Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
- (-) Remove letter filter letter
- and (45) Apply and filter
- matter (35) Apply matter filter
- print (35) Apply print filter
- certif (24) Apply certif filter
- certificates, (24) Apply certificates, filter
- eretz (24) Apply eretz filter
- hebron (24) Apply hebron filter
- israel (24) Apply israel filter
- jerusalem (24) Apply jerusalem filter
- jerusalem, (24) Apply jerusalem, filter
- manuscript (21) Apply manuscript filter
- chassid (20) Apply chassid filter
- italian (11) Apply italian filter
- jewri (11) Apply jewri filter
- manuscripts, (11) Apply manuscripts, filter
- chabad (10) Apply chabad filter
Displaying 61 - 72 of 89
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
Letter with birthday blessings, by R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch-Chabad, bearing his signature. Brooklyn, Cheshvan 1962.
Letter of birthday good wishes, with the directive to practice "the recent custom of our community members on their birthdays", and the blessing that "the coming year should be successful, materially and spiritually and you should continue in Torah study and fulfilling the mitzvoth from a state of bounty".
Typewritten, with the Rebbe's own signature and two words added in his handwriting.
Aerogram, official letter of the Rebbe. 30 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
Letter of birthday good wishes, with the directive to practice "the recent custom of our community members on their birthdays", and the blessing that "the coming year should be successful, materially and spiritually and you should continue in Torah study and fulfilling the mitzvoth from a state of bounty".
Typewritten, with the Rebbe's own signature and two words added in his handwriting.
Aerogram, official letter of the Rebbe. 30 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
Category
Chabad Chassidism - Letters
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $600
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Letter about matters related to G-d's service, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schnnerson of Lubavitch-Chabad to R. Alexander Sender Yudasin of Tel Aviv. Brooklyn, NY, [Kislev] 1962.
The letter is typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery and bears his own signature, with the addition of several lines in his handwriting.
The recipient is R. Alexander Sender Yudasin. In Chabad jargon, this letter is called a "general-private letter", i.e. it was sent to a number of recipients with the Rebbe's handwritten additions to some of the letters. Detailed sources to each concept and of each expression are written in the margins.
In this letter, written Erev Shabbat Parshat Toldot, the Rebbe writes a Chassidic thought relating to G-d's service: The struggle between Ya'akov and Esav in the parsha alludes to the struggle of the G-dly soul and the animal soul and he continues to find relevance to the life of every Jewish person. Further in the letter, the Rebbe writes more details about this thought.
A number of times in the letter, the Rebbe adds a phrase in his own handwriting.
At the end of the letter, the Rebbe writes: "The name HaTamim has already been taken by the publisher from Poland and perhaps, will be renewed".
The meaning of this phrase: Apparently, the recipient, R. Alexander Yudasin wrote to the Rebbe that he intends to publish his Talmudic novellae and to title his book HaTamim. Therefore, the Rebbe wrote him that this name has already been taken and he cannot use it since in 1935-1938, the name HaTamim was used for a Chabad periodical published in Warsaw by R. Shmuel Zalmanov, (the Rebbe was one of its editors) and possibly, the periodical may soon reappear.
In the end, R. Yudasin named his book of Talmudic novellae Tomchei Temimim (Tel Aviv, 1964), and the periodical HaTamim was not published again in the Rebbe's lifetime (in 1971, R. Shmuel Zalmanov printed a facsimile edition of HaTamim in two volumes). At the beginning of his book, R. Yudasin printed a brief version of this letter and at its end added: "I have used the blessing of the Rebbe and printed it in my book. I am certain that all who study this book will be blessed and succeed as a result of this blessing".
The full letter, without the handwritten additions is printed in Igrot Kodesh, Vol. 22, pp. 360-361, and in Likutei Sichot, Vol. 5 p. 415.
R. Alexander Sender Yudasin (1897-1983), a prominent Chabad rabbi, was born in Belarus. A disciple of Rebbe S.B. of Lubavitch, ordained for the rabbinate by R. David Zvi Chen. In 1834, he immigrated to Eretz Israel Yisrael and settled in Tel Aviv. He served as Rabbi of Chabad Chassidim in Tel Aviv for almost 50 years and as a member of the Chief Rabbinate of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Authored the Tomchei Temimim series on the Talmud and the two parts of HaLekach V'HaLibuv on the Tanya, (Kfar Chabad, 1968-1970), one of the most important works composed on the Tanya.
Aerogram. 30 cm. Good condition. Folding creases.
The letter is typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery and bears his own signature, with the addition of several lines in his handwriting.
The recipient is R. Alexander Sender Yudasin. In Chabad jargon, this letter is called a "general-private letter", i.e. it was sent to a number of recipients with the Rebbe's handwritten additions to some of the letters. Detailed sources to each concept and of each expression are written in the margins.
