Auction 94 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Yismach Moshe on the Torah – Chassidic and Kabbalistic homilies, following the order of the weekly Torah portions, by R. Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Parts I-V, on the Books of Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. Lviv: various printers, 1848-1861. Complete set in five volumes. First edition of all five parts, with a separate title page for each part.
Copy belonging to R. Shmuel Fränkel of Dorog. At the top of the title page of the Shemot volume, there is an ownership inscription in his handwriting and with his signature: "G-d graced me with this, the young Shmuel Fränkel MiBach". On the title page of the volume Shemot and Bamidbar are the owners' stamps of his son-in-law, R. Yaakov Tzvi Katz, Av Beit Din of Hajdúszoboszló.
R. Shmuel Fränkel (1815-1881), prominent Chassidic rabbi in Hungary, renowned as an exalted Tzadik and wonder-worker. Close disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. He also frequented the court of Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Liska. He lived in Komádi (Hungary; earning the title of "R. Shmuel Komader"), and in Berettyóújfalu. He would sign "MiBach", and is referred to as such on the title page of his book Imrei Shefer (according to some, this acronym stands for "MiBeit Chalfon", while others interpret it as "MeHar Chadash", after his place of residence Berettyóújfalu). In 1874, he was appointed rabbi of Hajdúdorog, Hungary. His descendants include many prominent rabbis and personalities. The Torah institutions of the Dorog Chassidut today were established in his memory.
The Yismach Moshe series was arranged and prepared for print by the author's grandson and close disciple, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev, and his glosses and additions, introduced with the words "the editor says", are included in several places.
A brief foreword by the Yitav Lev was printed at the beginning of the Bereshit volume. Approbations by the Divrei Chaim and the Yitav Lev are printed at the beginning of the Bamidbar volume.
The author, R. Moshe Teitelbaum, rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841), was the progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar dynasties, as well as other prominent Chassidic dynasties. Renowned already in his youth as an outstanding Torah scholar, he had the merit of studying in the Beit Midrash of the Gaon of Vilna, and holding Torah discussions with him (see: R. Yosef Moshe Sofer, HaGaon HaKadosh Baal Yismach Moshe, Brooklyn, 1984, pp. 25-26). He served as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa) and Ujhel. He embraced Chassidut in his later years, and became a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. In 1808, he was appointed rabbi of Ujhel and began disseminating Chassidut in Hungary. He was renowned in his times as a Kabbalist and wonder-worker and frequently gave out amulets. His books include: Responsa Heshiv Moshe on halachah, Yismach Moshe on the Tanach, and Tefillah LeMoshe on Tehillim.
Set in five volumes: Bereshit: [1], 116 leaves. The final leaf is lacking (replaced with a photocopy). Shemot: 90 leaves. Printing errors: On leaves 43-44 and 79-80 (pages 43a and 44b are lacking: p. 44a is printed instead of the original text of p. 43a, and p. 43b is printed instead of the original text of p. 44b; pages 79b and 80a are lacking: the text of p. 80b is printed instead of the original text of p. 79b, and the text of p. 79a is printed instead of the original text of p. 80a). Leaves 27-28 bound out of sequence. Vayikra: 42 leaves. Leaves 25-26 bound out of order. Bamidbar: [1], 49 leaves. Devarim: 72, [1] leaves. 23 cm. Condition of volumes varies. First, second and fifth in fair condition; third and fourth in good-fair condition. Stains, including large, dark dampstains (primarily to the first volume). Worming, affecting text (extensive worming to volumes Shemot and Devarim), partially repaired with paper filling. Leaves trimmed, affecting text (primarily in volumes Bamidbar and Devarim). Stamps. New bindings (uniform).
Davar BeIto on Order Moed – Part II of a six-part work on the Six Orders of the Mishnah, by R. Shimon Lichtenstadt of Prague. Pressburg: Anton Schmid, 1841. Only edition.
Bound with: Maayan HaYeshuah, on Order Nezikin – Part IV of a six-part work on the Six Orders of the Mishnah, by R. Shimon Lichtenstadt of Prague. Pressburg: Anton Schmidt, 1847. Only edition.
Important ownership. On the first title page, signatures of Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Liska, author of Ach Pri Tevua, and of his son-in-law and successor Rebbe Chaim Friedlander of Liska, author of Tal Chaim.
