaves. 37 cm. Wide margins. Good condition. Stains. Original binding, torn and damaged.
Copy previously owned by R. Akiva Eger, with two lengthy glosses in his handwriting. Both glosses are signed: "Akiva".
The glosses were written by R. Akiva Eger in the margins of a responsum from his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer published in this book (leaf 69). The glosses contain a validation of the words of the Chatam Sofer, including a proof in support of the latter's opinion. The glosses were written in Rashi script, as R. Akiva Eger occasionally did, and consist of approximately 20 lines.
The book bears approbations by foremost Torah scholars of the generation, including R. Akiva Eger and the Chatam Sofer. The former requests of the editors at the end of his approbation: "And with the completion of the printing of this book, I ask to please send me one copy". This is the copy they sent R. Akiva Eger, who even annotated it with two glosses.
About the glosses:
The last section of the book is comprised of correspondence between the Torah scholars editing the book and foremost Torah scholars of their time, including responsa by R. Akiva Eger and his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer, and others. The responsum of the Chatam Sofer regarding the commandment to remember the Exodus from Egypt was printed on pp. 68b-70a (this responsum was later published in Responsa Chatam Sofer, I, Orach Chaim, section 15, and briefly in the glosses of the Chatam Sofer on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, section 67). The Chatam Sofer differs in this responsum with the Magen Avraham, who ruled that whoever recites Shirat HaYam (Song of the Sea) has thereby fulfilled his obligation to remember the Exodus from Egypt. In the margin of this copy (p. 69a), R. Akiva Eger defends the opinion of his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer with a Midrash Rabba on Shemot, which explicitly corroborates the Chatam Sofer's position.
Further in that same responsum, the Chatam Sofer discusses the topic of blessings recited over Mitzvot amongst others the blessing over the Lulav. In this copy (p. 69b), his father-in-law R. Akiva Eger added a handwritten note, stating that the blessing over shaking the Lulav is not inherently connected to the topic at hand, and was just mentioned by rote.
The contents of the first gloss were later published in the glosses of R. Akiva Eger to Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim section 67. The glosses were first published as an independent book, in Berlin 1862, and were also included in the Shulchan Aruch edition printed that year in Johannisburg). The text of the printed gloss is as follows: "My son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg in his responsum printed at the end of Yam HaTalmud contested this… and in my humble opinion, his argument is correct, since the Midrash says…" (there are slight textual variations between the glosses printed in the Johannisburg and Berlin editions). In the printed gloss, only part of the Midrash is quoted. This caused several Acharonim to question R. Akiva Eger's words, contending that from the words of the Midrash quoted, there is still no contradiction to the Magen Avraham, and some asserted that a typographical error crept in (see enclosed material). But in this handwritten gloss, the Midrash is quoted in its entirety, and consequently, the query becomes irrelevant.
The contents of the second gloss were not published.
Reputedly, R. Akiva Eger would annotate new books he received during his afternoon rest (see his daily schedule published in Alei Zikaron, III, Av 2015, p. 4).
Regarding R. Akiva Eger's practice of occasionally writing his glosses in Rashi script, and signing his glosses "Akiva", see: MiBeit Genazim, Brooklyn, 2010, p. 233; Responsa Ginat Vradim HaShalem, Orach Chaim, Jerusalem, 2008, p. 8; Encyclopedia Rina ViYeshua, III, Bnei Brak 1996, p. 58.
This book was bequeathed to R. Akiva Eger's son, R. Yitzchak Leib Eger. His German stamp appears on the title page: "I.L. Eger – Johannisburg". R. Yitzchak Leib (d. 1871) resided in Łomża and later in Johannisburg (Germany; presently: Pisz, Poland), where he published the Shulchan Aruch with his father's glosses in 1862. In his foreword, he attests that he only published glosses personally handwritten by his father, and not those his disciples recorded in his name. His father mentions him in his novellae: "The question my wise son, the groom
performed on the second day on Yom Tov, mentioning Yitzchak Leib posed" (Drush VeChiddush, on Tractate Ketubbot, p. 40a). In his father's final years, R. Yitzchak Leib kept a special notebook in which he recorded novellae he heard from him, mostly on tractate Chullin.
This copy was later owned by Rebbe Moshe Halberstam of Bardiyov (Bardejov). His (penciled) signature appears on the title page: "Moshe Halberstam". The front endpaper contains many penciled inscriptions, and stamps of "Chevra Mezonot MiTalmud, the Great Torah Scholar Rabbi of Bardiyov". R. Moshe Halberstam, rabbi of Bardiyov (1850-1904, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 269), was a leading Hungarian rebbe, son of R. Baruch Halberstam of Gorlitz and son-in-law of his uncle R. Aharon Halberstam Rabbi of Sanz. His grandfather, R. Chaim of Sanz, entrusted him with the editing of his book Responsa Divrei Chaim.
R. Akiva (Güns) Eger (1761-1837), a leading Torah scholar in his times, was born in Eisenstadt to R. Moshe Güns and his mother - daughter of the first R. Akiva Eger (rabbi of Pressburg, author of Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva). Before he reached the age of 13, he began studying in the Breslau yeshiva under the tutelage of his uncle and teacher R. Binyamin Wolf Eger and at the age of fifteen, he was already delivering Torah lectures. After his marriage in 1778, he moved to Lissa (Leszno) to the home of his father-in-law R. Itzek Margolies. In spite of his young age, he was regarded as one of the leading scholars of the city which was the hub of Torah study at that time.
In 1792, he was appointed rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec) and established a yeshiva there. In 1815, he began serving as rabbi of Posen (Poznań), a position he held for 23 years until his death in 1837. In Posen as well, he founded a yeshiva and taught many disciples. He was a holy person with Divine Inspiration, though supremely humble and gracious, he knew how to insist upon the honor due to the Torah and the rabbinate. He issued numerous regulations and established many public institutions. He replied to the thousands of questions addressed to him from around the world and recorded many novellae.
His descendants were also leading Torah scholars: R. Shlomo Eger (1786-1852), one of Warsaw's most influential Jews and his father's successor in the Posen rabbinate, author of Gilyon Maharsha and other books; R. Avraham Eger of Rawicz who edited his father's writings (with his own additions signed "A.A.B.H.H." - acronym of the Hebrew "Amar Avraham ben HaRav HaMechaber" [Avraham, son of the author says]); his renowned son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer, who after the death of his first wife, married the daughter of R. Akiva Eger (Rebbetzin Sorel, who bore him R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Wolf - the Ketav Sofer, and R. Shimon Sofer - rabbi of Kraków).
R. Akiva Eger devoted his entire life to Torah study and was known for his amazing proficiency and profound definitions which became basic tenets of Torah learning until our times. His books and novellae are key Torah texts for yeshiva students and poskim alike. R. Elazar Menachem Shach, author of Avi Ezri, writes in his approbation to the book Pote'ach She'arim – Teachings of R. Akiva Eger (Jerusalem, 1985) "For us, R. Akiva Eger, his opinions and reasoning are as conclusive as one of the Rishonim…".
His works include: Responsa of R. Akiva Eger, published by his sons in his lifetime, under his instruction. After his demise, his sons continued publishing his novellae in Drush VeChiddush, and additional volumes of his responsa series. Other responsa and novellae are being published until this day based on manuscripts (such as the books Kushiot Atzumot, Ketav VeChotam, Michtavei R. Akiva Eger and others). His various books were reprinted in many editions, including some annotated and expanded editions, which were enriched with related selections of his Torah teachings appearing in other places.
The glosses of R. Akiva Eger are valued in the yeshiva world and by Torah scholars for their perspicacity and profundity, and they invest much effort in studying them. He himself considered his glosses a composition worth publishing, as is apparent from his letters to his son R. Avraham Eger, printed at the beginning of Hagahot Rabbenu Akiva Eger, Berlin 1862. Amongst his glosses, renowned are his glosses to the Talmud, named Gilyon HaShas (first printed in his lifetime in the Prague and Vilna editions of the Talmud), his glosses to the Shulchan Aruch, and Tosefot R. Akiva Eger on the Mishna. Over the years, his glosses to various books were published in later editions of those books and in Torah anthologies.
10; 81 leaves. 37 cm. Wide margins. Good condition. Stains. Original binding, torn and damaged.
Category
Manuscripts and Glosses – Ashkenazi Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Unsold
Withdrawn.
Three booklets handwritten by R. Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler author of Michtav MeEliyahu. Autograph, with deletions and additions, and with the author's stamps. Kelm (Kelmė), summer 1919 – Kislev 1920.
Booklets of Torah novellae encompassing Talmudic topics in profound scholarly study – from R. Dessler's student years and the first year of his marriage. The first booklet contains Torah novellae on tractate Yevamot, recorded in the summer 1919 Zman – the first Zman following the reopening of the yeshiva in Kelm, after an exile of over four years, during WWI. The second booklet pertains to tractate Sotah, composed during Elul 1919, that year. The third booklet concerns a topic in the Chezkat HaBatim chapter, tractate Bava Batra, and was written on Chanukah 1920 in Kelm.
R. Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892-1954), an alumnus of the Kelm yeshiva. He was the son-in-law of R. Nachum Ze'ev Ziv of Kelm, and son of R. Reuven Dov Dessler – both heads of the Talmud Torah in Kelm. In 1906, the young prodigy came to study in the Kelm yeshiva, alongside the best learners of Lithuanian yeshivot (most students were several years his seniors). During WWI, he was exiled with his parents to Gomel, Ukraine. With the termination of the war in 1919 and the return of the exiles to Lithuania, the students of the Talmud Torah began gathering once again in Kelm. The student Eliyahu Dessler – then 27 years old, resumed his studies in his regular corner of the Kelm Beit Midrash, where he had always engaged in profound study with great diligence. After a short while, he was betrothed to Rebbetzin Bluma, daughter of R. Nachum Ze'ev (R. Nachum Velvel), and their wedding took place in Kelm in Adar 1920. This was a stately match between princes of the Musar movement and families of Lithuanian Torah nobility: R. Eliyahu Dessler – great-grandson of R. Yisrael of Salant, to the granddaughter of the Saba of Kelm, foremost disciple of R. Yisrael of Salant. In 1927, R. Eliyahu Eliezer arrived in England and was appointed rabbi of Dalston, London. He was one of the founders of the Gateshead Kollel, and of Torah institutions throughout England. Near the end of his life, he went to serve as mashgiach of the Ponovezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak, and was the spiritual mentor who guided the founding of the Pe'ilim organization, which fought for the souls of the immigrants to Israel and directed their children to religious, Torah education. His profound lectures constructed upon the fundamentals of ethics, Kabbalah and Chassidism were published by his disciples in the five volumes of Michtav MeEliyahu and in Sefer HaZikaron – LeBaal HaMichtav MeEliyahu.
The majority of R. Dessler's novellae on the Talmud were not published, and were presumably lost over the years. A small part of his novellae was recorded by his disciple (whom he taught in England), R. Solomon David Sassoon, and published in 1992 under the title Chiddushei R. Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler on the Talmud. In 2005, the book was reprinted, with the addition of a second part. These novellae were not printed there, and are presumably a revelation of another small part of the Torah light of R. Dessler.
3 notebooks: 26 leaves (including: 3 title pages + 46 written pages). Approx. 17.5-18.5 cm. Condition varies, good to good-fair. Folding marks. Stains and wear. Leaves stitched together with thread. Without binding or cover.
Category
Manuscripts and Glosses – Ashkenazi Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Unsold
Mishneh Torah by the Rambam, with the comments of the Raavad, and with the Kesef Mishneh commentary by R. Yosef Karo. Third volume (out of four), parts Haflaa – Tahara. Venice: Bragadin, 1574. First edition of Kesef Mishneh.
Copy previously owned by the kabbalist R. Gedalia Hayon, father-in-law of the Rashash, founder of the Beit El kabbalists' yeshiva. A handwritten inscription occupies the center of the title page: "This belongs to the chief rabbi Gedalia Hayon". An inscription was added beside the year of printing: "Here Jerusalem". Another inscription (partly deleted) in the upper margin of the title page: "This book of [--] R. Gedalia [Hayon]…".
R. Gedalia Hayon (d.1751) was a G-dly kabbalist and wonder-worker. He was the teacher and father-in-law of the prominent kabbalist R. Shalom Sharabi (the Rashash). He founded the Beit El yeshiva for kabbalists in Jerusalem in 1737, and headed it until his passing in 1751. The leading Jerusalem kabbalists studied there, including R. Gershon of Kitov, brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov. The Chida was also his disciple, and describes his holiness and piety: "R. Gedalia Hayon, he is the holy one… he would always increase in holiness, and he delved into Kabbalah and the kavanot of the Arizal with all his strength… in holiness, seclusion and asceticism, and in our generation he was exceptionally pious, and he would pray for the sick, and occasionally, a sick person would be informed in a dream that he had been saved through the prayers of the pious one" (Shem HaGedolim, Maarechet Gedolim, Gimmel). The Chida quotes his teachings in his books, referring to him as "the exceptionally pious rabbi" and other such titles.
The comments of the Raavad in this volume were numbered in early Sephardic script (654-1577).
[20], 451, [1] leaves. 28 cm. Good condition. Stains. Dampstains to some leaves. Worming to some leaves. Tears to title page, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Title page and last leaf reinforced with tape. Part of the printer's device (an illustration of a woman) on verso of title page partially scraped off. Some darkened and stained leaves. New binding.
Copy previously owned by the kabbalist R. Gedalia Hayon, father-in-law of the Rashash, founder of the Beit El kabbalists' yeshiva. A handwritten inscription occupies the center of the title page: "This belongs to the chief rabbi Gedalia Hayon". An inscription was added beside the year of printing: "Here Jerusalem". Another inscription (partly deleted) in the upper margin of the title page: "This book of [--] R. Gedalia [Hayon]…".
R. Gedalia Hayon (d.1751) was a G-dly kabbalist and wonder-worker. He was the teacher and father-in-law of the prominent kabbalist R. Shalom Sharabi (the Rashash). He founded the Beit El yeshiva for kabbalists in Jerusalem in 1737, and headed it until his passing in 1751. The leading Jerusalem kabbalists studied there, including R. Gershon of Kitov, brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov. The Chida was also his disciple, and describes his holiness and piety: "R. Gedalia Hayon, he is the holy one… he would always increase in holiness, and he delved into Kabbalah and the kavanot of the Arizal with all his strength… in holiness, seclusion and asceticism, and in our generation he was exceptionally pious, and he would pray for the sick, and occasionally, a sick person would be informed in a dream that he had been saved through the prayers of the pious one" (Shem HaGedolim, Maarechet Gedolim, Gimmel). The Chida quotes his teachings in his books, referring to him as "the exceptionally pious rabbi" and other such titles.
The comments of the Raavad in this volume were numbered in early Sephardic script (654-1577).
[20], 451, [1] leaves. 28 cm. Good condition. Stains. Dampstains to some leaves. Worming to some leaves. Tears to title page, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Title page and last leaf reinforced with tape. Part of the printer's device (an illustration of a woman) on verso of title page partially scraped off. Some darkened and stained leaves. New binding.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Unsold
Pnei Yehoshua on the Talmud, by R. Yaakov Yehoshua Rabbi of Metz, Lviv and Frankfurt. Complete set in four volumes, printed in Frankfurt and Fürth ca. 1752-1780. Second edition of the first three parts, and first edition of Part IV.
On the title page of vol. II: Handwritten signatures of prominent Torah scholars from the renowned Brody Kloiz, during the times of the Noda BiYehuda and the Baal Shem Tov (18th century): R. Chaim Sanzer, R. David Tevele of Brody (later rabbi of Lissa) and R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin (later rabbi of Starokostiantyniv), grandson of R. Chaim Sanzer.
Four volumes: • Part I, on Tractate Berachot and Order Mo'ed. Frankfurt am Main [second, emended edition, presumably printed in the author's lifetime, since he is mentioned on the title page as amongst the living – between 1752-1756]. • Part II, on Tractates Ketubot, Gittin and Kiddushin. Fürth, [1766. Second edition]. • Part III, on Tractates Bava Kama and Bava Metzia. Fürth, [1779. Second edition]. • Part IV, on Tractates Chullin, Makot and Shevuot, and on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat. Fürth, [1780. First edition].
Signatures and ownership inscriptions in all the volumes, from rabbis and study halls in Vilkomir (Ukmergė) and Aniksht (Anykščiai; famous Lithuanian towns), and a few handwritten glosses. On the title page of Part II (on Tractate Ketubot): Two signatures of the holy kabbalist R. Chaim Sanzer, head of the Kloiz Torah scholars: "Chaim", "Chaim of Sanz"; signature of R. David Tevele of Brody: "David… Tevele of Brody" (also a Torah scholar of the Brody Kloiz at that time, prior to serving as rabbi of Lissa); many signatures of R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin of Brody, grandson of the aforementioned R. Chaim Sanzer.
R. Chaim Sanzer (1720-1783), a holy, G-dly man, outstanding Torah scholar and kabbalist. A leading Torah scholar of the famous Brody Kloiz. R. Chaim headed the Kloiz already in 1745, at the time when R. Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov) and the Noda BiYehuda studied there. He delved extensively in the study of Kabbalah, and in prayers with kabbalistic kavanot, engaging considerably in asceticism and fasts. He studied the writings of the Arizal with his colleague the Noda BiYehuda, and a halachic correspondence they exchanged was published in Responsa Noda BiYehuda, with mutual expressions of affection and reverence.
The Baal Shem Tov described his greatness in effusive terms, despite the fact R. Chaim himself did not adopt the way of the Baal Shem Tov, rather fiercely opposing it, according to various traditions. The Baal Shem Tov nonetheless greatly revered him, accepted his opposition with love, and spoke often of his great stature. A Chassidic tradition relates that R. Chaim sent R. Moshe Ostrer, author of Arugat HaBosem, a leading Torah scholar of the Brody Kloiz, to determine the character of the Baal Shem Tov. When R. Moshe took leave of the Baal Shem Tov, the latter requested that when he returns to R. Chaim, he should report all the strange practices he had witnessed, to cause R. Chaim to laugh heartily, since R. Chaim never laughed so, being that his soul originated from that of R. Yochanan ben Zakai, who maintained that a person is proscribed from laughing unrestrainedly in this world. The Baal Shem Tov stated that "whoever causes him pleasure so that he laughs, will thereby acquire a portion in the World to Come" (Shemen HaTov, Piotrków 1905). A different source reports that the Baal Shem Tov sent him his disciples to relay to him tales of the wonders he had performed, so that he should laugh, saying: "The entire celestial entourage rejoices when he is happy and content" (Gedulat Rabbenu Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, Șimleu Silvaniei 1941). Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Munkacs, author of Darchei Teshuva, relates in his book Tiferet Banim (Parashat Devarim) that the Baal Shem Tov sent R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Chortkov to him to request a blessing for offspring, and in the merit of the words of R. Chaim who blessed him "that he should merit sons who illuminate the Diaspora", he bore his holy sons, R. Pinchas author of Haflaa and R. Shmelke of Nikolsburg (see: Tiferet Banim, Bardejov 1921, p. 136b).
Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov quotes the Baal Shem Tov who attested that he was a spark from the soul of R. Yochanan ben Zakai. His disciple the Maggid of Mezeritch stated that R. Chaim Sanzer even resembled R. Yochanan ben Zakai in his features (Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov, Rubinstein edition, p. 304). R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, author of Toldot Yaakov Yosef, quotes Torah thoughts from R. Chaim Sanzer repeatedly in his books. See for instance in Ketonet Pasim (Parashat Tazria), where he writes: "And so I heard in the name of my mechutan, the pious R. Chaim Sanzer". R. Tzvi, son of R. Chaim Sanzer, was the son-in-law of the Toldot Yaakov Yosef. Their common granddaughter was orphaned of her mother at a young age and was raised in the home of her grandfather, the Toldot Yaakov Yosef. She later married Rebbe Avraham Dov Ber Auerbach Rabbi of Chmelnik, who was one of the Chassidic leaders in his times, and had frequented the court of the Baal Shem Tov in his youth.
R. Chaim was very influential in the Lviv and Brody regions. He was involved in the famous Cleves divorce affair. He was likewise concerned by the amulets polemic which erupted between R. Yaakov Emden and R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz, and sided with R. Yaakov Emden. Of his many writings, only a few books were published: his glosses on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim (Zhitomir 1861) and Ne'dar BaKodesh on Tractate Avot (Lviv 1862).
R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin – whose signature appears many times on the same title page – was the son of R. Shmuel Aharon Rabbi of Matzeyev (Lukov, Ukraine), son of R. Chaim Sanzer. R. Menachem Nachum served as rabbi of Starokostiantyniv, and was buried in Brody. He was presumably named after his great-grandfather R. Menachem Nachum, father of R. Chaim, and his surname was derived from that of his paternal grandmother, wife of R. Chaim, who was the daughter of R. Yosef Heilprin of Brody.
R. David Tevele, Rabbi of Lissa (d. Tevet 1792), was a leading Torah scholar of the Brody Kloiz. He was the son of R. Natan Nota Rabbi of Brody. A foremost Torah scholar in the times of the Noda BiYehuda, and one of the ten Brody scholars involved in the Cleves divorce polemic. He served as rabbi of Zaslov (Iziaslav) and Horchov, and in 1776 was appointed rabbi of Lissa. All the leading Torah scholars of the generation accepted his authority and he exchanged halachic correspondence with many of them, especially with the Noda BiYehuda, R. Meshulam Igra, R. Chaim Kohen of Lviv, R. Meir Posner of Schottland author of Beit Meir, R. Meir Weil of Berlin and R. Akiva Eiger (who in his youth was a cherished disciple of R. David Tevele in Lissa). One of his famous disciples was R. Baruch Fränkel, author of Baruch Taam.
He endeavored to quieten the polemic against the Chassidic movement, his words carrying weight amongst the leaders of his generation. Historic literature of Polish Chassidism includes two stories relating to this: Shem HaGedolim HaChadash (Maarechet Gedolim, Pe, entry R. Pinchas author of Haflaa) records that R. Tzvi Hirsh HaLevi, author of Likutei Tzvi, possessed a letter written by the Haflaa to R. David Tevele of Lissa, requesting that the latter speak to R. Yosef of Poznań, to ask his father-in-law the Noda BiYehuda, rabbi of Prague, not to distress the holy R. Michel of Zlotchov, nor disrupt him from his worship of G-d, since his intent is solely for the sake of Heaven, as R. Shmelke of Nikolsburg testified. Another source recounts that when the Noda BiYehuda, opposing the book Toldot Yaakov Yosef, wished to issue a ban commanding the book to be burnt, R. Shmelke and his brother the Haflaa wrote to R. Tevele of Lissa requesting he quieten the polemic, and R. Tevele wrote a letter to the Noda BiYehuda asking him not to quarrel with disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and of the Maggid of Mezeritch, since "though their ways differ from ours, their intent is for the sake of Heaven". The Noda BiYehuda obeyed him and withdrew (Shemen HaTov, Piotrków 1905, p. 94, section 85, quoting the introduction to Nefesh David). In his book Nefesh David on the Torah, printed in Przemysl in 1878, R. David Tevele quotes a thought in the name of the Maggid of Mezeritch (Nefesh David, Parashat Vayeira, p. 6a).
Part I: [1], 52; 66; 50; 36; 27; 28; 10, [1] leaves. Part II: 4, 214, 219-296, 23 leaves. Part III: [2], 152, [2] leaves. Part IV: [1], 81 leaves.
4 volumes. Approx. 31 cm. Overall good to good-fair condition. Wear and stains. Slight worming. Marginal damage and paper repairs to several leaves. Matching early half-leather bindings, with marbled paper sides. Bindings slightly worn and damaged.
Enclosed: Report from R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss attesting to the authenticity of the signatures of R. Chaim Sanzer, R. David Tevele of Brody and R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin Rabbi of Starokostiantyniv.
On the title page of vol. II: Handwritten signatures of prominent Torah scholars from the renowned Brody Kloiz, during the times of the Noda BiYehuda and the Baal Shem Tov (18th century): R. Chaim Sanzer, R. David Tevele of Brody (later rabbi of Lissa) and R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin (later rabbi of Starokostiantyniv), grandson of R. Chaim Sanzer.
Four volumes: • Part I, on Tractate Berachot and Order Mo'ed. Frankfurt am Main [second, emended edition, presumably printed in the author's lifetime, since he is mentioned on the title page as amongst the living – between 1752-1756]. • Part II, on Tractates Ketubot, Gittin and Kiddushin. Fürth, [1766. Second edition]. • Part III, on Tractates Bava Kama and Bava Metzia. Fürth, [1779. Second edition]. • Part IV, on Tractates Chullin, Makot and Shevuot, and on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat. Fürth, [1780. First edition].
Signatures and ownership inscriptions in all the volumes, from rabbis and study halls in Vilkomir (Ukmergė) and Aniksht (Anykščiai; famous Lithuanian towns), and a few handwritten glosses. On the title page of Part II (on Tractate Ketubot): Two signatures of the holy kabbalist R. Chaim Sanzer, head of the Kloiz Torah scholars: "Chaim", "Chaim of Sanz"; signature of R. David Tevele of Brody: "David… Tevele of Brody" (also a Torah scholar of the Brody Kloiz at that time, prior to serving as rabbi of Lissa); many signatures of R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin of Brody, grandson of the aforementioned R. Chaim Sanzer.
R. Chaim Sanzer (1720-1783), a holy, G-dly man, outstanding Torah scholar and kabbalist. A leading Torah scholar of the famous Brody Kloiz. R. Chaim headed the Kloiz already in 1745, at the time when R. Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov) and the Noda BiYehuda studied there. He delved extensively in the study of Kabbalah, and in prayers with kabbalistic kavanot, engaging considerably in asceticism and fasts. He studied the writings of the Arizal with his colleague the Noda BiYehuda, and a halachic correspondence they exchanged was published in Responsa Noda BiYehuda, with mutual expressions of affection and reverence.
The Baal Shem Tov described his greatness in effusive terms, despite the fact R. Chaim himself did not adopt the way of the Baal Shem Tov, rather fiercely opposing it, according to various traditions. The Baal Shem Tov nonetheless greatly revered him, accepted his opposition with love, and spoke often of his great stature. A Chassidic tradition relates that R. Chaim sent R. Moshe Ostrer, author of Arugat HaBosem, a leading Torah scholar of the Brody Kloiz, to determine the character of the Baal Shem Tov. When R. Moshe took leave of the Baal Shem Tov, the latter requested that when he returns to R. Chaim, he should report all the strange practices he had witnessed, to cause R. Chaim to laugh heartily, since R. Chaim never laughed so, being that his soul originated from that of R. Yochanan ben Zakai, who maintained that a person is proscribed from laughing unrestrainedly in this world. The Baal Shem Tov stated that "whoever causes him pleasure so that he laughs, will thereby acquire a portion in the World to Come" (Shemen HaTov, Piotrków 1905). A different source reports that the Baal Shem Tov sent him his disciples to relay to him tales of the wonders he had performed, so that he should laugh, saying: "The entire celestial entourage rejoices when he is happy and content" (Gedulat Rabbenu Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, Șimleu Silvaniei 1941). Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Munkacs, author of Darchei Teshuva, relates in his book Tiferet Banim (Parashat Devarim) that the Baal Shem Tov sent R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Chortkov to him to request a blessing for offspring, and in the merit of the words of R. Chaim who blessed him "that he should merit sons who illuminate the Diaspora", he bore his holy sons, R. Pinchas author of Haflaa and R. Shmelke of Nikolsburg (see: Tiferet Banim, Bardejov 1921, p. 136b).
Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov quotes the Baal Shem Tov who attested that he was a spark from the soul of R. Yochanan ben Zakai. His disciple the Maggid of Mezeritch stated that R. Chaim Sanzer even resembled R. Yochanan ben Zakai in his features (Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov, Rubinstein edition, p. 304). R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, author of Toldot Yaakov Yosef, quotes Torah thoughts from R. Chaim Sanzer repeatedly in his books. See for instance in Ketonet Pasim (Parashat Tazria), where he writes: "And so I heard in the name of my mechutan, the pious R. Chaim Sanzer". R. Tzvi, son of R. Chaim Sanzer, was the son-in-law of the Toldot Yaakov Yosef. Their common granddaughter was orphaned of her mother at a young age and was raised in the home of her grandfather, the Toldot Yaakov Yosef. She later married Rebbe Avraham Dov Ber Auerbach Rabbi of Chmelnik, who was one of the Chassidic leaders in his times, and had frequented the court of the Baal Shem Tov in his youth.
R. Chaim was very influential in the Lviv and Brody regions. He was involved in the famous Cleves divorce affair. He was likewise concerned by the amulets polemic which erupted between R. Yaakov Emden and R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz, and sided with R. Yaakov Emden. Of his many writings, only a few books were published: his glosses on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim (Zhitomir 1861) and Ne'dar BaKodesh on Tractate Avot (Lviv 1862).
R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin – whose signature appears many times on the same title page – was the son of R. Shmuel Aharon Rabbi of Matzeyev (Lukov, Ukraine), son of R. Chaim Sanzer. R. Menachem Nachum served as rabbi of Starokostiantyniv, and was buried in Brody. He was presumably named after his great-grandfather R. Menachem Nachum, father of R. Chaim, and his surname was derived from that of his paternal grandmother, wife of R. Chaim, who was the daughter of R. Yosef Heilprin of Brody.
R. David Tevele, Rabbi of Lissa (d. Tevet 1792), was a leading Torah scholar of the Brody Kloiz. He was the son of R. Natan Nota Rabbi of Brody. A foremost Torah scholar in the times of the Noda BiYehuda, and one of the ten Brody scholars involved in the Cleves divorce polemic. He served as rabbi of Zaslov (Iziaslav) and Horchov, and in 1776 was appointed rabbi of Lissa. All the leading Torah scholars of the generation accepted his authority and he exchanged halachic correspondence with many of them, especially with the Noda BiYehuda, R. Meshulam Igra, R. Chaim Kohen of Lviv, R. Meir Posner of Schottland author of Beit Meir, R. Meir Weil of Berlin and R. Akiva Eiger (who in his youth was a cherished disciple of R. David Tevele in Lissa). One of his famous disciples was R. Baruch Fränkel, author of Baruch Taam.
He endeavored to quieten the polemic against the Chassidic movement, his words carrying weight amongst the leaders of his generation. Historic literature of Polish Chassidism includes two stories relating to this: Shem HaGedolim HaChadash (Maarechet Gedolim, Pe, entry R. Pinchas author of Haflaa) records that R. Tzvi Hirsh HaLevi, author of Likutei Tzvi, possessed a letter written by the Haflaa to R. David Tevele of Lissa, requesting that the latter speak to R. Yosef of Poznań, to ask his father-in-law the Noda BiYehuda, rabbi of Prague, not to distress the holy R. Michel of Zlotchov, nor disrupt him from his worship of G-d, since his intent is solely for the sake of Heaven, as R. Shmelke of Nikolsburg testified. Another source recounts that when the Noda BiYehuda, opposing the book Toldot Yaakov Yosef, wished to issue a ban commanding the book to be burnt, R. Shmelke and his brother the Haflaa wrote to R. Tevele of Lissa requesting he quieten the polemic, and R. Tevele wrote a letter to the Noda BiYehuda asking him not to quarrel with disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and of the Maggid of Mezeritch, since "though their ways differ from ours, their intent is for the sake of Heaven". The Noda BiYehuda obeyed him and withdrew (Shemen HaTov, Piotrków 1905, p. 94, section 85, quoting the introduction to Nefesh David). In his book Nefesh David on the Torah, printed in Przemysl in 1878, R. David Tevele quotes a thought in the name of the Maggid of Mezeritch (Nefesh David, Parashat Vayeira, p. 6a).
Part I: [1], 52; 66; 50; 36; 27; 28; 10, [1] leaves. Part II: 4, 214, 219-296, 23 leaves. Part III: [2], 152, [2] leaves. Part IV: [1], 81 leaves.
4 volumes. Approx. 31 cm. Overall good to good-fair condition. Wear and stains. Slight worming. Marginal damage and paper repairs to several leaves. Matching early half-leather bindings, with marbled paper sides. Bindings slightly worn and damaged.
Enclosed: Report from R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss attesting to the authenticity of the signatures of R. Chaim Sanzer, R. David Tevele of Brody and R. Menachem Nachum Heilprin Rabbi of Starokostiantyniv.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $112,500
Including buyer's premium
Korban Chagiga, treatises pertaining to the Festival offerings, and other topics in Halachah and Aggadah, by R. Moshe Galante Rabbi of Jerusalem. Venice, [1704]. First edition.
The title page bears the signature of R. Meir Margolies Rabbi of Ostroh, author of Meir Netivim: "I purchased it here Horodenka, Meir son of the great luminary R. Tzvi Hirsh".
The last leaf features Russian censor stamps. One stamp is deleted with paper stuck over it. The text of the stamp is in Russian, with the addition of the word "Ostroh" in Hebrew. Another two censor stamps, one of them from Radyvyliv.
R. Meir Margolies (1700/1708-1790), was a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and one of the first to cleave to him, already in 1737, before the latter became renowned. Reputedly, his teacher the Baal Shem Tov requested that he write his name in the siddur he prayed from, to enable him to mention R. Meir in prayer, and the latter did so. His signature in the siddur of the Baal Shem Tov was preserved until this day (Kevutzat Yaakov, Berditchev 1896, p. 52b; MiBeit Genazim, Brooklyn 2010, p. 230). R. Meir refers to his teacher the Baal Shem Tov in several places in his books as "my teacher" and "my colleague". In his book Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh, 1794), he describes the level of learning Torah for the sake of Heaven: "…as I was instructed by my teachers who were prominent in Torah and Chassidism, headed by my friend the pious R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… and from my youth, when I attached myself with bonds of love to my teacher and friend R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… I knew with absolute certainty that his conduct was in holiness and purity, piety and ascetism… occult matters were revealed to him…". In his book Meir Netivim (part II, end of Parashat Vayigash), he quotes a segulah from his teacher for dissipating anger: "I learnt from my teacher that a wonderful segulah for dissipating anger is to say the verse…". His son R. Betzalel, his successor as rabbi of Ostroh, wrote in his approbation to Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov (Berditchev 1815 edition): "...and as I heard from my father… who from his youth was one of the Torah scholars associated with the Baal Shem Tov, and R. Meir would frequently extol his virtues…". Rebbe Yitzchak Izek of Komarno attested in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha (Netiv HaTorah, pathway 1): "Our teacher R. Yisrael son of Eliezer… he was accorded sixty warriors, souls of righteous men, to protect him, and one of them was the Meir Netivim".
R. Meir Margolies was a leading and prominent rabbi in his times. In his youth, he served as rabbi of Yazlovets and Horodenka. In 1755, he was appointed rabbi of the Lviv region, an area covering a huge territory, which included the city of Brody (R. Meir served as rabbi of the Lviv region, but not of the city of Lviv itself, which had its own rabbi. After the Partition of Poland in 1772, this region was divided between Poland and Austria, and R. Meir served as rabbi of the Polish section). In 1766, he was appointed by the King of Poland as chief rabbi of Ukraine and Galicia. In 1776, he received an official letter of appointment from the King of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski (the rabbinical appointment, in gilt letters, is preserved until this day in the Dubnow archives in New York). In 1777, he was appointed, in addition to his position as rabbi of the Lviv region, as rabbi of Ostroh and the vicinity. R. Meir was a member of the famous Brody Kloiz most of his life. He was closely attached to the Kloiz Torah scholars, and quotes their teachings extensively in his book.
The Meir Netivim was one of the foremost halachic authorities in his times in matters of Agunot. In 1768, a pogrom struck Uman and its surroundings, and thousands of Jews were murdered. This tragic episode generated numerous complex questions of Agunot. Many of the responsa recorded in his book Meir Netivim pertain to Agunot. He describes there the trepidation and anguish which overcame him whenever he approached such a question (section 62). Reputedly, he would undertake to fast on the day he was to sign on a permission for an Agunah (Meorei Galicia, III, p. 940).
R. Meir authored several prominent compositions in revealed and esoteric realms of the Torah, in Halacha and in homily. His series of books was named Or Olam, and includes his books on Halacha, homily and Kabbalah: His renowned book Responsa Meir Netivim, two parts (Polonne 1791), Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh 1794), HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar (Polonne 1795) and Kotnot Or (Berditchev 1816).