In this letter, written Erev Shabbat Parshat Toldot, the Rebbe writes a Chassidic thought relating to G-d's service: The struggle between Ya'akov and Esav in the parsha alludes to the struggle of the G-dly soul and the animal soul and he continues to find relevance to the life of every Jewish person. Further in the letter, the Rebbe writes more details about this thought.
A number of times in the letter, the Rebbe adds a phrase in his own handwriting.
At the end of the letter, the Rebbe writes: "The name HaTamim has already been taken by the publisher from Poland and perhaps, will be renewed".
The meaning of this phrase: Apparently, the recipient, R. Alexander Yudasin wrote to the Rebbe that he intends to publish his Talmudic novellae and to title his book HaTamim. Therefore, the Rebbe wrote him that this name has already been taken and he cannot use it since in 1935-1938, the name HaTamim was used for a Chabad periodical published in Warsaw by R. Shmuel Zalmanov, (the Rebbe was one of its editors) and possibly, the periodical may soon reappear.
In the end, R. Yudasin named his book of Talmudic novellae Tomchei Temimim (Tel Aviv, 1964), and the periodical HaTamim was not published again in the Rebbe's lifetime (in 1971, R. Shmuel Zalmanov printed a facsimile edition of HaTamim in two volumes). At the beginning of his book, R. Yudasin printed a brief version of this letter and at its end added: "I have used the blessing of the Rebbe and printed it in my book. I am certain that all who study this book will be blessed and succeed as a result of this blessing".
The full letter, without the handwritten additions is printed in Igrot Kodesh, Vol. 22, pp. 360-361, and in Likutei Sichot, Vol. 5 p. 415.
R. Alexander Sender Yudasin (1897-1983), a prominent Chabad rabbi, was born in Belarus. A disciple of Rebbe S.B. of Lubavitch, ordained for the rabbinate by R. David Zvi Chen. In 1834, he immigrated to Eretz Israel Yisrael and settled in Tel Aviv. He served as Rabbi of Chabad Chassidim in Tel Aviv for almost 50 years and as a member of the Chief Rabbinate of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Authored the Tomchei Temimim series on the Talmud and the two parts of HaLekach V'HaLibuv on the Tanya, (Kfar Chabad, 1968-1970), one of the most important works composed on the Tanya.
Aerogram. 30 cm. Good condition. Folding creases.
Category
Chabad Chassidism - Letters
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Letter from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Shneersohn of Lubavitch-Chabad, with his signature. Brooklyn, Elul 1955.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature.
The letter was sent to R. Matityahu Yechezkel Gutman, and it concerns the management of the yeshivot: "It is necessary to generate holy functionaries of the most varying kinds, and today this is also part of the yeshivots' duty, to a great extent I agree to his opinion… In our yeshivot we act as much as possible according to his suggestion for quite a few years already". Later in the letter, the Rebbe writes: "Since you do not mention your private matters and of your family, I take it as a sign that all is well". The Rebbe concludes the letter with blessings: "As the new year approaches… I would like to express my blessings to him and all of his, a blessing of being inscribed and signed for a good and sweet new year, in material and spiritual matters".
This letter was not published.
R. Matityahu Yechezkel Gutman served as rabbi of Bohush (Buhuși), Romania and Leova, Bessarabia. From 1948 he served as rabbi and posek in Tel-Aviv. Composed many homiletic books on the Torah, the Festivals and Pirkei Avot, as well as many biographies on great Chassidic leaders. He corresponded extensively with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Some of their correspondence was printed in the Igrot Kodesh series of books.
Aerogram. 14 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Stains.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature.
The letter was sent to R. Matityahu Yechezkel Gutman, and it concerns the management of the yeshivot: "It is necessary to generate holy functionaries of the most varying kinds, and today this is also part of the yeshivots' duty, to a great extent I agree to his opinion… In our yeshivot we act as much as possible according to his suggestion for quite a few years already". Later in the letter, the Rebbe writes: "Since you do not mention your private matters and of your family, I take it as a sign that all is well". The Rebbe concludes the letter with blessings: "As the new year approaches… I would like to express my blessings to him and all of his, a blessing of being inscribed and signed for a good and sweet new year, in material and spiritual matters".
This letter was not published.
R. Matityahu Yechezkel Gutman served as rabbi of Bohush (Buhuși), Romania and Leova, Bessarabia. From 1948 he served as rabbi and posek in Tel-Aviv. Composed many homiletic books on the Torah, the Festivals and Pirkei Avot, as well as many biographies on great Chassidic leaders. He corresponded extensively with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Some of their correspondence was printed in the Igrot Kodesh series of books.