On the title pages of both books, later signatures (in pencil), dated 1922: "Aharon Yitzchak Yoel Berger Katz (of Satmar, son-in-law of R. Avraham Shlomo of Szamosújvár [Gherla], see: Beit Vaad LaChachamim, Kislev 1929, year 9, booklet 3, p. 1).
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Friedman, rabbi of Liska (Olaszliszka; 1798-1874), a leading Hungarian rebbe, from the first generation of the Chassidic movement in Hungary. A disciple of the Yismach Moshe, Rebbe Shalom of Belz, Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin, Rebbe Meir of Premishlan and the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. He was renowned as a wonder-worker, and people flocked to him to receive his blessings. He authored Ach Pri Tevua and HaYashar VehaTov. His illustrious disciple was R. Yeshaya of Kerestir, who used to sign: "Who was the close attendant of the Tzadik of Liska".
His son-in-law and successor, Rebbe Chaim Friedlander – rabbi of Liska (d. 1904), son of R. Moshe Friedlander, rabbi of Kleinwardein. He succeeded his father-in-law as rabbi and rebbe of Liska in 1874. He authored Tal Chaim on the Talmud, and Tal Chaim UVracha on the Torah. Served as rabbi for thirty years, disseminating Torah and fear of G-d in Liska and beyond, and the place became a Torah center under his leadership. He passed away on 9 Iyar 1904, and was succeeded by his eldest son R. Tzvi Hirsh, who led the community until the Holocaust (see: Sh. Goldstein, Sefer HaZichronot LeBeit Liska, Haifa, 1968, pp. 124-125).
[3], 4-48 leaves; [2], 3-53 leaves. 25 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Some wear. New binding.
R. Shimon Lichtenstadt's work on the Six Orders of the Mishnah was printed as six individual books in Pressburg in 1839-1853 (each part with its own title). The present volume comprises two parts of the work.
Sefer HaYashar, commentaries and novellae on the Talmud, by Rabbenu Yaakov son of Rabbenu Meir – Rabbenu Tam, a Tosafist. Vienna: Georg Hrashansky, [1811]. First edition, printed by R. Daniel Prostitz head of the Pressburg Beit Din, with approbations by R. Mordechai Banet and the Chatam Sofer.
Important ownership – on the final leaf (leaf 87) and in the middle of the book (leaves 8, 22 and 59), stamps of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar – from the time he lived in his hometown Sighet (in his youth, after the passing of his father in 1904, before 1906): "Yoel Teitelbaum son of the late Tzadik, M. Sighet".
On the title page and other leaves, stamps of R. Yitzchak Eizik Weisz, rabbi of Svaliava and head of the Munkacs Beit Din, uncle and prime teacher of Rebbe Yosef Meir Weiss, the Imrei Yosef, first rebbe of Spinka.
At the top of the title page, ownership inscription of R. Eliezer Segal, who purchased the book from R. Kalman Segal of Pressburg, with a handwritten dedication (deleted), recording the gifting of the book to R. Yaakov Shalom son of R. Fishel Sofer of Pressburg, by the Chevrah DeBachurim of Pressburg.
Three handwritten glosses (leaves 77, 78 and 84).
R. Yaakov Shalom Sofer, rabbi of Topoltshan (Topoľčany; 1813-1851; see: HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, p. 235-239), close disciple of the Chatam Sofer from the age of 11 until his marriage. Born in Pressburg to R. Mordechai Efraim Fishel Sofer of Pressburg (1786-1843; leading Torah scholar in Pressburg and associate of the Chatam Sofer; father of R. Chaim Sofer, rabbi of Budapest author of Machaneh Chaim and R. Eliezer Zussman-Sofer, rabbi of Paks), he was circumcised by the Chatam Sofer. His teacher the Chatam Sofer held him in high esteem. Reputedly, on the Friday night before his passing, the Chatam Sofer appeared to R. Yaakov Shalom Sofer in a dream and offered him to join him in the Next World. He replied that it required consideration since it would be difficult for him to abandon his young children. On Motza'ei Shabbat, the dream repeated itself, at which point R. Yaakov Shalom Sofer replied that he would happily accompany his teacher. He indeed passed away the next day, after relating his dream to his brother R. Naftali Sofer. This story is alluded to in his epitaph.
R. Yitzchak Eizik Weisz (1824-1894), rabbi of Svaliava and later head of the Munkacs Beit Din, author of Beit Yitzchak. He was the prime teacher of his nephew, R. Yosef Meir Weiss, first rebbe of Spinka, author of Imrei Yosef. Born in Munkacs to R. Avraham Weisz (who was like a son to R. Yitzchak Eizik of Kaliv). R. Yitzchak Eizik Weisz was a progenitor of Chassidut in Transylvania in the mid-19th century, and the disciple of foremost rebbes: Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov author of Bnei Yissaschar, Rebbe Yehuda Tzvi of Rozdil author of Daat Kedoshim (the book was compiled by R. Yitzchak Eizik Weisz), Rebbe Shalom of Belz, Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov (who acclaimed him as one of the "sixty mighty men surrounding him", and relied upon him to edit his writings in Chassidut and Kabbalah). He also frequented the courts of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin, Rebbe Chaim of Kosov, Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Rimanov and Rebbe Meir of Premishlan. His son-in-law was Rebbe Elimelech Lőwy, son of the first rebbe of Tosh, R. Meshulam Feish Lőwy. The Maharshag, R. Shimon Grünfeld, rabbi of Szemihály, described R. Yitzchak Eizik: "and I knew that he was a great kabbalist, almost unique in the country in this wisdom" (Responsa Maharshag, part I, Orach Chaim section 30). From his large collection of writings, only the following were published: Toldot Yitzchak on the Torah, Divrei Yitzchak, and Beit Yitzchak on Tractate Megillah.
Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979), a leader of his generation, president of the Edah HaCharedit in Jerusalem and leader of American Orthodox Jewry, one of the founding pillars of Chassidic Jewry after the Holocaust. Born in Sighet, he was the son of the Kedushat Yom Tov, and grandson of the Yitav Lev, who both served as rabbis of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) and were leaders of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was renowned from his youth as a leading Torah scholar, for his perspicacity and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. After his marriage to the daughter of Rebbe Avraham Chaim Horowitz of Polaniec, he settled in Satmar and taught Torah and Chassidut to an elite group of disciples and followers. He served as rabbi of Irshava, Karoly (Carei; from 1925), and Satmar (Satu Mare; from 1934), managing in each of these places a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. During the Holocaust, he was rescued through the famous Kastner Train, and after a journey through Bergen-Belsen, Switzerland and Eretz Israel, he reached the United States, where he established one of the largest Chassidic groups in the world.
[3], 2-87 leaves (misfoliation). Approx. 37 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Stamps. New leather binding.
Mishnat Avraham, on the laws of Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot, by R. Avraham son of R. Tzvi Yoffe. Zhitomir: Avraham Shalom Shadov, 1868. First edition, published by the sons of the author R. Mordechai Tzvi Yoffe posek in Zhitomir, R. Yehoshua Zalman Yoffe and R. Moshe Yoffe shochet in Zhitomir.
The title page states that the teachings were compiled from halachic literature and from manuscript responsa of R. Avraham Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov), R. Shabtai of Rashkov (scribe of the Baal Shem Tov), R. Yaakov of Smila (disciple of the Baal HaTanya) and R. Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (the Tzemach Tzedek).
Copy of R. Yosef Meir Weiss, the Imrei Yosef, first rebbe of Spinka, with his full signature at the top of the title page: "Yosef Meir son of R. Shmuel Tzvi of Munkacs". Stamp of his great-grandson Rebbe Nachman Kahana, rabbi of Karlsburg, with a handwritten inscription stating that Rebbe Kahana is an offspring of Rebbe Yosef Meir Weiss.
The first rebbe of Spinka, R. Yosef Meir Weiss, author of Imrei Yosef (1838-1909), founder of the Spinka Chassidic dynasty. Son of R. Shmuel Tzvi Weiss, head of the Munkacs Beit Din. A prominent Torah scholar and Chassidic leader, disciple of the Maharam Ash, R. Meir Eisenstädter, rabbi of Ungvar and his son R. Menachem Eisenstädter, rabbi of Ungvar. He also studied under Rebbe Shmuel Shmelke of Selish, author of Tzror HaChaim, and under his uncle R. Yitzchak Eizik Weisz of Svaliava.
He embraced Chassidut at a young age, frequenting as a young boy the court of the Sar Shalom of Belz, who declared already then that he had "a beautiful brain". He would also travel to the courts of Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz and the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, though his prime teacher was his relative Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov, who considered him his most prominent disciple and would spend several hours a day studying with him.
