Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
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Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $45,000
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Amarot Tehorot – on the Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, handwritten by author R. Shmuel Garmison. [Jerusalem, ca. latter half of 17th century].
Large volume. Most in autograph handwriting by author, with some in another hand. The page headers originally read: "Appendix to Imrei Emet". This header was deleted and replaced with: "Amarot Tehorot".
The manuscript begins with an interesting introduction by R. Shmuel Garmison, who later deleted it. At the beginning of this introduction appears a decorated frame reading: "Yam HaGadol – authored by me, the small and insignificant Shmuel Garmisano, which is an explanation of Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, according to the method of allusion, and an explanation of the Masorah of each verse, apart from the books Torat Emet and Lechem Panim which I already authored. Now this sea is large [Yam Gadol] and wide, full of innumerable hints, Masorah Ketanah along with Masorah Gedolah, with no bound. Now here are the three books on the Tanach, each going in its own way, with the help of heaven". These lines were also deleted by the author. His introduction states that he in fact wrote three works on the Tanach, one according to the kabbalistic method, another according to the simple and homiletical method, and the present work according to the method of allusion and Masorah. He originally considered authoring all the books as a single work, but later decided to write each one separately for ease of reading, "for each person's desires and longings accord with the root of his soul, as explained in the appropriate place, and some choose the simple method, some choose the homiletical method, some choose the allusive method and others choose the esoteric method". He further mentions his statement about himself in the introduction to his work Lechem Panim: "In the early days of my youth, the spirit of G-d spoke with me, and I disseminated Torah publicly morning, afternoon and evening…". He writes of the present work: "I trust my Father in Heaven that the readers and preachers who disseminate Torah will find this book favorable and sweet as honeycomb…".
The present work has never been published.
R. Shmuel Garmison (ca. 1600-1675), a leading Jerusalem rabbi in the generation of R. Moshe Galante and R. Yaakov Chagiz. Apparently born in Thessaloniki, he immigrated to Jerusalem at a young age. He set out as an emissary for Jerusalem in the 1640s, and on his return journey (apparently winter of 1649-1650) he was captured by Maltese pirates, a fact which is attested in the letters of R. Shmuel Aboab, who made efforts to redeem him (see at length the biographical introduction by M. Benayahu, at the beginning of Imrei Binah on Tractate Sanhedrin, Jerusalem 1989). He subsequently returned to Jerusalem, and in 1662 he is mentioned as head of the Jerusalem Beit Din regarding a divorce arrangement (Benayahu, ibid.). In Jerusalem, he was a rabbi of the Beit Yaakov (Viga) yeshiva headed by R. Yaakov Chagiz, alongside other leading rabbis of the generation – R. Moshe Galante (HaRav HaMagen), R. Avraham Amigo, R. Avraham Ben Chananiah and others. He was considered one of the greatest Torah scholars of Jerusalem, and leading halachic authorities from Eretz Israel, Egypt and Turkey sent him questions and decisions, as is discernable from his responsa. His high status in Jerusalem is also evident from an old document seen by the Chida, which had R. Shmuel Garmison's signature second, after R. Shlomo Algazi and before R. Moshe Galante and R. Yaakov Chagiz (Shem HaGedolim, entry on R. Shmuel). His leading disciples in Jerusalem included R. Moshe ibn Habib.
R. Shmuel Garmison was one of the voluminous authors of all times, leading the Chida to say that his writings are "astounding to consider". He authored works on all facets of the Torah, Talmudic novellae, Biblical commentary, halachah and aggadah, on both revealed and hidden aspects of the Torah. Prof. Meir Benayahu writes of him (ibid.): "R. Shmuel Garmison was one of the greatest authors. There has been no other commentator to comment on every tractate of the Talmud, to explain each and every statement, jot and tittle, including those tractates which have no Gemara… As he commented on the Talmud, so he commented on Scripture, continuously explaining and commenting according to all the Pardes methods again and again…". The Chida (Shem HaGedolim, ibid.) describes what was known to him of his writings: "He made amazing commentaries on the entire Talmud, including some tractates for which he authored a revised commentary, as well as a commentary on Zera'im and Taharot, and forty or fifty homilies on every Parashah, and a commentary to the Tur, as well as several books of responsa. I saw about 600 sheets, and I know for a fact that this is a small minority of what he wrote and of his many books which he mentions in his writings. I also saw a commentary on Berachot by him, entirely according to the kabbalistic method, over fifty sheets long. All his books on the Tur and other halachic authorities are written on many sheets; it is astounding to consider all his writings. In our many sins we have not merited for any of his writings to be printed, and nothing has been published from his enormous writings…". Only in the last generation have his manuscripts begun to be published, including ten volumes of his Imrei Binah on the Talmud, published by Yad HaRav Nissim (Jerusalem, 1988-1993).