Aerogram. 14 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Stains.
Category
Chabad Chassidism - Letters
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $300
Unsold
Letter signed by R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Chabad). Brooklyn, New York, Elul 1961.
Letter containing Shana Tova wishes. Typewritten. "As the new year approaches… I would like to express my blessings to him and all of his, blessings for being inscribed and signed for a good and sweet year in spiritual and material matters".
At the foot of the letter, the Rebbe added his signature, and inserted "With honor" before the typewritten "With blessings": "BeKavod U[ViVracha]".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Typewritten. Envelope with stamp enclosed.
Letter containing Shana Tova wishes. Typewritten. "As the new year approaches… I would like to express my blessings to him and all of his, blessings for being inscribed and signed for a good and sweet year in spiritual and material matters".
At the foot of the letter, the Rebbe added his signature, and inserted "With honor" before the typewritten "With blessings": "BeKavod U[ViVracha]".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Typewritten. Envelope with stamp enclosed.
Category
Chabad Chassidism - Letters
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Unsold
Autograph letter of semicha to the rabbinate (13 lines), with the signature and stamp of R. "David Zvi son of R. Peretz Chen". Chernigov, 1919.
Semicha for R. "Alexander Sender son of R. Hillel Yudasin". This ordination was already written in the days of the Rebbe the Rashab (R. Sholom Dovber). R. David Zvi who was a leading Chabad Rebbe in those days, writes about the "Young man who is outstanding in Torah and fear of Heaven… I know that he has studied in my city with great diligence…and is one of the outstanding young men who sat in the 'tent' of Torah and fear of Heaven basking in the light of the Lubavitch Rebbe. Now, following his instructions, he is studying in Kherson… and G-d has brought him success in his studies… I hereby ordain him… that he is fitting to be a rabbi and teacher and to arrange gittin and kiddushin…and also the 'mehadrin' can rely on his rulings…".
The Radatz, R. David Zvi Chen (1846-1925), outstanding Torah scholar and leading Chabad rabbi. He was a renowned figure in Chabad circles, famous for his holiness and fear of Heaven and one of the only three rabbis who received semicha from the Rebbe the Maharash. In 1883, he was appointed Rabbi of the city of Chernigov succeeding his father, R. Peretz Chen. During WWI, he hosted a group of students of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in his city and in his home and eventually, this nucleus developed into a branch of the yeshiva. In 1925, he Immigrated to Eretz Israel and taught Torah in the Torat Emet Yeshiva. His gravesite is in the plot of the Chabad Rabbis buried on the Mount of Olives. He was the progenitor of large families of Chassidim, active on behalf of the Jewish People. His son R. Menachem Mendel served in the rabbinate of the city of Nizhyn. His granddaughter was the poet Zelda (Zelda Schneersohn Mishkovsky) who wrote several poems depicting the impressive figure of her grandfather, comparing him to Avraham Avinu.
The recipient of the semicha: R. Alexander Sender Yudasin, Rabbi of the Jaffa Chassidic community for almost half a century, a prominent student of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva. In the summer of 1914, he was among the five "Temimim" who stayed together with the Rashab at Bad Salzelmen. During WWI, he relocated to the city of Chernogiv to study Torah under the tutelage of the Radatz Chen, later relocating to Kherson wherein he established a branch of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva. His wedding took place in 1921 and R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) arranged his kiddushin. He served in the rabbinate in Russia and was close to the Rayatz. In 1934, Immigrated to Eretz Israel and resided in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood in Tel Aviv and succeeded Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Slonim as Rabbi of Jaffa for a tenure of almost 50 years. Authored Tomchei Temimim on the Talmud and the HaLekach V'Halibuv commentary on the Tanya. Died in 1983.
Leaf, 21 cm. 13 autograph lines. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Filing holes.
Semicha for R. "Alexander Sender son of R. Hillel Yudasin". This ordination was already written in the days of the Rebbe the Rashab (R. Sholom Dovber). R. David Zvi who was a leading Chabad Rebbe in those days, writes about the "Young man who is outstanding in Torah and fear of Heaven… I know that he has studied in my city with great diligence…and is one of the outstanding young men who sat in the 'tent' of Torah and fear of Heaven basking in the light of the Lubavitch Rebbe. Now, following his instructions, he is studying in Kherson… and G-d has brought him success in his studies… I hereby ordain him… that he is fitting to be a rabbi and teacher and to arrange gittin and kiddushin…and also the 'mehadrin' can rely on his rulings…".
