Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $600
Sold for: $750
Including buyer's premium
Two letters handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Tzvi (Maharitz) Dushinsky, rabbi of Galanta, Khust and Jerusalem. Khust, Erev Rosh Hashanah 1929, and Jerusalem, Av 1941.
Two letters addressed to his beloved disciple, R. Shmuel Gottlieb. The first letter opens with blessings "May the year begin with its blessing", and with expressions of gratitude for having sent him a high-quality etrog from the Holy Land. At the foot of the letter, he sends regards to R. Yisrael Bollag and his son, the student Yosef (R. Yosef Bollag is mentioned in the second letter from 1941 as well).
R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (1868-1948), foremost Hungarian Torah scholar, and among the prominent Torah scholars in his generation. He served as rabbi of Galanta and Khust, where he also headed one of the largest and most prestigious yeshivot in Hungary. In 1933, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, to succeed R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld as rabbi of the Eida HaChareidit in Jerusalem, and stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in Eretz Israel. He reestablished his yeshiva in Jerusalem, and delivered regular lectures. He was connected to his thousands of disciples like a father to his sons, as is portrayed in these letters.
Two letters, official stationery. 21X14 cm. First letter in good condition. Second letter in good-fair condition, with tears to folds (repaired). Folding marks and minor wear.
Two letters addressed to his beloved disciple, R. Shmuel Gottlieb. The first letter opens with blessings "May the year begin with its blessing", and with expressions of gratitude for having sent him a high-quality etrog from the Holy Land. At the foot of the letter, he sends regards to R. Yisrael Bollag and his son, the student Yosef (R. Yosef Bollag is mentioned in the second letter from 1941 as well).
R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (1868-1948), foremost Hungarian Torah scholar, and among the prominent Torah scholars in his generation. He served as rabbi of Galanta and Khust, where he also headed one of the largest and most prestigious yeshivot in Hungary. In 1933, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, to succeed R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld as rabbi of the Eida HaChareidit in Jerusalem, and stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in Eretz Israel. He reestablished his yeshiva in Jerusalem, and delivered regular lectures. He was connected to his thousands of disciples like a father to his sons, as is portrayed in these letters.
Two letters, official stationery. 21X14 cm. First letter in good condition. Second letter in good-fair condition, with tears to folds (repaired). Folding marks and minor wear.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
![Letter handwritten and signed by R. Akiva Sofer Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg. Pressburg (Bratislava), [Tevet 1922]. Wo](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale67-public/221.jpg "Letter from Rabbi Akiva Sofer - Pressburg, 1922")
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Akiva Sofer Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg. Pressburg (Bratislava), [Tevet 1922].
Words of encouragement and blessings addressed to his disciple R. Michael Schay, following his marriage to the daughter of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, and his trip to the United States: "…I hope that you have already reached your destination and have settled down, to reside in the tent of Torah with your father-in-law… may you grow and continue… delving into Torah… to collect in your hands all goodness, and goodness refers to Torah…". Further in the letter, he writes that he is sending him also "a certificate, which I promised you, to be for you a remembrance, and I hope you will be satisfied with it…".
The Gaon of Pressburg - R. Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), author of Daat Sofer, son of R. Simcha Bunem author of Shevet Sofer, who was the son of the Ketav Sofer. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg since the passing of his father in 1907. Following the Holocaust, he reestablished his yeshiva and community in Jerusalem. He was a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Michael Schay (1894-1979, HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, p. 648), was a rabbi in New York. He studied in the Pressburg yeshiva, and in the yeshiva of R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky in Khust. He was the son-in-law of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, rabbi of the Hungarian Beit Midrash in New York. Following his wedding, he served as rabbi in New York, succeeding his father-in-law in 1936.
[1] double leaf, official stationery. 23 cm. Approx. 12 autograph lines. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor tears to folds.
Words of encouragement and blessings addressed to his disciple R. Michael Schay, following his marriage to the daughter of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, and his trip to the United States: "…I hope that you have already reached your destination and have settled down, to reside in the tent of Torah with your father-in-law… may you grow and continue… delving into Torah… to collect in your hands all goodness, and goodness refers to Torah…". Further in the letter, he writes that he is sending him also "a certificate, which I promised you, to be for you a remembrance, and I hope you will be satisfied with it…".
The Gaon of Pressburg - R. Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), author of Daat Sofer, son of R. Simcha Bunem author of Shevet Sofer, who was the son of the Ketav Sofer. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg since the passing of his father in 1907. Following the Holocaust, he reestablished his yeshiva and community in Jerusalem. He was a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Michael Schay (1894-1979, HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, p. 648), was a rabbi in New York. He studied in the Pressburg yeshiva, and in the yeshiva of R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky in Khust. He was the son-in-law of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, rabbi of the Hungarian Beit Midrash in New York. Following his wedding, he served as rabbi in New York, succeeding his father-in-law in 1936.
[1] double leaf, official stationery. 23 cm. Approx. 12 autograph lines. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor tears to folds.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $3,500
Sold for: $4,375
Including buyer's premium
Eighty-nine postcards sent by Heinrich Cohn, yeshiva student, to his parents in Basel, while studying in the Pressburg yeshiva. [Pressburg (Bratislava), October 1908 until April 1909]. German, with a bit of Hebrew.
Detailed and fascinating portrayal of life in the Pressburg yeshiva and community, from the perspective of a Western European student.
The writer, Chaim Heinrich Cohn, son of the rabbi of Basel, Rabbi Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, studied in the Pressburg yeshiva for half a year (at the age of 19-20). During that time, he corresponded continuously with his family, writing several times a week, and sometimes even every day. These letters form a fascinating journal, documenting the daily routine of a student in the Pressburg yeshiva at that time, the lifestyle of Pressburg Jews, their social and financial situation, and more. This correspondence also allows us a glimpse into the relations between the Eastern European boys, and those who came from Western Europe, from the personal perspective of the writer.
The postcards describe his daily schedule, learning with his study partner, the students' society for studying Chumash with Rashi, his living conditions, his lodging with one of the families of the community (the Ratz family, who provided him with food and lodging, and washed his clothes), events in the yeshiva and community, various political matters, Hungarian Jews and how they compare to the Jews of Basel, Chanukah and Purim in Pressburg, the Purim Shpiel performed by the yeshiva students, the big examination in the yeshiva, sending kosher meat from Pressburg to Basel, and many other varied topics (a summary of the contents of all the postcards in German is enclosed).
