Tractate Avot, with commentaries by Rashi and the Vilna Gaon; Avot DeRabbi Natan, and the minor tractates: Sofrim, Semachot, Kallah, Derech Eretz Rabbah, Derech Eretz Zuta and Perek HaShalom, corrected according to the text of the Vilna Gaon. Shklow: Aryeh son of Menachem, [1804]. First edition.

The book was brought to press by the sons of the Vilna Gaon, R. Yehudah Leib and R. Avraham, and compiled by his disciple, the kabbalist R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow. The book begins with an important foreword by R. Menachem Mendel, in which he relays several extraordinary points that he heard from his teacher, the Vilna Gaon.
Leaves 3-24: Tractate Avot, the Mishnah occupying the center of the pages, with the commentaries of Rashi and the Vilna Gaon on either side. Leaves 25-50: Tractate Avot DeRabbi Natan, based on the text and corrections of the Vilna Gaon. The center of the page is occupied by the text corrected by the Vilna Gaon, with the old, unedited version printed on the side. Leaves 51-82: Minor Tractates in the same format, the corrected text occupying the center of the page, with the old version on the side.
At the top of the title page, on the last leaf and on the titles of leaf 70: Signatures of R. "Yaakov Berlin of Mir", father of the Netziv of Volozhin (inscriptions deleted with ink). Handwritten glosses in several places in the book.

R. Yaakov Berlin (1794-1870), father of the Netziv of Volozhin and father-in-law of the author of Aruch HaShulchan, was a wealthy trader and an outstanding Torah scholar, an influential leader of the Mir community. He moved to Jerusalem in 1852 and became a leader of its Ashkenazi community (his life and piety are chronicled at length in Mekor Baruch by his grandson R. Baruch Epstein).

82 leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Light wear. Small marginal tears. Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper filling and tape. Stamp on title page. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 318.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Collection of Shulchan Aruch books with the commentary of the Vilna Gaon. First editions of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on the Shulchan Aruch:

• Maginei Eretz, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, with the commentary of the Vilna Gaon. Shklow, [1803]. Title page printed in red and black.
This is the first edition of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, based on the Vilna Gaon's original manuscript. This edition was published by the Vilna Gaon's sons, together with his disciples, R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow and R. Yisrael of Shklow, and with his grandson R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim (son of R. Avraham son of the Vilna Gaon).
The text of the Shulchan Aruch is flanked on one side by the commentary of the Vilna Gaon, and on the other by the Magen Avraham. Be'er HaGolah is printed in the margins.
In his foreword printed on verso of the title page, R. Chaim of Volozhin describes the Vilna Gaon's approach in explaining the Shulchan Aruch. On the second leaf, there is a lengthy and noteworthy foreword by the sons of the Vilna Gaon, in which they portray the greatness of their father beginning from birth, his special practices and his study methods. They also list the disciples of the Vilna Gaon in order of their prominence (see Hebrew description). On the third leaf, there is a foreword by R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, followed by the foreword of R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim, grandson of the Vilna Gaon. The fourth leaf contains the foreword of the editor – R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Vilna Gaon.
On p. 213b, lengthy handwritten gloss.
[1], 3, 316, [2] leaves. 35 cm. Varying condition; first and last leaves in fair condition; other leaves in good-fair condition. Stains. Wear. Tears, including small open tears, and worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper (on margins of title page and last leaf, tape repairs over some of the text). New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 747.

• Ashlei Ravrevei, Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, with Be'er HaGolah and commentary by the Vilna Gaon. Grodno, 1806. First edition of the commentary of the Vilna Gaon. Title page printed in red and black.
First edition of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Yoreh Deah, published by his sons, with introduction by his disciple R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow and the sons of the Vilna Gaon.
23, [1], 24-176 leaves. 33.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Margins of title page and several other leaves reinforced with strips of paper. Tears, including minute open tear affecting text on one leaf. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra no. 749.

• Apei Ravrevei, Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, sections 1-178, with Be'er HaGolah and the commentary of the Vilna Gaon, Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel. Vilna and Grodno, [1819].
The printing of Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer with the commentary of the Vilna Gaon began in 1812, but was interrupted shortly thereafter, due to Napoleon's invasion of Russia that year. The printers only managed to print sections 1-25 (and the beginning of section 26), without the title page. In 1819, the printing resumed, and sections 26-178, the title page and forewords were printed and bound with the incomplete copies printed in 1812.

There is a significant difference between the two printings. The part printed in 1812 contains only the commentary of the Vilna Gaon with the text of the Shulchan Aruch, while the Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel commentaries were to be printed as an addendum at the end of the book. In the part printed in 1819 however, the Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel commentaries were returned to their place on each page. In 1819, complementary leaves with the above commentaries pertaining to sections 1-25 were printed (which were originally printed without the commentaries). Concurrently, in 1819, a complete edition of Even HaEzer was printed, in which sections 1-25 were also printed in the new format (with the Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel commentaries on each page). See Hebrew sidebar for more details. The present copy is of the third type, printed entirely in 1819.
Signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page: "Eliyahu son of R. Yaakov of Darbėnai"; "Binyamin Wolf Segal…"; and more.

4 pages; 5-61; 188 leaves. 34.5 cm. Partly bluish paper. Overall good condition. Stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. New binding.

Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 755.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Volume containing the twelve issues of the Tevunah anthology, published by R. Yisrael Salanter, founder of the Musar movement. Memel-Königsberg: A. Salomon, 1861-1868.
Copy of R. Shmuel Salant, Rabbi of Jerusalem and childhood friend of R. Yisrael Salanter, who studied alongside him under R. Tzvi Hirsch Brody (ca. 1830).
Stamps and signatures of R. "Shmuel Salant" on endpaper and title page of issue 1, and handwritten inscription and signature of his grandson R. Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky from 1894 stating that it was lent to him by R. Shmuel Salant. On margins of issues, learned glosses handwritten by R. Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky.

R. Shmuel Salant (1816-1909), immigrated from Salant to Eretz Israel in 1841 to serve as posek and rabbi of the Perushim community of disciples of the Vilna Gaon in Jerusalem. His father-in-law R. Yosef Zundel Salant immigrated to Jerusalem in the same period. In his capacity as rabbi of Jerusalem, a position he held for close to seventy years, he founded the educational and charitable institutions in the city, established the Beit Din and strengthened the Ashkenazi community. He was renowned for his brilliance and pragmatic approach to halachic ruling and in running communal matters in Jerusalem and worldwide.

R. Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810-1883), founder of the Musar movement. He stood at the helm of many enterprises for strengthening study of Torah and Musar in various countries. In the 1860s, he decided to concentrate his efforts on countries influenced by Haskalah, to bolster Torah observance and study of Torah and Musar. He lived for several years in Königsberg (present-day Kaliningrad) and Memel (present-day Klaipėda), Eastern Prussia, and travelled around delivering sermons in German, drawing people closer to Torah observance. In order to raise the prestige of Torah, he established a forum for publishing Torah novellae and Musar teachings, in form of the Tevunah anthology, published in 1861, printing 12 issues – all contained in the present volume.

[2] leaves, 3-104 pages (without printed wrappers apart from one colorful wrapper at the beginning of the volume, apparently printed for the binding of all 12 issues). 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and heavy wear. Ownership stamps and censorship stamps. Original binding.
One of the first Torah periodicals to be printed, and the first in Eastern Europe.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Collection of over 30 letters sent to R. Chaim Berlin, Rabbi of Moscow, Kobryn, Yelisavetgrad and Jerusalem, from rabbis, Torah scholars, tzedakah collectors and donors throughout the world. Russia, England, United States and other countries, [1880s-1890s to 1900s-1910s].

The collection includes several letters on Torah matters, and responsa on halachic and public issues. Most of the letters are from his tenure as president of the Vaad HaKlali in Jerusalem [ca. 1900s-1910s] and relate to public affairs and fundraising for Eretz Israel.
See Hebrew description for a partial list of authors of the letters.

R. Chaim Berlin (1832-1912), foremost Torah scholar in his generation and an illustrious figure in Lithuania and Jerusalem. Eldest son of the Netziv of Volozhin, he served as Chief Rabbi of Moscow, yeshiva dean and Rabbi of Volozhin, Kobryn and Yelisavetgrad. When he immigrated to Jerusalem in 1906, he was swiftly recognized as one of the leading rabbis of the city.

Approx. 70 paper items, most documents signed. Size and condition vary.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Large assorted collection of over a hundred letters addressed to the philanthropist R. Binyamin (Wilhelm) Posen of Frankfurt am Main and his family, from rebbes, dayanim and Torah scholars, authors of books and printers, friends and relatives. Jerusalem, Prague, Vienna, Frankfurt, Germany, Lithuania, Italy, England, New York and elsewhere, [ca. 1880s-1920s]. Hebrew and German.

The authors include R. Chanoch Henich Ersohn of Zgierz (author of Gan Raveh and publisher of Chanukat HaTorah); R. Meir Wolf Roth [a disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, the Ktav Sofer and R. Hillel Lichtenstein]; R. Chaim Hirschensohn (publisher of Or Zarua alongside R. Binyamin Posen); R. Avraham Bik of Jerusalem and Pressburg, and many others (see Hebrew description for more names).
The philanthropist R. Binyamin (Wilhelm) son of R. Shimon Yekutiel Posen (1859-1923) was a disciple of R. Shimshon Refael Hirsch and a pillar of the Frankfurt am Main Jewish community. He was involved in the publication and printing of Parts III-IV of Or Zarua (Jerusalem, 1887-1890). A well-known bibliophile, many of the letters in the present collection deal with purchase of books and assistance in publication of manuscripts. He was a communal worker known for his charity and hospitality.

Over 100 letters, most on postcards (undivided). Varying size and condition; most in overall good condition.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.