The Radatz, R. David Zvi Chen (1846-1925), outstanding Torah scholar and leading Chabad rabbi. He was a renowned figure in Chabad circles, famous for his holiness and fear of Heaven and one of the only three rabbis who received semicha from the Rebbe the Maharash. In 1883, he was appointed Rabbi of the city of Chernigov succeeding his father, R. Peretz Chen. During WWI, he hosted a group of students of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in his city and in his home and eventually, this nucleus developed into a branch of the yeshiva. In 1925, he Immigrated to Eretz Israel and taught Torah in the Torat Emet Yeshiva. His gravesite is in the plot of the Chabad Rabbis buried on the Mount of Olives. He was the progenitor of large families of Chassidim, active on behalf of the Jewish People. His son R. Menachem Mendel served in the rabbinate of the city of Nizhyn. His granddaughter was the poet Zelda (Zelda Schneersohn Mishkovsky) who wrote several poems depicting the impressive figure of her grandfather, comparing him to Avraham Avinu.
The recipient of the semicha: R. Alexander Sender Yudasin, Rabbi of the Jaffa Chassidic community for almost half a century, a prominent student of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva. In the summer of 1914, he was among the five "Temimim" who stayed together with the Rashab at Bad Salzelmen. During WWI, he relocated to the city of Chernogiv to study Torah under the tutelage of the Radatz Chen, later relocating to Kherson wherein he established a branch of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva. His wedding took place in 1921 and R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) arranged his kiddushin. He served in the rabbinate in Russia and was close to the Rayatz. In 1934, Immigrated to Eretz Israel and resided in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood in Tel Aviv and succeeded Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Slonim as Rabbi of Jaffa for a tenure of almost 50 years. Authored Tomchei Temimim on the Talmud and the HaLekach V'Halibuv commentary on the Tanya. Died in 1983.
Leaf, 21 cm. 13 autograph lines. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Filing holes.
Category
Chabad Chassidism - Letters
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $600
Unsold
Letter from R. David Melamed and R. Yisrael HaKohen, Hebron emissaries, while in Italy. Livorno, February 24, 1725.
Letter of thanks, in Italian, upon receipt of donations from Ancona. The bottom of the letter contains signatures in Hebrew: "David Melamed" and "Yisrael HaKohen".
Avraham Yaari describes the adventures of these two emissaries at length (Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 488-491). They set out from Hebron in 1718, the first time two emissaries were sent together to Europe on behalf of the Hebron community. Until then, only one messenger would go at a time. Yaari writes: "It seems that the distress mounted then in Hebron to a point that its leaders felt it necessary to send out two of its finest scholars". Their expedition lasted at least seven years, until 1725. They first travelled around the various towns of Italy. In Pisa, they became friendly with the rabbi R. Refael Meldola, and their signatures appear on two occasions in his responsa work (Mayim Chaim, Orach Chaim, sections 27, 42). Their next stop was Germany, apparently followed by Holland and France. They then went around Silesia and Moravia, continuing on to Breslau and Nikolsburg (Mikulov). In Nikolsburg, they were imprisoned by the authorities on account of taking money out of the borders of the country. In Tishrei 1724, they returned to Italy, and at that time wrote an approbation for R. Yitzchak Lampronti's book Pachad Yitzchak (printed at the beginning of Vol. II, Venice 1753). Their responsa on the laws of Tefillin were later included in a different part of Pachad Yitzchak (Letter Tav, Tefillin entry), based on their correspondence with R. Yitzchak Lampronti. In one of their letters to him, dated Kislev 12, 1724, they wrote: "Early tomorrow we will make our way to Livorno". The letter here was written approximately three months later (for further details see Yaari, ibid).
Folded leaf, [1] written page. On the verso, short inscription in Italian with the following words in Hebrew: "Sages of Hebron" and "donation". 30 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Letter of thanks, in Italian, upon receipt of donations from Ancona. The bottom of the letter contains signatures in Hebrew: "David Melamed" and "Yisrael HaKohen".
Avraham Yaari describes the adventures of these two emissaries at length (Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 488-491). They set out from Hebron in 1718, the first time two emissaries were sent together to Europe on behalf of the Hebron community. Until then, only one messenger would go at a time. Yaari writes: "It seems that the distress mounted then in Hebron to a point that its leaders felt it necessary to send out two of its finest scholars". Their expedition lasted at least seven years, until 1725. They first travelled around the various towns of Italy. In Pisa, they became friendly with the rabbi R. Refael Meldola, and their signatures appear on two occasions in his responsa work (Mayim Chaim, Orach Chaim, sections 27, 42). Their next stop was Germany, apparently followed by Holland and France. They then went around Silesia and Moravia, continuing on to Breslau and Nikolsburg (Mikulov). In Nikolsburg, they were imprisoned by the authorities on account of taking money out of the borders of the country. In Tishrei 1724, they returned to Italy, and at that time wrote an approbation for R. Yitzchak Lampronti's book Pachad Yitzchak (printed at the beginning of Vol. II, Venice 1753). Their responsa on the laws of Tefillin were later included in a different part of Pachad Yitzchak (Letter Tav, Tefillin entry), based on their correspondence with R. Yitzchak Lampronti. In one of their letters to him, dated Kislev 12, 1724, they wrote: "Early tomorrow we will make our way to Livorno". The letter here was written approximately three months later (for further details see Yaari, ibid).
Folded leaf, [1] written page. On the verso, short inscription in Italian with the following words in Hebrew: "Sages of Hebron" and "donation". 30 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Large handwritten leaf, a copying of the regulations limiting the number of Shochtim (ritual slaughterers) in Constantinople, from the years 1687 and 1696, with the signatures of R. Refael Avraham Hayun (emissary of Jerusalem and Hebron) and R. David HaKohen. [Constantinople, between 1770 and 1800].
Sephardic scribal script. A regulation from 1687, limiting the number of Shochtim in Constantinople to 11, was copied at the top of the page, with the copied signatures of the rabbis of the town (R. Matitya ibn Arviyo, R. Shmuel Ikshino, R. Chaim Egozi and R. Yosef Kassavi).
Another regulation, from 1696, was copied thereafter, strengthening the previous regulation and threatening anyone who breaches it, with the copied signatures of the rabbis of the town (R. Avraham Rosanes, Eliya Alfandari, Eliezer ibn Shangi, Shmuel Rosanes and Yehuda Refael Kimchi).
A copying of the confirmation appears next, testifying that "this document was copied from the original verbatim…", with the copied signatures of R. Menachem HaLevi and R. Yehuda Sivilio, followed by an additional passage confirming that this is an accurate copying of the copying. Two (calligraphic) autographic signatures appear at the end of the last section, of "the young David HaKohen" and "the young Refael Avraham Hayun".
The second signee is possibly R. Avraham Hayun, a scholar from Eretz Israel, who travelled around Turkey as emissary of Jerusalem and Hebron in 1790 and 1800 (and then passed away in Izmir), he published the books Shalmei Tzibur and Shalmei Chagiga by R. Yaakov Yisrael Algazi, with his own additions and notes (see: Yaari, Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 558-559 and 604).
Large leaf (folded), 39.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to the margins. Folding marks. A few tears at the folds.
Sephardic scribal script. A regulation from 1687, limiting the number of Shochtim in Constantinople to 11, was copied at the top of the page, with the copied signatures of the rabbis of the town (R. Matitya ibn Arviyo, R. Shmuel Ikshino, R. Chaim Egozi and R. Yosef Kassavi).
Another regulation, from 1696, was copied thereafter, strengthening the previous regulation and threatening anyone who breaches it, with the copied signatures of the rabbis of the town (R. Avraham Rosanes, Eliya Alfandari, Eliezer ibn Shangi, Shmuel Rosanes and Yehuda Refael Kimchi).
A copying of the confirmation appears next, testifying that "this document was copied from the original verbatim…", with the copied signatures of R. Menachem HaLevi and R. Yehuda Sivilio, followed by an additional passage confirming that this is an accurate copying of the copying. Two (calligraphic) autographic signatures appear at the end of the last section, of "the young David HaKohen" and "the young Refael Avraham Hayun".
The second signee is possibly R. Avraham Hayun, a scholar from Eretz Israel, who travelled around Turkey as emissary of Jerusalem and Hebron in 1790 and 1800 (and then passed away in Izmir), he published the books Shalmei Tzibur and Shalmei Chagiga by R. Yaakov Yisrael Algazi, with his own additions and notes (see: Yaari, Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 558-559 and 604).
Large leaf (folded), 39.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to the margins. Folding marks. A few tears at the folds.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium
Printed leaf, appeal by the rabbis of Hebron to Western European Jewry, requesting their help in redeeming captives and saving lives. Livorno, 1775.
Background of the appeal: In 1775, the son of the local sheikh was found dead in a cesspit near the Jewish neighborhood of Hebron. Enraged, the ruler captured ten hostages from the Jewish community and threatened to execute them if the community doesn't come forth with a ransom of 5000 groschen. The members of the community therefore pawned their homes, synagogues, books and possessions, remaining utterly penniless. Consequently, the rabbis of the community issued an appeal, outlining the story of the libel and requesting assistance in rescuing them from their plight. The letter was sent to the Chida, at the time in Italy as an emissary for the Hebron community, who had it printed in Livorno to spread it and encourage people to donate to this cause. The name of the Chida as representative of the town and address for donations appears in the center of the letter: "We appeal to you to rescue us and pour blessing into the hand of our esteemed representative R. Chaim Yosef David [the Chida]…" (see A. Yaari, Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 574-575, 593-594).