In a catalog of his extant manuscripts, Benayahu (in his introduction, ibid., p. 38) also mentions the present manuscript. He writes that he saw it briefly in the hands of a Jerusalem bookseller, adding that the merchant "did not allow me to examine the manuscript for more than a few moments, and prevented me from copying the deleted introduction of R. Shmuel Garmison on leaf 141, which contains important information about him and his books…".
[144] leaves (with a few original foliations, some deleted; foliation beginning at 141 retained). Incomplete at end (number of missing leaves unknown). 29.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and particularly dark stains to some leaves. Worming, affecting text. Tears and open tears to several leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper. New binding.
Category
Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $30,000
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
Sold for: $112,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Responsa Pundak DeAvraham, novellae on the Talmud and Rambam in question and answer form, by R. Avraham Avrel Yosef of Metz and Worms, disciple of the Pnei Yehoshua and Rabbi Yehonatan Eibeshitz. [Metz, Cheshvan 1781].
At the beginning of the volume, on the verso of the title page, is mounted an original letter of ordination handwritten and signed by R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz, Rabbi of Metz, who praises the yeshiva student R. Avraham Avrel and ordains him with the title "chaver". Metz, Av [1745].
"I elevate a young man from the nation… who studied with us in our yeshiva… and did not budge from the tent of Torah, and he dwelled between my shoulders in the inner dwellings and chambers of knowledge, until his Torah study reached the level of the expert young men. And Avraham will certainly be like one of the respected early authorities, for his teaching is clear and his dialectical ability is strong, posing deep questions and answering them. And therefore I saw fit to honor him before my people's elders and to give him a certificate to glorify and honor him so that it be known that he is worthy of honor and has an understanding and examining heart. So his name will no longer be called Avraham, but rather the chaver R. Avraham Avrel son of R. Meir…
Yehonatan son of R. Nata, dwelling here in Metz and its suburbs".
Yehonatan son of R. Nata, dwelling here in Metz and its suburbs".
On top of the letter by R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz and the leaf the letter is mounted on, appear inscriptions handwritten by the famous R. Aharon Worms, son of R. Avraham Avrel, telling of his deceased father and his greatness in Torah study. He also writes that he published a few of his Torah novellae in his name at the end of Part I of his Meorei Esh (printed in Metz, 1790; see there, leaves 76-77). In the middle of his inscription he copies the text of the author's gravestone, which states that he passed away in Cheshvan 1786 at the age of 67.
Neat Ashkenazic cursive script, with titles in square script (copied by a scribe, or by the author himself). Marginal glosses in several places (by the author or by his son R. Aharon Worms). The present work is an edited work prepared for press, including an index at the end of the book with references to page numbers of the manuscript, including a table of contents, and an index of references to Talmudic passages, Rashi and Tosafot, both with rhyming titles. At the beginning of the manuscript is a decorated title page, with rhyming text.
Pundak DeAvraham includes clarifications of Talmudic passages and novellae on the Rambam, in styled prose, presented as a dialogue between two brothers. In fact, both questions and answers were written by the author, as alluded to in the rhyming text on the title page: "Avraham is one and there is no second to count; the work was constructed doubly from his spirit, as two brothers…". Each section of the work is titled with abbreviations, the key to which is given in the preface: "Tell me, Avraham", and "Avraham said". The author's son R. Aharon Worms (dayan and yeshiva dean in Metz, author of Meorei Esh) is referred to in the introduction by his initials "Eshel – Aharon Shalman Lieberman".
In his interesting introduction, the author gives a brief and enigmatic account of the history of his family, parents, relatives, wife and offspring. At the end of the introduction, he signs with a chronogram for Parashat Lech Lecha (Cheshvan) 1781 – "Avraham, called Avrele, son of R. Meir of Worms, my city of birth and home of my fathers, the great attendants and officials who performed public service faithfully, family and parents. May the important woman be blessed beyond women in the tent… my mother, aunt of the deceased… communal leader of the region… R. Moshe Blin".
In the work, he deals at length with the positions of his great teacher R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz, quoting both from his books and his oral teachings which he heard firsthand, for example: "I remembered that I heard this reasoning firsthand – as printed in his novellae to the laws of Niddah – from our master and teacher, the true Gaon R. Yehonatan, to explain the topic…" (p. 2b). Likewise, he quotes other contemporary rabbis and his peers.
The author,
R. Avraham Avrele Yosef Worms, was born ca. 1720 in Worms and studied in Metz, while the Pnei Yehoshua and R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz were serving as Rabbi and yeshiva dean. In the introduction to the work, he tells of his great masters in the Worms, Fürth and Metz yeshivas: "Ever since I matured, I studied under my teachers, going from one yeshiva to another in my youth and serving the great rabbis, namely R. Baruch Charif of Fürth, the author of Pnei Yehoshua Rabbi of Metz, where I was one of a number of his close students in the great yeshiva in this land to which I came from Worms…" (i.e., he was one of the yeshiva students that the Metz community arranged to support at public expense; the Pnei Yehoshua served as Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Metz between 1734-1741, and was succeeded by R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz between 1741-1750).
R. Avraham Avrele Yosef Worms, was born ca. 1720 in Worms and studied in Metz, while the Pnei Yehoshua and R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz were serving as Rabbi and yeshiva dean. In the introduction to the work, he tells of his great masters in the Worms, Fürth and Metz yeshivas: "Ever since I matured, I studied under my teachers, going from one yeshiva to another in my youth and serving the great rabbis, namely R. Baruch Charif of Fürth, the author of Pnei Yehoshua Rabbi of Metz, where I was one of a number of his close students in the great yeshiva in this land to which I came from Worms…" (i.e., he was one of the yeshiva students that the Metz community arranged to support at public expense; the Pnei Yehoshua served as Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Metz between 1734-1741, and was succeeded by R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz between 1741-1750).
He goes on to tell of his intimacy with his great teacher R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz, "head of the entire diaspora, Yehonatan who very insightfully spread Torah throughout the Jewish people. And I merited a portion from the heavenly table, I tasted of the honeycomb of Yehonatan and my eyes were enlightened with his true Torah teachings, and with effort I succeeded…".
Following his marriage, R. Avrele lived in Metz for the rest of his life. He was a great Torah scholar, but always concealed his wisdom. His teacher R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz alludes to this in the present letter of ordination. The author himself tells in his introduction of his practice to conceal his efforts in Torah study: "Since then I have never stopped studying, dwelling in the depths of halachah with intense love and desire, but my efforts were always private; no man [Adam] knew hiding [Chava], and I concealed myself in apparent laziness, not even revealing from my heart to my mouth…". His son R. Aharon Worms also writes of "the reason why he concealed his Torah, as he writes in the introduction… It was not known that he was sharp and proficient, and his inside was not apparent on the outside, as externally he appeared like any totally unlearned layman, because he profited from his own labor from his marriage until his death… If he had seen that he could support leaving business to study constantly he would have enjoyed it more, and he would doubtless have attained a rabbinic position and been a famous halachic decisor…". His grave in Metz states: "A righteous man who studied Torah for its own sake; this one has acquired wisdom; he delved into its depths and his arms held faithfully… His name is R. Avraham Yosef son of R. Meir of Worms… His years were sixty-seven… and he passed away on the 21st of Cheshvan of this year, 1786".
[4], 95, [5] leaves. 31 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including marginal mold stains. Wear and tears. Margins of first leaves repaired with paper. Ex libris label. New binding, with parchment spine.
To the best of our knowledge, the present work has never been published.
