First editions of two of the books of R. Avraham David Lavut, Rabbi of Nikolayev (grandfather of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe):
• Kav Naki, on laws of Gittin. Warsaw: Natan Schriftgisser, 1868. First edition. Two parts. Two title pages to Part I; divisional title page to Part II. The book contains approbations by R. Baruch Shalom Schneerson, eldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, [whose descendants later married the descendants of the author R. Lavut – R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson and Rebbetzin Chanah daughter of R. Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, parents of the Lubavitcher Rebbe].
Part I: [4], 4-26, [1], 27-59 leaves; Part II: [1], 2-39 leaves. 29.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, creases and wear. New binding.
• Beit Aharon VeHosafot, index to Talmud, Rabbinic literature, Kabbalah and Chabad Chassidic books according to the order of the Tanach. Vilna: Yehudah Leib Metz, 1880. Only edition. On leaf [2]a is an approbation by the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch. Under the approbation is the ink seal and signature of the author, R. Avraham David Lavut. In the leaves of the book are three short handwritten glosses, signed with the initials M. A. H.
[3], 2-180 leaves. 33 cm. Good condition. Stains, creases and wear. Browning of paper. Open tears, affecting text on last leaves. New binding.
The author, Rabbi Avraham David Lavut (1815-1890), disciple of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Maharash and one of the most prominent Chabad rabbis in Russia. Served in the rabbinate of Nikolayev (Mikolaiv) and the forty nearby villages for about forty years until his death. Authored several important works, most famously Kav Naki on laws of Gittin (a foundational work still used as a manual by rabbis to this day) and the Torah Or Siddur – an accurate version of the Alter Rebbe's Siddur, to which he appended the works Shaarei Tefillah and Shaar HaKollel.