Folded leaf, [2] printed pages. 25 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Background of the appeal: In 1775, the son of the local sheikh was found dead in a cesspit near the Jewish neighborhood of Hebron. Enraged, the ruler captured ten hostages from the Jewish community and threatened to execute them if the community doesn't come forth with a ransom of 5000 groschen. The members of the community therefore pawned their homes, synagogues, books and possessions, remaining utterly penniless. Consequently, the rabbis of the community issued an appeal, outlining the story of the libel and requesting assistance in rescuing them from their plight. The letter was sent to the Chida, at the time in Italy as an emissary for the Hebron community, who had it printed in Livorno to spread it and encourage people to donate to this cause. The name of the Chida as representative of the town and address for donations appears in the center of the letter: "We appeal to you to rescue us and pour blessing into the hand of our esteemed representative R. Chaim Yosef David [the Chida]…" (see A. Yaari, Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 574-575, 593-594).
Folded leaf, [2] printed pages. 25 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $600
Unsold
Letter of greetings from the emissary of Tiberias R. Chaim Shlomo Abulafia, to the community leaders of Alessandria, Italy, while he was residing in the home of R. Moshe Zacuto HaLevi of Casale. Casale (Casale Monferrato), 25th day of the Omer 1819.
The letter is written in large calligraphic square script and is addressed to the leaders of the Alessandria community and its rabbi – R. Matitya HaLevi son of R. Moshe Zacuto HaLevi of Casale. The letter consists of his greetings and a request to support the community of Tiberias with their generous donations. He recounts that he is currently staying in the home of the great luminary R. Moshe [Zacuto HaLevi of Casale].
At the foot of the letter, he inserted an additional line in Sephardic script with a calligraphic signature: "So are the words of the messenger of G-d… who signs here in Casale, the young Chaim Shlomo Abulafia".
R. Chaim Shlomo Abulafia was one of the scholars of Tiberias and a grandson of R. Chaim Abulafia, author of Etz Chaim. In 1817, he left for Italy as representative of the Tiberias community. During this expedition, he published R. Yaakov Beirav's book Zimrat HaAretz in Livorno. In 1829, he travelled again to Italy and to Tunis, and earned the epithet "the miracle worker". During his first stay in Italy, he first boarded in the home of R. Moshe Zacuto in Casale, and from there continued on to Alessandria and other communities. Areshet (Vol. 6, Avraham Yitzchak Katz, "R. Chaim Shlomo Abulafia's Mission in Italy", pp. 137-153) contains 12 letters from this period, mostly from 1819, including several letters addressed to R. Moshe Zacuto and his son R. Matitya HaLevi who hosted him in Casale and Alessandria respectively. This letter is also printed there (section 4), as well as the recommendation R. Moshe Zacuto wrote for him when he was staying in his house: "This pious one came to my guesthouse and did not budge from my study hall, he is occupied with Torah and mitzvot all day, blessed is G-d who merited me to enjoy the splendor of his honor and his Torah. From here he travelled to Alessandria, my birthplace… where my son R. Matitya is currently the rabbi and head of the community…".
R. Moshe Zacuto HaLevi was the son of R. Eliyahu HaLevi Rabbi of Alessandria. After his father's passing in 1792, he succeeded him as rabbi of Alessandria, a position he held for over 20 years, until he was elected in 1818 as rabbi of Casale Monferrato by the Jewish consistory established by Napoleon. When he moved to Casale, he bequeathed the rabbinate of Alessandria to his son – R. Matitya HaLevi, who served in the rabbinate until 1835, when he was tragically killed together with his wife and dozens more people, in a building which collapsed during a wedding.
[1] folded leaf. 25 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
The letter is written in large calligraphic square script and is addressed to the leaders of the Alessandria community and its rabbi – R. Matitya HaLevi son of R. Moshe Zacuto HaLevi of Casale. The letter consists of his greetings and a request to support the community of Tiberias with their generous donations. He recounts that he is currently staying in the home of the great luminary R. Moshe [Zacuto HaLevi of Casale].
At the foot of the letter, he inserted an additional line in Sephardic script with a calligraphic signature: "So are the words of the messenger of G-d… who signs here in Casale, the young Chaim Shlomo Abulafia".
