Auction 93 Part 2 - Ancient Books, Chassidic and Kabbalistic Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Or LaShamayim, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions, novellae on Talmudic topics and responsa, by Rebbe Meir HaLevi Rotenberg Rabbi of Stovnitz and Apta, disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin. [Lviv, 1850]. First edition.
The author's famous prayer is printed at the beginning of the book: "Yodati Ki Hineni BeYodcha…". Later editions of the book state that the Tiferet Shlomo of Radomsk who would recite the prayer twice daily, and declared that reciting the prayer daily is "an awesome segulah for livelihood and success".
[1], 74, 77-78, [1], 78-81 leaves (without additional [1] leaf of errata at the end, found in some copies only). Misfoliation. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal wear and tear to some leaves. Worming, affecting text. Inscriptions and stamps. New binding.
Shaar HaYichudim, with Tzadik Yesod Olam, commentary on Megillat Ruth, and commentary on Shabbat songs, by R. Chaim Vital, based on the teachings of the Arizal. Lviv: M. F. Poremba, 1855.
On p. 32b, large, illustrated amulet from the Arizal, for protection from plagues.
Other amulets and kabbalistic diagrams.
Early stamp on title page.
[2], 43, [1], 47-58 leaves. 23 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Traces of past dampness, with many mold stains. Minor marginal tears to several leaves. New leather binding.
Igeret Ketz Chai, "awesome reports from the Next World", by R. Yisrael Natan Alter Bruckstein, son of Rebbe Chaim Rabbi of Pistyń (author of Tosafot Chaim). Czernowitz: Rudolph Eckhardt, 1864. Second edition. Hebrew, with Yiddish translation at the foot of the page.
The book contains two reports from the Next World: one from his grandfather
R. Yitzchak Chajes (author of Zera Yitzchak) who experienced a clinical death and later reported about the proceedings in the Heavenly court, and the second from his father, about the recompense enjoyed in the Next World by those who personally engage in charity and acts of kindness.
[1], 2-8 leaves. 17.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Marginal open tear to title page. Stamps and signature. New binding.
Ateret Tiferet Yisrael, kabbalistic teachings and allusions on the weekly Torah portions, by R. Yisrael Charif of Satanov (Sataniv) – disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. Lviv: Uri Ze'ev Salat, 1865. First edition.
Segulah book. Prominent Chassidic leaders laud the holiness of the book, and describe how just having it in the house is a segulah for the safeguarding of the household members, for success in all areas, and for protection from any harm.
[2], 43; [1], 47, [4] leaves. Misfoliation. Without gathering of [8] leaves with novellae by the author's grandson, added in some copies at the end of the book. 26.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains. Worming, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Minor marginal open tears to several leaves. New binding.
Final leaf in this copy not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
Or HaGanuz, novellae on the Torah according to allegoric, kabbalistic and Chassidic approaches, with a second part – VeZot LiYehuda, novellae on Mishnayot "according to allegoric and kabbalistic approaches, lofty secrets", by R. Yehuda Leib HaKohen of Anipoli. Lviv: Uri Ze'ev Wolf Salat, [1866]. First edition. Divisional title page for part II.
The book bears the only approbation to a book ever issued by the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch. Other approbations, by R. Mordechai of Chernobyl (the Maggid of Chernobyl) and his sons, extols the segulah and protective qualities of the book.
[1], 12; 84; 33 leaves. Approx. 25 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired in part with tape. Worming, affecting text. Handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, with defects; tear to spine.
Ateret Yisrael, homiletics on the Torah, by the Maggid Rebbe Yisrael of Bogopol (Pervomaisk). Zhitomir: Avraham Shalom Shadov, 1867. Only edition.
In his approbation, Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl blesses the publisher and buyers that the merit of the author will protect them, and that G-d will benefit them greatly both materially and spiritually.
[2], 12, 17-69 leaves. Lacking leaf 70. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming. Open tears to leaf 69, affecting text. Inscriptions and stamps. New binding.
Toldot Yitzchak, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions, the festivals and on Tehillim, by Rebbe Yitzchak Shapiro of Neshchiz (Niesuchojeże). Warsaw: Nathan Schriftgiesser, 1868. First edition. Two title pages. Author's name printed in gold on first title page.
Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk writes in his approbation of the segulah in possessing this book: "It is fitting for every Jewish person to bring this book into his home so as to procure enduring blessing".
The author, Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (1789-1868), was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neshchiz and close disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Throughout his lifetime, Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz rarely lectured in public. However, in the last year of his life, he delivered lectures on the Torah and on Tehillim almost daily, which were recorded and published in the present book.
Copy of Rebbe Baruch Avraham Rokeach of Premishla (descendant of the
Sar Shalom of Belz), with his stamps on the endpaper and title page.
[4], 32; 30; 22; 32 leaves. 27.5 cm. Particularly wide margins. Overall good condition. Stains. Worming. Minor marginal tears to several leaves. Stamps. New leather binding.
Magen David, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions and the festivals, by Rebbe David Twersky of Tolna. Lviv: Yaakov Ehrenpreis, [1880]. Third edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Segulah book – in the author's letter to the publisher (not present in this copy, see below), he blesses: "Any wise-hearted man who purchases this book and studies it, I hope it will be a cure for his body and soul, in spiritual and material matters, in this world and in the next, he will experience temporary and eternal success…".
Rebbe David Twersky of Tolna (1808-1882), son of Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl. Rebbe in Vasilkov and later in Tolna. He was one of the foremost leaders of Ukrainian Jewry, and a rebbe to thousands of Chassidim. Reputedly, many were aroused to repentance from hearing his teachings, including numerous maskilim.
[2], 3-104, [1] leaves. 25 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming to inner margins of final leaves. New leather binding.
Without first title page (with author's letter to publisher on verso), which was added to some copies only (does not appear in the Otzar HaChochmah or the NLI digitized copies). The present copy does however include the leaf with the publisher's foreword and lineage (presumably added to some copies only).
Igeret HaKodesh, Chassidic essays and various selections from Chassidic leaders: R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, R. Avraham of Kalisk, R. Chaim Chaikel of Amdur, R. Elimelech of Lizhensk and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Collection of editions (including two other books authored by R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk):
• Igeret HaKodesh. [Lviv or Zhovkva: printer not indicated, ca. 1840].
• Igeret HaKodesh. [Lviv or Zhovkva: printer not indicated, ca. 1840]. Ownership inscription and deleted signatures.
• Igeret HaKodesh. Lviv: D. H. Schrenzel, 1858.
• Igeret HaKodesh. Warsaw: Yisrael HaKohen Alapin, 1879. Signature of R. Eliezer Elimelech Waldman (rabbi in Bardiov).
• Michtevei Kodesh. Lviv: S. L. Kugel, Lewin et Comp., 1863. First edition.
• Igrot Kodesh MeEretz HaKodesh. [Bardiov: Menasheh Yechezkel Horowitz], 1926.
6 books. Size varies. Overall good condition. New bindings.
Pri Etz, Chassidic homilies on the Torah and festivals, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, with a copy of his will. Zhitomir: I. M. Bakst, 1874. First edition.
The title page states that the work was copied from a manuscript in the possession of Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl.
Copy of Rebbe Menachem Mendel's will on p. 3.
30 pages. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming and minor open tears to many leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper. Leaves trimmed unevenly. New leather binding.
Ten books by Rebbe Yaakov Tzvi Yolles Rabbi of Dinov (Dynów), author of Melo HaRo'im, mostly first editions:
• Chinuch Beit Yehuda. Warsaw, 1869. First edition.
• Melo HaRo'im, two parts. Halberstadt, 1859. Second edition.
• Kehilat Yaakov, kabbalah. Lviv, 1870. First edition.
• Melo HaRo'im, Part III. Premishla (Przemyśl), 1884. First edition of this part. Stamps of Rabbiner Dr. A. Neuwirth (presumably R. Aharon Neuwirth, father of R. Yehoshua Neuwirth author of Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata).
• Beit Vaad LaChachamim. Kraków, 1884. First edition.
• Emet LeYaakov. Lviv, 1884. First edition.
• Parashat Derachim Zuta. Kraków, 1885. First edition.
• Kehilat Yaakov, Aggadic novellae on Tractate Berachot. Premishla (Przemyśl), [1909]. First edition.
• Zichron Yaakov V'Yehuda. Munkacs, [1928]. First edition.
10 books. Size and condition vary. New bindings. The books were not thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
Rebbe Yaakov Zvi Yolles rabbi of Dinov (1778-1825), prominent Galician Torah leader and rebbe. Close disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Kozhnitz and R. Mendel of Rimanov.
Olat Shabbat, kabbalistic homiletics for the Shabbatot of the year, by R. Chaim Yaakov Dominitz Rabbi of Ir-Chadash (Nowe Miasto, Nove Misto), near Premishla. Premishla (Przemyśl): Chaim Aharon Zupnik, 1872. First edition.
Many brief handwritten glosses. Signature on the title page.
The book was printed in the lifetime of the author, R. Chaim Yaakov Dominitz Rabbi of Ir-Chadash (1820-1884), a disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz. He also authored: Olat HaChodesh and Megillat Sefer on Megillat Esther.
[7], 98, [7] leaves. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. New binding.