Category
Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $40,000
Estimate: $60,000 - $100,000
Sold for: $87,500
Including buyer's premium
Five handwritten booklets, comprising a halachic correspondence between the Noda BiYehudah and Rabbi Peretz Frankel, Rabbi of Göding (Hodonín). [Ca. autumn of 1766-1767]:
· Handwritten booklet, containing: a letter signed by R. Yechezkel HaLevi Segal Landau, Rabbi of Prague, the Noda BiYehudah, and a halachic responsum (7 pages in scribal writing) with additions and corrections handwritten by the Noda BiYehudah, as well as concluding words and another signature by the Noda BiYehudah. Prague, 25th Kislev [November 27] 1766. This responsum was sent to R. Peretz Frankel, Rabbi of Göding (near Nikolsburg, Moravia; present-day Hodonín, Czech Republic). On the outer side is the recipient's address in German, with remains of a wax seal.
· Four booklets handwritten by the querent R. Peretz Frankel, Rabbi of Göding: two drafts of the first question sent to the Noda BiYehudah, one of them titled: "This is the wording that I asked the Gaon R. Yechezkel Landau, Rabbi of Prague"; a draft of a reply letter by the same R. Peretz on the Noda BiYehudah's responsum – with the title: "This is what I replied to the response of the Gaon, Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Prague, R. Yechezkel Segal Landau"; and a draft letter from R. Peretz to a responsum of R. Gershon Politz, Rabbi of Nikolsburg (Mikulov) and Moravia on the subject – entitled: "This is my response to the Gaon, Rabbi of the country, R. Gershon Politz".
These halachic responsa discuss a widow who had a daughter after her husband's death, leading to rumors that her child was from another man. If this were true, her husband would have died childless, requiring her to perform yibum or chalitzah with her husband's brother, who was three years old at the time and, as a minor, would be unable to do so for another ten years. In the present responsum, the Noda BiYehudah permits the woman to remarry without chalitzah, and dismisses the allegations. The present responsum is printed in Responsa Noda BiYehudah (Kama, 69), without the present introductory letter. The remainder of the present manuscript – the questions and responses of R. Peretz Frankel – have never been printed, to the best of our knowledge (the responsum by R. Gershon Politz, Rabbi of Nikolsburg, to which R. Peretz responded, has also, to the best of our knowledge, not been printed, ).
In his letter beginning the booklet, the Noda BiYehudah praises R. Peretz: "Abundant peace and salvation to the sweetened light, rabbi and scholar, excellent and exceptional, sage and scribe… R. Peretz". He writes that although he was busy, he found time to answer the question, which was enclosed, although he apologizes for his delay in responding: "Since I did not have a scribe to copy it, it was delayed until today. Peace from his friend, always seeking his welfare, Yechezkel Segal Landau". After his signature, he adds another line of blessing, wishing peace to R. Peretz's family.
At the end of the halachic responsum in scribal writing, the Noda BiYehudah added two lines in his handwriting, adding that the question should be directed to the Rabbi of Moravia, R. Gershon Politz, Rabbi of Nikolsburg: "However, since this affair took place in Moravia, I do not wish to permit this until my mechutan, the Gaon R. Gershon, Rabbi of the country, issues a permissive ruling. Peace from the above Yechezkel". The last sentence with the signature do not appear in the printed version of Responsa Noda BiYehudah.
R. Yechezkel HaLevi Landau (1713-1793) was a leading halachic authority of all times. From a young age, he was renowned as a leading Torah scholar of his generation. He studied for 17 years in the celebrated Brody Kloiz renowned for study of both the revealed and hidden portions of the Torah, which included such Torah scholars as R. Chaim Sanzer and R. Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov). During those years, he studied the Arizal's writings together with R. Chaim Sanzer, a leading scholar in the Kloiz. There he served for ten years as head of one Beit Din of the four that were in Brody. He went on to serve as Rabbi of Jampol ca. 1745, and in 1754, he began serving as Rabbi of Prague and the region. In Prague, he established a large yeshiva, where he educated thousands of disciples, including many of the leaders of that generation. His disciple R. Elazar Fleckeles, author of Teshuvah MeAhavah, eulogized him: "He edified several thousands of disciples, including hundreds of rabbis and dayanim" (Olat HaChodesh HaShlishi, 17, p. 85a).