The rabbi of Pressburg at that time was R. Akiva Sofer, author of Daat Sofer, who succeeded his father the Shevet Sofer that year. The writer's teacher in the yeshiva was R. Yitzchak Leib Sofer (referred to in the postcards as "R. Leib"), son of the Daat Sofer. R. Leib is mentioned repeatedly in these letters. One postcard relates of R. Leib's opposition to Zionism, and in several letters, the writer relays messages on various topics between his father the rabbi of Basel and R. Leib.
Rabbi Dr. Chaim (Heinrich) Cohn (1889-1966), son of R. Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, rabbi of Basel. Upon completing his studies in the Basel gymnasium in 1908, he went to study in the Pressburg yeshiva, from where he wrote these letters. He later received a degree in teaching English and French, and in 1914, was rabbinically ordained in the Berlin Rabbiner Seminar. In 1917-1918, he served as military chaplain on the Western front. In 1918-1939, he served as rabbi of the Synagogenverein Moabit und Hansabezirk, Berlin. He was the principal of the Jewish school in the Hansa district of Berlin, and a board member of Agudath Israel. In 1939, he succeeded in escaping Germany through Switzerland, and settled in London.
89 postcards. Approx. 14X9 cm. Overall good condition.
Detailed and fascinating portrayal of life in the Pressburg yeshiva and community, from the perspective of a Western European student.
The writer, Chaim Heinrich Cohn, son of the rabbi of Basel, Rabbi Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, studied in the Pressburg yeshiva for half a year (at the age of 19-20). During that time, he corresponded continuously with his family, writing several times a week, and sometimes even every day. These letters form a fascinating journal, documenting the daily routine of a student in the Pressburg yeshiva at that time, the lifestyle of Pressburg Jews, their social and financial situation, and more. This correspondence also allows us a glimpse into the relations between the Eastern European boys, and those who came from Western Europe, from the personal perspective of the writer.
The postcards describe his daily schedule, learning with his study partner, the students' society for studying Chumash with Rashi, his living conditions, his lodging with one of the families of the community (the Ratz family, who provided him with food and lodging, and washed his clothes), events in the yeshiva and community, various political matters, Hungarian Jews and how they compare to the Jews of Basel, Chanukah and Purim in Pressburg, the Purim Shpiel performed by the yeshiva students, the big examination in the yeshiva, sending kosher meat from Pressburg to Basel, and many other varied topics (a summary of the contents of all the postcards in German is enclosed).
The rabbi of Pressburg at that time was R. Akiva Sofer, author of Daat Sofer, who succeeded his father the Shevet Sofer that year. The writer's teacher in the yeshiva was R. Yitzchak Leib Sofer (referred to in the postcards as "R. Leib"), son of the Daat Sofer. R. Leib is mentioned repeatedly in these letters. One postcard relates of R. Leib's opposition to Zionism, and in several letters, the writer relays messages on various topics between his father the rabbi of Basel and R. Leib.
Rabbi Dr. Chaim (Heinrich) Cohn (1889-1966), son of R. Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, rabbi of Basel. Upon completing his studies in the Basel gymnasium in 1908, he went to study in the Pressburg yeshiva, from where he wrote these letters. He later received a degree in teaching English and French, and in 1914, was rabbinically ordained in the Berlin Rabbiner Seminar. In 1917-1918, he served as military chaplain on the Western front. In 1918-1939, he served as rabbi of the Synagogenverein Moabit und Hansabezirk, Berlin. He was the principal of the Jewish school in the Hansa district of Berlin, and a board member of Agudath Israel. In 1939, he succeeded in escaping Germany through Switzerland, and settled in London.
89 postcards. Approx. 14X9 cm. Overall good condition.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,063
Including buyer's premium
Handwritten copy of a Beit Din act recording the giving of a get (divorce document), handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Mordechai Vorhand Rabbi of Nitra. Nitra, Nisan [1938?].
In this copy, the rabbi copied in his handwriting the signatures of the dayanim in his Beit Din who had signed on the original Beit Din act: "Zalman Leib Halberstam" and "Chaim Dov Meislik".
R. Mordechai Vorhand (1886/1887-1944), son of R. Moshe Rabbi of Makova, disciple of R. Eliezer Deutsch author of Tevuat Sadeh, the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet and the Arugat HaBosem. In his youth, he frequented the courts of Rebbe Mordechai of Nadvorna and Rebbe Yechezkel of Shinova. In 1909, he was appointed dayan and posek in Bethlen (Beclean), Hungary, and in 1912, he began serving as rabbi and dean of Nitra, Slovakia, where he headed a large yeshiva. He was particularly drawn to manuscripts of Rishonim and clarifying their early versions. During his stay in Italy in 1924 for health reasons, he spent many hours in the Vatican Library, attempting to locate various manuscripts. In that time, he also recorded an index, in which he describes numerous manuscripts which he saw. During this visit, he held a lengthy and sensitive audience with Pope Pius XI. He composed over forty books in Halacha and Aggadah, some of which were published. His halachic works which were printed in his lifetime was very well received, and earnt enthusiastic approbations from leading Hungarian rabbis.
[1] double leaf, official stationery of the "Beit Din of the Nitra Community". 23.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and folding marks.
In this copy, the rabbi copied in his handwriting the signatures of the dayanim in his Beit Din who had signed on the original Beit Din act: "Zalman Leib Halberstam" and "Chaim Dov Meislik".
R. Mordechai Vorhand (1886/1887-1944), son of R. Moshe Rabbi of Makova, disciple of R. Eliezer Deutsch author of Tevuat Sadeh, the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet and the Arugat HaBosem. In his youth, he frequented the courts of Rebbe Mordechai of Nadvorna and Rebbe Yechezkel of Shinova. In 1909, he was appointed dayan and posek in Bethlen (Beclean), Hungary, and in 1912, he began serving as rabbi and dean of Nitra, Slovakia, where he headed a large yeshiva. He was particularly drawn to manuscripts of Rishonim and clarifying their early versions. During his stay in Italy in 1924 for health reasons, he spent many hours in the Vatican Library, attempting to locate various manuscripts. In that time, he also recorded an index, in which he describes numerous manuscripts which he saw. During this visit, he held a lengthy and sensitive audience with Pope Pius XI. He composed over forty books in Halacha and Aggadah, some of which were published. His halachic works which were printed in his lifetime was very well received, and earnt enthusiastic approbations from leading Hungarian rabbis.
[1] double leaf, official stationery of the "Beit Din of the Nitra Community". 23.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and folding marks.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
Letter (approx. 13 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld - the Tchebiner Rav. Jerusalem, Tishrei 1949.
