Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, by R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk. Brisk, 1936. First edition.
The famed book of R. Chaim of Brisk, printed by his son, R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, some 18 years after the death of the author in 1918. This book is R. Chaim's magnum opus and a promise that it will be published was inscribed on his tombstone: "He left behind a manuscript of a large composition on the Rambam which will be published". For various reasons, the printing of this book was delayed for a long time. The main reason for the delay was the lack of 600 dollars (a huge sum in those days) necessary for printing the book. In the 1930s, R. Yechezkel Abramsky, who was a close disciple of R. Chaim, printed a public proclamation calling rabbis and donors to undertake the collection of funds for printing the book. In this proclamation, Rav Abramsky describes the book with these words: "This book contains Torah novellae which he taught in public over a period of thirteen years, when he served as dean of the outstanding Volozhin Yeshiva. These novellae pave the correct path to immediately pinpoint the core of each topic, with understanding of the depth and essence of each subject under discussion, as he polishes, straightens, refines and clarifies the root of the halacha and all its branches…".
When the printing of the book finally began, some of the admirers of R. Chaim and his teachings did not have the patience to wait until the work was completed and requested that each completed section be immediately sent to them. We know of three who thus received these booklets immediately after printing: R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, the Dvar Avraham of Kovno and R. Yechezkel Abramsky.
"R. Baruch Dov [Leibowitz] became very excited upon seeing R. Chaim Solovietchik's book Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi in print, and he whispered several times: 'The holy rabbi's book'. He ordered wine to be served, and said that if only they would discern the great light shining now in the world, they would joyfully escort the book with instruments and dancing. His mind wasn't put at rest until he found the opportunity to do just that. At the time of the dedication of the new building of the Kamenitz Yeshiva (Chanukah 1936), when the yeshiva's Torah scrolls were being brought to their new home under a chuppah with instruments and dancing, R. Baruch Dov led the parade holding R. Chaim Soloveitchik's book in his hand" (Rabbi Baruch Dov Leibowitz, Tel Aviv 1957, p. 80). On Simchat Torah in the Kamenitz Yeshiva, R. Baruch Ber and his disciples danced with the book of his primary teacher (Raban shel kol Bnei HaGolah, I, Jerusalem 2014, p. 589).
The famous foreword written by his sons is a work on its own, reviewed and perfected with each word being written with much deliberation. His sons wrote in the foreword that R. Chaim's method of study "followed the path taught by our rabbis, the Rishonim". This sentence was written by the directive of the author's close companion, the famous posek of Brisk, R. Simcha Zelig Riger, but the author's sons hesitated to write this. At that time, R. Chaim appeared to R. Simcha Zelig in a dream and told him that now in the World of Truth, he has come to realize that indeed his way of study "followed the path taught by our rabbis, the Rishonim". Thus, the author's sons agreed to include this sentence in their foreword. Reputedly, the closing sentence "Who sign whilst trembling, sons of the author", was written by R. Yitzchak Ze'ev while his hands actually trembled (ibid. pp. 592-593 and note 60).
For more information regarding the special status of this book in the Torah world, from the day it was published until today, and about the trials and tribulations which arose during the printing, see: Sh. Meller, Raban shel kol Bnei HaGolah, I, Jerusalem 2014, Chapter 15 "Heirloom for Generations", pp. 545-616; A. Suraski, Melech B'Yofyo, Jerusalem 2004, pp. 282-287; 219-221.
[1], 112 leaves. Dry paper. Approx. 33 cm. Good condition. Stains. New binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 150.

Mishlei with the Rashi commentary, and with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. Warsaw: David son of Aryeh Leib Shklover, 1837.
Copy that belonged to Chassidic rebbes:
Copy of Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Otwock. Ownership inscription on the title page: "Belongs to Simcha Bunim son of the Rabbi of Warka". Stamps on the title page and on other leaves: "Simcha Bunim son of Rebbe Mordechai Menachem Mendel of Warka, now in Otwock".
Stamps of the grandson of the Rebbe of Otwock on the title page and on the last leaf: "Simcha Bunim Rayevsky, Białobrzegi".
The Rebbe of Otwock - R. Simcha Bunim son of R. Mordechai Menachem Mendel Kalish (1851-1907, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 827-828), one of the leading tzaddikim of his generation, served as Rebbe in Warka from the age of 17. After his first immigration to the city of Tiberias, he was banished by the Turks and returned to Poland. In 1906, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Tiberias.
Inscribed on the front flyleaf: "Avraham Avish Segal Kanner, here in Iași" - R. Avraham Avish Kanner of Tshkhoiv (Czchów). His father, Rebbe Yaakov Shimshon Kanner founded the Tshkhoiv Chassidic dynasty. R. Avraham Avish was appointed Rebbe in 1929 in the city of Botoşani and later relocated his court to Iași. In the wake of WWII, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and served as Rebbe in the city of Haifa.
Next to his stamp is the stamp of his son-in-law, Rebbe Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala-Bnei Brak.
[1], 56 leaves. 23 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains and wear. Traces of past dampness and dampness damage. Worming, affecting text. Paper repairs to title page margins. Stamps. New leather binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 90.

Nefesh HaChaim, by R. Chaim Rabbi of Volozhin (Valozhyn). Vilna and Grodno, 1824. First edition. Forewords by his sons R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and R. Yosef of Chorzów. Approbations by the rabbis of Vilna, R. Shaul Katzenelbogen and R. Avraham Abele Poswoler.
A classic book of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (many parts of the book were written in response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the path and opinion of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples). The author, R. Chaim of Volozhin, cherished this book more that all his many halachic writings, and before his passing, he ordered his sons to expedite its publishing. The book was edited and brought to print by his son R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and by his nephew, the kabbalist R. Avraham Simcha of Amtchislav (Mstsislaw), who both served as heads of the Volozhin Yeshiva.
[6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 17; 4 leaves (leaves 1-4, which belong before section 4, were bound at the end of the book). 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Significant tears to title page margins and several other leaves. Dark stains and scribbles in several places. Ownership and familial inscriptions on flyleaves. New leather binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 478.

Siddur with the commentary of R. Yaakov Emden, Part I - Amudei Shamayim (prayers for weekdays and Shabbat) and Part II - Shaarei Shamayim (prayers for festivals and more), Ashkenazi rite. Altona: [printed in the home of the author R. Yaakov Rabbi of Emden - the Yaavetz, 1745-1747]. First edition.
Two parts out of three of the siddur with R. Yaakov Emden's commentaries, based on revealed parts of the Torah and on Kabbalah - following the teachings of the Arizal. The first edition of this siddur is renowned for its great precision. R. Yaakov Emden expended great effort in establishing the exact text of the siddur, in the vocalization and accuracy of the words. This siddur was reprinted in many editions and was named by later printers "the Beit Yaakov siddur". In the siddur's later editions (Lviv and Warsaw), modifications and errors affected the text of the prayers, and all that remains of R. Yaakov Emden's corrections and precisions are his comments, integrated in his commentary printed in the margins.
R. Yaakov Emden's siddur became widely accepted in the Chassidic world, and its second edition was printed in Korets in 1818, at the initiative and with the approbation of great Chassidic leaders: the rabbi of Apta and R. Mordechai of Chernobyl. The latter describes in his approbation the rarity of the first edition - the teachings of the Yaavetz are so cherished that "the siddurim have already become worn out, and there is not one to be found in the whole city". The Korets edition included only parts I and II, and in 1836, the third part was printed in Berditchev at the initiative and with the approbation of R. Mordechai of Chernobyl and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin (who praised the siddur in his approbation: "It was established and originates from golden foundations, in order to indicate the correct path with pure intellect on the topic of prayer"). The Imrei Yosef of Spinka wrote in the name of the sons of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, who heard from their father who had a tradition that the Baal Shem Tov told R. Efraim, brother of the Yaavetz: "Your brother the Yaavetz was connected to the Upper spheres all day" (approbation of R. Moshe Halberstam to the Eshkol edition of the siddur, Jerusalem 1993). Tzror HaChaim (by R. Ch. Liebersohn, Biłgoraj 1913, p. 22), quotes in the name of the Baal Shem Tov: "Chacham Tzvi had five sons, whom the Baal Shem Tov attested all merited Divine Inspiration, yet he offered especially effusive praise on one of them, without disclosing which one, but his friends confirmed that he was referring to the Yaavetz". The Yeshuot Moshe of Vizhnitz writes in his approbation to that same edition: "…This siddur did not depart from the tables of our teachers and ancestors, who utilized it constantly, especially while leading the Seder on Passover night". Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch quoted precisions and practices from this siddur several times in his discourses, and once remarked "R. Yaakov Emden exercised ultimate precision in every way, to the point of being meticulous even regarding the letters etc." (BeTzel HaChochma, p. 265). Title page of Part I: "Palatin Bet El, resting upon seven Amudei Shamayim, also called Ohr Shivat HaYamim". On the verso of the title page, approbation by R. Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen Rabbi of Altona-Hamburg-Wandsbek, extolling the virtues of the siddur. He relates in his approbation of cantors who are not meticulous to follow the rules of grammar "and sometimes upon hearing such mistakes, I berated them…". Title page of Part II: "The palace of the city of G-d, is open to 14 gates… Shaarei Shamayim… for the days and months of the year". The approbation of R. Aryeh Leibush Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Amsterdam, brother-in-law of the author and outstanding Torah scholar, is presented on p. 159b, followed by the author's apology for printing the approbation at the end of the siddur (rather than at the beginning, as is customary), explaining that it was received only at the end of the printing: "…and it is already known that the position does not bring honor to the person, and we find that the last one is the most cherished, and the Torah does not follow chronological order...".
Two parts in two volumes. Vol. I: [1], 356, 354-385, 389-415, 417-418 leaves. Vol. II: 159 leaves. 16.5-17 cm. Some leaves significantly darkened. Good-fair condition. Stains. Dampstains to title page of Part I and other places. Stamps on title pages and other leaves. New matching leather bindings.
Stefansky Classics, no. 415.