Responsa of R. Yom Tov Tzahalon (Maharitatz). Venice: Vendramin, 1694. First edition. Illustrated title page, depicting the Tabernacle on the recto, and the Temple, Shulchan and Menorah on the verso; illustration of the Temple on leaf [4].
Important ownership – the copy was previously owned by the head of the Pressburg community, the renowned intercessor R. Yaakov Koppel Theben (1732-1799) – with his signature on the title page; many years later, the book reached the possession of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar.
Stamp of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum on leaf 4, from when he lived in his hometown of Sighetu Marmației (in his youth, after the passing of his father in 1904, until 1906). Many stamps (some trimmed) of the rebbe from his tenure as rabbi of Orsheva, on the endpapers and other leaves. Catalog inscriptions on the front endpaper, from the rebbe's library in the United States.
Signature (penciled) on the title page: "Chananya Yom Tov Teitelbaum" (presumably a nephew of Rebbe Yoel, named after his grandfather the Kedushat Yom Tov).
Ownership inscriptions handwritten by disciples of the rebbe - "Yehoshua Moshkovitz", "Moshe Moshkovitz", on the endpaper facing the title page. Various other names inscribed (presumably young Chassidim of the rebbe), including: "Avraham Yosef Grünwald son of…" [possibly R. Avraham Yosef Grünwald (1878-1928), rabbi of Ungvar and Khust, author of Avnei Shoham, son and successor of R. Moshe Grünwald Rabbi of Khust, author of Arugat HaBosem].
On the verso of the endpaper, interesting inscriptions by a student of the Khust yeshiva named Shmuel Yehuda Grussgott, who travelled to the rebbe's court in Orsheva in Cheshvan 1911. R. Shmuel Yehuda Grussgott later served as a community leader in Bardejov, and perished in the Holocaust in 1945. His poignant testament, smuggled out of the Bistritz Nazi prison, was published in various places.
Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979) was the youngest son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa, the Kedushat Yom Tov (1836-1904), and grandson of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda, the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), 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 of his generation, for his perspicacity and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. At a young age, he was appointed rabbi of Irshava. In 1925, he was appointed rabbi of Karoly (Carei; in place of R. Shaul Brach who went to serve as rabbi of Kashoi), and in 1934, of Satmar (Satu Mare). In all the places he served as rabbi, he also maintained a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of the faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was one of the founding pillars of the Torah world in the generation following the Holocaust. After surviving the Holocaust, he emigrated to the United States, where he established the Satmar Chassidic community. He served as president of the Eda HaCharedit in Jerusalem, and as leader of Orthodox Jewry in the United States and throughout the world. His writings were published in dozens of books: VaYoel Moshe, Responsa Divrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel on the Torah and more.
[4], 223; 25, [5] leaves. Misfoliation. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains and dark stains. Mold stains to some leaves. Creases and wear (mostly to first leaves). Marginal paper repair to title page, and tear repaired with paper, affecting title page border. Marginal tears and open tears to some leaves, repaired in part with paper. Fine, new leather binding.