Thousands of queries were addressed to him from far-flung places, many of them published in his Noda BiYehudah. The Chida in Shem HaGedolim greatly praises the book Noda BiYehudah as well as its author, describing him as an exceptionally outstanding Torah scholar who disseminated much Torah through his books and disciples, and mentions the acuity and extensive Torah wisdom apparent in his responsa and books. The Noda BiYehudah himself wrote in a responsum regarding one of his novellae, that in his opinion it is "a true matter in the Torah of Moshe" (Even HaEzer, Mahadura Tinyana, section 23, 2). The Chatam Sofer writing of this responsum (in his own responsa, Part II, Even HaEzer, section 95), confirms his assessment: "The word of G-d in his mouth is true".
R. Peretz Frankel, Rabbi of Göding (Hodonín; d. 13th Shevat 1773), a descendant of Rabbenu Peretz the Tosafist. Son and disciple of R. Shlomo, Rabbi of Göding, he served as Rabbi of Mährisch Aussee (Úsov), and was appointed Rabbi of Göding in 1770 (Darchei Moshe HeChadash, p. 24). The present responsum reveals that he was already involved in communal affairs in Göding in 1767. He corresponded on halachic issues with leading rabbis of his generation. A halachic discussion on names in divorce documents between R. Peretz and R. Gershon Politz, Rabbi of Nikolsburg (d. 1772, predecessor of R. Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg), was published in Tzefunot (XV, pp. 24-29).
R. Peretz's descendants include R. Moshe (Maharam) Schick, Rabbi of Khust (1807-1879), whose mother Rivkah (sister of R. Yitzchak Frankel-Schussburg, Rabbi of Frauenkirchen) was a grandson of R. Peretz Rabbi of Göding; his brother-in-law R. Peretz Frankel of Holíč (next to Göding) was also a grandson of R. Peretz Frankel Rabbi of Göding.
5 booklets, containing a total of about 32 written pages (7-page responsum of the Noda BiYehudah, and 25 pages handwritten by R. Peretz Frankel). Approx. 22-22.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, wear and folding marks. Open tears, affecting text (margins of the responsum of the Noda BiYehudah lack about a half cm throughout).
Provenance: These booklets may have come down to us through the Maharam Schick, Rabbi of Khust, a descendant of R. Peretz Frankel Rabbi of Göding, later passing to a grandson of Maharam Schick – Leopold Klein of Berlin (R. Meir Stein of Trnava, son-in-law of R. Shlomo Tzvi Schick, writes that on his 1915 visit to Berlin, he saw responsa booklets of R. Peretz Frankel; see enclosed material).
Category
Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, commentary of the Vilna Gaon on the Books of Shir HaShirim, Divrei HaYamim, Yonah and Eichah. [Lithuania, 18th century].
Neat scribal handwriting, with handwritten corrections.
The present manuscript was described by R. Dovid Kamenetsky (Torat HaGra, p. 360, note 39), who writes: "It appears that the manuscript was written during the Vilna Gaon's lifetime, or soon after his death".
The manuscript contains: The Vilna Gaon's commentary on Shir HaShirim (leaves 1-19), with variations from the printed edition of 1842 – moreover, the present commentary is complete, whereas the printed commentary lacks the comments on the last three verses; the Vilna Gaon's commentary to Divrei HaYamim (leaves 20-34), with variations from the printed edition (1820); the Vilna Gaon's commentary to Yonah (leaves 34-43), with variations from the printed edition (1800); the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Eichah (leaves 44-45), resembling the printed edition (in Berak HaShachar, 1863) with minor variations.
At the end of the last page: "Binyan Yechezkel…", apparently beginning a section that was never completed.
Short glosses, most of them corrections and changes of words, by several writers. Victor Klagsbald's notes to this manuscript (enclosed) state that these glosses are handwritten by the Vilna Gaon. We were unable to confirm or negate this claim.
Signature on margin of first page: "Yirmiyah Akiva of Novardok" – R. Yirmiyah Akiva (d. 1866), a member of the Vilna Kloiz, known as the "matmid of Novardok" for his outstanding diligence. His son was the author R. Bentzion Alfes.
[46] leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Bluish paper. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains to several leaves, slightly affecting text in a few places. Tears. Large tear on leaf 15, repaired with paper. New binding.
Category
Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, novellae on Tractate Chulin, and novellae on Talmudic passages in Chulin and other tractates, by an unidentified author – a disciple of the Chatam Sofer, including novellae in the name of leading rabbis of his generation: his teacher the Chatam Sofer, R. Baruch Frankel author of Baruch Taam and R. Mordechai (Maharam) Benet. [Central Europe, ca. 1834-1839]. Written during the lifetime of the Chatam Sofer (who is mentioned with a blessing for the living).
Neat Ashkenazic cursive script, with initial words in square script. Some novellae in the manuscript are the disciple's own ideas, while others are derived from written and oral novellae of his teacher R. Moshe Sofer, Rabbi of Pressburg, the Chatam Sofer; novellae of R. Baruch Teomim-Frankel, Rabbi of Leipnik (Lipník nad Bečvou), author of Baruch Taam; and novellae of R. Mordechai (Maharam) Benet, Rabbi of Nikolsburg (Mikulov).
The author appears to have been a disciple of the Chatam Sofer, as he mentions him several times with the honorific "my master, teacher and rabbi", and cites his oral teachings (see below).
Apparently, most of the novellae in the present manuscript have not been printed, but most of the novellae of the Chatam Sofer cited in the manuscript have already been printed in his books, apart for a few ideas which we did not find (questions and answers in the name of his teacher on leaf 43, and an answer cited from "the great Gaon, phenomenon of the generation, R. Moshe the Rabbi of the community…" on p. 53b).
The manuscript contains:
· Leaves 1-15: The author's novellae on Tractate Chulin ("We will begin to write on Tractate Chulin"). On p. 15a, he mentions his teacher the Chatam Sofer as having had the same idea as him, and immediately afterwards records a question he heard from the Chatam Sofer in the name of another Torah scholar.
· Leaves 16-21a: Novellae on the Talmudic passage of "slaughtering on Shabbat" (Chulin 14) by the Baruch Taam – "What was expounded by the famous illuminator of the diaspora, R. Baruch Frankel, Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Leipnik, on the passage of slaughtering on Shabbat…".
· Leaves 21b-33: Novellae on the Talmud passage of "the crouching animal" (Chulin 40-41), parts of which appear to be the writer's own novellae, while others are copies of those of his teacher the Chatam Sofer. Title on p. 21b: "What G-d granted me regarding the topic of the crouching animal on Chulin leaf 41"; title on p. 23a: "Copy of the novellae of my master, teacher and rabbi on the end of the second chapter of Chulin on the topic of the crouching animal". One of the titles on the following pages: "Treatise on the crouching animal by my master, teacher and rabbi… Rabbi of Pressburg" (p. 31a) – these novellae appear in Chidushei Chatam Sofer on Chulin (19-22, dated 1834).
· Leaves 34-36: Copying of novellae by his teacher the Chatam Sofer "on the topic of the eagle" (Chulin 63b): "Copying from my master teacher and rabbi on halachah on Tosafot on the topic of the eagle, in the chapter Elu Terefot, in 1831" – printed in Responsa Chatam Sofer, Yoreh Deah 74.
· Leaves 37-49: Novellae on various Talmudic passages (by the writer), in Tractates Chulin, Pesachim, Bava Batra, Temurah, Berachot and Bava Metzia.
· Leaf 50a: Novellae on Pesachim in the name of "the head of the Beit Din of the Nikolsburg community and the country, R. Mordechai Benet".
· Leaves 50b-57: Commentary on the Passover Haggadah and novellae on various topics: "Whether mitzvot require intention"; "the double condition" (Gittin 75), preparing for Shabbat (Beitzah 10), "betrothal gifts"; and a sermon for Sukkot (in Yiddish and Hebrew), comparing the four species to four periods in a person's life.
Notebook containing 57 leaves written on both sides, and many blank leaves. 23.5 cm. Bluish paper. Fair-good condition. Few stains. Worming in many places, slightly affecting text. New binding.
The manuscript is dated to ca. 1834-1839 since the writer mentions the Chatam Sofer (d. 1839) with a blessing for the living and Maharam Benet (d. 1829) with a blessing for the deceased. Additionally, he copies parts of the novellae of the Chatam Sofer on Chulin which were written in 1834.
Category
Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter (10 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Shaul HaLevi Nathansohn, Rabbi of Lviv and the region. Lviv, Friday of Parashat Shemot [January] 1868.
