Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
Yismach Moshe on the Torah – Chassidic and kabbalistic homilies on the Torah portions, by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Parts I-V, on Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. Lviv: 1848-1861. Set in four volumes. First editions of all parts, with divisional title pages.
The Yismach Moshe book series was edited and prepared for press by the author's grandson, his close disciple Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev, and his glosses and additions are printed in several places.
In the beginning of the Bereshit volume is printed a short introduction by the Yitav Lev. At the beginning of the fourth and fifth part are printed approbations of the Divrei Chaim and the Yitav Lev.
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 Vilna Gaon 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 (Sátoraljaújhely). 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 rebbe and wonderworker and frequently gave out amulets. His books include: Responsa Heshiv Moshe on halachah, Yismach Moshe on the Torah and Tefillah LeMoshe on Tehillim.
Set in four volumes. Bereshit: [1], 117 leaves. Shemot-Vayikra: 90; 42 leaves. Bamidbar: [1], 49 leaves. Devarim: 72, [1] leaves. Approx. 23-24 cm. Varying condition of volumes; first volume in good-fair condition, remaining volumes in fair-good to fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains and dark stains in several places. Traces of past dampness to second volume. Wear to some leaves. Tears and open tears, including tears to title page of volume IV, affecting title frame, and affecting text in several places, repaired with tape. Worming in several places, affecting text. Stamps. New bindings (non-uniform).
Heshiv Moshe, responsa on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch, by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely), author of Yismach Moshe. Lviv (Lemberg): U. W. Salat, 1866. First edition.
On the verso of title page, approbations of the Shoel UMeshiv and the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, and introduction by the author's grandson, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev, recounting how the responsa were gathered and prepared for press: "Most of them were dispersed, each in a different place, written on small papers that were found worn and blurred, nearly illegible without much effort. With G-d's mercy, they were gathered one by one, integrated and arranged properly… all copied from his holy handwriting".
On title page, unidentified signature, and stamp of "Bookshop – Meir Yehudah Katina".
[1], 38; 82, [1] leaves. 35 cm. Overall good condition. Stains (many to several leaves). Stamp on title page. Original binding, blemished, with open tear to spine.
Contains [1] leaf at the end with a copy of a responsum of R. Meshulam Igra of Pressburg and an index to Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat sections. This leaf is missing in some copies.
Toldot Adam, novellae on Talmudic topics, by R. Moshe David Ashkenazi. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, [1845].
Important ownership: copy belonging to prominent Hungarian rabbis, with signatures and ownership inscriptions (on title page and other leaves), detailing transfers of ownership: It first belonged to R. Elazar Fürst, Rabbi of Gyöngyös; then to R. Avraham Ashi Hirschler of Pressburg; then to R. Avraham Chiya Hirsch, head of the Sereď Beit Din (disciple of the Chatam Sofer); then to R. Akiva Fischer, Rabbi of Tét (disciple of the Chatam Sofer), next his son R. Tzvi Hirsch Fischer, Rabbi of Dévaványa, son-in-law of his uncle R. Avraham Chiya; and finally his brother R. Amram Fischer, Rabbi of Gyönk (son-in-law of R. Eliezer Süssman Sofer).
On the leaves of the book, glosses in two hands.
The author, R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva-Safed (1774-1856), father-in-law of the Yitav Lev of Sighet. Progenitor of the rebbes of Satmar and Klausenburg. Rabbi of Tolcsva for forty years, and later one of the founders of the Chassidic settlement in post-earthquake Safed.
[2], 142 leaves. 30 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including large dampstains to some leaves. Much wear and creases. Marginal tears to several leaves. Light worming, slightly affecting text. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 33.
Yitav Lev, Chassidic, homiletical and ethical discourses on the Five Books of the Torah [by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet]. Sighet (Sighetu Marmației): Maramaroscher Actien-Buchdruckerei, 1875. First edition.
All five parts in two volumes. Main title page at the beginning of the first volume, and five abbreviated divisional title pages for each book of the Torah.
The book was printed anonymously in the author's lifetime. The book title is an acronym alluding to the name of the author – Yitav stands for Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum. In his introduction, the author explains why he published his work anonymously. He cites the introduction of the Panim Meirot, who was in doubt "whether it's good for a person not to reveal who the author is, or whether there is an obligation to mention the author…". Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah humbly offers a resolution: "Regarding halachot that pertain to law, it is important to know who the author is and whether he can be relied upon… but regarding aggadah and ethics, what do we need to know the author's name for? The words are proven if they penetrate their listeners' hearts… So I decided it was better to conceal it, since I am ashamed to stand among the ranks of Torah scholars, since my soul knows my little worth…"
Five parts in two volumes. Volume I (Parts I-II): [3], 141, [2]; 91, [1] leaves. Volume II (Parts III-V): [3], 55, [1]; [3], 55, [1]; [1], 80, [1]; [1], 52, 55-70, [1] leaves. 23.5-24.5 cm. First volume in overall good condition, second volume in fair-good condition. Stains, including many marginal dampstains in second volume. Wear and creases to second volume. Tears to second volume, including small open tear to title page. The last leaf of the first volume is detached, with marginal tears (the size of the leaf is different; it was supplied from another copy). New leather bindings (uniform).
Collection of Books of the Yitav Lev:
• Yitav Panim, Chassidic homilies and discourses on the festivals, by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev. Part I – Lemberg (Lviv), Yaakov Meshulam Nik and U. W. Salat, 1881; Part II – Munkacs: Pinchas Blayer, 1883. First edition. Two parts in two volumes. Part II bound before Part I. Missing leaf 157 of Part II.
First edition printed in the lifetime of the author, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev. Part II of the book was published days before he passed away, in Elul 1883. When the new book was brought to his sickbed, he kissed it all around and "shed tears of happiness that he merited to see it" – see below.
This book was edited and published by his daughter's son, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Magyarlápos, who recounts in the introduction to Responsa Avnei Tzedek (Lemberg, 1885): "And fortunate am I that he appointed me over his household and lovingly revealed to me his treasury, and entrusted me with his book Yitav Panim to edit and print, the second part of which was published in full while he was still alive, a few days before his passing; and when I brought it to his bed, he rejoiced, kissed it on every side, and shed tears of happiness that he merited to see it. Afterwards he called me near to his perfect bed, and his face shone like the sun, and he said to me: My dear son, I give you my blessing and great thanks for having fulfilled my long-held desire. May G-d repay your labor and may your wages be full…" (see also Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum’s introduction to Yismach Moshe, Sighet 1898 edition).
The author's name is not mentioned on the title page (as with his previous book, Yitav Lev), but is alluded to in the initials of the book’s name: Yitav stands for Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum [he used to sign his name with these initials].
Chassidic discourses and homilies for the festivals: Part I – for Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Teshuvah, 13 attributes and Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Chanukkah; Part II – Shovavim, Four Parashiyot, Purim, Shabbat HaGadol, Pesach, Shavuot, Bein HaMetzarim, 15th of Av and the month of Elul.
Signatures on title pages: "Yisrael Rosenfeld".
• Yitav Panim, Chassidic homilies and discourses on the festivals, by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev. Khust: Meir Yehudah Ketina, 1912. Second edition. Two parts in two volumes. Does not contain last leaf of second volume with errata.
Second edition, with approbation of author’s grandson, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Magyarlápos (Târgu Lăpuș), editor of the first edition printed in the author's lifetime, in which he writes that he decided to identify the author, although his name was not given in the first edition.
• Rav Tuv LeBeit Yisrael, commentaries on the Torah by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, the Yitav Lev, Rabbi of Sighet. Lviv (Lemberg): Yaakov Meshulam Ehrenpreis, 1889. First edition.
This book was edited and published by the author’s grandson and close disciple, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Magyarlápos, who recounts in the introduction to Responsa Avnei Tzedek (Lviv, 1885) that his grandfather entrusted him with all his manuscripts to have them printed (see above).
On the last leaf are printed two letters from the author: "Regarding the problem that has arisen in winemaking… so as not to transgress the prohibition of Chametz on Pesach and Yein Nesech".
• Responsa Avnei Tzedek, Part I, on Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet (author of Yitav Lev). Lviv: Uri Ze'ev Wolf Salat, 1885. First edition. Does not contain two leaves of indexes, after the title page.