Approbation and recommendation for the book VaYelaket Yosef by R. Yosef Mandelkern.
VaYelaket Yosef is an important compilation of Chassidic teachings from the rebbes of the Kotsk and Ger dynasties, and was eventually published in 1955 in Jerusalem. This approbation was not included. The printed book features approbations from many rabbis, and on p. 103, there is a different approbation by the Tchebiner Rav.
R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld (1881-1965), known as "The Tchebiner Rav" was the son of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Rimalov (Hrymailiv), author of Kochav MiYaakov, foremost Galician Torah scholar. From 1923, he served as rabbi of Tchebin (Trzebinia), Galicia, and already in his youth was renowned as a foremost Torah scholar and halachic authority in his generation, with exceptional proficiency in the entire Talmud and halachic literature. During his tenure in Tchebin, he established a prominent yeshiva, which attracted the finest, most astute students in Galicia. After the passing of R. Meir Shapiro, he joined the spiritual administration of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, together with the Gaon of Koziegłowy R. Aryeh Tzvi Frumer and Rebbe Moshenyu of Krakow. A chassid, he was attached to the Rebbes of the Belz and Ruzhin dynasties. During the Holocaust, he was exiled to Siberia then Bukhara, reaching Jerusalem in 1946, where he founded the Kochav MiYaakov - Tchebin yeshiva. The Tchebiner Rav was revered by all the leading rabbis of his times, rebbes and yeshiva deans, including R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Chazon Ish and R. Yitzchak Zev of Brisk. His teacher Rebbe Aharon of Belz would refer to him the gravest halachic questions. On his first Shavuot in Jerusalem, he went to pray in the Beit Midrash of the Imrei Emet, Rebbe of Ger, who declared upon seeing him: "Today we shall honor the Torah itself with the reading of the Ten Commandments".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and damage to folds.
Approbation and recommendation for the book VaYelaket Yosef by R. Yosef Mandelkern.
VaYelaket Yosef is an important compilation of Chassidic teachings from the rebbes of the Kotsk and Ger dynasties, and was eventually published in 1955 in Jerusalem. This approbation was not included. The printed book features approbations from many rabbis, and on p. 103, there is a different approbation by the Tchebiner Rav.
R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld (1881-1965), known as "The Tchebiner Rav" was the son of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Rimalov (Hrymailiv), author of Kochav MiYaakov, foremost Galician Torah scholar. From 1923, he served as rabbi of Tchebin (Trzebinia), Galicia, and already in his youth was renowned as a foremost Torah scholar and halachic authority in his generation, with exceptional proficiency in the entire Talmud and halachic literature. During his tenure in Tchebin, he established a prominent yeshiva, which attracted the finest, most astute students in Galicia. After the passing of R. Meir Shapiro, he joined the spiritual administration of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, together with the Gaon of Koziegłowy R. Aryeh Tzvi Frumer and Rebbe Moshenyu of Krakow. A chassid, he was attached to the Rebbes of the Belz and Ruzhin dynasties. During the Holocaust, he was exiled to Siberia then Bukhara, reaching Jerusalem in 1946, where he founded the Kochav MiYaakov - Tchebin yeshiva. The Tchebiner Rav was revered by all the leading rabbis of his times, rebbes and yeshiva deans, including R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Chazon Ish and R. Yitzchak Zev of Brisk. His teacher Rebbe Aharon of Belz would refer to him the gravest halachic questions. On his first Shavuot in Jerusalem, he went to pray in the Beit Midrash of the Imrei Emet, Rebbe of Ger, who declared upon seeing him: "Today we shall honor the Torah itself with the reading of the Ten Commandments".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and damage to folds.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Responsum letter handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner. Zichron Meir, Bnei Brak, Iyar 1974.
Addressed to R. Efraim Greenblatt of Memphis, USA (author of Rivevot Efraim), concerning the laws of Amira LeAkum - instructing a non-Jew to perform a forbidden activity on Shabbat, for the purpose of a mitzvah, regarding having a non-Jew heat up the mikveh on Shabbat, and transporting in the public domain on Shabbat (this responsum is printed in Responsa Shevet HaLevi, IV, Orach Chaim, section 29).
R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (1913-2015), author of Shevet HaLevi, was a leading Halachic authority of the past generation. Born in Vienna, he was a disciple of R. Shmuel David Ungar, rabbi of Nitra, R. Yosef Elimelech Kahana, rabbi of Ungvar (both perished in the Holocaust) and later a close disciple of Rabbi Meir Shapiro at the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva. In 1939, he immigrated to Eretz Israel with his wife. He first settled in Jerusalem, where he studied under the leading rabbis of the city. He soon thereafter earned prominence as a leading Torah scholar and was appointed as rabbi and posek of the Geulah neighborhood. In 1947, he moved to Bnei Brak to serve as rabbi of the Zichron Meir neighborhood. He was recommended for this position by the Chazon Ish who already then discerned the greatness and strength of the young man and foresaw his illustrious future. After a short while, he was appointed rabbi of the Chug Chatam Sofer communities in the city and with time became renowned as a foremost halachic authority acknowledged by all circles. He responded to thousands of halachic queries which were published in the eleven volumes of his book Responsa Shevet HaLevi.
[1] leaf, official stationery with the letterhead: "Samuel Halevi Wosner, Rabbi of Sichron-Meir, Bnei Brak". Approx. 27.5 cm. Approx. 25 autograph lines and signature. Good condition. Tears and light creases.
Addressed to R. Efraim Greenblatt of Memphis, USA (author of Rivevot Efraim), concerning the laws of Amira LeAkum - instructing a non-Jew to perform a forbidden activity on Shabbat, for the purpose of a mitzvah, regarding having a non-Jew heat up the mikveh on Shabbat, and transporting in the public domain on Shabbat (this responsum is printed in Responsa Shevet HaLevi, IV, Orach Chaim, section 29).
