Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $8,750
Including buyer's premium
Autograph letter with the full signature of R. Simcha Halberstam Rabbi of Dessau, who signed "Simcha son of …R. Z. H. Dessau". Dessau, Elul, 1769.
This letter is addressed to R. David Berlin, Rabbi of the Altona, Wandsbek and Hamburg communities [author of Korban HaEda] with R. Simcha's admonishment not to support the "evil" shochet who is attempting to cause many to transgress Torah law.
R. Simcha [Ashkenazi-Halberstam] of Dessau, a prominent Torah scholar of the second half of the 18th century, one of the five renowned sons of R. Zvi Hirsh Charif Rabbi of Halberstadt, author of Ateret Zvi, Tiferet Zvi, etc. In 1755, in the capacity of his first rabbinical position in the city of Łęczna he was already considered a prominent Torah leaders of his times. In 1761, after his father relocated to serve in the Hanover rabbinate, his son R. Simcha succeeded him as Rabbi of Sokal and in 1768 after R. David Berlin left the Dessau rabbinate to serve as Rabbi of the three communities, Altona, Wandsbek and Hamburg, Rabbi Simcha was summoned to succeed him in the Dessau rabbinate. Thereafter he was called Rabbi Simcha of Dessau. He was counted among the leading Torah scholars and teachers in his days and his signature appears in approbations of many books printed in his time. His glosses on the Talmud which were found in the possession of his descendants were printed in the Vilna edition of the Talmud and his thoughts written in these glosses are often cited in later books.
Among his descendants are R. Mordechai Halberstam Rabbi of Komarno, [grandfather of the celebrated researcher R. Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam of Bielsko]. The descendants of his brother, R. Naftali Hertz Halberstam - Rabbi of Dubno, continued the dynasty of Halberstam rebbes. His son R. Moshe Halberstam Rabbi of Sataniv, father of R. Simcha Halberstam who was father of R. Aryeh Leibush Halberstam Rabbi of Tarnogród, father of the illustrious Rabbi Chaim Halberstam Rabbi of Sanz, author of Divrei Chaim who has many descendants named Simcha after the Rabbi Simcha Halberstam, Rabbi of Dessau.
Approximately 15X17 cm. Good condition. Unsymmetrical margins (cut). Folding creases.
This letter was printed in the Moriah compilation, Issue 356-357, Av 2010, p. 61.
This letter is addressed to R. David Berlin, Rabbi of the Altona, Wandsbek and Hamburg communities [author of Korban HaEda] with R. Simcha's admonishment not to support the "evil" shochet who is attempting to cause many to transgress Torah law.
R. Simcha [Ashkenazi-Halberstam] of Dessau, a prominent Torah scholar of the second half of the 18th century, one of the five renowned sons of R. Zvi Hirsh Charif Rabbi of Halberstadt, author of Ateret Zvi, Tiferet Zvi, etc. In 1755, in the capacity of his first rabbinical position in the city of Łęczna he was already considered a prominent Torah leaders of his times. In 1761, after his father relocated to serve in the Hanover rabbinate, his son R. Simcha succeeded him as Rabbi of Sokal and in 1768 after R. David Berlin left the Dessau rabbinate to serve as Rabbi of the three communities, Altona, Wandsbek and Hamburg, Rabbi Simcha was summoned to succeed him in the Dessau rabbinate. Thereafter he was called Rabbi Simcha of Dessau. He was counted among the leading Torah scholars and teachers in his days and his signature appears in approbations of many books printed in his time. His glosses on the Talmud which were found in the possession of his descendants were printed in the Vilna edition of the Talmud and his thoughts written in these glosses are often cited in later books.
Among his descendants are R. Mordechai Halberstam Rabbi of Komarno, [grandfather of the celebrated researcher R. Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam of Bielsko]. The descendants of his brother, R. Naftali Hertz Halberstam - Rabbi of Dubno, continued the dynasty of Halberstam rebbes. His son R. Moshe Halberstam Rabbi of Sataniv, father of R. Simcha Halberstam who was father of R. Aryeh Leibush Halberstam Rabbi of Tarnogród, father of the illustrious Rabbi Chaim Halberstam Rabbi of Sanz, author of Divrei Chaim who has many descendants named Simcha after the Rabbi Simcha Halberstam, Rabbi of Dessau.
Approximately 15X17 cm. Good condition. Unsymmetrical margins (cut). Folding creases.
This letter was printed in the Moriah compilation, Issue 356-357, Av 2010, p. 61.
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![Autograph letter signed by R. Shalom Mordechai Schwadron [the Maharsham], Rabbi of Berezhany (Galicia), sent to R. Moshe Sofe](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/074.jpg "Letter by the Maharsham of Berezhany - Halachic Responsum and Good Wis")
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Autograph letter signed by R. Shalom Mordechai Schwadron [the Maharsham], Rabbi of Berezhany (Galicia), sent to R. Moshe Sofer - son of R. Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Erlau. Berezhany, Tishrei 1908.
Blessings for a gmar chatima tova and halachic responsum on the laws of shidduchim. At the beginning of the letter, the Maharsham writes that "although it is very difficult to write today, I made the effort to respond promptly for the sake of my friend, your father". On the margins, after his signature, he mentions the grapes sent to him by the Erlau Rebbe [apparently, for preparing wine for the holiday] and he writes: "I did not want to cause your father distress and inform him that because the grapes were delayed until after the holiday they almost all rotted and more than half were missing and the rest were not fit for consumption".
The Maharsham - R. Shalom Mordechai HaCohen Schwadron (1835-1911), a leading posek of his times, Rabbi of Potok Złoty, Jazłowiec and Berezhany, was the top Torah authority in Galicia and of other places as well. He authored dozens of compositions including the following printed works: the nine parts of the Maharsham responsa, Mishpat Shalom on Choshen Mishpat, Gilui Da'at on the laws of terefot, Da'at Torah on the Shulchan Aruch, Techelet Mordechai on the Torah, etc. He was a Chassid close to the rebbes of Belz, Zhydachiv, Stratin and Chortkiv. In his youth, the maskilim attempted to lead him astray from a life of Torah and fear of Heaven, but Rebbe Meir of Premishlan foresaw this with his ru'ach hakodesh and cautioned him not to follow their path. From his childhood and formative years, he studied Torah with the utmost diligence dedicated to the ways of the Torah and Chassidism. After his marriage, his obligations forced him into trade, but during the time he sat in his shop, he was able to review the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch 400 times. After a while, he began serving in the rabbinate after he received an enthusiastic semicha from Rabbi Shlomo Kluger who wrote: "…I do not give semicha to any man for my own reasons, however this person does not need my sanction and can decide Torah rulings like one of the famous Torah leaders and you can rely on him in all cases…". The author of the Minchat Chinuch also wrote him a interesting letter of approbation: "The young man the author shows wonders of his Torah learning and his proficiency and we have already grown old…". The Maharsham is considered a leading posek of his times and the pillar of Torah rulings in Galicia, and from throughout Russia-Poland and Hungary difficult questions were referred to him to resolve. In the introduction to the book Techelet Mordechai, many amazing tales are recounted of revelations shown to him from Heaven and of salvation and cures which he performed with the power of his holiness; however his main renown remains his celebrated Torah and halachic proficiency.