Continuation of another responsum regarding shaatnez in clothing and identification of the linen forbidden to be worn with wool. Written on the back of a lengthy letter (2 large pages) he had received from R. Shmuel Rosenblatt of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi), to whom the responsum was sent.
R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn, in a previous letter, had said that other Torah scholars should be consulted, since people would be unwilling to accept an innovative stringent ruling. R. Shmuel Rosenblatt writes that he asked the Rabbi of Czernowitz for his opinion, which he provided in a lengthy responsum opposing R. Nathansohn's ruling, provoking a halachic debate in Czernowitz. He asks for R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn's conclusive ruling, and he also asks, in the name of the Rabbi of Czernowitz, for the enclosed letter to be sent back, "in order to send it to a great Torah scholar…".
The Shoel UMeshiv answers with an acknowledgement of receipt of the letters, and a criticism of the Rabbi of Czernowitz for dismissing his view without answering his proofs. He states that he enclosed the letter as requested, and apologizes for writing briefly, signing his name: "Yosef Shaul HaLevi Nathansohn, Rabbi of Lviv and the region". After the signature, he adds several more lines: "I again looked at what the Rabbi wrote…".
The present responsum has not been published, but a responsum written by R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn is printed in Shoel UMeshiv, Mahadura Kama, Part III (apparently printed ca. 1868-1869; see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, entry 000152914), addressed to R. Shmuel Rosenblatt, on the present subject, the identification of the forbidden linen as cannabis or flax.
The first part of the printed responsum appears to have been written before the present correspondence, but its latter part was written after the present letters, since he writes that he retracts his opinion forbidding it and rules that it is permitted: "I now retract my opinion, and in my opinion even if we agree that the cannabis called hemp is a species of linen, it is still not forbidden with wool… Since the linen is called cannabis, it is a byname… And thank G-d, I merited to support the common custom to permit hemp cannabis, which in accordance with what I had said above would appear to be forbidden, but according to what I say now are totally permissible…".
R. Shmuel Rosenblatt of Czernowitz did not retract his opinion forbidding the species of hemp in question, and in 1870 he published a booklet in Czernowitz, She'iltot DiShmuel, with claims on a few matters, including his protest mentioned here, identifying cannabis as the forbidden species in shaatnez mixtures. He mentions the responsum R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn had sent to him: "…agreeing with my above opinion [that it is forbidden], and I also saw it printed in his book called Shoel UMeshiv… in section 154, a complete copying of what was written to me; however, afterwards he wrote 'I retract my opinion'… and in response I wrote to him that the opposite is true…". He goes on at length to claim that the confusion in the names of this species is due to the Satan, "who incited all the nations" to call this species by other names.
Interestingly, in 1872, the Shoel Umeshiv wrote at the end of his approbation to Shev Shemateta a sharp attack on R. Shmuel Rosenblatt's She'iltot DiShmuel: "I hereby make known that one agitator from Czernowitz printed some leaves called She'iltot DiShmuel, full of folly, nonsense and heresy against the words of our Sages. Therefore, let our fellow Jews know not to believe in this author's folly and nonsense…" (see enclosed material).
[1] double leaf (containing: 2 pages handwritten by R. Shmuel Rosenblatt, and a quarter page handwritten by R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn). 34 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and folding marks. Tears to margins and folds.
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![Lengthy letter (over three pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Yoel Tzvi Roth". [Khust?], Monday of Parashat Balak](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale100/63_1.jpg "Halachic Responsum – Rabbi Yoel Tzvi Roth, Author of Beit HaYotzer (Di")
![Lengthy letter (over three pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Yoel Tzvi Roth". [Khust?], Monday of Parashat Balak](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale100/63_2.jpg "Halachic Responsum – Rabbi Yoel Tzvi Roth, Author of Beit HaYotzer (Di")
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $3,000
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Lengthy letter (over three pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Yoel Tzvi Roth". [Khust?], Monday of Parashat Balak [1869].
Halachic responsum sent to his son R. Moshe Shimon Roth (later Rabbi of Gyüre), discussing the topics of yein nesech and workers' wages. At the end of the second page, he concludes the letter with blessings: "May G-d fulfill all your wishes for the good, and may you study, teach, observe and perform in satisfaction and comfort, and may you see children and grandchildren performing the Torah and mitzvot for its own sake… Yoel Tzvi Roth". After the signature are family greetings. On the next pages is an addition (about a page and a half), beginning: "All the above I wrote hastily last night, but this morning I saw that there is still reason to doubt…".