Stamps: "Shmuel Baruch Guttmann, shochet and prayer leader of Grosswardein (Oradea) and Maggid of the lecture society".
Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum (1808-1883), Rabbi of Sighet, son of R. Elazar Nisan Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, and son-in-law of R. Moshe David Ashkenazi, the Tolcsva Rabbi who later moved to Safed. His primary teacher was his paternal grandfather, Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Ujhel, author of Yismach Moshe, who greatly cherished his grandson and divulged his heavenly revelations to him. He was also a disciple of R. Asher Yeshayah of Ropshitz.
In 1833 (at the age of 25), R. Yekutiel Yehudah was appointed Rabbi of Stropkov, and later succeeded his grandfather as Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). He later served as Rabbi of Gorlice and Drohobych.
In 1858 he relocated to serve as Rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), capital of the Maramureș region, and established a large yeshiva where about two hundred students studied at its prime. His students there included R. Shlomo Leib Tabak, author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attests that "he was a merciful father to them and he bore them on his shoulders as a nurse bears an infant, and he personally attended to their studying Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet he achieved worldwide acclaim, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to the city for his sage advice, blessings and salvation. He was known for his great holiness, which his grandson Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar attests that he never debased. Many miraculous stories are told of him, including wonders revealed to him by divine inspiration. He was known in his generation for reading the minds of those standing before him, and wondrous tales are told about it. He is known for his books Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.
5 volumes. Varying size and condition. Mostly new bindings.
Endpaper of a book, with signatures of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum of Sighet, the Yitav Lev.
The leaf contains many inscriptions and scribbles, including several signatures of Rebbe "Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum", as well as his initials: "Yitav" and inscriptions in Latin characters (of the surname "Teitallbaum" and more), as well as an ownership inscription: "This book Atzei Levonah belongs to… R. Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet and the region… his servant who prostrates himself at the dust of his feet".
There likewise appears a kvitel inscription and other inscriptions.
Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum (1808-1883), the Yitav Lev, son of R. Elazar Nisan Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, and son-in-law of R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva who immigrated to Safed. He was a close disciple of his grandfather the Yismach Moshe – Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel, and a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshayah of Ropshitz. In 1833 (around the age of 25), he was appointed rabbi of Stropkov, and after the passing of his illustrious grandfather, he was selected to succeed him as Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). He was then appointed Rabbi of Gorlice, and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went on to serve as Rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), capital of the Maramureș region, and founded a large yeshiva there, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. In Sighet, he earned worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom and his blessings for salvation.
[1] leaf. Approx. 25 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear.
Letter on postcard, handwritten and signed by Rebbe Avraham Aharon
Teitelbaum of Kolbasov. Kolbasov, Monday, Shemini [12th Nisan], 1901.
His stamp on verso of postcard: "Avraham Aharon Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Kolbasov…". Sent to the philanthropist R. Mordechai Friedman of Tiszalök. He refers to the diagnosis and orders R. Mordechai had received from a famous Viennese doctor, begs him to obey them, and instructs him not to be too stringent for the upcoming festival of Pesach. Rebbe Avraham Aharon requests he give his thanks to their mutual friend "Avraham son of Rachel" and blesses him for G-d's mercy and offers blessings for the upcoming festival of Pesach, signing "Avraham Aharon Teitelbaum".
Rebbe Avraham Aharon Teitelbaum of Kolbasov (Kolbuszowa; 1834-1910), son of the Yitav Lev and grandson of the Yismach Moshe. Son-in-law of Rebbe Yechiel Rubin of Kolbasov, whom he succeeded as the city's rabbi and rebbe.
Postcard, 14X9 cm. Good condition.
Manuscript leaf (2 written pages), novellae on the Torah – Parashat Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, handwritten by R. Eliezer David Grünwald, Rabbi of Satmar, author of Keren LeDavid.
