Auction 93 Part 2 - Ancient Books, Chassidic and Kabbalistic Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Nefesh HaChaim, by R. Chaim of Volozhin, foremost disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Vilna and Horodna: Menachem Mann son of Baruch and Simcha Simmel son of Menachem Nachum, 1824. First edition.
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 as a response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the philosophy and ways of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples).
At the top of the title page, ownership inscription from the time of the printing (trimmed and partially deleted): "…Yitzchak son of R. Shmuel Ginzburg". This is presumably the signature of R. Yitzchak of Horodna, nephew of the author R. Chaim of Volozhin, son of his brother-in-law R. Shmuel Ginzburg, community leader in Horodna.
Many ownership inscriptions from various times.
[6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 4; 17 leaves. 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Extensive worming, affecting text. Stamps. Old binding.
Nine kabbalistic and homiletic books from the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples:
• Afikei Yehuda by R. Yehuda Leib HaLevi Edel. Lviv, 1828.
• Hechalot HaZohar with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. [Königsberg], [1856]. First edition.
• Tikunei HaZohar, with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. Vilna, 1867. First edition. First title page engraved.
• Sifra DeTzniuta, with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. Vilna, 1882.
• Zohar Chadash, with the commentary of R. Moshe Zacuto, other commentaries, and the commentaries and glosses of the Gaon of Vilna. Warsaw, 1885. Ownership inscription on the title page.
• Menachem Tzion, commentary on the Idra Zuta. Premisla, 1885. Mistakenly attributed to R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk; the true author is R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow.
• Mayim Adirim, commentary on the Idra Zuta, by R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Warsaw, 1886. This book is identical to Menachem Tzion, printed in Premisla 1885.
• Shaar HaShirim, songs for the Shabbat and festival meals according to the Zohar and Arizal, by R. Moshe Shlomo of Tolochin (disciple of the Gaon of Vilna). Warsaw, 1889.
• Maalot HaTorah, with Igeret HaGra. Munkacs, 1894.
9 books. Size and condition vary. New bindings. The books were not examined thoroughly, and are being sold as is.
Pe'at HaShulchan, laws pertaining to Eretz Israel, by R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Safed: R. Yisrael Bak, 1836. First edition.
Signature on the title page.
[5], 2-109, [1] leaves. 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and dark ink stains. Minor wear. Worming, mostly marginal, affecting text in several places. Minor marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves. New binding.
One of the last books published in Safed before the 1837 earthquake. Includes final leaf – errata, which appears in some copies only.
Printed booklet, "Letter sent from the Ashkenazi rabbis in Eretz Israel, to the sons of Moshe Rabbenu and the Ten Tribes", by R. Yisrael of Shklow, head of the Ashkenazi community in Safed. [Amsterdam: printer not indicated, 1830].
In 1830, R. Baruch son of R. Shmuel was sent as the emissary of the Prushim community of Safed. Apart from raising funds, he was given another mission – to locate the Ten Lost Tribes in the desert on the border of Yemen. He was therefore provided with a special letter from R. Yisrael of Shklow, leader of the Prushim in Safed, signed also by the other leaders of the Prushim and Chassidim in Jerusalem and Safed. A copy of the letter was sent to the "Pekidim and Amarkalim", heads of the center for fundraising for Eretz Israel in Amsterdam, where, having made a great impact, the letter was printed and distributed. R. Baruch reached Sanaa in Av 1833, where he was murdered on charge of espionage.
4 leaves. Printed without title page. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Old binding.