Manuscript, novellae on Tractate Shabbat, handwritten by R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky. Chapters written in preparation for publishing Kehillot Yaakov Part VII, printed in Jerusalem, 1951.
The Kehillot Yaakov series was first published in ten parts in 1936-1956 and consisted of chapters containing treatises on various topics. Part VII was primarily dedicated to topics relating to Tractate Shabbat. The author later organized his writings according to the order of the Talmud, and these chapters were reprinted in books on various tractates, with many changes. The Steipler would toil extensively over editing and correcting his books. He added to and enhanced his writings over and over again, editing the contents and wording, leaving not one sentence or topic unclear. These leaves are the author's original manuscript, with deletions and additions. The manuscript begins in the middle of chapter 24 and ends in the middle of chapter 31 of the book.
In chapter 27 (p. 115 of this manuscript), the author writes: "My dear son R. Chaim enlightened me a little on this commentary" (it must be noted that at the time this was written, R. Chaim Kanievsky was still an adolescent, yet his father held him in such high regard that he referred to him with titles of honor used for noted Torah scholars).
Pages 103-136 (17 leaves, 34 written pages). Fair-good condition. Marginal damage (repaired). Stains and wear. Elaborate leather binding.

Letter (approx. 21 lines), handwritten by and with the full signature of R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, to his son's father-in-law R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Bnei Brak, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 1951.
This letter was written during the engagement period of R. Chaim Kanievsky to Rebbetzin Batsheva, daughter of R. Yosef Shalom. The letter pertains to buying used furniture from a certain settlement near Gedera. The Steipler writes that his wife, the rebbetzin, intends to travel there to inspect the furniture, and thoughtfully inquires whether the Kallah (bride) would allow her mother-in-law to choose the furniture without her, or would prefer to select furniture herself: "…Please inform me whether Batsheva agrees that my wife purchase them if they seem suitable, or would she rather come to view them herself. We are concerned that she may have a specific design or style in mind. She should decide solely based on her wishes, and not just because we have agreed from our part, since our only desire is that the dear Kallah is completely satisfied. Please inform us of her opinion and wishes on the matter as soon as possible…".
Informative and interesting letter, which discloses the Steipler's great ability to pay attention to details and take into consideration the sentiments and wishes of the Kallah, so that she be completely content with the choice of furniture for her new home.
Official stationery. Approx. 24 cm. Good condition. Wear and creases.

Lengthy letter (six large pages) handwritten and signed by R. Moshe Feinstein. [New York], Av 1968.
Detailed responses to halachic queries on various topics, presented by his disciple R. Efraim Greenblatt (the Rivevot Efraim). R. Moshe begins and ends the letter with an inquiry on his wellbeing and extends his warm blessing for a complete recovery: "I am troubled by the state of his health, and G-d be blessed for the improvement, and we are praying to G-d to send you a complete and total recovery amongst all sick Jewish people, and hope that in merit of the Torah you will be healthy and well, which is a great necessity for Torah study and Mitzvot observance… and I, his friend and admirer am praying for his wellbeing, that He should send you a complete recovery amongst other sick Jewish people, and may you know no more illness and trouble – Moshe Feinstein".
At the foot of the letter, R. Moshe adds: "please inform me immediately of your good health, since I am very concerned, and even though I received a letter from your uncle R. N. Notte--- notifying me of the improvement in your condition, nevertheless I would like to hear from you personally – the aforementioned".
R. Moshe adds an interesting note which enlightens us on his method of recording responsa for his book Responsa Igrot Moshe, and on the difference between the book and the actual letters sent to the inquirers: "And behold, I wrote certain things concisely, and I elaborated on them in the copy I saved, since my friend understands my intent precisely, impart to the wise man and he will become yet wiser – the aforementioned". These responsa were published with variations in Responsa Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim III (New York, 1973), sections 68-70; 99-100.
R. Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), foremost Halachic authority in the United States, was the leader of Orthodox Jewry, chairman of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and dean of the Tiferet Yerushalayim yeshiva in New York. He authored: Responsa Igrot Moshe, Dibrot Moshe – Talmudic novellae and Darash Moshe - novellae on the Torah.
Official stationery. [3] leaves, filled with close writing on both sides. 28 cm. Good condition. Light wear and minor tears.

Lengthy letter (approx. 27 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Kanievsky, to his father-in-law R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and his family. Zichron Meir [Bnei Brak], Elul 1956.
"To my teacher and father-in-law, the illustrious Torah scholar and all the members of his household – as the new year approaches, may they be immediately inscribed and sealed for a good year and for life in the book of entirely righteous people, and may this year be a year of redemption and salvation for the entire Jewish people". The rest of the letter contains novellae relating to the topics of marriage contracts and the recitation accompanying the first fruits offering.
At the foot of the letter, R. Chaim adds a line informing his father-in-law of an Etrog he obtained for him for the impending festival of Sukkot: "I already purchased an Etrog and am waiting for an opportunity to send it".
R. Chaim Kanievsky, leading Torah authority in our times, was the first son-in-law of R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (1910-2012). This letter was written some five years after his marriage in Kislev 1951. (The attributes "illustrious and renowned Torah scholar" with which R. Chaim addresses his father-in-law, were already terms commonly accorded to R. Elyashiv, though he was only 46 years old at that time).
[1] leaf. 22.5 cm. Approx. 27 lines in his handwriting and with his signature. Good condition. Light creases and folding marks.
This letter was published in Yeshurun, 28, Nissan 2013, p. 350.