Leaf, 21 cm. 21 autograph lines. Very good condition.
This responsum was printed with variations and additions in the Maharsham responsa, Part 4, Siman 152.
Blessings for a gmar chatima tova and halachic responsum on the laws of shidduchim. At the beginning of the letter, the Maharsham writes that "although it is very difficult to write today, I made the effort to respond promptly for the sake of my friend, your father". On the margins, after his signature, he mentions the grapes sent to him by the Erlau Rebbe [apparently, for preparing wine for the holiday] and he writes: "I did not want to cause your father distress and inform him that because the grapes were delayed until after the holiday they almost all rotted and more than half were missing and the rest were not fit for consumption".
The Maharsham - R. Shalom Mordechai HaCohen Schwadron (1835-1911), a leading posek of his times, Rabbi of Potok Złoty, Jazłowiec and Berezhany, was the top Torah authority in Galicia and of other places as well. He authored dozens of compositions including the following printed works: the nine parts of the Maharsham responsa, Mishpat Shalom on Choshen Mishpat, Gilui Da'at on the laws of terefot, Da'at Torah on the Shulchan Aruch, Techelet Mordechai on the Torah, etc. He was a Chassid close to the rebbes of Belz, Zhydachiv, Stratin and Chortkiv. In his youth, the maskilim attempted to lead him astray from a life of Torah and fear of Heaven, but Rebbe Meir of Premishlan foresaw this with his ru'ach hakodesh and cautioned him not to follow their path. From his childhood and formative years, he studied Torah with the utmost diligence dedicated to the ways of the Torah and Chassidism. After his marriage, his obligations forced him into trade, but during the time he sat in his shop, he was able to review the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch 400 times. After a while, he began serving in the rabbinate after he received an enthusiastic semicha from Rabbi Shlomo Kluger who wrote: "…I do not give semicha to any man for my own reasons, however this person does not need my sanction and can decide Torah rulings like one of the famous Torah leaders and you can rely on him in all cases…". The author of the Minchat Chinuch also wrote him a interesting letter of approbation: "The young man the author shows wonders of his Torah learning and his proficiency and we have already grown old…". The Maharsham is considered a leading posek of his times and the pillar of Torah rulings in Galicia, and from throughout Russia-Poland and Hungary difficult questions were referred to him to resolve. In the introduction to the book Techelet Mordechai, many amazing tales are recounted of revelations shown to him from Heaven and of salvation and cures which he performed with the power of his holiness; however his main renown remains his celebrated Torah and halachic proficiency.
Leaf, 21 cm. 21 autograph lines. Very good condition.
This responsum was printed with variations and additions in the Maharsham responsa, Part 4, Siman 152.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Long autograph letter (3 pages) signed by "Meir Arik Av Beit Din of Buchach". Vienna, 1817.
Responsum on the laws of selling chametz, and responsum on the possibility of infestation of sauerkraut. Sent to the "outstanding clever avrech" R. Shmuel Meir HaCohen Rabbi in Chernivtsi.
The renowned Rabbi Meir Arik (1855-Tishrei 1925), a leading Galicia Torah scholar. Served as Rabbi of Iaslovăţ (Jaslowetz), Buchach and Tarnów. Disciple of Rabbi Ya'akov of Grimaylov and disciple of the Maharsham. From 1885, he served as Rabbi of Iaslovăţ succeeding his teacher the Maharsham who moved to Berezhany, and from 1912 Rabbi of Buchach. During WWI he fled to Vienna and studied Torah with his illustrious friend R. Yosef Engel. After the war, he returned to Poland and was appointed Rabbi of Tarnów. Many Polish Torah scholars were his close disciples, including the renowned Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin and the Kozhiglover Rav R. Aryeh Zvi Frumer, the Dzikov Rebbe Yehuda Horwitz, R. Meshulam Roth author of Kol Mevaser, R. Reuven Margaliot and R. Yehoshua Erenberg Rabbi of Tel Aviv.
He printed numerous books but most of his manuscripts were lost when he fled to to Vienna during WWI, (at that time five large volumes of his halachic responsa were lost). Some of his works: Sheyarei Tahara on Seder Taharot (Kolomyya, 1890), Minchat Kena'ot on Tractate Sotah (Lemberg, 1894), Minchat Pitim on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah and Even HaEzer (Mukacheve, 1913), Part 2 (Krakow- Tarnów, 1925). A compilation of the remainder of his manuscripts was printed in the US in 1978 by his nephew in the book Minchat Aharon - Me'irat Einayim. All the responsa in this letter can be found ibid, pp. 154-156, 157-158, from copies the author received from Tel Aviv from the recipient of the letters, Rabbi Hollander.
The recipient: R. Shmuel Meir HaCohen Hollander (1889-1965, Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, Part 2, pp. 96-99), son of R. Natan David Rabbi of Maszana Dolna and son-in-law of R. Shalom Hager of Shtrozshnitz. A great genius and faithful Chassid, he was a disciple of R. Shlomo of Bobov, and close to the rebbes of Belz, Ruzhin, Vishnitz and Sanz. From 1913, he served as Ra'avad of Chernivtsi and after the Holocaust immigrated to Israel where he served as the Rabbi of the Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the Chassidic community in Tel Aviv. He was close to the Tshebin Rebbe, to Rebbe Aharon of Belz and the Chazon Ish. Some of his novellae were printed in the Shem HaCohen responsa and homilies, Maharsham HaCohen on the Torah and many articles.
[3] pages, 21 cm. Fair condition, wear damages with open tears in the center of the leaf and in the folds. Stains.
Responsum on the laws of selling chametz, and responsum on the possibility of infestation of sauerkraut. Sent to the "outstanding clever avrech" R. Shmuel Meir HaCohen Rabbi in Chernivtsi.