R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (1913-2015), author of Shevet HaLevi, was a leading Halachic authority of the past generation. Born in Vienna, he was a disciple of R. Shmuel David Ungar, rabbi of Nitra, R. Yosef Elimelech Kahana, rabbi of Ungvar (both perished in the Holocaust) and later a close disciple of Rabbi Meir Shapiro at the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva. In 1939, he immigrated to Eretz Israel with his wife. He first settled in Jerusalem, where he studied under the leading rabbis of the city. He soon thereafter earned prominence as a leading Torah scholar and was appointed as rabbi and posek of the Geulah neighborhood. In 1947, he moved to Bnei Brak to serve as rabbi of the Zichron Meir neighborhood. He was recommended for this position by the Chazon Ish who already then discerned the greatness and strength of the young man and foresaw his illustrious future. After a short while, he was appointed rabbi of the Chug Chatam Sofer communities in the city and with time became renowned as a foremost halachic authority acknowledged by all circles. He responded to thousands of halachic queries which were published in the eleven volumes of his book Responsa Shevet HaLevi.
[1] leaf, official stationery with the letterhead: "Samuel Halevi Wosner, Rabbi of Sichron-Meir, Bnei Brak". Approx. 27.5 cm. Approx. 25 autograph lines and signature. Good condition. Tears and light creases.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $1,200
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy letter (2 pages, approx. 40 lines), handwritten and signed by R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor Rabbi of Kovno (Kaunas). Kovno, 1878.
Addressed to R. Shmuel Salant Rabbi of Jerusalem, and to the philanthropist R. Mordechai Yoffe of Jerusalem. The letter pertains to the terrible tragedy which struck the family of R. Yitzchak Elchanan's brother in Jerusalem, with the untimely passing of the latter's son. The letter discloses his worry for his brother's daughter-in-law, the young widow, and discusses the handling of the inheritance and financial concerns of the deceased's family.
R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor (1817-1896), a Torah luminary in his generation, renowned for his exceptional Torah knowledge, his diligence and outstanding piety. The supreme Torah authority of his times, he led Lithuanian and Russian Jewry for years with wisdom and compassion. He served as rabbi from ca. 1837 and in 1864, he was appointed rabbi of Kovno, his fame spreading throughout the world as a foremost halachic authority. His responsa and novellae are printed in his books Be'er Yitzchak, Nachal Yitzchak and Ein Yitzchak.
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Marginal worming, affecting two words of the letter.
Addressed to R. Shmuel Salant Rabbi of Jerusalem, and to the philanthropist R. Mordechai Yoffe of Jerusalem. The letter pertains to the terrible tragedy which struck the family of R. Yitzchak Elchanan's brother in Jerusalem, with the untimely passing of the latter's son. The letter discloses his worry for his brother's daughter-in-law, the young widow, and discusses the handling of the inheritance and financial concerns of the deceased's family.
R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor (1817-1896), a Torah luminary in his generation, renowned for his exceptional Torah knowledge, his diligence and outstanding piety. The supreme Torah authority of his times, he led Lithuanian and Russian Jewry for years with wisdom and compassion. He served as rabbi from ca. 1837 and in 1864, he was appointed rabbi of Kovno, his fame spreading throughout the world as a foremost halachic authority. His responsa and novellae are printed in his books Be'er Yitzchak, Nachal Yitzchak and Ein Yitzchak.
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Marginal worming, affecting two words of the letter.
Category
Letters - Lithuanian, Polish and Eretz Israeli Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $600
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Two lengthy and interesting letters handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Berlin, addressed to R. Shmuel Salant, regarding fundraising for the Etz Chaim yeshiva in Jerusalem. Vilna (Vilnius), 1890; Yelizavetgrad (Kropyvnytskyi), [1899].
The letters contain detailed reports of the fundraising on behalf of the Etz Chaim yeshiva in Jerusalem, and various details concerning the administration of the fundraising. In the second letter, dated 1899, R. Chaim outlines his plans to involve rabbis and wealthy men, who would share with him the burden of organizing the fundraising in Lithuania and Poland: "You surely know that I have been searching for a long time for notables to join me in the management of this fundraising, to replace the late R. Yehonatan of Volkovisk, and unfortunately, I have not yet found such a person, and I am here alone, I am not able to establish such a committee properly". In that letter, R. Chaim describes his loneliness in his position as rabbi of a city in the inner regions of Russia: "For I am like a juniper in the desert, here in the southern land, which is dry of any trace of Torah and holy matters, and I am here completely alone, without anyone to strengthen me, and I pray to G-d… that He draw me up from the pit… from this thick mire, which I entered upon the advice of some of the great rabbis of the generation, who lured me, and I was swayed…".
The first letter is dated: "Tuesday, the day bread rained down from Heaven, 1890. Vilna" (16th Iyar, the day the manna began falling following the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. See Tractate Shabbat f. 87b). The second letter is dated: "The fast of the 10th month, may it become a joyous occasion, 1899, Yelizavetgrad" (10th Tevet).
R. Chaim Berlin (1832-1912), foremost Torah scholar in his generation, was an illustrious Torah figure of Lithuania and Jerusalem. Eldest son of the Netziv of Volozhin. He served as chief rabbi of Moscow, and his Torah influence spread throughout Russia. He served for a while as yeshiva dean and rabbi in Volozhin, and as rabbi of Kobryn and Yelisavetgrad (Kropyvnytskyi). He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1906, where he soon became recognized as a leading rabbinic authority in the city.
Two letters: A double leaf and a single leaf (4 written pages). 20.5 cm. Good condition.
The letters contain detailed reports of the fundraising on behalf of the Etz Chaim yeshiva in Jerusalem, and various details concerning the administration of the fundraising. In the second letter, dated 1899, R. Chaim outlines his plans to involve rabbis and wealthy men, who would share with him the burden of organizing the fundraising in Lithuania and Poland: "You surely know that I have been searching for a long time for notables to join me in the management of this fundraising, to replace the late R. Yehonatan of Volkovisk, and unfortunately, I have not yet found such a person, and I am here alone, I am not able to establish such a committee properly". In that letter, R. Chaim describes his loneliness in his position as rabbi of a city in the inner regions of Russia: "For I am like a juniper in the desert, here in the southern land, which is dry of any trace of Torah and holy matters, and I am here completely alone, without anyone to strengthen me, and I pray to G-d… that He draw me up from the pit… from this thick mire, which I entered upon the advice of some of the great rabbis of the generation, who lured me, and I was swayed…".
The first letter is dated: "Tuesday, the day bread rained down from Heaven, 1890. Vilna" (16th Iyar, the day the manna began falling following the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. See Tractate Shabbat f. 87b). The second letter is dated: "The fast of the 10th month, may it become a joyous occasion, 1899, Yelizavetgrad" (10th Tevet).
R. Chaim Berlin (1832-1912), foremost Torah scholar in his generation, was an illustrious Torah figure of Lithuania and Jerusalem. Eldest son of the Netziv of Volozhin. He served as chief rabbi of Moscow, and his Torah influence spread throughout Russia. He served for a while as yeshiva dean and rabbi in Volozhin, and as rabbi of Kobryn and Yelisavetgrad (Kropyvnytskyi). He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1906, where he soon became recognized as a leading rabbinic authority in the city.
Two letters: A double leaf and a single leaf (4 written pages). 20.5 cm. Good condition.
Category
Letters - Lithuanian, Polish and Eretz Israeli Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter signed by R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk. Brisk D'Lita (Brest-Litovsk, today: Brest, Belarus), Cheshvan 1908.
Addressed to Dr. Avraham Eliyahu Harkavy, the letter confirms receipt of funds donated to the yeshiva via the emissary R. Binyamin Ze'ev Chusiczer, with an appeal to continue "upholding this yeshiva, which comprises a large group of excellent, exceptional students, who toil diligently over Torah study with strength. Some are sons of the poor, from whom Torah will emerge, and whose parents cannot afford to support them, therefore large sums are required to provide them with all their needs". R. Chaim praises and blesses the supporters: "Fortunate is the lot of those who support them, who merit and benefit many with the light of Torah… and may he receive his full recompense from G-d, to be blessed with good and lengthy years of life, happiness and wealth, much blessing, and all good forever". The entire letter is written by a scribe, apart from the concluding line: "One who esteems him, Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik".
R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik (1853-1918), rabbi of Brisk, was a foremost Torah scholar in Lithuania and one of the leaders of his generation. He is considered the initiator of the learning method in Lithuanian yeshivot. Son of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beit HaLevi, and son-in-law of R. Refael Shapiro, dean of the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of the Netziv. After his marriage, he began serving as the third dean of the Volozhin yeshiva (the disciples of R. Chaim from that period include: R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz, R. Shimon Yehuda Shkop and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski). With R. Refael's move in 1881 to Babruysk, R. Chaim was appointed second yeshiva dean in his place. After the passing of his father the Beit HaLevi in 1894, he succeeded him as rabbi of Brisk, and continued teaching Torah to a small group of elite students who gathered to absorb his teachings (behind the scenes, R. Chaim also directed the Torah Chesed yeshiva in Brisk, which was intended for slightly younger students). These disciples later disseminated his study method in all Lithuanian yeshivot, orally and in writing. Many of his novellae circulated orally within Lithuanian yeshivot, transmitted and copied by many writers (some were later printed in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGrach, published in Eretz Israel ca. the 1950s).
R. Chaim founded the Torah Chesed yeshiva in Brisk in the late 1890s. He first appointed R. Simcha Zelig Reguer, posek in Brisk, as its dean, and later R. Moshe Soloveitchik of Brisk, author of Imrei Moshe. This yeshiva operated until the Holocaust. (Its renowned alumni, from its final years, include: R. Moshe Soloveitchik of Switzerland, his colleague R. Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman, R. Ze'ev Eidelman of Bnei Brak, and many other leading scholars of the yeshiva world).
[1] leaf. 25.5 cm. Very good condition. Stamps of "Yeshiva Torat Chesed, Brisk", and of the rabbi of the city, R. "Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik - Brisk".
Addressed to Dr. Avraham Eliyahu Harkavy, the letter confirms receipt of funds donated to the yeshiva via the emissary R. Binyamin Ze'ev Chusiczer, with an appeal to continue "upholding this yeshiva, which comprises a large group of excellent, exceptional students, who toil diligently over Torah study with strength. Some are sons of the poor, from whom Torah will emerge, and whose parents cannot afford to support them, therefore large sums are required to provide them with all their needs". R. Chaim praises and blesses the supporters: "Fortunate is the lot of those who support them, who merit and benefit many with the light of Torah… and may he receive his full recompense from G-d, to be blessed with good and lengthy years of life, happiness and wealth, much blessing, and all good forever". The entire letter is written by a scribe, apart from the concluding line: "One who esteems him, Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik".
R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik (1853-1918), rabbi of Brisk, was a foremost Torah scholar in Lithuania and one of the leaders of his generation. He is considered the initiator of the learning method in Lithuanian yeshivot. Son of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beit HaLevi, and son-in-law of R. Refael Shapiro, dean of the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of the Netziv. After his marriage, he began serving as the third dean of the Volozhin yeshiva (the disciples of R. Chaim from that period include: R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz, R. Shimon Yehuda Shkop and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski). With R. Refael's move in 1881 to Babruysk, R. Chaim was appointed second yeshiva dean in his place. After the passing of his father the Beit HaLevi in 1894, he succeeded him as rabbi of Brisk, and continued teaching Torah to a small group of elite students who gathered to absorb his teachings (behind the scenes, R. Chaim also directed the Torah Chesed yeshiva in Brisk, which was intended for slightly younger students). These disciples later disseminated his study method in all Lithuanian yeshivot, orally and in writing. Many of his novellae circulated orally within Lithuanian yeshivot, transmitted and copied by many writers (some were later printed in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGrach, published in Eretz Israel ca. the 1950s).
R. Chaim founded the Torah Chesed yeshiva in Brisk in the late 1890s. He first appointed R. Simcha Zelig Reguer, posek in Brisk, as its dean, and later R. Moshe Soloveitchik of Brisk, author of Imrei Moshe. This yeshiva operated until the Holocaust. (Its renowned alumni, from its final years, include: R. Moshe Soloveitchik of Switzerland, his colleague R. Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman, R. Ze'ev Eidelman of Bnei Brak, and many other leading scholars of the yeshiva world).
[1] leaf. 25.5 cm. Very good condition. Stamps of "Yeshiva Torat Chesed, Brisk", and of the rabbi of the city, R. "Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik - Brisk".
Category
Letters - Lithuanian, Polish and Eretz Israeli Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $5,000
Unsold
Interesting letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik, with the "Stamp of the Beit Din… Brisk D'Lita". Brisk (Brest), Tevet 1895.
Sent to a R. Avraham David (who presumably served as rabbi or posek). In his letter, R. Chaim expresses his surprise as to why the inquiring rabbi, who obviously possesses straight reasoning and does not rule unless he has full clarity, is later second-guessing himself and his ability to rule. At the end of the letter, R. Chaim adds: "His honor should not bear grudge against me for not expanding on Halachic topics, since the time does not allow me to".
This letter, written in the early days of R. Chaim's tenure as rabbi of Brisk, was written entirely in his own handwriting, unlike letters from later periods, which were written on his behalf by his attendants and household members.