R. Yoel Tzvi Roth (1820-1891), author of Beit HaYotzer. A leading Chassidic rabbi in Hungary, and yeshiva dean who taught many of Hungary's leading Torah scholars. In his youth, he studied in the yeshiva of his teacher R. Meir Ash, Rabbi of Ungvár (Uzhhorod; d. 1852). He was the son-in-law of R. Yaakov Gottlieb, Rabbi of Khust (d. 1860), disciple of the Chatam Sofer. He was close to the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and his son the Divrei Yechezkel of Shinova. He also frequented the courts of other rebbes – the Yismach Moshe of Ujhel, R. Tzvi Hirsh of Liska and R. Shalom of Belz. He served from 1882 as rabbi of Berettyóújfalu, and in 1884, he returned to Khust to serve as rabbi and dean of the yeshiva, succeeding the Maharam Schick and R. Amram Blum (after the passing of Maharam Schick in 1879, R. Amram Blum author of Beit She'arim took his place, until he left the city two years later). After the passing of R. Yoel Tzvi, he was succeeded by R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem, who served as rabbi of Khust in 1893-1910.
[1] double leaf (approx. 3.5 written pages). 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, creases and folding marks.
To the best of our knowledge, this letter has not been published.
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Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $500
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Lithographically-printed leaf: letter signed by the Netziv of Volozhin, R. Shmuel Mohilever Rabbi of Bialystok and R. Mordechai Eliasberg Rabbi of Bauska, a fundraising appeal for Chovevei Tzion on Erev Yom Kippur 1887, on behalf of the settlers in the colonies in Eretz Israel. [Vilna, Summer 1887].
Circular letter sent to various rabbis (the present letter was sent to the Rabbi of Dzyarechyn), calling to "take part in the enormous mitzvah of supporting colonies established in Eretz Israel. Therefore, please arrange to announce for everyone in your city to give a voluntary donation on the upcoming Erev Yom Kippur on behalf of those colonies…". In addition, the signatories ask the recipient to hang a notice on the walls of the local synagogue (this notice, which was enclosed with the letter, was also printed in HaMelitz, Elul 1887; see enclosed material). The rabbis also request to highlight the importance of the fundraising in the Shabbat Shuvah sermon: "It is quite right for each of the rabbis to expound on the importance of this elevated idea, and to encourage them to express generosity…".
On this fundraising appeal, see the letters of R. Shmuel Mohilever sent to the Netziv (Sefer Shmuel, Jerusalem, 1923, pp. 73-81, "Igrot Tzion"). In a letter dated 28th Tishrei 1887, R. Mohilever writes to the Netziv: "I have come to know… that with G-d's help, our words bore fruit, and almost all of the towns set out collection bowls on Erev Yom Kippur". In another of R. Mohilever's letters, dated 23rd Cheshvan 1887, he writes to the Netziv of his suspicions that the Chovevei Tzion in Liepāja forged his signature, making some change in the (present) letter: "…I know that many letters were sent here and that the local Chovevei Tzion sent to the surrounding areas, but I did not read them… But I thought that those letters were a copy of the letter we wrote when we were together in Vilna, which the three of us signed, when you were with me and with the Rabbi of Bauska together in my lodging. The original letter is undoubtedly still held by the Chovevei Tzion in Liepāja, please ask them for the original letter and see if it is identical with the lithograph copies that were sent…".
R. Mordechai Eliasberg's biography at the beginning of Shevil HaZahav (Warsaw, 1897, p. XXXII) describes his participation in the gathering with the Netziv and R. Shmuel Mohilever at the house of R. Shmuel Yosef Fuenn in Vilna.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, folds and tears. Tape repairs, affecting text in center of leaf. Marginal open tear, slightly affecting text. Stamp. Inscription.
The present letter was published, with minor errors, by Droyanov, Ketavim LeToldot Chibat Tzion, Odessa, 1919, Part I, pp. 296-297, letter 650 (based on the lithograph in the Ussishkin archive).
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