In 1870, his teacher R. Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov appointed him as rebbe, yet he refused to lead Chassidim as long as his teacher was alive. Only during 1876 did he begin leading Chassidim in his town Spinka, Maramureș region, upon the directive of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. His fame spread rapidly throughout Hungary and Galicia, and thousands of Chassidim became his followers, including prominent Torah leaders such as R. Shalom Mordechai Schwadron of Berzan, and others. Likewise, he maintained close ties with the Tzadikim of his times, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam of Sighet, the Yitav Lev, R. Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova, the Divrei Yechezkel, and others.
R. Yosef Meir Weiss was renowned for his exceptional knowledge of both revealed Torah and kabbalah. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz cherished him and drew him close, and would discuss kabbalah extensively with him, something he would not do with anyone else (A. Surasky, Shoshelet Spinka, p. 97). The Spinka Chassidut followed the Zidichov rite both in prayer and in practice. His prayers, which greatly inspired his Chassidim, were known to be tremendously, superhumanly powerful. Wondrous stories are related about him, and he earned the reputation of a wonder-worker whose blessings and advice were pronounced with Divine Inspiration. His son, Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik attested that he performed great wonders with his blessings and prayers, helping barren women conceive and healing the sick; to the extent he could almost declare that no word he uttered went unanswered (Asara Maamarot foreword to the book Imrei Yosef). Even after his passing, his gravesite served as focal point for prayer and salvation. In 1972, his was reinterred in Eretz Israel, in the special section for Spinka Chassidim in the Segulah cemetery in Petach Tikva.
His great-grandson was Rebbe Nachman Kahana of Bnei Brak (1905-1976), son of R. Tzvi Hirsh Kahana of Spinka (son of R. Nachman Kahana of Spinka author of Orchot Chaim, son-in-law of the Imrei Yosef). He served as rabbi in Karlsburg (present day: Alba Iulia), and after the Holocaust, immigrated to Eretz Israel, settling in Masmiyya and Bnei Brak. A prominent Torah scholar and Chassidic leader, he associated with the Torah leaders of his time, including the Chazon Ish. The Steipler considered him a leading halachic authority and one of the Tzadikim of the generation, after hearing that the Chazon Ish highly regarded him for his Torah and piety.
[4], 5-86 leaves. 27 cm. Fair-good condition. Dark stains. Wear and tears. Marginal paper repairs to title page. Minor worming. Stamps. New binding.
Zeh Yenachamenu, the Mechilta with commentaries by R. Moshe Frankfurt. Amsterdam: Shlomo Proops, [1712]. First edition. Approbations by R. Shlomo Ayllon, rabbi of Amsterdam; Maharshashach (R. Shmuel Schotten HaKohen), rabbi of Frankfurt am Main; and R. Yehuda Mehler of Bingen.
Copy of the Rebbe of Sochatchov, author of Shem MiShmuel, with many stamps on the title page and margins of the book: "Shmuel son of R. A[vraham] Bornsztain – Sochatchov, Warsaw province".
There are dozens of glosses of varying length on the leaves of the book. Most are in Ashkenazic script from the period of the book's printing (ca. second half of the 18th century). Some glosses are in a later Ashkenazic script (similar to the handwriting of the Shem MiShmuel).
The second rebbe of Sochatchov, R. Shmuel Bornsztain, author of Shem MiShmuel (1856-1926). Born to his father, Rebbe Avraham Bornsztain, author of Avnei Nezer, in his grandfather's house in Kotzk, Rebbe Mendele "the Seraph" of Kotzk. In 1910 he succeeded his father as rebbe, and was one of the greatest rebbes of his generation. He is known as the Shem MiShmuel after the name of his book of deep Chassidic thought, which was printed in seven parts.
[3], 64 leaves. 36 cm. Particularly wide margins. Good-fair condition. Many stains and wear. Several tears. Paper repairs. Worming to margins of last leaves. Library stamps. Non-original cloth binding.
Tiv Gittin, on Shemot Gittin by the author of Beit Shmuel, with Yad Efrayim, by R. Efrayim Zalman Margolies of Brody. Lemberg (Lviv): David Tzvi Schrenzel, 1859. With approbation of R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn, and additions and notes by him.
Important ownership – copy of the Rebbe of Veretzky-Zidichov, R. Menashe Eichenstein, author of Alfei Menashe (son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua of Dzikov), and his nephew the Rebbe of Dzikov, R. Yehudale Hager-Horowitz.
Many inscriptions on the title page and its verso, including some signatures of Rebbe "Menashe Eichenstein"; "Veretzky". On the title page and margins of the book, many stamps of Rebbe Yehudale of Dzikov from the time he served as dayan in Klausenburg: "Yehuda Hager – Dayan – Klausenburg" / "Ioda Hager – Rabin – Cluj". Dozens of glosses and notes in Rebbe Yehudale's handwriting (some deleted by him with ink). A gloss in Rashi script (possibly in the handwriting of the Alfei Menashe), on p. 35b.
Rebbe Menashe Eichenstein (1865-1934), son and successor of Rebbe Yissachar Berish of Veretzky-Zidichov, and son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua Horowitz of Dzikov-Ropshitz. Outstanding Torah scholar, author of Alfei Menashe on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat, Torat HaAsham on the laws of purity, Mateh Menashe on Shabbat and holidays, and Alfei Menashe on the Torah. He served as rabbi of Reisha (Rzeszów) from 1904, succeeding R. Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein. After World War I he settled in Munkacs, and from 1924 he served as rabbi and rebbe in Veretzky, succeeding his father.
Rebbe Yehuda Horowitz-Hager of Dzikov (1905-1989, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 3-4), son of Rebbe Alter Yechezkel Eliyahu of Dzikov, from the Ropshitz dynasty. He was raised in Grosswardein by his maternal grandfather Rebbe Yisrael Hager of Vizhnitz, the Ahavat Yisrael, and married the daughter of his uncle, Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager of Vizhnitz (adopting his surname, Hager). In 1936-1944, he served as dayan and posek in Klausenburg. After the Holocaust, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem, where he served as rosh mesivta in the Beit Yosef Tzvi (Dushinsky) yeshiva, and accumulated many disciples. He was very close with the Chazon Ish. He refused to lead a community, yet many Chassidim and admirers gathered around him. Near the end of his life, he lived in London, where he served as rebbe. He was known for his tremendous diligence, holiness, and great devotion in his worship of G-d, and exerted himself his entire life in Torah study. Most of his novellae on halachah and aggadah were recorded with great concision in the margins of the books in his large library. These novellae were published in the Gilyonei Mahari series.
[2], 3-63; 11 leaves. 35 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and creases. New binding, with leather spine.
Nahar Shalom – Rechovot HaNahar commentary on R. Chaim Vital's Etz Chaim, by R. Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi (the Rashash). Jerusalem: Nisan Bak, 1867. First edition (parts of the book were printed previously in Emet VeShalom, Thessaloniki, 1806).
Copy of Rebbe Yehudah Hager-Horowitz of Dzikov. Handwritten inscriptions on the front and back endpapers: "Y. Horowitz, Jerusalem, Shmuel HaNavi no. 1". On the title page and margins of the book, many stamps of Rebbe Yehudale of Dzikov from the time he served as dayan in Klausenburg: "Yehuda Hager – Dayan – Klausenburg" / "Ioda Hager – Rabin – Cluj". Two glosses in his own handwriting (pp. 25b-26a).
Rebbe Yehuda Horowitz-Hager of Dzikov (1905-1989, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 3-4), son of Rebbe Alter Yechezkel Eliyahu of Dzikov, from the Ropshitz dynasty. He was raised in Grosswardein by his maternal grandfather Rebbe Yisrael Hager of Vizhnitz, the Ahavat Yisrael, and married the daughter of his uncle Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager of Vizhnitz (adopting his surname, Hager). In 1936-1944, he served as dayan and posek in Klausenburg. After the Holocaust, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem, where he served as lecturer in the Beit Yosef Tzvi (Dushinsky) yeshiva, and accumulated many disciples. He was very close with the Chazon Ish. He refused to lead a community, yet many Chassidim and admirers gathered around him. Near the end of his life, he lived in London, where he served as rebbe. He was known for his tremendous diligence, holiness, and great devotion in his worship of G-d. He exerted himself his entire life in Torah study. Most of his novellae on halachah and aggadah were recorded with great concision in the margins of the books in his large library. These novellae were published in the Gilyonei Mahari series.
[1], 2-37 leaves. 33.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Wear and tears. Open tears to title page, to leaf 2 and to two last leaves, affecting text. Repaired with paper filling. Light worming. Old binding, loose, worn and damaged.