R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik of Brisk, rabbi of Brisk (1853-1918), a foremost Torah scholar in Lithuania and one of the leaders of his generation, is considered the initiator of the learning method in Lithuanian yeshivot. He was the son of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beit HaLevi, and son-in-law of R. Refael Shapira, dean of the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of the Netziv. After his marriage, he began serving as a third dean of the Volozhin yeshiva. With the yeshiva's closure, he proceeded to succeed his father, who passed away in 1894, as rabbi of Brisk, and continued teaching Torah to a small group of elite students. He was known for the uncompromising battle he waged against Zionism (R. Chaim would frequently say that the Zionist movement's prime objective is to uproot faith and Torah observance from the Jewish people). He was one of the founders of Agudath Israel, yet despite his extensive public and charitable activity, he did not cease innovating and learning Torah in his thoughts, delving deeply into Torah topics until absolute exhaustion. A small compendium of his novellae was printed some twenty years after his passing, in the book Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, published by his son R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk (Brisk, 1936 - in the foreword by the author's sons, they write how this book was written over a period of many years, revised over and over again, "even a hundred times"). Many novellae were disseminated orally in his name throughout Lithuanian yeshivot, transmitted and copied by many writers, resulting in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGaon R. Chaim (in recent years, several books were published based on R. Chaim's draft notebooks, including some novellae parallel to those printed in Chiddushei HaGaon R. Chaim based on oral transmission).
[1] leaf. Approx. 13X22 cm. Fair condition. Severe wear, slightly affecting text, professionally repaired.
On verso - novellae on the laws of Terefot (presumably written by R. Avraham David, recipient of this letter - see similar autograph in Kedem Auction 65, item 265).
Sent to a R. Avraham David (who presumably served as rabbi or posek). In his letter, R. Chaim expresses his surprise as to why the inquiring rabbi, who obviously possesses straight reasoning and does not rule unless he has full clarity, is later second-guessing himself and his ability to rule. At the end of the letter, R. Chaim adds: "His honor should not bear grudge against me for not expanding on Halachic topics, since the time does not allow me to".
This letter, written in the early days of R. Chaim's tenure as rabbi of Brisk, was written entirely in his own handwriting, unlike letters from later periods, which were written on his behalf by his attendants and household members.
R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik of Brisk, rabbi of Brisk (1853-1918), a foremost Torah scholar in Lithuania and one of the leaders of his generation, is considered the initiator of the learning method in Lithuanian yeshivot. He was the son of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beit HaLevi, and son-in-law of R. Refael Shapira, dean of the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of the Netziv. After his marriage, he began serving as a third dean of the Volozhin yeshiva. With the yeshiva's closure, he proceeded to succeed his father, who passed away in 1894, as rabbi of Brisk, and continued teaching Torah to a small group of elite students. He was known for the uncompromising battle he waged against Zionism (R. Chaim would frequently say that the Zionist movement's prime objective is to uproot faith and Torah observance from the Jewish people). He was one of the founders of Agudath Israel, yet despite his extensive public and charitable activity, he did not cease innovating and learning Torah in his thoughts, delving deeply into Torah topics until absolute exhaustion. A small compendium of his novellae was printed some twenty years after his passing, in the book Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, published by his son R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk (Brisk, 1936 - in the foreword by the author's sons, they write how this book was written over a period of many years, revised over and over again, "even a hundred times"). Many novellae were disseminated orally in his name throughout Lithuanian yeshivot, transmitted and copied by many writers, resulting in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGaon R. Chaim (in recent years, several books were published based on R. Chaim's draft notebooks, including some novellae parallel to those printed in Chiddushei HaGaon R. Chaim based on oral transmission).
[1] leaf. Approx. 13X22 cm. Fair condition. Severe wear, slightly affecting text, professionally repaired.
On verso - novellae on the laws of Terefot (presumably written by R. Avraham David, recipient of this letter - see similar autograph in Kedem Auction 65, item 265).
Category
Letters - Lithuanian, Polish and Eretz Israeli Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Seven letters from the archive of R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz of Kelm - later rabbi of Chevrat Shas in London.
• Rabbinic ordination, handwritten and signed by R. Mordechai Gimpel Yoffe. Ruzhany, 1885.
• Letter of good year wishes, handwritten and signed by R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin (nephew of R. Yisrael of Salant). Kretinga, Elul 1900.
• Lengthy letter (7 pages of Torah thoughts) handwritten and signed by R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz, addressed to R. Binyamin Eliyahu Kantor Rabbi of Działoszyn. [London], 1922.
At the end of the letter, R. Leizerowitz asks R. Kantor to relay the letter to his nephew R. Shmuel Yisrael HaKohen Kaplan Rabbi of Kolno, for him to study it.
On verso of the last leaf of this multi-page letter: Letter handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Binyamin Eliyahu Kantor Rabbi of Działoszyn, who sent this letter to R. Kaplan.
• Lengthy and interesting letter (2 pages), of Torah thoughts and worldly matters, handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Yisrael HaKohen Kaplan. Kolno, Iyar 1924.
• Lengthy letter (3 pages), handwritten and signed by R. Menachem Manes Horowitz. Antwerp (Belgium), Kislev 1913.
• Letter (2 pages), halachic query pertaining to Hilchot Shechita, handwritten and signed by the shochet and bodek R. "Avraham son of R. Sh. Zeidel ---, cantor, shochet and bodek of the --- community".
• Interesting letter handwritten and signed by R. Eliyahu Eliezer Skolsky. London, Chanukah 1925.
R. Mordechai Gimpel Yoffe (1820-1892) was a leading Torah scholar in his generation - the times of the Netziv and R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor. He was a disciple of R. Yitzchak of Volozhin, who predicted that he would be amongst the foremost rabbis of the generation. He served as rabbi in Deretchin (Dziarečyn), and later in Ruzhany (Lithuania, presently Belarus), a position he held for some 36 years, until his immigration to Eretz Israel in 1888. Upon his arrival in Eretz Israel, he settled in the newly established moshava of Yehud, where he founded a yeshiva of outstanding Torah scholars and became the spiritual-religious leader of the New Yishuv in Eretz Israel. In the 1889 Shemittah polemic, R. Mordechai Gimpel was amongst the leading opponents of the Heter Mechira (maintaining that since the Jewish people's exile from the Land was due to Shemittah desecration, the survival of the new settlement would depend on full observance of the commandment of Shemittah), and he supported the farmers in Ekron who steadfastly observed the Shemittah. He authored many books on Halacha, Talmud and Aggadah, some of which were published, yet most of his writings were lost in fires in Slonim, during WWI and the Holocaust.