The renowned Rabbi Meir Arik (1855-Tishrei 1925), a leading Galicia Torah scholar. Served as Rabbi of Iaslovăţ (Jaslowetz), Buchach and Tarnów. Disciple of Rabbi Ya'akov of Grimaylov and disciple of the Maharsham. From 1885, he served as Rabbi of Iaslovăţ succeeding his teacher the Maharsham who moved to Berezhany, and from 1912 Rabbi of Buchach. During WWI he fled to Vienna and studied Torah with his illustrious friend R. Yosef Engel. After the war, he returned to Poland and was appointed Rabbi of Tarnów. Many Polish Torah scholars were his close disciples, including the renowned Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin and the Kozhiglover Rav R. Aryeh Zvi Frumer, the Dzikov Rebbe Yehuda Horwitz, R. Meshulam Roth author of Kol Mevaser, R. Reuven Margaliot and R. Yehoshua Erenberg Rabbi of Tel Aviv.
He printed numerous books but most of his manuscripts were lost when he fled to to Vienna during WWI, (at that time five large volumes of his halachic responsa were lost). Some of his works: Sheyarei Tahara on Seder Taharot (Kolomyya, 1890), Minchat Kena'ot on Tractate Sotah (Lemberg, 1894), Minchat Pitim on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah and Even HaEzer (Mukacheve, 1913), Part 2 (Krakow- Tarnów, 1925). A compilation of the remainder of his manuscripts was printed in the US in 1978 by his nephew in the book Minchat Aharon - Me'irat Einayim. All the responsa in this letter can be found ibid, pp. 154-156, 157-158, from copies the author received from Tel Aviv from the recipient of the letters, Rabbi Hollander.
The recipient: R. Shmuel Meir HaCohen Hollander (1889-1965, Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, Part 2, pp. 96-99), son of R. Natan David Rabbi of Maszana Dolna and son-in-law of R. Shalom Hager of Shtrozshnitz. A great genius and faithful Chassid, he was a disciple of R. Shlomo of Bobov, and close to the rebbes of Belz, Ruzhin, Vishnitz and Sanz. From 1913, he served as Ra'avad of Chernivtsi and after the Holocaust immigrated to Israel where he served as the Rabbi of the Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the Chassidic community in Tel Aviv. He was close to the Tshebin Rebbe, to Rebbe Aharon of Belz and the Chazon Ish. Some of his novellae were printed in the Shem HaCohen responsa and homilies, Maharsham HaCohen on the Torah and many articles.
[3] pages, 21 cm. Fair condition, wear damages with open tears in the center of the leaf and in the folds. Stains.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $4,000
Unsold
Letter signed by Rabbi "Moshe son of R. Amram Greenwald". Chust, 1902.
Interesting letter sent to the US, regarding arranging a get (divorce bill) for a woman who fled to the US abandoning her husband who remained unable to remarry. In this letter, he requests to warn the woman that if she does not agree to accept the get "I am prepared to give him a 'heter me'ah rabbanim' (signatures of 100 rabbis) and he will be permitted to remarry, and she will remain alone until her hair turns white".
R. Moshe Ben-Amram Greenwald (1853-1910, HaChatam Sofer Ve'Talmidav p. 521) was a leading Hungarian Torah scholar and head of yeshiva. Disciple of R. Menachem Katz Prostitz of Deutschkreutz (Zelem) and disciple of the Ktav Sofer in Pressburg. He headed a yeshiva in his native city of Cherna in his youth, later serving in the rabbinate of several Hungarian communities and from 1893 as Rabbi of Chust. Although he studied in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer, he was affiliated with Chassidism and would travel to the Belz and Siget rebbes. He was renowned for his compositions on halacha and aggadah titled Arugat HaBosem. His son was R. Ya'akov Yechizkiya Greenwald Av Bet Din and Rebbe of Papa, and his grandson is R. Yosef Greenwald of Papa, who established the Papa Chassidism in America after the Holocaust.
Leaf, 21.5 cm. Scribal writing with one and a half lines handwritten by R. Moshe Greenwald, with his signature. Good-fair condition. Restored tears. Old adhesive tape stains.
Interesting letter sent to the US, regarding arranging a get (divorce bill) for a woman who fled to the US abandoning her husband who remained unable to remarry. In this letter, he requests to warn the woman that if she does not agree to accept the get "I am prepared to give him a 'heter me'ah rabbanim' (signatures of 100 rabbis) and he will be permitted to remarry, and she will remain alone until her hair turns white".
R. Moshe Ben-Amram Greenwald (1853-1910, HaChatam Sofer Ve'Talmidav p. 521) was a leading Hungarian Torah scholar and head of yeshiva. Disciple of R. Menachem Katz Prostitz of Deutschkreutz (Zelem) and disciple of the Ktav Sofer in Pressburg. He headed a yeshiva in his native city of Cherna in his youth, later serving in the rabbinate of several Hungarian communities and from 1893 as Rabbi of Chust. Although he studied in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer, he was affiliated with Chassidism and would travel to the Belz and Siget rebbes. He was renowned for his compositions on halacha and aggadah titled Arugat HaBosem. His son was R. Ya'akov Yechizkiya Greenwald Av Bet Din and Rebbe of Papa, and his grandson is R. Yosef Greenwald of Papa, who established the Papa Chassidism in America after the Holocaust.
Leaf, 21.5 cm. Scribal writing with one and a half lines handwritten by R. Moshe Greenwald, with his signature. Good-fair condition. Restored tears. Old adhesive tape stains.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium
Handwritten leaf with many signatures; a document summarizing the conclusions of the meeting of the Va'ad HaKlali of the Ashkenazi kollels in the holy cities, regarding the discussions of appointing a Chacham Bashi and the distribution of authority and appointments of Ashkenazi and Sephardi representatives for the official community committees. Jerusalem, Sivan 1910.
On the verso, are 31 signature of Jerusalem community and kollel heads: R. "Shaul Chaim HaLevi Horwitz" [the Dubrowna Rebbe and Rabbi of Me'ah She'arim]; the Lelov Rebbe "David Zvi Shlomo Biderman"; R. "Lipman David son of the Mahari" [Shawkas, the Kotzker Rebbe, Ra'avad of the Beit Din of the Chassidim]; R. "Moshe Nachum Walenstein", R."Aryeh Leib son of R. A. D." [Hershler, R. Leib Dayan]; Rabbi "Zvi Pesach Frank"; Rabbi "Shlomo Gadol Rabbi of Vornyany"; R. "Yo'el Moshe Solomon"; many more signatures.
R. David Zvi Shlomo Biderman (1844-1918), son of R. Elazer Menachem Mendel (1827-1883), holy and pure from youth, leader of the Chassidic community of Jerusalem. A prominent Chassid of the Beit Aharon of Karlin. The author of Yismach Yisrael of Aleksander referred to him as a "Sefer Torah". R.Chaim Shmuel of Chęciny said about R. Biderman that for many years he was the greatest tsaddik of his times.
R. Shaul Chaim HaLevi Horowitz (1820-1916), son-in-law of the Nachlat David was Rabbi of Dubrowna for 18 years. In 1883 he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he was considered one of the greatest Torah scholars of the city. He founded and headed the Me'ah She'arim Yeshiva Gedolah and Talmud Torah. Died at an old age in 1916. Among his works are Klilat Shaul, Mitzpe Shaul, and more.
Official stationery, 34 cm. Two written pages. Good condition. Minor wear and filing holes.
On the verso, are 31 signature of Jerusalem community and kollel heads: R. "Shaul Chaim HaLevi Horwitz" [the Dubrowna Rebbe and Rabbi of Me'ah She'arim]; the Lelov Rebbe "David Zvi Shlomo Biderman"; R. "Lipman David son of the Mahari" [Shawkas, the Kotzker Rebbe, Ra'avad of the Beit Din of the Chassidim]; R. "Moshe Nachum Walenstein", R."Aryeh Leib son of R. A. D." [Hershler, R. Leib Dayan]; Rabbi "Zvi Pesach Frank"; Rabbi "Shlomo Gadol Rabbi of Vornyany"; R. "Yo'el Moshe Solomon"; many more signatures.
R. David Zvi Shlomo Biderman (1844-1918), son of R. Elazer Menachem Mendel (1827-1883), holy and pure from youth, leader of the Chassidic community of Jerusalem. A prominent Chassid of the Beit Aharon of Karlin. The author of Yismach Yisrael of Aleksander referred to him as a "Sefer Torah". R.Chaim Shmuel of Chęciny said about R. Biderman that for many years he was the greatest tsaddik of his times.
R. Shaul Chaim HaLevi Horowitz (1820-1916), son-in-law of the Nachlat David was Rabbi of Dubrowna for 18 years. In 1883 he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he was considered one of the greatest Torah scholars of the city. He founded and headed the Me'ah She'arim Yeshiva Gedolah and Talmud Torah. Died at an old age in 1916. Among his works are Klilat Shaul, Mitzpe Shaul, and more.
Official stationery, 34 cm. Two written pages. Good condition. Minor wear and filing holes.
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Rare and Important Items
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter by the management of the Bikur Cholim Hospital, regarding the purchase of the plot and construction of the new building in the center of the new city, signed by five members of the management: R. Zvi Hirsh Mondshein, R. Feitl Berman, R. Yechiel Michel Pines, R. Asher Eliezer Lowy and R. Natan Yetekaves. On the bottom of the page, is a letter by Jerusalem rabbis with the date (in gematriya) handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Berlin, with additional signatures of R. Shmuel Salant (stamp), R. "Elyakum Shlomo Shapira" [Ra'avad of Eišiškės and Grodno] and R. "Yitzchak Blazer" [Reb Itzelle Peterburger]. Jerusalem, Iyar 1907.
Another letter with the signatures of six members of the Jerusalem Ashkenazi Beit Din: R. Chaim Ya'akov Shapira [Ra'avad of Kovno and Ra'avad of the Beit Din of the Perushim in Jerusalem], R. Moshe Nachum Valenstein, R. Aryeh Leib Son of R. A. D. [Hershler, R. Leib Dayan], R. "Lipman David son of the Mahari" [Shawkas, the Kotzker Rebbe, Ra'avad of the Beit Din of the Chassidim], R. Yosef Yehuda son of R. Y. HaLevi and R. Avraham son of R. David HaCohen. Jerusalem, Sivan 1907.
The Bikur Cholim Hospital was founded in the Old City of Jerusalem in ca. 1859 and was one of the most important institutes of the Perushim - the Ashkenazi settlement in the city. The hospital was established following the ban on the missionary hospitals in which Christians attempted to draw the Jews of Eretz Israel closer to the Christian faith. After the settlement and construction of neighborhoods outside the walls of the Old City, the need arose to enlarge the hospital and a decision was reached to build a new hospital on Nevi'im St. in the center of the new city.
2 leaves, 3 written pages, 30 cm. The first has the official letterhead of the hospital. Fair condition. Wear, tears and adhesive tape at the folding marks and margins.
Another letter with the signatures of six members of the Jerusalem Ashkenazi Beit Din: R. Chaim Ya'akov Shapira [Ra'avad of Kovno and Ra'avad of the Beit Din of the Perushim in Jerusalem], R. Moshe Nachum Valenstein, R. Aryeh Leib Son of R. A. D. [Hershler, R. Leib Dayan], R. "Lipman David son of the Mahari" [Shawkas, the Kotzker Rebbe, Ra'avad of the Beit Din of the Chassidim], R. Yosef Yehuda son of R. Y. HaLevi and R. Avraham son of R. David HaCohen. Jerusalem, Sivan 1907.
The Bikur Cholim Hospital was founded in the Old City of Jerusalem in ca. 1859 and was one of the most important institutes of the Perushim - the Ashkenazi settlement in the city. The hospital was established following the ban on the missionary hospitals in which Christians attempted to draw the Jews of Eretz Israel closer to the Christian faith. After the settlement and construction of neighborhoods outside the walls of the Old City, the need arose to enlarge the hospital and a decision was reached to build a new hospital on Nevi'im St. in the center of the new city.
2 leaves, 3 written pages, 30 cm. The first has the official letterhead of the hospital. Fair condition. Wear, tears and adhesive tape at the folding marks and margins.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Autograph letter signed by the Rogatchover Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Rosen. Dvinsk, Tamuz 1930.
Responsum on the laws of unintentionally looking at women, sent to Jerusalem to Rabbi Shlomo Sobol of Dvinsk. At the end of the letter, he takes interest in the well-being of "the senior R' Zalman Levine" who resides in the old-age home in Jerusalem and he signs "Yosef Rosen Rabbi here". After the signature are several more lines, handwritten by him and signed again: "Yosef Rosen".
This responsum has been printed by Rabbi Shlomo Sobol in the book Salmat Yosef - Tzofnat Pa'ane'ach (Jerusalem, 1948; 1956) Siman 8, with the omission of the sharp statement: "And do not bother me again with matters because I am very busy…".
R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936) - known as the Rogatchover (after his birthtown Rogachev), was a Chabad-Kapust Chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of R. Yosef Dov Ber Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi together with his son R. Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community in the city of Dvinsk in Latvia alongside the Rabbi of the city, author of the Or Same'ach, a position he held for 40 years. A remarkable prodigy known for his sharpness, he was proficient in all areas and fine points of the Torah, produced definitions profound hypotheses and original ways of Torah study. Many tales are told of his genius and indescribable diligence. His legendary brilliance was also highly regarded by the general public in his days and Bialik was reputed as saying that "two Einsteins could be carved out from the mind of the Rogatchover". The Rogatchever dealt extensively in explaining the teachings of the Rambam and wrote numerous halachic responsa. His responsa and novellae were published in his Tzofnat Pa'ane'ach series. His printed books are a small part of the endless fountain of his Torah knowledge with its incessant flow. Due to the depth of his thoughts and his concise manner of writing, several projects have risen in recent generations to decipher his words and to publish his works in annotated editions.
Postcard, 14X10 cm. Closely written on both sides. More than 30 handwritten lines. Good condition.
Responsum on the laws of unintentionally looking at women, sent to Jerusalem to Rabbi Shlomo Sobol of Dvinsk. At the end of the letter, he takes interest in the well-being of "the senior R' Zalman Levine" who resides in the old-age home in Jerusalem and he signs "Yosef Rosen Rabbi here". After the signature are several more lines, handwritten by him and signed again: "Yosef Rosen".
This responsum has been printed by Rabbi Shlomo Sobol in the book Salmat Yosef - Tzofnat Pa'ane'ach (Jerusalem, 1948; 1956) Siman 8, with the omission of the sharp statement: "And do not bother me again with matters because I am very busy…".
R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936) - known as the Rogatchover (after his birthtown Rogachev), was a Chabad-Kapust Chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of R. Yosef Dov Ber Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi together with his son R. Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community in the city of Dvinsk in Latvia alongside the Rabbi of the city, author of the Or Same'ach, a position he held for 40 years. A remarkable prodigy known for his sharpness, he was proficient in all areas and fine points of the Torah, produced definitions profound hypotheses and original ways of Torah study. Many tales are told of his genius and indescribable diligence. His legendary brilliance was also highly regarded by the general public in his days and Bialik was reputed as saying that "two Einsteins could be carved out from the mind of the Rogatchover". The Rogatchever dealt extensively in explaining the teachings of the Rambam and wrote numerous halachic responsa. His responsa and novellae were published in his Tzofnat Pa'ane'ach series. His printed books are a small part of the endless fountain of his Torah knowledge with its incessant flow. Due to the depth of his thoughts and his concise manner of writing, several projects have risen in recent generations to decipher his words and to publish his works in annotated editions.
Postcard, 14X10 cm. Closely written on both sides. More than 30 handwritten lines. Good condition.
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![Letter of recommendation handwritten and signed by Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen, author of Or Same'ach. [1913].
Sent to his son](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/080.jpg "Letter by Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen, the Or Same'ach - To his Son-in-l")
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $6,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter of recommendation handwritten and signed by Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen, author of Or Same'ach. [1913].
Sent to his son-in-law Rabbi Avraham Luftvir, with a request and recommendation for Rabbi Eliyahu Mordechai Wolkovsky "author of Ma'arechet HaTalmud V'Haposkim. He is a wise and well-mannered person and worthy of assistance. For his journey he needs to meet with Polish sages and leaders. Therefore, my dear, I request that you assist him with counsel and introductions". At the end of the letter is a sentence which slightly reveals the wounded heart of Rabbi Meir Simcha due to the childlessness of his only daughter: "G-d should soon give us joy - your father-in-law with love, Meir Simchahacohen" [the letter Heh of his signature is shared by both the name Simcha which ends with a Heh and HaCohen which begins with the letter Heh].
R. Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk (1843-1926), an exceptional Lithuanian Torah scholar and outstanding tsaddik, was a prominent leader of Eastern European Jewry before the Holocaust. He served 40 years as Rabbi of Dvinsk (Denenburg, Latvia), alongside R. Yosef Ruzhin, the Rogochover (who served as rabbi of the Chassidic sector of the city). While serving as Rabbi of Dvinsk, he began printing his monumental work Or Sameach on the Rambam. Three volumes were published in his lifetime and the last volume was printed in Riga by R. Menachem Mendel Zack, Rabbi of Riga, who also edited and published R. Meir Simcha's work Meshech Chochma on the Torah. Already in his days, Or Sameach was accepted in the study halls and yeshivot as one of the most important basic books of Torah scholarship and since then it was printed in many editions. (In his commentary on Parshat Bechukotei, Rabbi Meir Simcha foresees with his ru'ach hakodesh the imminent destruction of European Jewry resulting from the Jews following the Berlin haskalah and their assimilation into the non-Jewish population).
The Or Same'ach's only daughter wed the illustrious Torah scholar R. Avraham Luftvir (c. 1870-1918), one of the most outstanding Torah prodigies of Warsaw. Rabbi Meir Simcha cherished his son-in-law with his entire being and often cites his novellae in his writings. R. Avraham died at a young age (less than 50 years old) without children [he too was an only child to one of the wealthiest Warsaw residents, and his wife was the only daughter of the Or Same'ach]. After his death, his profound Torah correspondence with his close associate R. Menachem Zemba was printed in the book Zera Avraham (Biłgoraj -Warsaw, 1920).
21 cm. 10 handwritten lines. Good condition, minor tears to paper folds.
Sent to his son-in-law Rabbi Avraham Luftvir, with a request and recommendation for Rabbi Eliyahu Mordechai Wolkovsky "author of Ma'arechet HaTalmud V'Haposkim. He is a wise and well-mannered person and worthy of assistance. For his journey he needs to meet with Polish sages and leaders. Therefore, my dear, I request that you assist him with counsel and introductions". At the end of the letter is a sentence which slightly reveals the wounded heart of Rabbi Meir Simcha due to the childlessness of his only daughter: "G-d should soon give us joy - your father-in-law with love, Meir Simchahacohen" [the letter Heh of his signature is shared by both the name Simcha which ends with a Heh and HaCohen which begins with the letter Heh].
R. Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk (1843-1926), an exceptional Lithuanian Torah scholar and outstanding tsaddik, was a prominent leader of Eastern European Jewry before the Holocaust. He served 40 years as Rabbi of Dvinsk (Denenburg, Latvia), alongside R. Yosef Ruzhin, the Rogochover (who served as rabbi of the Chassidic sector of the city). While serving as Rabbi of Dvinsk, he began printing his monumental work Or Sameach on the Rambam. Three volumes were published in his lifetime and the last volume was printed in Riga by R. Menachem Mendel Zack, Rabbi of Riga, who also edited and published R. Meir Simcha's work Meshech Chochma on the Torah. Already in his days, Or Sameach was accepted in the study halls and yeshivot as one of the most important basic books of Torah scholarship and since then it was printed in many editions. (In his commentary on Parshat Bechukotei, Rabbi Meir Simcha foresees with his ru'ach hakodesh the imminent destruction of European Jewry resulting from the Jews following the Berlin haskalah and their assimilation into the non-Jewish population).
The Or Same'ach's only daughter wed the illustrious Torah scholar R. Avraham Luftvir (c. 1870-1918), one of the most outstanding Torah prodigies of Warsaw. Rabbi Meir Simcha cherished his son-in-law with his entire being and often cites his novellae in his writings. R. Avraham died at a young age (less than 50 years old) without children [he too was an only child to one of the wealthiest Warsaw residents, and his wife was the only daughter of the Or Same'ach]. After his death, his profound Torah correspondence with his close associate R. Menachem Zemba was printed in the book Zera Avraham (Biłgoraj -Warsaw, 1920).
21 cm. 10 handwritten lines. Good condition, minor tears to paper folds.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Interesting letter handwritten and signed by Rabbi Zvi Hirsh Broide, who writes in the name of his father-in-law the Rebbe. "Goiger near Kelm [Kelmė]", Av 1895.
In the letter written "according to the instructions of my father-in-law the Rebbe R. S. Z. of Kelm", he writes that his father-in-law is only faintly involved in the matters of the city of Kelm due to his state of health, "Therefore… he knows little of the happenings in the city, especially in the summer at the time he is in the Dacha. Therefore, because of his poor health he cannot get involved in this, even more so now that the city has been split over this issue…".
R. Zvi Hirsh Broide (1865-1913), son of R. Aryeh Leib (Rabbi Leibtzig) Broide, the younger brother and disciple of the "Saba" - R. Simcha Zissel of Kelm. At the age of 11, R. Zvi Hirsh was sent to study in the Talmud Torah of his uncle, R. Simcha Zissel in Grobin and from that time on he clung to his venerable teacher and served him with complete acquiescence. Rabbi Simcha Zissel found his nephew to possess amazing learning abilities and taught him extensively, also rebuking him beyond the usual practice, foreseeing his nephew's illustrious future and attributing to him enough stamina to assimilate such harsh criticism.
Rabbi Zvi Hirsh was considered the leading protégé of the Mussar Movement educated to acquire complete self-control following the Kelm tradition. He would say that a person who is unable to control his outer movements cannot attain control of his heart and mind. He himself was an example of this.
Reaching marriageable age, he wed Rebbetzin Nechama Liba, the youngest daughter of his uncle R. Simcha Zissel [who was a great woman in her own right, the leading disciples of the Saba of Kelm would come to hear her mussar discourses following the school of her illustrious father and her husband Rabbi Hirsh]. After the death of his father-in-law the Saba of Kelm in 1898, Rabbi Hirsh was appointed head of the Kelm Yeshiva, a position he held for more than 13 years. The leading mussar figures in his times considered themselves his close disciples; among them are R. Yerucham of Mir, R. Daniel Movshowitz, R. Moshe Rosenstein, R. Eliyahu Lopian and R. Yechezkel Lowenstein.
R. Zvi Hirsh died at the young age of 48. "The honor he fled his entire life pursued him and found him… All the city's shops closed for his funeral as a mark of the love and reverence in which this tsaddik was held and all Kelm Jews from the youngest to the eldest attended his funeral. They walked behind his coffin until the cemetery, located a distance from the city and they remained there until he was buried and until the many eulogies were completed" (Mechanech L'Dorot, Part 1, p. 172).
Leaf, 21.5 cm. 16 handwritten lines. Good condition. Small tear to margins, with adhesive tape on verso.
In the letter written "according to the instructions of my father-in-law the Rebbe R. S. Z. of Kelm", he writes that his father-in-law is only faintly involved in the matters of the city of Kelm due to his state of health, "Therefore… he knows little of the happenings in the city, especially in the summer at the time he is in the Dacha. Therefore, because of his poor health he cannot get involved in this, even more so now that the city has been split over this issue…".
R. Zvi Hirsh Broide (1865-1913), son of R. Aryeh Leib (Rabbi Leibtzig) Broide, the younger brother and disciple of the "Saba" - R. Simcha Zissel of Kelm. At the age of 11, R. Zvi Hirsh was sent to study in the Talmud Torah of his uncle, R. Simcha Zissel in Grobin and from that time on he clung to his venerable teacher and served him with complete acquiescence. Rabbi Simcha Zissel found his nephew to possess amazing learning abilities and taught him extensively, also rebuking him beyond the usual practice, foreseeing his nephew's illustrious future and attributing to him enough stamina to assimilate such harsh criticism.
Rabbi Zvi Hirsh was considered the leading protégé of the Mussar Movement educated to acquire complete self-control following the Kelm tradition. He would say that a person who is unable to control his outer movements cannot attain control of his heart and mind. He himself was an example of this.
Reaching marriageable age, he wed Rebbetzin Nechama Liba, the youngest daughter of his uncle R. Simcha Zissel [who was a great woman in her own right, the leading disciples of the Saba of Kelm would come to hear her mussar discourses following the school of her illustrious father and her husband Rabbi Hirsh]. After the death of his father-in-law the Saba of Kelm in 1898, Rabbi Hirsh was appointed head of the Kelm Yeshiva, a position he held for more than 13 years. The leading mussar figures in his times considered themselves his close disciples; among them are R. Yerucham of Mir, R. Daniel Movshowitz, R. Moshe Rosenstein, R. Eliyahu Lopian and R. Yechezkel Lowenstein.
R. Zvi Hirsh died at the young age of 48. "The honor he fled his entire life pursued him and found him… All the city's shops closed for his funeral as a mark of the love and reverence in which this tsaddik was held and all Kelm Jews from the youngest to the eldest attended his funeral. They walked behind his coffin until the cemetery, located a distance from the city and they remained there until he was buried and until the many eulogies were completed" (Mechanech L'Dorot, Part 1, p. 172).
Leaf, 21.5 cm. 16 handwritten lines. Good condition. Small tear to margins, with adhesive tape on verso.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,200
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Collection of letter and notebooks from the archive of R. Baruch Yoseph Feivelson, one of the heads of the Radin (Radun) Yeshiva.
The collection contains: · Two letters on postcards, handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky (a letter from 1931 about assistance to the students of the Radin Yeshiva and another letter from 1933 about treatment for the acute illness of R. Baruch Yoseph). · Two notebooks with Torah novellae in the handwriting of R. Baruch Yosef from various times (beginning of the 1910s until the end of the 1920s). · Letter from his friend R. Yitzchak Isaac Sher Head of the Slobodka Yeshiva (especially interesting content about a disagreement concerning the management of the Slobodka Yeshiva in 1927-1928). · Letter from his father R. Eliyahu Meir Feivelson, Rabbi of Kupiškis. · Letter from his brother-in-law R. Zalman Partovsky (succeeded his father-in-law in the Kupiškis rabbinate). · Letter from R. Baruch Yoseph to his father. · Letter by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (recommendation for Kollel Radin in Kadima).
R. Baruch Yosef Feivelson (1895-1933), son of R. Eliyahu Meir Feivelson and son-in-law of R. Naftali Trop was renowned from a young age as one of the foremost Torah scholars of Lithuanian yeshivas and leading alumnus of the Slobodka Yeshiva and close disciple of R. Yitzchak Ya'akov Rabinowitz Rabbi of Ponovezh (Rabbi Itze'le of Ponovezh). In 1929, he was appointed teacher in the Radin Yeshiva succeeding his father-in-law, and was very successful in this capacity. His deep scholarly discourses invigorated the learning atmosphere of the yeshiva and many anticipated great success for the yeshiva with R. Feivelson part of the staff. Sadly, he died at the age of 38 after only four years of delivering his Torah discourses. During WWII, his wife and children exiled to Siberia, some survived the war and immigrated to Eretz Israel (one son established a kollel and yeshiva in Safed and his brother established Kollel Radin in Kadima). About 50 years after his death, the book Birkat Yosef was published (Bnei Brak, 1983), which includes a substantial part of the novellae in this notebook. The approbations of the book indicate the high regard Lithuanian yeshiva scholars had for R. Feivelson and the bright future they anticipated for him. R. Ya'akov Kamenetsky writes that "…he lights the eyes of those who study at the Radin Yeshiva and he was famous in the entire yeshiva world as a great Torah scholar and amazing author of novellae, and although he died so young he was considered one of the leading heads of yeshivas in his days. I remember his youthful days in the Slobodka Yeshiva, he startled the yeshiva students with his sharpness and he excelled more than any other student in his time…". R. Shach wrote: "…he was well-known and famous in the generation preceding the war…I knew him from his youth, already from 1911 at the time he studied in Ponovezh in the kibbutz (gathering of yeshiva students) of…Rabbi Itze'le Ponovezher and his name was legendary and now after I studied his writings, I see that all his words were said with depth and sharpness alike…".
7 letters and 2 large notebooks (approximately 340 written pages). Size and condition vary. Stains and much wear.
The collection contains: · Two letters on postcards, handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky (a letter from 1931 about assistance to the students of the Radin Yeshiva and another letter from 1933 about treatment for the acute illness of R. Baruch Yoseph). · Two notebooks with Torah novellae in the handwriting of R. Baruch Yosef from various times (beginning of the 1910s until the end of the 1920s). · Letter from his friend R. Yitzchak Isaac Sher Head of the Slobodka Yeshiva (especially interesting content about a disagreement concerning the management of the Slobodka Yeshiva in 1927-1928). · Letter from his father R. Eliyahu Meir Feivelson, Rabbi of Kupiškis. · Letter from his brother-in-law R. Zalman Partovsky (succeeded his father-in-law in the Kupiškis rabbinate). · Letter from R. Baruch Yoseph to his father. · Letter by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (recommendation for Kollel Radin in Kadima).
R. Baruch Yosef Feivelson (1895-1933), son of R. Eliyahu Meir Feivelson and son-in-law of R. Naftali Trop was renowned from a young age as one of the foremost Torah scholars of Lithuanian yeshivas and leading alumnus of the Slobodka Yeshiva and close disciple of R. Yitzchak Ya'akov Rabinowitz Rabbi of Ponovezh (Rabbi Itze'le of Ponovezh). In 1929, he was appointed teacher in the Radin Yeshiva succeeding his father-in-law, and was very successful in this capacity. His deep scholarly discourses invigorated the learning atmosphere of the yeshiva and many anticipated great success for the yeshiva with R. Feivelson part of the staff. Sadly, he died at the age of 38 after only four years of delivering his Torah discourses. During WWII, his wife and children exiled to Siberia, some survived the war and immigrated to Eretz Israel (one son established a kollel and yeshiva in Safed and his brother established Kollel Radin in Kadima). About 50 years after his death, the book Birkat Yosef was published (Bnei Brak, 1983), which includes a substantial part of the novellae in this notebook. The approbations of the book indicate the high regard Lithuanian yeshiva scholars had for R. Feivelson and the bright future they anticipated for him. R. Ya'akov Kamenetsky writes that "…he lights the eyes of those who study at the Radin Yeshiva and he was famous in the entire yeshiva world as a great Torah scholar and amazing author of novellae, and although he died so young he was considered one of the leading heads of yeshivas in his days. I remember his youthful days in the Slobodka Yeshiva, he startled the yeshiva students with his sharpness and he excelled more than any other student in his time…". R. Shach wrote: "…he was well-known and famous in the generation preceding the war…I knew him from his youth, already from 1911 at the time he studied in Ponovezh in the kibbutz (gathering of yeshiva students) of…Rabbi Itze'le Ponovezher and his name was legendary and now after I studied his writings, I see that all his words were said with depth and sharpness alike…".
7 letters and 2 large notebooks (approximately 340 written pages). Size and condition vary. Stains and much wear.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Autograph letter signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky, sent to Bnei Brak to R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, author of the Chazon Ish. Vilna, Nissan 1938.
The honorary appellations in this letter, written by R. Chaim Ozer - one of the most eminent Torah prodigies and leaders of his generation - to a friend many years his junior, are astounding. Among other things, R. Chaim Ozer sends his good wishes to the Chazon Ish in honor of the upcoming festival of Pesach. He mentions a certain legal matter which concerns his brother [R. Itzele Karelitz?]. At the end of the letter, R. Grodzinsky sends regards and good wishes to the elder brother R. Meir Karelitz and to the entire family of the Chazon Ish.