The signature appearing in this book was presumably from his tenure as rabbi of Horodenka, in the lifetime of his teacher the Baal Shem Tov, ca. 1742-1754 (see his approbation from 1754 to the book Chiddushei R. Ze'ev HaLevi, Zhovkva 1771; Responsa Meir Netivim, end of section 31; Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, III, p. 939). Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov brings a story regarding the Baal Shem Tov which R. Meir related (of the Baal Shem Tov's remarkable faith and his distribution of money to charity), an incident he personally witnessed, which took place during his residence in Horodenka (Rubinstein edition, p. 246). R. Meir would honor his father exceedingly after the latter's passing, and whenever he mentioned his father's name in his signatures, responsa and approbations, he always added the title: "The great luminary", as is seen in this signature. Moreover, in Kotnot Or (Berditchev 1816), a book which enumerates the 613 commandments in form of rhymes and acrostics, the rhymes in the section of the positive commandments are acrostics spelling "Meir son of the great luminary, outstanding in Torah and fear of G-d, R. Tzvi Hirsh".
56 leaves. 25.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Dampstains. Minor tears and worming to several leaves. Owners' stamps. New leather binding.
The title page bears the signature of R. Meir Margolies Rabbi of Ostroh, author of Meir Netivim: "I purchased it here Horodenka, Meir son of the great luminary R. Tzvi Hirsh".
The last leaf features Russian censor stamps. One stamp is deleted with paper stuck over it. The text of the stamp is in Russian, with the addition of the word "Ostroh" in Hebrew. Another two censor stamps, one of them from Radyvyliv.
R. Meir Margolies (1700/1708-1790), was a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and one of the first to cleave to him, already in 1737, before the latter became renowned. Reputedly, his teacher the Baal Shem Tov requested that he write his name in the siddur he prayed from, to enable him to mention R. Meir in prayer, and the latter did so. His signature in the siddur of the Baal Shem Tov was preserved until this day (Kevutzat Yaakov, Berditchev 1896, p. 52b; MiBeit Genazim, Brooklyn 2010, p. 230). R. Meir refers to his teacher the Baal Shem Tov in several places in his books as "my teacher" and "my colleague". In his book Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh, 1794), he describes the level of learning Torah for the sake of Heaven: "…as I was instructed by my teachers who were prominent in Torah and Chassidism, headed by my friend the pious R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… and from my youth, when I attached myself with bonds of love to my teacher and friend R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov… I knew with absolute certainty that his conduct was in holiness and purity, piety and ascetism… occult matters were revealed to him…". In his book Meir Netivim (part II, end of Parashat Vayigash), he quotes a segulah from his teacher for dissipating anger: "I learnt from my teacher that a wonderful segulah for dissipating anger is to say the verse…". His son R. Betzalel, his successor as rabbi of Ostroh, wrote in his approbation to Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov (Berditchev 1815 edition): "...and as I heard from my father… who from his youth was one of the Torah scholars associated with the Baal Shem Tov, and R. Meir would frequently extol his virtues…". Rebbe Yitzchak Izek of Komarno attested in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha (Netiv HaTorah, pathway 1): "Our teacher R. Yisrael son of Eliezer… he was accorded sixty warriors, souls of righteous men, to protect him, and one of them was the Meir Netivim".
R. Meir Margolies was a leading and prominent rabbi in his times. In his youth, he served as rabbi of Yazlovets and Horodenka. In 1755, he was appointed rabbi of the Lviv region, an area covering a huge territory, which included the city of Brody (R. Meir served as rabbi of the Lviv region, but not of the city of Lviv itself, which had its own rabbi. After the Partition of Poland in 1772, this region was divided between Poland and Austria, and R. Meir served as rabbi of the Polish section). In 1766, he was appointed by the King of Poland as chief rabbi of Ukraine and Galicia. In 1776, he received an official letter of appointment from the King of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski (the rabbinical appointment, in gilt letters, is preserved until this day in the Dubnow archives in New York). In 1777, he was appointed, in addition to his position as rabbi of the Lviv region, as rabbi of Ostroh and the vicinity. R. Meir was a member of the famous Brody Kloiz most of his life. He was closely attached to the Kloiz Torah scholars, and quotes their teachings extensively in his book.
The Meir Netivim was one of the foremost halachic authorities in his times in matters of Agunot. In 1768, a pogrom struck Uman and its surroundings, and thousands of Jews were murdered. This tragic episode generated numerous complex questions of Agunot. Many of the responsa recorded in his book Meir Netivim pertain to Agunot. He describes there the trepidation and anguish which overcame him whenever he approached such a question (section 62). Reputedly, he would undertake to fast on the day he was to sign on a permission for an Agunah (Meorei Galicia, III, p. 940).
R. Meir authored several prominent compositions in revealed and esoteric realms of the Torah, in Halacha and in homily. His series of books was named Or Olam, and includes his books on Halacha, homily and Kabbalah: His renowned book Responsa Meir Netivim, two parts (Polonne 1791), Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh 1794), HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar (Polonne 1795) and Kotnot Or (Berditchev 1816).
The signature appearing in this book was presumably from his tenure as rabbi of Horodenka, in the lifetime of his teacher the Baal Shem Tov, ca. 1742-1754 (see his approbation from 1754 to the book Chiddushei R. Ze'ev HaLevi, Zhovkva 1771; Responsa Meir Netivim, end of section 31; Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, III, p. 939). Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov brings a story regarding the Baal Shem Tov which R. Meir related (of the Baal Shem Tov's remarkable faith and his distribution of money to charity), an incident he personally witnessed, which took place during his residence in Horodenka (Rubinstein edition, p. 246). R. Meir would honor his father exceedingly after the latter's passing, and whenever he mentioned his father's name in his signatures, responsa and approbations, he always added the title: "The great luminary", as is seen in this signature. Moreover, in Kotnot Or (Berditchev 1816), a book which enumerates the 613 commandments in form of rhymes and acrostics, the rhymes in the section of the positive commandments are acrostics spelling "Meir son of the great luminary, outstanding in Torah and fear of G-d, R. Tzvi Hirsh".
56 leaves. 25.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Dampstains. Minor tears and worming to several leaves. Owners' stamps. New leather binding.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Kotnot Or, 613 commandments in rhyme and acrostics, by R. Meir Margolies Rabbi of the Lviv region and Ostroh, author of Meir Netivim, foremost disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. With the Shemen LaMaor HaGadol, by his son R. Betzalel Margolies Rabbi of Ostroh (who added at the beginning of the book a special prayer which he composed, to be recited before saying the order of commandments). [Berditchev (Berdychiv): Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber Segal, 1816]. First edition.
Various signatures and inscriptions, including the signature of Rebbe Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov, son of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "Yitzchak Meir son of R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, here Mezhibuzh"; signature of his grandson R. Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz: "Yechiel son of R. Meshulam Zusia son of R. Yitzchak Meir, whose signature appears above". Another two of his signatures on the title page: "Yechiel Heshel"; additional inscriptions handwritten by a descendant of the author: "This book was established and composed by my grandfather… R. Meir Rabbi of […] and of Ostroh and the vicinity, who composed Meir Netivim […] and Sod Yachin UBoaz"; "Ostroh".
R. Yitzchak Meir of Apta-Zinkov (1776-1855), a leading Rebbe of his generation, was the eldest son of R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta (Opatów). His descendants married the children of prominent Chassidic leaders and he was the progenitor of many Chassidic dynasties. After his father's passing, thousands of Chassidim followed him, and he transferred his court from Medzhybizh to Zinkov. Just like his father, he was reputed for his love of his fellow Jew, and drew many Jews closer to their father in Heaven. His long life was replete with acts of charity and kindness, and he would pray and effect salvations for each and every member of the Jewish people who turned to him. He was the beloved mechutan of leading Chassidic leaders of his generation (R. Yisrael of Kozhnitz, R. Yisrael of Ruzhin, R. Moshe Tzvi Savran and others) and many of the Tzaddikim of his generation sought his advice on all their matters. One of his granddaughters married Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, who was very close to his illustrious grandfather. Many important dynasties of rebbes and rabbis descended from him.
Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (1843-1916), a leading Ukrainian rebbe. He was the son of R. Meshulam Zusha Heshel of Zinkov (son of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov and grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta), and son-in- law of Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. He served as rebbe in the town of Murovani Kurylivtsi, Podolia and would frequently travel to the Podolian towns where his Chassidim resided. He passed away during a visit to his Chassidim in Kishinev. His sons-in-law and grandsons served as rebbes, one of them was Rebbe Yitzhak Yeshaya Halberstam of Tshechov (youngest son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz).
Kotnot Or contains the order of the 613 commandments in poems, rhyme and acrostics. "Each commandment has three stanzas and each stanza three words". The section on positive commandments is named Kotnot Or, and the section on negative commandments, Or Torah. All the poems in the section of positive commandments are acrostics spelling out: "Meir son of the great luminary, outstanding in Torah and fear, R. Tzvi Hirsh" (in some poems, "renowned" replaces "outstanding"), whilst the poems in the section on negative commandments are acrostics of "Meir, small in wisdom and intellect". On the right-hand pages, twenty lines of rhymes are printed, one line per commandment.
A commentary to the rhymes, named Shemen LaMaor HaGadol, is printed at the foot of the right-hand pages and on the left-hand pages. This commentary was composed by the publisher and son of the author - R. Betzalel Margolies Rabbi of Ostroh. The publisher R. Betzalel, who also wrote a lengthy foreword to the book, suggests there to read every day one page containing twenty commandments, and he even printed at the beginning of the book a short supplication to recite before reading the commandments.
At the beginning of the book, a notice is printed, informing that due to the heavy costs of printing, the approbations were not printed, and only the names of those who accorded an approbation to the book are listed, including R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, R. Zusha of Anipoli, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, R. Yosef of Kaminka and others.
34, [1] leaves. 20 cm. Blueish-greenish paper. Good condition. Stains. Paper repairs to verso of title page. Worming and tears (repaired with paper) to final leaf, not affecting text. Worming and minor tears to several other leaves. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 247.
Various signatures and inscriptions, including the signature of Rebbe Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov, son of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "Yitzchak Meir son of R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, here Mezhibuzh"; signature of his grandson R. Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz: "Yechiel son of R. Meshulam Zusia son of R. Yitzchak Meir, whose signature appears above". Another two of his signatures on the title page: "Yechiel Heshel"; additional inscriptions handwritten by a descendant of the author: "This book was established and composed by my grandfather… R. Meir Rabbi of […] and of Ostroh and the vicinity, who composed Meir Netivim […] and Sod Yachin UBoaz"; "Ostroh".
R. Yitzchak Meir of Apta-Zinkov (1776-1855), a leading Rebbe of his generation, was the eldest son of R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta (Opatów). His descendants married the children of prominent Chassidic leaders and he was the progenitor of many Chassidic dynasties. After his father's passing, thousands of Chassidim followed him, and he transferred his court from Medzhybizh to Zinkov. Just like his father, he was reputed for his love of his fellow Jew, and drew many Jews closer to their father in Heaven. His long life was replete with acts of charity and kindness, and he would pray and effect salvations for each and every member of the Jewish people who turned to him. He was the beloved mechutan of leading Chassidic leaders of his generation (R. Yisrael of Kozhnitz, R. Yisrael of Ruzhin, R. Moshe Tzvi Savran and others) and many of the Tzaddikim of his generation sought his advice on all their matters. One of his granddaughters married Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, who was very close to his illustrious grandfather. Many important dynasties of rebbes and rabbis descended from him.
Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (1843-1916), a leading Ukrainian rebbe. He was the son of R. Meshulam Zusha Heshel of Zinkov (son of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov and grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta), and son-in- law of Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. He served as rebbe in the town of Murovani Kurylivtsi, Podolia and would frequently travel to the Podolian towns where his Chassidim resided. He passed away during a visit to his Chassidim in Kishinev. His sons-in-law and grandsons served as rebbes, one of them was Rebbe Yitzhak Yeshaya Halberstam of Tshechov (youngest son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz).
Kotnot Or contains the order of the 613 commandments in poems, rhyme and acrostics. "Each commandment has three stanzas and each stanza three words". The section on positive commandments is named Kotnot Or, and the section on negative commandments, Or Torah. All the poems in the section of positive commandments are acrostics spelling out: "Meir son of the great luminary, outstanding in Torah and fear, R. Tzvi Hirsh" (in some poems, "renowned" replaces "outstanding"), whilst the poems in the section on negative commandments are acrostics of "Meir, small in wisdom and intellect". On the right-hand pages, twenty lines of rhymes are printed, one line per commandment.
A commentary to the rhymes, named Shemen LaMaor HaGadol, is printed at the foot of the right-hand pages and on the left-hand pages. This commentary was composed by the publisher and son of the author - R. Betzalel Margolies Rabbi of Ostroh. The publisher R. Betzalel, who also wrote a lengthy foreword to the book, suggests there to read every day one page containing twenty commandments, and he even printed at the beginning of the book a short supplication to recite before reading the commandments.
At the beginning of the book, a notice is printed, informing that due to the heavy costs of printing, the approbations were not printed, and only the names of those who accorded an approbation to the book are listed, including R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, R. Zusha of Anipoli, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, R. Yosef of Kaminka and others.
34, [1] leaves. 20 cm. Blueish-greenish paper. Good condition. Stains. Paper repairs to verso of title page. Worming and tears (repaired with paper) to final leaf, not affecting text. Worming and minor tears to several other leaves. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 247.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Kol Bochim – Kinat Setarim, kabbalistic commentary to Megillat Eichah, by R. Avraham Galante of Safed (disciple of the R. Moshe Cordovero and close associate of the Arizal). Prague: Moses son of Joseph Betzalel Katz, [1621].
On the first leaves, ownership inscriptions and signatures in various handwritings, indicating that this illustrious copy was handed down from one generation to another in the family of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. The book features the signatures of his father and grandfather, as well as stamps and owners' signatures of his descendants, rebbes of Zinkov and Krilovitz.
On the fourth leaf: Signature of R. Aryeh Leib, grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "Aryeh Leib son of R. Shimshon of Tarnogród". On the first leaf, signature of his son R. Shmuel, father of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "This book belongs to me and this is my name Shmuel son of the rabbi and dean of [Neustadt]". On the verso of the fourth leaf, ownership inscription in an early handwriting (from the 18th century): "This book belongs to the renowned rabbi… the holy light" (the inscription is interrupted, and does not indicate the name of the rabbi. The title "holy light" was used for Chassidic rebbes, and this inscription may be referring to the Rebbe of Apta or one of the rebbes from his dynasty).
The front endpaper bears the stamp of Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (Murovani Kurylivtsi; descendant of the Ohev Yisrael): "Yechiel Heshel, Krilovitz, Podolia" (this stamp also appears on the fourth leaf), with a handwritten inscription beside it: "The book Galante is from the books and estate of my father the Rebbe (this inscription was possibly handwritten by Rebbe Yechiel of Krilovitz). On the first leaf (beside the signature of R. Shmuel father of the Ohev Yisrael), a stamp of the Rebbe of Krilovitz (from an earlier period): "[Yechi]el son of R. M.Z. of Zinkov".
Early signature on pp. 21a and 27a: "So says Avraham son of R. Reuven".
R. Aryeh Leib (1697-1734), grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, was the son of R. Shimshon of Tarnogród. He served as rabbi and dean of Neustadt, and passed away at the young age of 37. His son R. Shmuel wrote about him: "The prominent rabbi, perspicacious and erudite…, the renowned Chassid… pious and modest, amongst the disciples of Hillel… no wisdom eluded him… master in wisdom yet young in years…".
R. Shmuel of Zhmigrad son of R. Aryeh Leib (1720?-1803) was the father of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. His son the Ohev Yisrael wrote about him: "The exceptional, outstanding and renowned leader… of distinguished lineage, R. Shmuel son of the rabbi and dean of Neustadt".
Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (1843-1916), a leading Ukrainian rebbe. He was the son of R. Meshulam Zusha Heshel of Zinkov (son of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov and grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta), and son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. He served as rebbe in the town of Krilovitz, Podolia and would frequently travel to the Podolian towns where his Chassidim resided. He passed away during a visit to his Chassidim in Kishinev. His sons-in-law and grandsons served as rebbes, one of them was Rebbe Yeshaya Halberstam of Tshechov (son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz).
It appears that this copy reached the Rebbe of Krilovitz as an inheritance from his ancestor Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta (1748-1825, son of R. Shmuel of Zhmigrad whose signature appears in this book). The Ohev Yisrael was an elder and leading rebbe of his times.
Incomplete copy. [4], 2-16, 15-44, [2], 45-58 leaves (originally: [9], 2-16, 15-44, [2], 45-66 leaves – lacking 13 leaves: [5] first leaves and 8 final leaves – 59-66). 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Large stains and dampstains. Light worming to several leaves. Tears and damage to many leaves, mostly to margins (repaired with paper), generally slightly affecting text. Many marginal tears to last four leaves, affecting text (primarily of final leaf). New leather binding.
On the first leaves, ownership inscriptions and signatures in various handwritings, indicating that this illustrious copy was handed down from one generation to another in the family of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. The book features the signatures of his father and grandfather, as well as stamps and owners' signatures of his descendants, rebbes of Zinkov and Krilovitz.
On the fourth leaf: Signature of R. Aryeh Leib, grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "Aryeh Leib son of R. Shimshon of Tarnogród". On the first leaf, signature of his son R. Shmuel, father of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta: "This book belongs to me and this is my name Shmuel son of the rabbi and dean of [Neustadt]". On the verso of the fourth leaf, ownership inscription in an early handwriting (from the 18th century): "This book belongs to the renowned rabbi… the holy light" (the inscription is interrupted, and does not indicate the name of the rabbi. The title "holy light" was used for Chassidic rebbes, and this inscription may be referring to the Rebbe of Apta or one of the rebbes from his dynasty).
The front endpaper bears the stamp of Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (Murovani Kurylivtsi; descendant of the Ohev Yisrael): "Yechiel Heshel, Krilovitz, Podolia" (this stamp also appears on the fourth leaf), with a handwritten inscription beside it: "The book Galante is from the books and estate of my father the Rebbe (this inscription was possibly handwritten by Rebbe Yechiel of Krilovitz). On the first leaf (beside the signature of R. Shmuel father of the Ohev Yisrael), a stamp of the Rebbe of Krilovitz (from an earlier period): "[Yechi]el son of R. M.Z. of Zinkov".
Early signature on pp. 21a and 27a: "So says Avraham son of R. Reuven".