R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin Rabbi of Kretinga (1840-Tishrei 1902), close disciple of his uncle R. Yisrael Lipkin of Salant (who was the brother of his father, R. Yedidia Lipman Lipkin, and brother of his father-in-law R. Yitzchak Lipkin of Žagarė). An outstanding Torah scholar, a foremost Lithuanian kabbalist. He authored many books, and published the books of the Gaon of Vilna (Imrei Noam) together with R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz. He is also the anonymous author of Klalei Hatchalat HaChochma - study of Kabbalah through the writings of the Arizal, according to the Gaon of Vilna and the Ramchal. The title page of the book states that "for his great righteousness and modesty, he did not want his name to be mentioned". Of his fifteen compositions, only the following were published: Divrei Yedidia on Shir HaShirim and Bereshit, Or HaYom, Shevilei HaMeorot and Chiddushei R. Aryeh Leib, published in Jerusalem by R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz.
R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz (1840-1929), a native of Kelm. He was a Tzaddik and kabbalist, close to R. Leibly Chassid of Kelm, foremost Lithuanian kabbalists (the Leshem, R. Aryeh Leib of Kretinga, R. A.Sh. Maharil and others) and to leading disciples of R. Yisrael of Salant. He arrived in England in the early 1890s, and served for many years as rabbi of Chevrat Shas. In his later years, he immigrated to Jerusalem.
7 letters. Size and condition vary.
• Rabbinic ordination, handwritten and signed by R. Mordechai Gimpel Yoffe. Ruzhany, 1885.
• Letter of good year wishes, handwritten and signed by R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin (nephew of R. Yisrael of Salant). Kretinga, Elul 1900.
• Lengthy letter (7 pages of Torah thoughts) handwritten and signed by R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz, addressed to R. Binyamin Eliyahu Kantor Rabbi of Działoszyn. [London], 1922.
At the end of the letter, R. Leizerowitz asks R. Kantor to relay the letter to his nephew R. Shmuel Yisrael HaKohen Kaplan Rabbi of Kolno, for him to study it.
On verso of the last leaf of this multi-page letter: Letter handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Binyamin Eliyahu Kantor Rabbi of Działoszyn, who sent this letter to R. Kaplan.
• Lengthy and interesting letter (2 pages), of Torah thoughts and worldly matters, handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Yisrael HaKohen Kaplan. Kolno, Iyar 1924.
• Lengthy letter (3 pages), handwritten and signed by R. Menachem Manes Horowitz. Antwerp (Belgium), Kislev 1913.
• Letter (2 pages), halachic query pertaining to Hilchot Shechita, handwritten and signed by the shochet and bodek R. "Avraham son of R. Sh. Zeidel ---, cantor, shochet and bodek of the --- community".
• Interesting letter handwritten and signed by R. Eliyahu Eliezer Skolsky. London, Chanukah 1925.
R. Mordechai Gimpel Yoffe (1820-1892) was a leading Torah scholar in his generation - the times of the Netziv and R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor. He was a disciple of R. Yitzchak of Volozhin, who predicted that he would be amongst the foremost rabbis of the generation. He served as rabbi in Deretchin (Dziarečyn), and later in Ruzhany (Lithuania, presently Belarus), a position he held for some 36 years, until his immigration to Eretz Israel in 1888. Upon his arrival in Eretz Israel, he settled in the newly established moshava of Yehud, where he founded a yeshiva of outstanding Torah scholars and became the spiritual-religious leader of the New Yishuv in Eretz Israel. In the 1889 Shemittah polemic, R. Mordechai Gimpel was amongst the leading opponents of the Heter Mechira (maintaining that since the Jewish people's exile from the Land was due to Shemittah desecration, the survival of the new settlement would depend on full observance of the commandment of Shemittah), and he supported the farmers in Ekron who steadfastly observed the Shemittah. He authored many books on Halacha, Talmud and Aggadah, some of which were published, yet most of his writings were lost in fires in Slonim, during WWI and the Holocaust.
R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin Rabbi of Kretinga (1840-Tishrei 1902), close disciple of his uncle R. Yisrael Lipkin of Salant (who was the brother of his father, R. Yedidia Lipman Lipkin, and brother of his father-in-law R. Yitzchak Lipkin of Žagarė). An outstanding Torah scholar, a foremost Lithuanian kabbalist. He authored many books, and published the books of the Gaon of Vilna (Imrei Noam) together with R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz. He is also the anonymous author of Klalei Hatchalat HaChochma - study of Kabbalah through the writings of the Arizal, according to the Gaon of Vilna and the Ramchal. The title page of the book states that "for his great righteousness and modesty, he did not want his name to be mentioned". Of his fifteen compositions, only the following were published: Divrei Yedidia on Shir HaShirim and Bereshit, Or HaYom, Shevilei HaMeorot and Chiddushei R. Aryeh Leib, published in Jerusalem by R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz.
R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz (1840-1929), a native of Kelm. He was a Tzaddik and kabbalist, close to R. Leibly Chassid of Kelm, foremost Lithuanian kabbalists (the Leshem, R. Aryeh Leib of Kretinga, R. A.Sh. Maharil and others) and to leading disciples of R. Yisrael of Salant. He arrived in England in the early 1890s, and served for many years as rabbi of Chevrat Shas. In his later years, he immigrated to Jerusalem.
7 letters. Size and condition vary.
Category
Letters - Lithuanian, Polish and Eretz Israeli Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Unsold
Letter with a halachic essay, handwritten and signed by R. Ze'ev Wolf Turbowitz, signed: "ZiV ToV author of Rosh Pina, residing here Kroz". [Kražiai, Lithuania, 1889].
Addressed to R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, during his tenure as rabbi of Žeimelis, in response to the halachic article by the Netziv of Volozhin, which appeared in the Ittur Sofrim anthology (compiled by Rav Kook, 1888). The article offered a new halachic permit to read newspapers on Shabbat. R. Ze'ev Wolf responds sharply, enclosing an article with a halachic responsum challenging this permission, to be published in the Ittur Sofrim anthology. This article was not published at that time in Ittur Sofrim (whose publication ceased in 1889), but was published in R. Ze'ev Wolf's responsa book (Tiferet Ziv, section 13), and more recently, together with the accompanying letter, in Moriah (issue 255-256, Tevet 1999, pp. 54-60). R. Kook may have chosen not to publish this responsum in Ittur Sofrim, seeing it as an offense to his teacher, the Netziv, who actually read newspapers on Shabbat (see below).
"…I saw heading the articles… the ruling of the Netziv of Volozhin, and I was very surprised to see the publicizing of words which contradict the Shulchan Aruch and all Rishonim and Acharonim, based on weak arguments, and especially to be lenient regarding Shabbat prohibitions". R. Ze'ev Wolf expresses concern that publicizing this permission will cause laxity in Shabbat observance, especially amongst "the members of the new generation who will seize the opportunity and fulfill it wholeheartedly…". He writes that he therefore hurried to record his response to this ruling and requests to publicize it. He further writes that he was astonished to see this ruling - "If not for the name of the Netziv signed on this ruling, I would not have believed that a Torah Jew, let alone a foremost Torah scholar, could have penned such views…". He expresses his surprise at Rav Kook, editor of the Ittur Sofrim anthology, for publishing the words of the Netziv without countering them.
R. Ze'ev Wolf Turbowitz (1846-1921), leading Lithuanian rabbi of the later generations. Outstanding Torah scholar from a prominent family of Karlin Chassidim, he served as rabbi of Svislach, Kletsk and Wolpa (Voupa), and finally, Kražiai - a position he held for 36 years, between 1885-1921. He is renowned for his works in all realms of the Torah: Halacha, homily and Kabbalah. He authored: Rosh Pina on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah (Vilna 1879); Shir Yedidot on Eshet Chayil (Vilna 1878); Ziv Mishna on the Rambam (Warsaw 1904); Megillat Shabtai - chronicling the blood libel in Dubno, 1821; and dozens more, the majority of which remained in manuscript form and disappeared over the years.
The article of the Netziv which this letter is a response to, aroused great interest at that time. There is a famous report of R. Baruch HaLevi Epstein, author of Mekor Baruch, in his memoirs of his uncle the Netziv. He relates there that the Netziv would go through all the Hebrew newspapers of that time, and on Shabbat, he would read the HaMaggid, which was usually delivered on Friday: "And I remember that he would receive the HaMaggid on Friday afternoon, but he would not read it that evening, since Friday night was dedicated to reviewing the Mishnayot of Tractates Shabbat and Eruvin by heart... and he would read it during the day; and if it would happen that the HaMaggid was delayed, and he didn't receive it on Erev Shabbat, he would say that he felt something was lacking that Shabbat, just like one feels on the Shabbat preceding Tisha B'Av, when one doesn't go to the bathhouse like usual…" (Mekor Baruch, IV, p. 1794).
See series of articles by R. Eliezer Brodt: The Netziv, Reading Newspapers on Shabbos, in General & Censorship, published in The Seforim Blog, March 5, 2014, April 29, 2015 and July 16, 2015.
[4] leaves (8 written pages). 21 cm. Good condition.
Addressed to R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, during his tenure as rabbi of Žeimelis, in response to the halachic article by the Netziv of Volozhin, which appeared in the Ittur Sofrim anthology (compiled by Rav Kook, 1888). The article offered a new halachic permit to read newspapers on Shabbat. R. Ze'ev Wolf responds sharply, enclosing an article with a halachic responsum challenging this permission, to be published in the Ittur Sofrim anthology. This article was not published at that time in Ittur Sofrim (whose publication ceased in 1889), but was published in R. Ze'ev Wolf's responsa book (Tiferet Ziv, section 13), and more recently, together with the accompanying letter, in Moriah (issue 255-256, Tevet 1999, pp. 54-60). R. Kook may have chosen not to publish this responsum in Ittur Sofrim, seeing it as an offense to his teacher, the Netziv, who actually read newspapers on Shabbat (see below).
"…I saw heading the articles… the ruling of the Netziv of Volozhin, and I was very surprised to see the publicizing of words which contradict the Shulchan Aruch and all Rishonim and Acharonim, based on weak arguments, and especially to be lenient regarding Shabbat prohibitions". R. Ze'ev Wolf expresses concern that publicizing this permission will cause laxity in Shabbat observance, especially amongst "the members of the new generation who will seize the opportunity and fulfill it wholeheartedly…". He writes that he therefore hurried to record his response to this ruling and requests to publicize it. He further writes that he was astonished to see this ruling - "If not for the name of the Netziv signed on this ruling, I would not have believed that a Torah Jew, let alone a foremost Torah scholar, could have penned such views…". He expresses his surprise at Rav Kook, editor of the Ittur Sofrim anthology, for publishing the words of the Netziv without countering them.
R. Ze'ev Wolf Turbowitz (1846-1921), leading Lithuanian rabbi of the later generations. Outstanding Torah scholar from a prominent family of Karlin Chassidim, he served as rabbi of Svislach, Kletsk and Wolpa (Voupa), and finally, Kražiai - a position he held for 36 years, between 1885-1921. He is renowned for his works in all realms of the Torah: Halacha, homily and Kabbalah. He authored: Rosh Pina on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah (Vilna 1879); Shir Yedidot on Eshet Chayil (Vilna 1878); Ziv Mishna on the Rambam (Warsaw 1904); Megillat Shabtai - chronicling the blood libel in Dubno, 1821; and dozens more, the majority of which remained in manuscript form and disappeared over the years.
The article of the Netziv which this letter is a response to, aroused great interest at that time. There is a famous report of R. Baruch HaLevi Epstein, author of Mekor Baruch, in his memoirs of his uncle the Netziv. He relates there that the Netziv would go through all the Hebrew newspapers of that time, and on Shabbat, he would read the HaMaggid, which was usually delivered on Friday: "And I remember that he would receive the HaMaggid on Friday afternoon, but he would not read it that evening, since Friday night was dedicated to reviewing the Mishnayot of Tractates Shabbat and Eruvin by heart... and he would read it during the day; and if it would happen that the HaMaggid was delayed, and he didn't receive it on Erev Shabbat, he would say that he felt something was lacking that Shabbat, just like one feels on the Shabbat preceding Tisha B'Av, when one doesn't go to the bathhouse like usual…" (Mekor Baruch, IV, p. 1794).
See series of articles by R. Eliezer Brodt: The Netziv, Reading Newspapers on Shabbos, in General & Censorship, published in The Seforim Blog, March 5, 2014, April 29, 2015 and July 16, 2015.
[4] leaves (8 written pages). 21 cm. Good condition.
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Letters - Lithuanian, Polish and Eretz Israeli Rabbis
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