* “El Pnei Maleh Ru’ach Bina LeRosh Pina” – Printed circular by rabbis of community of Mantua, Rabbi Mordechai Martara and Rabbi Shlomo Nissim, sent to rabbis of Italy and other countries, in order to receive their opinion regarding intention of several members of Mantua to abolish additional festival day for Jews of Diaspora. Mantua, [1854]. Name of recipient rabbi and his community filled in in handwriting: Rabbi “David Ya’akov Maroni, “Cento” – with stamp of rabbi of Mantua.
* Lengthy response letter to rabbis of Mantua, in handwriting of Rabbi David Ya’akov Maroni, opposing the abolishment of additional festival day for Jews of Diaspora [in the letter he implicitly attacks Yashar [initials] from Gorizia who supported abolishment of the festival day]. Cento, [1854]. * Attached is draft of letter in handwriting of Rabbi David Ya’akov Maroni.
* Draft of letter by Rabbi David Ya’akov Maroni to Rabbi Moshe Chazan of Korpo, requesting that the rabbi intervene in the polemic [“… I was unable to restrain myself from revealing to you what I have heard… the rabbi in Mantua who issued a circular abolishing the additional festival day for Jews of Diaspora… please do all that is in your power, for the sake of heaven…”].
Rabbi David Ya’akov Maroni (1810-1888) served as rabbi in several cities of Italy: Cento, Pesaro, Ancona, Firenze and more. Composed poems and several compositions and translated the book Moreh Nevuchim into Italian.
The polemic regarding the abolishment of additional festival day for Jews of Diaspora erupted in Italy in full force following the distribution of printed circulars sent by rabbis of Mantua in 1854 to rabbis worldwide. The polemic was described in detail in the book of Meir Benayahu ‘Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot’ (Jerusalem, 1987). Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Chazan was among leaders of the polemic who also printed a special book, ‘Kedushat Yom Tov’ (Vienna, 1855), dedicated to this matter. To the best of our knowledge, these letters were not yet printed. [Benayahu was aware of the response letter of Rabbi David Ya’akov Maroni, however he did not see it, and was unaware of the letter to Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Chazan].
4 items. Printed leaf: [2] pages. Letter: [3] pages. Letter drafts: [4] pages; [1] page. Approx. 31 cm. General condition good, stains and tears.

A long responsum on Talmudical treatises discussed amongst Prague scholars. Letter by Rabbi Shlomo Lieben to Rabbi Yuda Katz Tebles. [Prague], [c. 1850]. In the responsum, he mentions things "shown at that time by Rabbi Shimon Avish".
Rabbi Shlomo Lieben, of the famous Lieben family of Prague. A responsum to him from 1858 is in Yad Eliezer Responsa Siman 105. Apparently, he is the father of Rabbi Michael David father of Prof. Shlomo Zvi Leiben a leading figure in the struggle for Jewish shechita in the 1930-s. [In 1857, a eulogy given by Rabbi Shmuel Freind Rabbi of Prague on Rabbi Yosef ben Rabbi Ya'akov Lieben was printed in Prague. Apparently, he also was from the same family]. The Katz Tebles family of Torah scholars was also renowned in Prague at that time. Rabbi Shimon Avish mentioned in the responsum was a leading Torah scholar in Prague in the middle of the 19th century.
2 pages, 29 cm. densely written. Good condition, thin paper, with slight ink damage and tears.

Lengthy Halachic response pertaining to laws of “Mitzvah HaBa’ah Be’Aveira” and “stolen Lulav”, in handwriting and signature of the Ga’on Rabbi “Moshe David Rata”, to rabbi of city, his rabbi and mentor the Ga’on Rabbi Simcha Bunim Sofer, author of “Shevet Sofer”. Pressburg, [1897].
Rabbi Moshe David Roth (1858-1936), among disciples of author of the “Shevet Sofer” and among disciples of Rabbi Moshe Levinger of Vác. Studied Torah in city of Pressburg and was an expert on matters of divorce; his rulings were definitive in rabbinical courts of the city. For additional information about him see attached material.
Five pages, 29 cm. Fair condition, tears and damage with missing text.

A long letter by Rabbi Shaul Brach, to a rabbi in Salonika, about the distribution of his books in Salonika.
Mogendorf, Isru Chag Pesach 1897. On the last leaf is a draft of the response, in Oriental handwriting (unsigned), from one of the Salonika Torah scholars.
The letter was written and signed in square lettering, [to the people of Salonika who are not used to reading round Ashkenazi letters]. In the letter margins, Rabbi Shaul apologizes: "If not for the trouble of writing in square letters, I would have written Torah thoughts to you that bring joy to the heart…".
Rabbi Shaul Brach, Av Beit Din of Kosice (1865-1940), a disciple of the “Chatan Sofer” and a leading rabbi in his times. Served in the Mogendorf rabbinate from 1892, between 1910-1923 served as rabbi of Carei until he became rabbi of Kosice (he was succeeded by Rabbi Yoel of Satmar). Throughout his years in the rabbinate, he headed a Yeshiva and many Hungarian rabbis were his disciples. Authored many books on all Torah subjects. His biography was published in the book “Shaul Bechir HaShem”.
Three written pages, 21 cm. Good condition, folding marks.

* Postcard with a letter of Torah thoughts and family matters, from Moshe Stroli Av Beit Din of Nagybánya (Hungary), to his father Rabbi Peretz Tuvia [Maggid Mesharim of Klausenburg]. [Dragomireşti], 1935. "At present, when I teach the yeshiva students instead of … I remember what my father said to me…".
* Letter by Rabbi Naftali Zvi HaCohen [Shwartz], to Rabbi Moshe Stroli. [Satmar?, without a date]. "… and I know that he (addressing the rabbi in third person) has wonderful books by Polish Torah geniuses… and he surely will be able to clarify this halacha…".
Two letters. Various sizes and conditions.