R. Aryeh Leib (1697-1734), grandfather of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, was the son of R. Shimshon of Tarnogród. He served as rabbi and dean of Neustadt, and passed away at the young age of 37. His son R. Shmuel wrote about him: "The prominent rabbi, perspicacious and erudite…, the renowned Chassid… pious and modest, amongst the disciples of Hillel… no wisdom eluded him… master in wisdom yet young in years…".
R. Shmuel of Zhmigrad son of R. Aryeh Leib (1720?-1803) was the father of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. His son the Ohev Yisrael wrote about him: "The exceptional, outstanding and renowned leader… of distinguished lineage, R. Shmuel son of the rabbi and dean of Neustadt".
Rebbe Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (1843-1916), a leading Ukrainian rebbe. He was the son of R. Meshulam Zusha Heshel of Zinkov (son of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov and grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta), and son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. He served as rebbe in the town of Krilovitz, Podolia and would frequently travel to the Podolian towns where his Chassidim resided. He passed away during a visit to his Chassidim in Kishinev. His sons-in-law and grandsons served as rebbes, one of them was Rebbe Yeshaya Halberstam of Tshechov (son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz).
It appears that this copy reached the Rebbe of Krilovitz as an inheritance from his ancestor Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta (1748-1825, son of R. Shmuel of Zhmigrad whose signature appears in this book). The Ohev Yisrael was an elder and leading rebbe of his times.
Incomplete copy. [4], 2-16, 15-44, [2], 45-58 leaves (originally: [9], 2-16, 15-44, [2], 45-66 leaves – lacking 13 leaves: [5] first leaves and 8 final leaves – 59-66). 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Large stains and dampstains. Light worming to several leaves. Tears and damage to many leaves, mostly to margins (repaired with paper), generally slightly affecting text. Many marginal tears to last four leaves, affecting text (primarily of final leaf). New leather binding.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Unsold
Siddur Beit VeShaarei Tefilla, with commentaries and textual corrections by R. Shlomo Zalman Katz Hanau; with Shaarei Tefillah (separate title page), regarding the correct pronunciation of prayers, by R. Shlomo Zalman Katz Hanau. Dyhernfurth: R. Yechiel Michel May, 1794.
Stamps of the library of the "Beit Midrash of the Ashkenazi community in London – Jews' College London" on the title page. At the end of the Shacharit prayers (p. 43b), various additions were inscribed in early Ashkenazic script, including Psalm 83 (recited in Ashkenazi communities every day at the conclusion of Shacharit). These additions were presumably handwritten by R. Tzvi Hirsch Rabbi of Berlin.
R. Tzvi Hirsch Levin Rabbi of Berlin (1721-1800, Otzar HaRabbanim 17206), a leading Torah scholar of his generation. A grandson of Chacham Tzvi, he was the son of R. Aryeh Leib Rabbi of Głogów and Amsterdam and brother of R. Shaul Lowenstam Rabbi of Amsterdam. He served as rabbi in Głogów, London, Halberstadt and Mannheim. In 1772, he was appointed rabbi of the capital city of Berlin, a position he held for 27 years.
His son, R. Shlomo Hirschell-Berlin (1761-1843), rabbi of Prenzlau and London. In 1802, he succeeded his father as rabbi of the Ashkenazi community in London and Great Britain, until his passing in 1842. All his descendants married into families of distinguished lineage, and went to live in Poland following his directives not to reside in England, for a reason he did not disclose (Kelilat Yofi, pp. 134-135).
R. Shlomo Hirschell's extensive library was sold after his passing to the library of the Ashkenazi community in London, including several books containing glosses and additions from his father, R. Tzvi Hirsch Berlin. Based on these glosses, the surviving Torah novellae of R. Tzvi Hirsch were published in the book Tzava Rav. The latter would sign many of his glosses and letters with the acronym Tzava (Tzvi Ben Aryeh; similar to his grandfather who would sign Tzvi – acronym of Tzvi ben Yaakov), and his book was named Tzava Rav based on this acronym.
Incomplete copy (lacking end of Shaarei Tefilla): [11], 2-[120] leaves (mispagination); 24 leaves (originally: 29 leaves – lacking last 5 leaves). 18.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Title page and two subsequent leaves in fair condition: Marginal tears, repaired with paper. Old binding with worn leather spine.
Stamps of the library of the "Beit Midrash of the Ashkenazi community in London – Jews' College London" on the title page. At the end of the Shacharit prayers (p. 43b), various additions were inscribed in early Ashkenazic script, including Psalm 83 (recited in Ashkenazi communities every day at the conclusion of Shacharit). These additions were presumably handwritten by R. Tzvi Hirsch Rabbi of Berlin.
R. Tzvi Hirsch Levin Rabbi of Berlin (1721-1800, Otzar HaRabbanim 17206), a leading Torah scholar of his generation. A grandson of Chacham Tzvi, he was the son of R. Aryeh Leib Rabbi of Głogów and Amsterdam and brother of R. Shaul Lowenstam Rabbi of Amsterdam. He served as rabbi in Głogów, London, Halberstadt and Mannheim. In 1772, he was appointed rabbi of the capital city of Berlin, a position he held for 27 years.
His son, R. Shlomo Hirschell-Berlin (1761-1843), rabbi of Prenzlau and London. In 1802, he succeeded his father as rabbi of the Ashkenazi community in London and Great Britain, until his passing in 1842. All his descendants married into families of distinguished lineage, and went to live in Poland following his directives not to reside in England, for a reason he did not disclose (Kelilat Yofi, pp. 134-135).
R. Shlomo Hirschell's extensive library was sold after his passing to the library of the Ashkenazi community in London, including several books containing glosses and additions from his father, R. Tzvi Hirsch Berlin. Based on these glosses, the surviving Torah novellae of R. Tzvi Hirsch were published in the book Tzava Rav. The latter would sign many of his glosses and letters with the acronym Tzava (Tzvi Ben Aryeh; similar to his grandfather who would sign Tzvi – acronym of Tzvi ben Yaakov), and his book was named Tzava Rav based on this acronym.
Incomplete copy (lacking end of Shaarei Tefilla): [11], 2-[120] leaves (mispagination); 24 leaves (originally: 29 leaves – lacking last 5 leaves). 18.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Title page and two subsequent leaves in fair condition: Marginal tears, repaired with paper. Old binding with worn leather spine.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
![Darash Moshe, commentary on Talmudic Aggadot, by R. Moshe of Bisenz (Bzenec). Kraków: Isaac son of Aaron Prostitz, [1589]. C](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale66-public/124_1.jpg "Darash Moshe – Kraków, 1589 – Copy of the Kabbalist Rabbi Natan Adler")
![Darash Moshe, commentary on Talmudic Aggadot, by R. Moshe of Bisenz (Bzenec). Kraków: Isaac son of Aaron Prostitz, [1589]. C](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale66-public/124_2.jpg "Darash Moshe – Kraków, 1589 – Copy of the Kabbalist Rabbi Natan Adler")
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Unsold
Darash Moshe, commentary on Talmudic Aggadot, by R. Moshe of Bisenz (Bzenec). Kraków: Isaac son of Aaron Prostitz, [1589].
Copy previously owned by R. Natan Adler. On the back endpaper, several ownership inscriptions, including one lengthy one: "Belongs to the Torah leader, exceptional rabbi, outstanding in Torah and piety, perspicacious and sharp-witted, R. Natan son of R. Shimon Adler Katz".
Handwritten glosses (in Ashkenazic script) in two places (pp. 11b and 70a).
R. Natan HaKohen Adler Katz (1742-1800), was born in Frankfurt am Main to R. Yaakov Shimon Adler. He was an outstanding Torah scholar and eminent kabbalist. He headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt, and was the prime teacher of R. Moshe Sofer – the Chatam Sofer, who mentions him extensively in his books in matters of Halacha and Kabbalah, referring to him as "My prime teacher, the renowned and pious Torah scholar, the great eagle" (alluding to the name Adler, German for eagle), and other similar titles. He suffered much persecution from the residents of his city, who even forbade him from holding prayers services in his Beit Midrash conforming with his singular kabbalistic customs. He served for a while as rabbi of Boskowitz (Boskovice), yet later returned to his home and Beit Midrash in Frankfurt.
70 [i.e. 71] leaves. Lacking [1] final leaf (of poems in praise of the book). Mispagination. 28.5 cm. Condition varies. Stains. Large, dark stains to title page and three subsequent leaves. Tears to title page, repaired. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Leaves trimmed close to text, slightly affecting text in several leaves. Minor damage. New leather binding.
Copy previously owned by R. Natan Adler. On the back endpaper, several ownership inscriptions, including one lengthy one: "Belongs to the Torah leader, exceptional rabbi, outstanding in Torah and piety, perspicacious and sharp-witted, R. Natan son of R. Shimon Adler Katz".
Handwritten glosses (in Ashkenazic script) in two places (pp. 11b and 70a).
R. Natan HaKohen Adler Katz (1742-1800), was born in Frankfurt am Main to R. Yaakov Shimon Adler. He was an outstanding Torah scholar and eminent kabbalist. He headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt, and was the prime teacher of R. Moshe Sofer – the Chatam Sofer, who mentions him extensively in his books in matters of Halacha and Kabbalah, referring to him as "My prime teacher, the renowned and pious Torah scholar, the great eagle" (alluding to the name Adler, German for eagle), and other similar titles. He suffered much persecution from the residents of his city, who even forbade him from holding prayers services in his Beit Midrash conforming with his singular kabbalistic customs. He served for a while as rabbi of Boskowitz (Boskovice), yet later returned to his home and Beit Midrash in Frankfurt.
70 [i.e. 71] leaves. Lacking [1] final leaf (of poems in praise of the book). Mispagination. 28.5 cm. Condition varies. Stains. Large, dark stains to title page and three subsequent leaves. Tears to title page, repaired. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Leaves trimmed close to text, slightly affecting text in several leaves. Minor damage. New leather binding.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $12,500
Including buyer's premium
Ohel Yaakov, Part I, homilies on Bereshit, by R. Yaakov Kranz – the Maggid of Dubno. Józefów, 1830. First edition.
Signature of the first Rebbe of Warka on the title page: "Yitzchak son of R. Sh. of Warka".
Stamps on every single page of the book, of his grandson, the Rebbe of Otvosk (Otwock): "Simcha Bunim son of R. Mordechai Menachem Mendel of Warka, presently in Otvosk". Ownership inscription on title page: "Belongs to R. Simcha Bunim son of the righteous rabbi". Stamps on title page and several other leaves of the grandson of the Rebbe of Otvosk: "Simcha Bunim Rajewski, Białobrzegi".
Rebbe Yitzchak Kalish Rabbi of Warka (1779-1848), renowned Chassidic leader in Poland, about whom many stories of wonders and revelations of Divine Inspiration circulated. He was a close disciple of Rebbe David of Lelov, the Chozeh of Lublin, the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa and R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, and close friend of the Rebbe of Kotsk and the Chiddushei HaRim. In 1829, he began leading his followers, which numbered many thousands. He was renowned for his tremendous love and devotion to the community as well as individuals. Most of his sayings and the stories about him, revolve around love for one's fellow Jew. In his times, Poland was under the rule of the Russian Czar, who constantly enacted new decrees against the Jews. The Rebbe of Warka was one of the leading lobbyists before the authorities and devoted himself to trying to annul and mitigate decrees. To that end, he resided for extended periods of time in Warsaw, where he would meet with the various government officials to try and win them over, and in many cases, he met success. He was very active in bolstering Torah observance, and fought the Maskilim who incited the authorities against faithful Judaism. In 1835, the government forbade setting up Eruv wires across the town, and the Rebbe of Warka was successful in having the decree rescinded within a short time (in the archives of the Polish government, an interesting correspondence between the Rebbe and the authorities about this matter was preserved. See: Yismach Yisrael, 15, Bnei Brak 2017). His descendants include the dynasties of Warka, Skierniewice and Amshinov.
It is interesting to note the phenomenon of this book being owned by Chassidic rebbes, despite the fact that its author, the Maggid of Dubno, was an opponent of Chassidism and a close associate of the Gaon of Vilna. Furthermore, his books contain criticism against Chassidism (see for instance his words on Behaalotecha, p. 24b, Warsaw 1903 edition). This ownership may have been inspired by the statement of the Rebbe of Kotsk, who was a close friend of the Rebbe of Warka, regarding the teachings of the Maggid of Dubno: "In his parables, the Maggid of Dubno attained the truth in three things…" (for further detail, see: Siach Sarfei Kodesh, IV, Bnei Brak 1989, p. 74).
His grandson, Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Warka-Otvosk (1851-1907), son of Rebbe Mordechai Menachem Mendel Kalish of Warka. He was appointed rebbe at the age of 17 (in 1868), and led his Chassidim in Warka. He was full of love for Eretz Israel, and twice immigrated there. Following his first attempt to settle in Eretz Israel with his family and disciples, and his banishment by the Turkish authorities, he relocated to the spa-town of Otvosk, and became known by that name. Many years later, he immigrated alone and settled in Tiberias, where he passed away a month and a half later. He was renowned for his love of Mitzvot and the halachic stringencies he practiced, for his conservative approach and fierce opposition to the Enlightenment movement. His three sons succeeded him as rebbes.
R. Simcha Bunim Rajewski, grandson of Rebbe Simcha Bunim Kalish, was the son of Rebbetzin Tzivia, daughter of the rebbe, and R. Yeshaya Elimelech Rajewski Rabbi of Białobrzegi, son-in-law of the rebbe. The couple were childless for many years. Reputedly, one Yom Kippur eve, Rebbetzin Tzivia cried and begged her brother Rebbe Menachem Mendel to bring about a salvation for her. Her brother stipulated that she should not turn anymore to doctors, and he would thereby be able to help her. She indeed later bore three sons, one of whom was R. Simcha Bunim Rajewski, who was named after his illustrious grandfather (they all perished in the Holocaust).
[2], 115, 12 leaves. 22.5 cm. Blueish paper. Stamps on title page and every leaf. Fair condition. Stains. Worming to every leaf, repaired. Severe worming to approx. 10 leaves, with extensive damage to text (each leaf was professionally restored with paper). Marginal tears and damage to title page and other leaves (primarily first and last leaves, repaired). New, elegant leather binding.
Signature of the first Rebbe of Warka on the title page: "Yitzchak son of R. Sh. of Warka".
Stamps on every single page of the book, of his grandson, the Rebbe of Otvosk (Otwock): "Simcha Bunim son of R. Mordechai Menachem Mendel of Warka, presently in Otvosk". Ownership inscription on title page: "Belongs to R. Simcha Bunim son of the righteous rabbi". Stamps on title page and several other leaves of the grandson of the Rebbe of Otvosk: "Simcha Bunim Rajewski, Białobrzegi".
Rebbe Yitzchak Kalish Rabbi of Warka (1779-1848), renowned Chassidic leader in Poland, about whom many stories of wonders and revelations of Divine Inspiration circulated. He was a close disciple of Rebbe David of Lelov, the Chozeh of Lublin, the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa and R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, and close friend of the Rebbe of Kotsk and the Chiddushei HaRim. In 1829, he began leading his followers, which numbered many thousands. He was renowned for his tremendous love and devotion to the community as well as individuals. Most of his sayings and the stories about him, revolve around love for one's fellow Jew. In his times, Poland was under the rule of the Russian Czar, who constantly enacted new decrees against the Jews. The Rebbe of Warka was one of the leading lobbyists before the authorities and devoted himself to trying to annul and mitigate decrees. To that end, he resided for extended periods of time in Warsaw, where he would meet with the various government officials to try and win them over, and in many cases, he met success. He was very active in bolstering Torah observance, and fought the Maskilim who incited the authorities against faithful Judaism. In 1835, the government forbade setting up Eruv wires across the town, and the Rebbe of Warka was successful in having the decree rescinded within a short time (in the archives of the Polish government, an interesting correspondence between the Rebbe and the authorities about this matter was preserved. See: Yismach Yisrael, 15, Bnei Brak 2017). His descendants include the dynasties of Warka, Skierniewice and Amshinov.
It is interesting to note the phenomenon of this book being owned by Chassidic rebbes, despite the fact that its author, the Maggid of Dubno, was an opponent of Chassidism and a close associate of the Gaon of Vilna. Furthermore, his books contain criticism against Chassidism (see for instance his words on Behaalotecha, p. 24b, Warsaw 1903 edition). This ownership may have been inspired by the statement of the Rebbe of Kotsk, who was a close friend of the Rebbe of Warka, regarding the teachings of the Maggid of Dubno: "In his parables, the Maggid of Dubno attained the truth in three things…" (for further detail, see: Siach Sarfei Kodesh, IV, Bnei Brak 1989, p. 74).
His grandson, Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Warka-Otvosk (1851-1907), son of Rebbe Mordechai Menachem Mendel Kalish of Warka. He was appointed rebbe at the age of 17 (in 1868), and led his Chassidim in Warka. He was full of love for Eretz Israel, and twice immigrated there. Following his first attempt to settle in Eretz Israel with his family and disciples, and his banishment by the Turkish authorities, he relocated to the spa-town of Otvosk, and became known by that name. Many years later, he immigrated alone and settled in Tiberias, where he passed away a month and a half later. He was renowned for his love of Mitzvot and the halachic stringencies he practiced, for his conservative approach and fierce opposition to the Enlightenment movement. His three sons succeeded him as rebbes.
R. Simcha Bunim Rajewski, grandson of Rebbe Simcha Bunim Kalish, was the son of Rebbetzin Tzivia, daughter of the rebbe, and R. Yeshaya Elimelech Rajewski Rabbi of Białobrzegi, son-in-law of the rebbe. The couple were childless for many years. Reputedly, one Yom Kippur eve, Rebbetzin Tzivia cried and begged her brother Rebbe Menachem Mendel to bring about a salvation for her. Her brother stipulated that she should not turn anymore to doctors, and he would thereby be able to help her. She indeed later bore three sons, one of whom was R. Simcha Bunim Rajewski, who was named after his illustrious grandfather (they all perished in the Holocaust).
[2], 115, 12 leaves. 22.5 cm. Blueish paper. Stamps on title page and every leaf. Fair condition. Stains. Worming to every leaf, repaired. Severe worming to approx. 10 leaves, with extensive damage to text (each leaf was professionally restored with paper). Marginal tears and damage to title page and other leaves (primarily first and last leaves, repaired). New, elegant leather binding.
Category
Books of Important Ownership – Leading Rabbis and Chassidic Luminaries – Signatures and Stamps, Inscriptions and Dedications
Catalogue