Author's autograph manuscript. R. Eliezer David's novellae on the Torah were published posthumously in Keren LeDavid on Bereshit (Satmar, 1930) and Shemot (Satmar, 1939). The manuscripts of the other parts, which had not yet been printed, were hidden underground during the Holocaust, and were finally published only in 1976 by the Vayechi Yosef of Pupa in the United States, and in another edition by R. Aharon Shapiro of Narol (Bnei Brak, 2008). The present leaf may have been among the writings hidden underground during the Holocaust.
This manuscript contains the initial text, handwritten by the author, which was subsequently edited and published in the Brooklyn and Bnei Brak editions (with variants). The tops of the pages are inscribed "proofread" (in a different hand).
[1] leaf. 27.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Marginal open tears, affecting text. Repaired with tape, with dark stains from taping.
R. Eliezer David Grünwald, Rabbi of Satmar (ca. 1866-1928), prominent Torah leader and yeshiva dean in Hungary and Transylvania. Close disciple of his brother R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem, and also studied under R. Shmuel Ehrenfeld, author of Chatan Sofer. He served as Rabbi and dayan in many prominent communities – Bardejov, Dunajská Streda, Tzeilem (Deutschkreutz), Vişeu de Sus and finally Satmar – establishing in each place a large yeshiva where he edified many disciples, including dozens of rabbis and poskim.
Collection of Chumash booklets for children – Torah portions with Onkelos, Rashi and Haftarot. Klausenburg (Cluj): Weinstein & Friedmann, 1926. 26 of 54 booklets.
Booklets with the Torah portion, intended for youths – one Torah portion per booklet.
Stamp on some booklets of the bookstores of Samuel Löwy in Medias and Avraham Gross in Kisvárda.
These booklets are rare today. The present collection comprises about half of the entire series – 26 booklets of the 54 printed (see Hebrew description for list of Parashiyot included in the collection).
26 booklets. Approx. 22 cm. Overall good-fair condition. The booklets have not been thoroughly examined and are being sold as is.
Includes Yitro, Pinchas and Matot booklets, which are lacking in the National Library.
Handwritten letter of the Chassidic Gemilut Chasadim society in Jerusalem, signed by the directors: R. "David Tzvi Shlomo" Bidermann – the Rebbe of Lelov, and his relative R. "Binyamin Berenstein", with stamps of the society. Jerusalem, Shevat 1892.
Confirmation of receipt of a donation to the Gemilut Chasadim society from "the elder philanthropist… R. David son of R. Tzvi Weissman of Rozhniativ". The above directors bless the donor to succeed in transferring the full sum he had pledged (in installments): "…And may God judge him worthy to complete the task as he said…".
Rebbe David Tzvi Shlomo Bidermann (1844-1918), son of Rebbe Elazar Menachem Mendel of Lelov (1827-1883), leader of the Chassidic communities of Jerusalem. R. David Tzvi was holy and pure from his youth. In 1850, when his grandfather Rebbe Moshele travelled to Eretz Israel and took leave of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin, the Ruzhiner said that the boy David has "shining, bright eyes". Over the years, he would travel from Jerusalem to Karlin and became one of the leading Chassidim of the Beit Aharon. His father, Rebbe Elazar Mendel, attested that he never ceased to see God as standing before him. The Yismach Yisrael of Aleksander dubbed him "a Sefer Torah". R. Chaim Shmuel of Chęciny said that for many years he was the "Tzaddik of the generation". Upon his father’s death in 1883 he was appointed rebbe, and was the primary leader of the Chassidic community of Jerusalem.
R. Binyamin Yehudah Leib Berenstein, born ca. 1930s in Safed to his father R. Fishel Berenstein, a follower of Rebbe Moshe Tzvi of Savran. His father, who was childless, was blessed by his rebbe to have a child, and he advised him to immigrate to Eretz Israel. At a young age R. Binyamin married the daughter of R. Yitzchak David Bidermann of Lelov (son of Rebbe Moshe of Lelov and uncle of Rebbe David Tzvi Shlomo). R. Binyamin was a leader of the Chassidic community in Jerusalem, and he traveled abroad on missions for the Jerusalem Chassidim, where he was received with great honor by leading rebbes, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and the Rebbe of Ruzhin: "he was received with open arms by the Tzaddikim of the generation, who closely associated with him due to his high virtue, his greatness in Torah, nobility of character and pure fear of heaven" (Tiferet Beit David, pp. 251-252). He was an extraordinary Torah scholar; reputedly, R. Yosef Babad, Rabbi of Ternopil, sent him the manuscript of his Minchat Chinuch to review and comment on before bringing it to press (Binyamin Rabinowitz, Amuda DiNehora – Labat Esh, Jerusalem 2003, pp. 68-69). His descendants include distinguished dynasties of rabbis and rebbes. His sons, sons-in-law and grandsons were known as scholarly and righteous individuals in Jerusalem, including his son-in-law Rebbe Alter Betzalel Nata Bidermann of Sosnowice and Jerusalem (brother of Rebbe David Tzvi Shlomo).
[1] leaf. 13x11.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and folds. Tears to fold (repaired with tape on verso).
Letter of the "Yenuka", Rebbe Yisrael Perlow of Karlin-Stolin. Stolin, [Tishrei, ca. first decade of 1900s].
Scribal writing with the Rebbe's signature – "Yisrael son of R. Asher". Sent to his relative R. Asher HaLevi, whom the Rebbe blesses along with his family: "…And may my blessing be accepted that God help him, that he have much satisfaction from all his offspring, and may they all have proper health as much as God generously grants, and may those without children conceive healthy offspring living a good, long life, and may God fulfill all their wishes for good…". The Rebbe concludes with a blessing for the upcoming festival of Sukkot and the new year: "…the will of his relative seeking his welfare with much love, blessing them for the festival and for a final Chatimah Tovah, Yisrael son of R. Asher".
Rebbe Yisrael Perlow of Karlin-Stolin, known as "the Yenuka" (1868-1921), was orphaned from his father R. Asher of Stolin and appointed rebbe at the young age of four and a half (!). Son-in-law of R. David Twersky of Zlatopil. He passed away at the age of 53, and was buried in Frankfurt, thus earning the appellation of "the Frankfurter" amongst Karlin Chassidim. He left behind six sons – Rebbe Moshe of Stolin, Rebbe Avraham Elimelech of Karlin, Rebbe Yochanan of Lutzk, Rebbe Yaakov of Detroit, R. Aharon of Warsaw and R. Asher of Stolin – along with four daughters. All his descendants were killed in the Holocaust, apart from his sons Rebbe Yaakov Chaim Perlow, who passed away in Detroit, United States in 1946, and Rebbe Yochanan Perlow of Lutzk and the United States (1900-1956), grandfather of the present rebbes of Karlin-Stolin and Lutzk, the last surviving lines descending from the Yenuka.
[1] leaf. 17.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folds and creases. Marginal open tears.
Collection of six receipts for donations, signed by Rebbetzin Brachah Sheindel Perlow; and four receipts (unsigned) on the official stationery of her son Rebbe Moshe Perlow of Stolin. Stolin, [ca. 1930s].
Written by a scribe (with the Rebbetzin's signature on five of the receipts). The Rebbetzin confirms her receipt of a donation sent to her by R. Avraham Shapiro and others from his city, and blesses them with cures and salvations, much relief and many more blessings.
Rebbetzin Brachah Sheindel Perlow (ca. 1865-1942, perished in the Holocaust) was the daughter of Rebbe David Twersky of Zlatopil (son-in-law of the Beit Aharon of Karlin). She married her cousin R. Yisrael Perlow in 1883 (the "Yenuka" of Karlin-Stolin, 1869-1922), and bore him six sons and four daughters, who produced the Chassidic courts of Karlin-Stolin. After the untimely passing of her husband, she continued leading her family spiritedly, as well as the Chassidim of the Karlin-Stolin community.
Her son, Rebbe Moshe Perlow of Stolin (perished in the Holocaust in 1942), fourth son of Rebbe Yisrael of Stolin and son-in-law of Rebbe Pinchas Rabinowitz of Kantikozva. Served as Rebbe in Stolin after his father's passing and established a large yeshiva named Beit Yisrael. He and all his descendants perished in the Holocaust or in banishment in Russia.
10 receipts. Varying size and condition, good-fair to fair-poor. Stains and traces of mold. Open tears affecting text. Half of the text of one receipt missing.