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky (1863-1940), was the leader of the entire Diaspora in his generation. At the age of 11 [!], he began studying in the Volozhin Yeshiva and was a close disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek in Vilna. He joined the Chafetz Chaim in bearing the burden of public affairs and for decades, his opinion was supreme in all public issues throughout the entire Diaspora. He was founder and head of Va’ad HaYeshivot and one of the initiators of the worldwide Agudat Yisrael movement as well as one of the heads of Mo'etzet Gedolei HaTorah.
R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, author of the Chazon Ish (1879-1954), leading halachic scholar and philosopher. Phenomenal Torah giant and concealed tsaddik. In 1911, he published his first book, Chazon Ish, anonymously and hence was called by the name of his book. After World War I, he resided in Vilna. R. Chaim Ozer who detected his true stature consulted him regularly regarding public matters and insisted that he join the public leadership of the Jewish people. Upon the immigration of the Chazon Ish to Eretz Israel in 1933, Rabbi Chaim Ozer referred many issues pertaining to the Torah settlement in Eretz Israel for the Chazon Ish to resolve. He reinforced observance of mitzvoth connected to dwelling in Eretz Israel and was a driving force behind the revival of Torah and Chassidism in our generation. Authored and published the "Chazon Ish" books which were written with extreme toil and deep study on almost all Talmudic treatises.
Postcard 10.5X15 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and folding marks.
The honorary appellations in this letter, written by R. Chaim Ozer - one of the most eminent Torah prodigies and leaders of his generation - to a friend many years his junior, are astounding. Among other things, R. Chaim Ozer sends his good wishes to the Chazon Ish in honor of the upcoming festival of Pesach. He mentions a certain legal matter which concerns his brother [R. Itzele Karelitz?]. At the end of the letter, R. Grodzinsky sends regards and good wishes to the elder brother R. Meir Karelitz and to the entire family of the Chazon Ish.
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky (1863-1940), was the leader of the entire Diaspora in his generation. At the age of 11 [!], he began studying in the Volozhin Yeshiva and was a close disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek in Vilna. He joined the Chafetz Chaim in bearing the burden of public affairs and for decades, his opinion was supreme in all public issues throughout the entire Diaspora. He was founder and head of Va’ad HaYeshivot and one of the initiators of the worldwide Agudat Yisrael movement as well as one of the heads of Mo'etzet Gedolei HaTorah.
R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, author of the Chazon Ish (1879-1954), leading halachic scholar and philosopher. Phenomenal Torah giant and concealed tsaddik. In 1911, he published his first book, Chazon Ish, anonymously and hence was called by the name of his book. After World War I, he resided in Vilna. R. Chaim Ozer who detected his true stature consulted him regularly regarding public matters and insisted that he join the public leadership of the Jewish people. Upon the immigration of the Chazon Ish to Eretz Israel in 1933, Rabbi Chaim Ozer referred many issues pertaining to the Torah settlement in Eretz Israel for the Chazon Ish to resolve. He reinforced observance of mitzvoth connected to dwelling in Eretz Israel and was a driving force behind the revival of Torah and Chassidism in our generation. Authored and published the "Chazon Ish" books which were written with extreme toil and deep study on almost all Talmudic treatises.
Postcard 10.5X15 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and folding marks.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Interesting autograph letter with the full signature of R. "Elchanan Bunam son of R. Naftali Beinush Wasserman". Smilavichy (Minsk district, today Belarus), [Adar Aleph 1919].
Sent to "The famous rabbi and gaon, author of the Chazon Ish" in the city of Stowbtsy (Minsk district, today Belarus), regarding financial assistance to the Smilavichy Yeshiva which was established at that time by Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman and by Rabbi Eliyahu Dushnitzer by the incentive of the Chafetz Chaim, as a branch of the Radin Yeshiva which was banished to that same area. For five years, this yeshiva remained under the management of Rabbi Elchanan with great difficulty and without any regular income of funds. This was due to the increase of persecution and harassment initiated by the Yevsektsiya [the Jewish section of the Communist party which aimed to destroy Torah education and religious adherence]. Obeying the directive of the Chafetz Chaim, the yeshiva student body and teachers fled to Poland in the month of Sivan 1921.
At that time, the Chazon Ish was residing in the city of Stolbtsy and the little money he was able to obtain, he sent to support the yeshiva. This early connection between Rabbi Elchanan and the Chazon Ish is not known from any other source. These two illustrious Torah figures corresponded at the end of the 1930s concerning matters of leadership of the communities in Eretz Israel in their dealings with the Zionist circles and the Histadrut. However this letter attests to correspondence which took place twenty years earlier which reflects upon the beginning of the public fame of the Chazon Ish after his first book Chazon Ish was published anonymously in 1911. This book left a great impression on its readers and was the beginning of the rise of the name of this great luminary in yeshiva circles.
Postcard, 14X9 cm. 13 handwritten lines. Good condition. Creases and folding marks.
Sent to "The famous rabbi and gaon, author of the Chazon Ish" in the city of Stowbtsy (Minsk district, today Belarus), regarding financial assistance to the Smilavichy Yeshiva which was established at that time by Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman and by Rabbi Eliyahu Dushnitzer by the incentive of the Chafetz Chaim, as a branch of the Radin Yeshiva which was banished to that same area. For five years, this yeshiva remained under the management of Rabbi Elchanan with great difficulty and without any regular income of funds. This was due to the increase of persecution and harassment initiated by the Yevsektsiya [the Jewish section of the Communist party which aimed to destroy Torah education and religious adherence]. Obeying the directive of the Chafetz Chaim, the yeshiva student body and teachers fled to Poland in the month of Sivan 1921.
At that time, the Chazon Ish was residing in the city of Stolbtsy and the little money he was able to obtain, he sent to support the yeshiva. This early connection between Rabbi Elchanan and the Chazon Ish is not known from any other source. These two illustrious Torah figures corresponded at the end of the 1930s concerning matters of leadership of the communities in Eretz Israel in their dealings with the Zionist circles and the Histadrut. However this letter attests to correspondence which took place twenty years earlier which reflects upon the beginning of the public fame of the Chazon Ish after his first book Chazon Ish was published anonymously in 1911. This book left a great impression on its readers and was the beginning of the rise of the name of this great luminary in yeshiva circles.
Postcard, 14X9 cm. 13 handwritten lines. Good condition. Creases and folding marks.
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