R. Chaim Shlomo Abulafia was one of the scholars of Tiberias and a grandson of R. Chaim Abulafia, author of Etz Chaim. In 1817, he left for Italy as representative of the Tiberias community. During this expedition, he published R. Yaakov Beirav's book Zimrat HaAretz in Livorno. In 1829, he travelled again to Italy and to Tunis, and earned the epithet "the miracle worker". During his first stay in Italy, he first boarded in the home of R. Moshe Zacuto in Casale, and from there continued on to Alessandria and other communities. Areshet (Vol. 6, Avraham Yitzchak Katz, "R. Chaim Shlomo Abulafia's Mission in Italy", pp. 137-153) contains 12 letters from this period, mostly from 1819, including several letters addressed to R. Moshe Zacuto and his son R. Matitya HaLevi who hosted him in Casale and Alessandria respectively. This letter is also printed there (section 4), as well as the recommendation R. Moshe Zacuto wrote for him when he was staying in his house: "This pious one came to my guesthouse and did not budge from my study hall, he is occupied with Torah and mitzvot all day, blessed is G-d who merited me to enjoy the splendor of his honor and his Torah. From here he travelled to Alessandria, my birthplace… where my son R. Matitya is currently the rabbi and head of the community…".
R. Moshe Zacuto HaLevi was the son of R. Eliyahu HaLevi Rabbi of Alessandria. After his father's passing in 1792, he succeeded him as rabbi of Alessandria, a position he held for over 20 years, until he was elected in 1818 as rabbi of Casale Monferrato by the Jewish consistory established by Napoleon. When he moved to Casale, he bequeathed the rabbinate of Alessandria to his son – R. Matitya HaLevi, who served in the rabbinate until 1835, when he was tragically killed together with his wife and dozens more people, in a building which collapsed during a wedding.
[1] folded leaf. 25 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $1,500
Unsold
Four letters sent by the rabbis of Hebron, in 1853-1859, to R. David Avraham Chai Vivanti of Ancona, concerning raising charity funds for the community of Hebron, and the controversy surrounding R. Moshe Kimchi and his faction. The calligraphic signatures of the leading rabbis of Hebron at the time appear at the bottom of the letters.
· Letter from Hebron rabbis on various matters connected to the emissaries of the Hebron community and the charity funds from Italy, signed by R. Moshe Ferreira, R. Refael Yisrael Elyakim, R. Moshe son of R. David Kimchi, R. Chaim Nissim Meir Kushti, R. Chaim Yehuda Melamed and R. Yaakov Yosef Turjeman. [Hebron, 1853]. The bottom of the leaf contains a responsum on the topic of a woman who yielded to adultery and subsequently became pregnant, signed by R. Moshe Ferreira.
· Letter from Hebron rabbis concerning the charity funds of the Zera Yitzchak Gallico Yeshiva and additional matters, signed by R. Moshe Ferreira, R. Avraham Yitzchak Carigal (signature partially torn), R. Chaim Nissim Meir Kushti, R. Yaakov Yosef Turjeman, R. Yitzchak Aryeh and R. David Polychron Hasson. [Hebron], 1857.
· Letter from the Hebron rabbis during their exile in Jerusalem, following the dispute which erupted between them and the Hebron emissaries R. Moshe Kimchi and R. Yisrael Elyakim; signed by R. Avraham Yitzchak Shaul Carigal, R. Yaakov Yosef Turjeman, R. David Polychron Hasson, R. Yitzchak Chaim David Ezra, R. Nissim Capeluto and R. Rachamim Refael Turjeman. [Jerusalem, 1859]. The Hebron rabbis write how they are exiled and wandering in Jerusalem in the wake of the fierce dispute which erupted with R. Moshe Kimchi, who succeeded in exciting the people to support him, while all he wishes is to rule over the Jews and consume their money.
· Particularly lengthy letter, concerning the dispute and controversy in the Hebron community, signed by R. Avraham Yitzchak Shaul Carigal, R. Yosef Abboud, R. Nissim Capeluto, R. David son of R. Chaim Conforte, R. Rachamim Refael Turjeman, R. Yitzchak Chaim David Ezra, and another signee. [Hebron, 1859]. The Hebron rabbis, "insulted and wronged", write that following the dispute with R. Moshe Kimchi and his followers, they were removed from the list of beneficiaries of the distribution, and they fail to receive charity funds. The letter contains many details about the controversy.
To the best of our knowledge, these letters were never published, and contain many hitherto unknown details.
4 letters. 18-26 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Folding marks (the letters were folded for sending, two of them have an address on the verso). Tears in several places (caused by opening of letter), slightly affecting the text; a tear to one of the letters partially affecting one of the signatures.
· Letter from Hebron rabbis on various matters connected to the emissaries of the Hebron community and the charity funds from Italy, signed by R. Moshe Ferreira, R. Refael Yisrael Elyakim, R. Moshe son of R. David Kimchi, R. Chaim Nissim Meir Kushti, R. Chaim Yehuda Melamed and R. Yaakov Yosef Turjeman. [Hebron, 1853]. The bottom of the leaf contains a responsum on the topic of a woman who yielded to adultery and subsequently became pregnant, signed by R. Moshe Ferreira.
