Responsa Mayim Chaim, two parts, by R. Chaim HaKohen Rappaport, Rabbi of Ostroh. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, grandsons of the Rabbi of Slavita, 1857. First edition. With approbations of Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl and the Sar Shalom of Belz.

In Part I, section 27, there is a letter from Mezhibuzh sent to R. Meir (son of R. Yaakov Emden), Rabbi of Konstantin (Konstantynów Łódzki), regarding a kosher issue permitted by the local rabbi but questioned by several prominent members of the community. The signatories to the question include: "Yisrael Baal Shem of Tłuste [Tovste]" – the Baal Shem Tov. R. Meir's lengthy response justifies their concern and disputes the ruling of the Rabbi of Mezhibuzh. The responsum opens with several lines of honorifics and appreciation for the Baal Shem Tov: "chief in Judah and Israel… finder of ailment and cure… extraordinary, celebrated with a high reputation, R. Yisrael…" (the decipherment and interpretation of the lengthy and poetic titles offered at the beginning of this responsum is discussed at length in the scholarly literature).

Both parts of the book are bound together, Part I on Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, and Part II on Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat. Kuntres Otzrot Chaim is printed at the end of Part II, with novellae on Aggadot and pilpul on the Torah portions by the author and his son the publisher. The book also includes responsa from the author's grandfather and uncles, who were leading Torah scholars. At the beginning of the book is printed a letter by the Ohev Yisrael of Apta agreeing with the author's ruling. The letter is printed with the approbations to the book, as a sort of approbation for the author.

84; 151 pages. Two title pages for each part, and an additional title page for Kuntres Otzrot Chaim bound at the end of the book (total of five title pages). Leaf 3 of Part I is bound after leaf 4. 30.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains (many stains on first title page). Creases. Stamps of the "Kollel Kovno library" and additional stamps. New binding.

Collection of title pages, leaves and parts of books, printed in Slavita, Zhitomir, and in Russia-Poland in the 19th century:

The collection includes: • Or Zarua, Part II, by R. Yitzchak of Vienna. Zhitomir, 1862. • Siddur HaAri Kol Yaakov by R. Yaakov Koppel Lipschitz of Mezeritch, Part II, leaves 179-185 – order of Lulav, Sukkah and Hoshanot. Slavita, [1804]. First edition. • Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, laws of terefot. Zhitomir, 1866. Partial copy.
The collection also includes many title pages of books printed in Slavita and Zhitomir; see Hebrew description for listing.

Over 30 items. Varying size and condition.

Volume comprising two books by R. Refael Shlomo Laniado, among the great Rabbis of Aleppo:
Beit Dino Shel Shlomo, responsa, by R. Refael Shlomo Laniado. Constantinople: Shmuel Ashkenazi, [1775].
Bound with: Lechem Shlomo, by R. Refael Shlomo Laniado. Constantinople: Shmuel Ashkenazi, [1775].
Index of Beit Dino Shel Shlomo printed in leaves 31-44 of Lechem Shlomo.
Handwritten gloss in Oriental script on p. 33a of Beit Dino Shel Shlomo.

Two books in one volume. Beit Dino Shel Shlomo: [8], 228 leaves. Lechem Shlomo: 44 leaves. 32 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, affecting text. Original leather binding, with damage and worming in many places.

Pe'at HaShulchan, laws pertaining to Eretz Israel, by R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Vilna Gaon. Safed: R. Yisrael Bak, 1836. First edition.
The author, R. Yisrael of Shklow (1770-1839), a close disciple of the Vilna Gaon (who studied with him during his final days), published the books of the Vilna Gaon and disseminated his teachings, and was a leader of the immigration of the Vilna Gaon's disciples to Eretz Israel.
In a lengthy and important introduction at the beginning of the book, the author relates his trials and tribulations after his immigration to Eretz Israel, including a plague that broke out in the Galilee in 1813, the passing of his wife when they fled to Jerusalem, the passing of their children from the plague which also spread to Jerusalem, and the passing of his parents in the Galilee. He goes on to recount his subsequent return to the Galilee, his imprisonment during the Siege of Acre, his miraculous rescue from a collapse of houses during winter in Safed, and more.
The rest of his introduction is a highly important biographical source for the Vilna Gaon. R. Yisrael of Shklow describes at length the greatness of his teacher, his method and practices, his outstanding expertise in Torah and sciences and more.

[5], 2-109, [1] leaves. 30.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming and tears to margins of title page and several other leaves. Parts of the text are blurred in several places. Stamp and handwritten inscriptions. Original binding worn, front side loose, with many open tears and worming to spine and endpapers.

One of the last books published in Safed before the 1837 earthquake, after which the author and printer, R. Yisrael Bak, moved to Jerusalem.
The present copy includes final leaf of errata.

Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 1543.

"And may the merit of our great and holy rabbi stand at my right side… All my aspiration and hope is his great merit, as G-d granted me the merit of seeing the light of the face of the king while still alive, half a year before he was recalled to the heavenly yeshiva, and I merited to attend to him and be like a servant to the king twenty days before his passing. Many times I recited Scripture and Mishnah before him, and my hand did not leave him until our glorious crown was removed from our head" (introduction of R. Yisrael of Shklow to Beur HaGra on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, Shklow 1803).

Divrei Shalom, commentary on Etz Chaim and Shemonah Shearim, with homilies by R. Refael Avraham Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi, grandson of the Rashash, published by the author's son-in-law R. Chaim Avraham Gagin (Rav Agan). Jerusalem: Yisrael Bak, [1843].
On title page, dedication handwritten and signed by R. Shalom Moshe Chai (Samach) Gagin, son of the publisher Rav Agan, to R. Yosef Nisim Burla. Below, ownership inscription of the recipient.
After the approbations appears an introduction by Rav Agan describing his controversial appointment as Rishon LeTzion. After the introduction are printed kabbalistic responsa.

R. Shalom Moshe Chai [Samach] Gagin (1833-1883), leading Jerusalem Torah Scholar, son of the Rishon LeTzion R. Chaim Avraham Gagin, Rav Agan. Studied in the Beit El kabbalistic yeshiva and served as its emissary, and later succeeded his father as its dean.

R. Yosef Nisim Burla (1828-1903), leading Jerusalem Torah scholar, served as emissary for Eretz Israel in North Africa and later appointed head of the Jerusalem Beit Din.

[6], 154 leaves. 29 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and creases. Tears, including open tears to several leaves, affecting text in a few places. Worming, affecting text of last leaves. Large stamp on title page. New leather binding.

Sh. Halevy, no. 11.