Sipurei Maasiot, parts I and II, "What we merited hearing from the mouth of our holy teacher, the hidden light Moharan (our master and teacher R. Nachman)". [Ostroh?], 1815/1816. First edition. Separate title page for part II (bibliographically unknown).
This is the first edition of Sipurei Maasiot by R. Nachman of Breslov (Bratslav), published by his foremost disciple Moharnat – R. Natan Sternhartz of Nemirov (Nemyriv), a few years after the passing of R. Nachman.
The tales were printed concurrently in two languages, in the upper part of the pages – in Hebrew, and in the lower part, in Yiddish, following the explicit directive of R. Nachman, as R. Natan related in his foreword to the book (R. Nachman originally narrated the tales in Yiddish, and R. Natan was the one who translated them into Hebrew).
R. Nachman himself ascribed great importance to the tales being printed in Yiddish, designating them a Segula for fertility, stating that it was easily possible that a barren woman who would read in it one tale would thereby merit to bear children (Chayei Moharan, 25).
According to Breslov Chassidic tradition, these stories told by R. Nachman of Breslov contain remarkable and profound Kabbalistic meanings, disguised as tales and parables, as stated in the title page, and as R. Natan asserts in his foreword. He writes further that most of the tales are completely original, conceived by R. Nachman, according to lofty insights he perceived with Divine Inspiration, which he disguised with a tale, also from lofty sources. R. Nachman himself extolled the profundity and holiness of his books, according immeasurable Kabbalistic meanings to each passage of the stories, and describing the tales as extremely remarkable and awe-inspiring novellae, containing exceedingly profound and hidden intent, and fitting to be read in public in the synagogue (foreword of R. Natan). These stories are sacred to Breslov followers and sections are read in the synagogue following the Shabbat morning prayers. Already in this first edition, allusions and secrets revealed by R. Nachman were added in several places, and throughout the generations, the stories were interpreted in multiple, varying ways according to Kabbalah, resulting in extensive literature by leading Breslov followers surrounding these tales. R. Natan considered it a great merit to have been the one to publish this book, asserting that to be eulogized as the one who published Sipurei Maasiot, would be a great praise for him (Siach Sarfei Kodesh, 3, 155).
R. Nachman's Sipurei Maasiot publicized him amongst non Torah-observant crowds, and aroused extensive interest amongst researchers and scholars throughout the world. Sipurei Maasiot was published in dozens of editions, including Breslov and Torah editions, as well as adaptations and translations in various languages.
Bibliographically unknown title page: this copy does not contain the eight leaves with "Omissions from the first Likutei Moharan" and "Errata from the first Likutei Moharan", and instead contains an additional title page, defining the additions at the end of the book as part II. This title page in not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book nor in various bibliography works (it is listed in Stefansky Chassidut based on this copy). The text of the title page is almost identical to that of the first title page, apart from the words "Part II" printed beside the title "Sipurei Maasiot". Following this leaf are 12 leaves of Sipurei Maasiot (consisting of a biography of R. Nachman of Breslov. This part was later printed separately under the name Shivchei HaRan), and 16 leaves entitled Likutei Moharan (later published separately under the name "Sichot HaRan").
Handwritten correction, presumably by R. Natan of Breslov: A handwritten note appears on p. 114b, containing a correction of a printing error. In the section of ten Psalms of Tikun HaKlali, one of the Psalms was printed as 133 instead of 137. The correction renders it 137. The note is written in a handwriting very similar to that of R. Natan of Breslov, and is probably his handwriting (see Sichot HaRan, entry 141, which mentions this mistake: "…only in the first edition of Sipurei Maasiot was the Psalm 137 erroneously recorded by printing error…).
Signatures in Oriental script (on the title page and leaf 3): "Yaakov Bukaie" (calligraphic signature) (R. Yaakov Bukaie, Rabbi and posek in Beirut, d. 1900, see: LiKedoshim Asher BaAretz, section 28). Signatures of "Shmuel Mursiya" (R. Shmuel Mursiya, a rabbi of Allepo, see: LiKedoshim Asher BaAretz, section 284), and of his son "the young David Mursiya".
114; 12; 16 leaves. Leaf 8 of the first pagination was bound out of sequence (between leaves 6-7). Without the 8 leaves at the end of "Omissions from the first Likutei Moharan" and "Errata of the first Likutei Moharan". Fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains. Tears, damage and worming to many leaves, affecting text in several places, mostly professionally restored with paper. Tear to lower margin of title page, affecting text of the foreword on the verso of the leaf, repaired and replaced in photocopy. New, elaborate leather binding.
Extremely scarce!
G. Scholem, Eleh Shemot, p. 28, no. 99 (describes this edition as extremely scarce). The place of printing listed here is according to Scholem, ibid., while A. Rosenthal asserts that the book was printed in Mohilev (Mogilev), see: Where was Sipurei Maasiot by R. N. of Breslov first printed?, Kiryat Sefer, 45 (1970), p. 155.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 437.
According to a testimony of the publisher, R. Natan of Breslov, this book was printed in 1816 (Yemei Moharnat, p. 45b), and not in 1815 – as printed on the two title pages of this book.