· Letter from Hebron rabbis concerning the charity funds of the Zera Yitzchak Gallico Yeshiva and additional matters, signed by R. Moshe Ferreira, R. Avraham Yitzchak Carigal (signature partially torn), R. Chaim Nissim Meir Kushti, R. Yaakov Yosef Turjeman, R. Yitzchak Aryeh and R. David Polychron Hasson. [Hebron], 1857.
· Letter from the Hebron rabbis during their exile in Jerusalem, following the dispute which erupted between them and the Hebron emissaries R. Moshe Kimchi and R. Yisrael Elyakim; signed by R. Avraham Yitzchak Shaul Carigal, R. Yaakov Yosef Turjeman, R. David Polychron Hasson, R. Yitzchak Chaim David Ezra, R. Nissim Capeluto and R. Rachamim Refael Turjeman. [Jerusalem, 1859]. The Hebron rabbis write how they are exiled and wandering in Jerusalem in the wake of the fierce dispute which erupted with R. Moshe Kimchi, who succeeded in exciting the people to support him, while all he wishes is to rule over the Jews and consume their money.
· Particularly lengthy letter, concerning the dispute and controversy in the Hebron community, signed by R. Avraham Yitzchak Shaul Carigal, R. Yosef Abboud, R. Nissim Capeluto, R. David son of R. Chaim Conforte, R. Rachamim Refael Turjeman, R. Yitzchak Chaim David Ezra, and another signee. [Hebron, 1859]. The Hebron rabbis, "insulted and wronged", write that following the dispute with R. Moshe Kimchi and his followers, they were removed from the list of beneficiaries of the distribution, and they fail to receive charity funds. The letter contains many details about the controversy.
To the best of our knowledge, these letters were never published, and contain many hitherto unknown details.
4 letters. 18-26 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Folding marks (the letters were folded for sending, two of them have an address on the verso). Tears in several places (caused by opening of letter), slightly affecting the text; a tear to one of the letters partially affecting one of the signatures.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $800
Unsold
Letter signed by the scholars and rabbis of Hebron – letter of thanks upon receipt of donations for the Zera Yitzchak Gallico Yeshiva. Hebron, [1864].
The letter also mentions the rabbi of Ancona – R. David Avraham Chai Vivanti, who regularly helped the Hebron community by raising funds for them in his community.
Signees: the rabbi of the town – R. Moshe Ferreira (signature and stamp), R. Moshe son of R. David Kimchi (signature and stamp), R. David Polychron Hasson (signature and stamp) and R. Nissim Cappellotto (signature).
[1] leaf. 13.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
The letter also mentions the rabbi of Ancona – R. David Avraham Chai Vivanti, who regularly helped the Hebron community by raising funds for them in his community.
Signees: the rabbi of the town – R. Moshe Ferreira (signature and stamp), R. Moshe son of R. David Kimchi (signature and stamp), R. David Polychron Hasson (signature and stamp) and R. Nissim Cappellotto (signature).
[1] leaf. 13.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $400
Unsold
Printed leaf, concerning a financial dispute between the people of Hebron. Vienna, 1863.
Polemic proclamation sent by the rabbis of Hebron to "all our Jewish brethren in the Diaspora" – the donors from Western Europe, containing the contentions and accusations of a financial dispute between two parties and emissaries of the Sephardi Kollel, surrounding the collection and distribution of funds sent from Western European towns. At the foot of the proclamation, they request that henceforth, funds intended for Hebron be sent to "Chevrat Kol Yisrael" (the Alliance) in Paris and to its director R. Avraham HaKohen. The signatures of 34 of Hebron's rabbis and activists are printed at the end of the proclamation. (The booklet Shever Poshim, Jerusalem 1862, was printed concerning this dispute, describing at length the details of the affair).
[1] leaf. 45 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Folding marks. Tear to the fold, not affecting text.
Polemic proclamation sent by the rabbis of Hebron to "all our Jewish brethren in the Diaspora" – the donors from Western Europe, containing the contentions and accusations of a financial dispute between two parties and emissaries of the Sephardi Kollel, surrounding the collection and distribution of funds sent from Western European towns. At the foot of the proclamation, they request that henceforth, funds intended for Hebron be sent to "Chevrat Kol Yisrael" (the Alliance) in Paris and to its director R. Avraham HaKohen. The signatures of 34 of Hebron's rabbis and activists are printed at the end of the proclamation. (The booklet Shever Poshim, Jerusalem 1862, was printed concerning this dispute, describing at length the details of the affair).
[1] leaf. 45 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Folding marks. Tear to the fold, not affecting text.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue