Yitav Panim, Chassidic homilies and discourses on the festivals, by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev. Khust: Meir Yehudah Ketina, 1912. Two parts in two volumes.

Chassidic discourses and homilies for the festivals: Part I – for Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Teshuvah, 13 Attributes, 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.

Second edition, with approbation of author’s grandson, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Magyarlápos (Târgu Lăpuș), editor of the first edition printed in the author’s lifetime, in which he writes that “my grandfather, the author, hid his holy name in the book’s title and concealed it in an allusion [the word Yitav forms the initials of Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum], when it was published during his lifetime… Nevertheless, I decided to write… exactly who the holy author was, so that the final generation know to awaken the lips of the sleeping in mentioning his holy name, so that the Tzaddik’s lips speak to awaken mercy and kindness from the blessing on high…”.

Distinguished copie: 

On the title page of Part II is an ownership inscription (in pencil) of the Rebbe of Borşa, Rebbe Chaim Ben Tzion Hager: “Belongs to R. Chaim Ben Tzion Hager son of R. P[inchas] of Borşa” – Rebbe Chaim Ben Tzion Hager of Borşa (perished in the Holocaust, 1944), Rebbe in Sighet after his father, Rebbe Pinchas Hager, Av Beit Din of Borşa (son of the Imrei Baruch of Vizhnitz), and son-in-law of Rebbe Yechiel Ashkenazi of Olesko-United States.

On the title page of Part II also appear stamps: “Yitzchak Klein, author of Ohel Yitzchak, ten parts, Rosh Av Beit Din in Satmar” – R. Yitzchak Klein (1861 - perished in the Holocaust), born in Tab to his father R. Yisrael Klein. Learned in the Shevet Sofer yeshiva in Pressburg and in the yeshiva of R. Eliezer Zusman Sofer in Paks. Son-in-law of R. Chaim Friedrich, Av Beit Din of Turóc. In 1902 he was appointed dayan and posek in the status-quo community in Satmar, and around the time of World War I he was appointed Rosh Av Beit Din. For many years he edited and printed the Torah periodicals Ohel Yitzchak, Meged Yerachim and HaMaggid, to which important rabbis and scholars contributed. Author of Zichron Yisrael (Satmar, 1912), Birkat Avraham (Tarnów, 1934-1935), Kol Chatan (Satmar, 1937) and more.

In the title page to Part I and in some leaves of the book, ownership stamps of R. Shimon Ze’ev Miller, Av Beit Din of Arad: “Shimon Ze’ev Miller, Av Beit Din of Arad”, and his father, the shochet R. Tzvi Moshe Miller, “Tzvi Moshe Miller, shochet”; “Tzvi Moshe Miller, shochet of Șomcuta Mare”. R. Shimon Ze’ev Miller, Av Beit Din of Arad (1918-1986), student of the yeshivas of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum in Carei and Satmar (the Rebbe once said of him: “the rabbi of Arad was already an exceptional Torah scholar when he learned with me in his youth”). After the Holocaust, he served as Rabbi of Șomcuta Mare, and was later appointed Av Beit Din of Arad. In 1963 he immigrated to the United States, where Rebbe Yoel of Satmar appointed him as lecturer in the yeshiva and head of the Kollel for halachic ruling. Author of Siftei Shimon. His father, R. Tzvi Moshe Miller of Tarnów, a follower of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and a shochet in Șomcuta Mare. Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar, held him in high regard as an authority in the laws of ritual slaughtering and choice of shochatim (see on him in the introduction to Siftei Shimon, New York, 1995, in the article on the author’s life at the beginning of the book, pp. 10-11).

Two parts in two volumes. Part I: [1], 2-183, [1]; Part II: [1], 161, [1] leaves. 23.5-24 cm. Good condition. Stains and light wear. Minor tears, restored on the margins of some pages. Stamps. Fine new leather binding to Part I. Original binding to Part II, with a spine and leather corners, somewhat worn.

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet – the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), 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, who drew him especially close and disclosed to him Heavenly revelations which he had perceived with Divine inspiration. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. In 1833 (at 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. He was then appointed rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went to serve as rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), capital of the Maramureș region, and founded there a large yeshiva, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. Amongst his renowned disciples from that time was R. Shlomo Leib Tabak author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attested that "he was a merciful father to his disciples, carrying them on his shoulders as a nurse carries a suckling, and overseeing each one individually to ensure they studied Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet, he earned worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom, blessings and salvation. He was renowned for his exceptional holiness, and his grandson R. Yoel of Satmar attested that his holiness was never tainted. Numerous stories circulated of the wonders he performed, including incredible insights which were revealed to him with Divine Inspiration and through his exceptional wisdom. He was reputed in his generation as one who could read the minds of those standing before him, and amazing stories were told of this ability. His epitaph reads: "The renowned rabbi, he edified upstanding and reputable disciples, left behind valuable compositions". He is renowned for his books: Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the Festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.

Responsa Avnei Tzedek, on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch, by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet (author of Yitav Lev). Lviv: Uri Ze'ev Wolf Salat, 1885-1886.  Two parts in two volumes. First edition.

The book was edited and published by the author's grandson and close disciple, Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Magyarlápos. In his introduction, he recounts that his grandfather entrusted him with all his manuscripts so that he would edit and print them – "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 arrange and print, the second part of which was published in full while he was still alive, a few days before his passing away; 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. And afterwards he called me close 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 God repay your labor and may your wages be full. Hurry to find a time to bring Responsa Avnei Tzedek first to the press, and the book Rav Tuv last. I know you to be intelligent and understanding and that you will perform my desire with no deviation, fixing it anywhere it needs to be fixed…".

Handwritten glosses on the margins of some leaves (apparently from several different writers).

Stamps on the title page of part I: "David Yehudah Freund, Av Beit Din of Szászrégen" – R. David Yehudah Freund (died 1985), son-in-law of Rebbe Yechezkel Paneth of Deyzh and disciple of R. Shaul Brach, Av Beit Din of Košice, and the Vayaged Yaakov of Pápa. He originally served as dean of the yeshiva in Deyzh, and was later appointed as an "assistant rabbi" alongside his father in Szászrégen. He subsequently served as Rabbi of the Orthodox community in Bucharest. He survived the Holocaust, married the sister of Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn of Toldot Aharon, his second marriage. He immigrated to Eretz Israel and served as rabbi in Netanya and afterwards in Jerusalem. He authored Alufei Yehudah.

Additional stamps of R. "David Gedaliah, shochet".

Two parts in two volumes. Part I (Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah): [4], 48; 8, 57-80 leaves. Part II (Yoreh Deah, Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat, with some novellae on Kiddushin): [3], 81-154 leaves. 36.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and wear. Tears, including open tears and long tears across the leaf, affecting text, some restored with paper. Stamps, new matching bindings.

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet – the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), 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, who drew him especially close and disclosed to him Heavenly revelations which he had perceived with Divine inspiration. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. In 1833 (at 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. He was then appointed rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went to serve as rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), capital of the Maramureș region, and founded there a large yeshiva, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. Amongst his renowned disciples from that time was R. Shlomo Leib Tabak author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attested that "he was a merciful father to his disciples, carrying them on his shoulders as a nurse carries a suckling, and overseeing each one individually to ensure they studied Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet, he earned worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom, blessings and salvation. He was renowned for his exceptional holiness, and his grandson R. Yoel of Satmar attested that his holiness was never tainted. Numerous stories circulated of the wonders he performed, including incredible insights which were revealed to him with Divine Inspiration and through his exceptional wisdom. He was reputed in his generation as one who could read the minds of those standing before him, and amazing stories were told of this ability. His epitaph reads: "The renowned rabbi, he edified upstanding and reputable disciples, left behind valuable compositions". He is renowned for his books: Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the Festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.

Menachem Tzion, Chassidic discourses on the Torah portions, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, selected and written by his close student Rebbe Yechezkel Panet, the Mareh Yechezkel. Lemberg (Lviv): U. W. Salat and Yaakov Meshulam Nik, 1878. With approbation from the Yitav Lev of Sighet and Rebbe Menachem Mendel Panet of Deyzh.

Segulah book – the title page of the book cites the blessing of the Rebbe of Deyzh (son of the Mareh Yechezkel): "May my father's merit bring upon us and upon whoever buys this book bountiful blessing, success and everything good, Amen". This blessing is worded differently in his approbation on the reverse side of the title page: "It is known to all that when the Rebbe delivered teachings on the Torah section of the manna, he brought good bounty to the Jewish people. And may it be God's will for the Rebbe's merit to bring upon us and all of Israel good bounty, children, life and sustenance".

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, the Yitav Lev of Sighet, writes in his approbation: "And may the Rebbe's merit protect us and whoever buys this holy book, and may heaven open bountiful blessing and success, children, life and sustenance for him".

R. Yitzchak Horowitz of Shchuchyn is reported as saying that "most of the book Menachem Tzion by the Rebbe of Rimanov deals with the Torah section of the manna, because the holy Rebbe of Rimanov prayed often for the Jewish people's sustenance" (HaChochmah MeAyin, Bnei Brak 1996, p. 87). To this day, people all over the world visit the Rebbe of Rimanov's gravesite to pray for sustenance.

[42] leaves. 21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Small open tear on title page, not affecting text, repaired with tape. Stamps. New binding. According to the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book Project, this book contains two title pages. The present copy contains only one (and likewise the one appearing in the catalog of the National Library of Israel).

Responsa Mahari Ashkenazi, Mahadura Kama, on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, by R. Yoel Ashkenazi, Av Beit Din of Zlotchov – brother-in-law and Mechutan of the Yitav Lev of Sighet. Munkacs: Blayer & Kohn, 1893. First edition.

At the start of the book appears an approbation by the author's son-in-law, Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet, who blesses the buyers “to bring blessing into their homes, and purchase the book at full price… and may the merit of my father-in-law the author… protect us to be blessed from the abode of blessings and contentment". Below are printed the prefaces of the author’s son, R. Asher Anshel Ashkenazi (son-in-law of Rebbe Chanoch Henich of Alesk), and the author’s grandsons R. Tzvi Hirsch and R. Yisrael Ashkenazi.

The author, R. Yoel Ashkenazi, Av Beit Din of Zlotchov (Zolochiv; ca. 1810-1882), son of Rebbe Moshe David Ashkenazi, Av Beit Din of Tolcsva and Safed, and son-in-law of the son-in-law of his close teacher R. Yaakov of Lissa (Leszno), author of Netivot HaMishpat and Chavot Daat. His daughter, Rebbetzin Chanah Teitelbaum, married her cousin, the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet, father of the Atzei Chaim of Sighet and Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (who was named after his grandfather). R. Meir of Premishlan said of the author’s halachic rulings: “When he issues a ruling, that is how the ruling is issued in heaven”. In one of his responsa, the Maharsham of Berezhany (a close disciple of R. Yoel Ashkenazi) writes that all the leniencies and permissive rulings of the author are a tradition received from his rabbi, the Chavot Daat. Rebbe Yoel of Satmar, grandson of the author, writes in his approbation to the 1974 edition: “An important book such as this from a Gaon and Tzaddik of the previous generation will certainly be a blessing in one’s home”.

[5], 2-100 leaves. Approx. 30 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor marginal tears. Close trimming, affecting headers of some leaves. New binding.

Atzei Chaim on the Torah and Atzei Chaim on the festivals, by Rebbe Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet:

1. Atzei Chaim on the Torah, two parts – Part I following the Aggadah approach, and Part II following the Derush approach. Sighet: Abraham Kaufmann and sons and Pannonia Rosenthal brothers, 1927. First edition.

The book was first published by the author’s son-in-law, R. Chaim Yitzchak Eizik Halberstam, Av Beit Din of Solotvyno, with the help of his relative (the author’s nephew) R. Yekutiel Yehudah Gross, dayan and posek in Sighet (formerly Av Beit Din of Berbești). At the beginning of the book is an introduction by “the holy author’s sons” [apparently written by his great sons-in-law, R. Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Chișinău and Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Halberstam of Klausenburg], in which they congratulate their brother-in-law [the author’s son] on attaining his father’s post as Rabbi of Sighet: “Thanks and blessing to the people of Sighet… who unanimously and lovingly accepted our brother-in-law… R. Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum to our holy fathers’ position” [the son of the author, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet (born 1912, perished in the Holocaust 1944), who was appointed to serve in his father’s position at the age of 14].

[3], 2-127; [2], 2-50 leaves. 24.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and light wear. Original binding, with leather spine and corners, worn and lightly damaged.

2. Atzei Chaim on the festivals. Sighet (Sighetu Marmației): A. Kaufmann and sons, 1934. First edition.

Sermons for Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Teshuvah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah, the four parashiot, Purim, Shabbat HaGadol, Pesach and Shavuot. At the beginning of the books is the introduction of the author’s son, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet (born 1912, perished in the Holocaust 1944), in which he writes: “I hereby beg our friend’s people to bring blessing to their houses and buy this holy book at its full price… to attain blessing from heaven, to be doubly blessed, and may our eyes see the rebuilding of Zion and Jerusalem…”

[3], 2-158 leaves. 24.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains. New binding.

Rebbe Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet, author of Atzei Chaim (1880-1926), son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, author of Kedushat Yom Tov, and son-in-law of Rebbe Shalom Eliezer Halberstam of Ratzfert (son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz). He frequented the courts of the Tzaddikim of his generation, in particular his uncles Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova and Rebbe Baruch of Gorlitz, as well as Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. He was an outstanding Torah scholar, exceptionally holy and God-fearing. Reputedly, he never forgot anything he learned. After his father's passing in 1904, at the young age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and Rebbe of Sighet (capital of the Maramureș County) and became known as one of the leaders of Hungarian Jewry and the Orthodox Bureau of the country. He was very influential, and his opinion regarding the appointment of rabbis, dayanim and shochatim was conclusive in Hungarian Orthodox communities, especially in communities with a dominant constituency of Sighet Chassidim (Sighet was the largest and principal Chassidic court in Maramureș). His younger brother was Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar.