Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
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Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Responsa of the Maharik, by R. Yosef Colon. Warsaw, 1884.
The front endpaper contains ownership inscriptions indicating that the book belonged to R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, the Chafetz Chaim: "This book belongs to the preeminent scholar R. Yisrael Meir son of R. Aryeh Zev HaKohen of Radin, Vilna province, author of Chafetz Chaim"; "This book belongs to R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, who acquired it from a person who wishes to remain unnamed. So says his friend who seeks his wellbeing Yitzchak Koshoner".
This book came from the inheritance of R. Tzvi Yehuda Eidelstein, son of R. Yerachmiel Gershon Eidelstein Rabbi of Shumyachi and author of Chiddushei Ben Aryeh (1862-1919), who received it from the Chafetz Chaim himself. This transpired during WWI, when the Chafetz Chaim fled together with the Radin Yeshiva to Shumyachi, Minsk province, where they remained for some two and a half years. During that period, the rabbi of the town, R. Yerachmiel Gershon, became very close to the Chafetz Chaim. In his book Chiddushei Ben Aryeh Part II, several responsa appear concerning Mikvaot and Agunah, questions posed to the Chafetz Chaim who requested from R. Yerachmiel Gershon to respond to them with the applicable Halacha (the Chafetz Chaim also reputedly said about him that he was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk not only in Torah but also in his righteousness).
[1], 2-116, [1] leaves. 32.5 cm. Dry paper. Fair-good condition. Worming. Wear and mold stains. Endpaper containing ownership inscriptions is professionally restored. Elaborate leather binding.
An authentication letter by R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss is enclosed, confirming that "this book comes from the library of R. Yaakov Eidelstein, son of R. Tzvi Yehuda Rabbi of Shumyachi in whose home the Chafetz Chaim stayed during WWI, leaving the book there when the war ended".
The front endpaper contains ownership inscriptions indicating that the book belonged to R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, the Chafetz Chaim: "This book belongs to the preeminent scholar R. Yisrael Meir son of R. Aryeh Zev HaKohen of Radin, Vilna province, author of Chafetz Chaim"; "This book belongs to R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, who acquired it from a person who wishes to remain unnamed. So says his friend who seeks his wellbeing Yitzchak Koshoner".
This book came from the inheritance of R. Tzvi Yehuda Eidelstein, son of R. Yerachmiel Gershon Eidelstein Rabbi of Shumyachi and author of Chiddushei Ben Aryeh (1862-1919), who received it from the Chafetz Chaim himself. This transpired during WWI, when the Chafetz Chaim fled together with the Radin Yeshiva to Shumyachi, Minsk province, where they remained for some two and a half years. During that period, the rabbi of the town, R. Yerachmiel Gershon, became very close to the Chafetz Chaim. In his book Chiddushei Ben Aryeh Part II, several responsa appear concerning Mikvaot and Agunah, questions posed to the Chafetz Chaim who requested from R. Yerachmiel Gershon to respond to them with the applicable Halacha (the Chafetz Chaim also reputedly said about him that he was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk not only in Torah but also in his righteousness).
[1], 2-116, [1] leaves. 32.5 cm. Dry paper. Fair-good condition. Worming. Wear and mold stains. Endpaper containing ownership inscriptions is professionally restored. Elaborate leather binding.
An authentication letter by R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss is enclosed, confirming that "this book comes from the library of R. Yaakov Eidelstein, son of R. Tzvi Yehuda Rabbi of Shumyachi in whose home the Chafetz Chaim stayed during WWI, leaving the book there when the war ended".
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $11,875
Including buyer's premium
Letter with the signature and stamp of R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik. Minsk, Shevat 15, 1916. Written by a scribe with the handwritten signature of R. "Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik" (the letter was presumably written by his son R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik and signed by R. Chaim).
Rabbinical ordination, accorded to Rebbe Menachem Nachum Rabinowitz, son of Rebbe Pinchas of Kontikoziva (Prybuzhany) and son-in-law of Rebbe Yosef of Koidanov (Dzyarzhynsk). R. Chaim alludes to the Rebbe's faculty to give blessings: "Those who acknowledge him will be blessed and fortunate through him, as it says that blessing is adjoined to a Torah scholar".
"R. Menachem Nachum son of R. Pinchas Rabinowitz was by me, he is great in Torah and fear of G-d, sharp and erudite, I discussed Torah with him and found him presenting straight rational in his Torah debates, he responds correctly and in accordance with Halacha… He is exceptional in every way… a son-in-law of the great Torah scholar from Koidanov… therefore my words come to inform others of his virtues. Those who acknowledge him will be blessed and fortunate through him, as it says that blessing is adjoined to a Torah scholar – so says Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik".
R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik (1853-1918), Rabbi of Brisk (Brest), was a foremost Torah scholar in Lithuania and one of the leaders of his generation, and is considered the initiator of the learning method in Lithuanian yeshivot. He was the son of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beit HaLevi, and son-in-law of R. Refael Shapiro, dean of the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of the Netziv. After his marriage, he began serving as the third dean of the Volozhin yeshiva. With the yeshiva's closure, he proceeded to succeed his father, who passed away in 1894, as rabbi of Brisk, and continued teaching Torah to a small group of elite students. He was known for the uncompromising battle he waged against Zionism (R. Chaim would frequently say that the Zionist movement's prime objective is to uproot faith and Torah observance from the Jewish people). He was one of the founders of Agudath Yisrael, yet despite his extensive public and charitable activity, his mind never ceased learning and innovating in Torah, delving deeply into Torah topics until absolute exhaustion. A small compendium of his novellae was printed some twenty years after his passing in Chiddushei Rabbeinu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, published by his son R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk (Brisk, 1936 – in the foreword by the author's sons, they write how the book was written over a period of many years, revised over and over again, "even a hundred times"). Many novellae circulated orally in his name within the Lithuanian yeshivot, transmitted and copied by many writers, resulting in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGrach (in recent years, several books were published based on R. Chaim's draft notebooks, with some of the novellae corresponding to those transmitted orally).
The recipient of the ordination: The Rebbe of Koidanov-Haifa – R. Menachem Nachum Rabinowitz (1887-1959) was the son of Rebbe Pinchas Rabinowitz of Kantikuziva-Linitz (1861-1926) and son-in-law of Rebbe Yosef Perlow of Koidanov (d. Chanukah 1915 – a month and a half before this letter was written). He served as rabbi and rebbe in Russia. In 1934, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and became the head of the Beit Din in Haifa. He authored the book Machshevet Nachum.
In Machshevet Nachum (Jerusalem, 2004, p. 239), his son describes the circumstances surrounding this letter of ordination from R. Chaim: "I heard from my father that when he came [to Minsk] to receive rabbinical ordination from R. Chaim of Brisk, he met the latter in his house when he was surrounded by several rabbis and young rabbinical students, and after R. Chaim welcomed him with great reverence and affection, he told him of the purpose of his visit – to obtain an ordination. R. Chaim asked if he had yet been accorded any ordinations, and when he answered to the affirmative, R. Chaim requested to see them. My father showed him one ordination, and R. Chaim, after perusing it, commented: Kalt! [=cold]. My father responded that it isn't so surprising, considering the rabbi who wrote it is an opponent of Chassidism. R. Chaim retorted, 'And what am I?!', to which R. Nachum replied, 'His honor is half a Chassid'…" (see the continuation of the story in the enclosed copy). The preface of Machshevet Nachum (p. [5]) attests that this enthusiastic letter was worded and written by R. Chaim's son, R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains.
Rabbinical ordination, accorded to Rebbe Menachem Nachum Rabinowitz, son of Rebbe Pinchas of Kontikoziva (Prybuzhany) and son-in-law of Rebbe Yosef of Koidanov (Dzyarzhynsk). R. Chaim alludes to the Rebbe's faculty to give blessings: "Those who acknowledge him will be blessed and fortunate through him, as it says that blessing is adjoined to a Torah scholar".
"R. Menachem Nachum son of R. Pinchas Rabinowitz was by me, he is great in Torah and fear of G-d, sharp and erudite, I discussed Torah with him and found him presenting straight rational in his Torah debates, he responds correctly and in accordance with Halacha… He is exceptional in every way… a son-in-law of the great Torah scholar from Koidanov… therefore my words come to inform others of his virtues. Those who acknowledge him will be blessed and fortunate through him, as it says that blessing is adjoined to a Torah scholar – so says Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik".
R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik (1853-1918), Rabbi of Brisk (Brest), was a foremost Torah scholar in Lithuania and one of the leaders of his generation, and is considered the initiator of the learning method in Lithuanian yeshivot. He was the son of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the Beit HaLevi, and son-in-law of R. Refael Shapiro, dean of the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of the Netziv. After his marriage, he began serving as the third dean of the Volozhin yeshiva. With the yeshiva's closure, he proceeded to succeed his father, who passed away in 1894, as rabbi of Brisk, and continued teaching Torah to a small group of elite students. He was known for the uncompromising battle he waged against Zionism (R. Chaim would frequently say that the Zionist movement's prime objective is to uproot faith and Torah observance from the Jewish people). He was one of the founders of Agudath Yisrael, yet despite his extensive public and charitable activity, his mind never ceased learning and innovating in Torah, delving deeply into Torah topics until absolute exhaustion. A small compendium of his novellae was printed some twenty years after his passing in Chiddushei Rabbeinu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, published by his son R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk (Brisk, 1936 – in the foreword by the author's sons, they write how the book was written over a period of many years, revised over and over again, "even a hundred times"). Many novellae circulated orally in his name within the Lithuanian yeshivot, transmitted and copied by many writers, resulting in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGrach (in recent years, several books were published based on R. Chaim's draft notebooks, with some of the novellae corresponding to those transmitted orally).
The recipient of the ordination: The Rebbe of Koidanov-Haifa – R. Menachem Nachum Rabinowitz (1887-1959) was the son of Rebbe Pinchas Rabinowitz of Kantikuziva-Linitz (1861-1926) and son-in-law of Rebbe Yosef Perlow of Koidanov (d. Chanukah 1915 – a month and a half before this letter was written). He served as rabbi and rebbe in Russia. In 1934, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and became the head of the Beit Din in Haifa. He authored the book Machshevet Nachum.
In Machshevet Nachum (Jerusalem, 2004, p. 239), his son describes the circumstances surrounding this letter of ordination from R. Chaim: "I heard from my father that when he came [to Minsk] to receive rabbinical ordination from R. Chaim of Brisk, he met the latter in his house when he was surrounded by several rabbis and young rabbinical students, and after R. Chaim welcomed him with great reverence and affection, he told him of the purpose of his visit – to obtain an ordination. R. Chaim asked if he had yet been accorded any ordinations, and when he answered to the affirmative, R. Chaim requested to see them. My father showed him one ordination, and R. Chaim, after perusing it, commented: Kalt! [=cold]. My father responded that it isn't so surprising, considering the rabbi who wrote it is an opponent of Chassidism. R. Chaim retorted, 'And what am I?!', to which R. Nachum replied, 'His honor is half a Chassid'…" (see the continuation of the story in the enclosed copy). The preface of Machshevet Nachum (p. [5]) attests that this enthusiastic letter was worded and written by R. Chaim's son, R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik Rabbi of Brisk.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Letter (16 lines) handwritten and signed by the kabbalist R. Shlomo Elyashov, author of Leshem Shevo V'Achlama. Shavel (Šiauliai, Lithuania), Elul 1891.
Sent via Kovno (Kaunas), to be passed on to his friend and relative R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz of Žagarė. The letter opens with warm wishes for the new year: "He Who gives life should decree years of life and Ketiva VeChatima Tova for my friend and relative… the outstanding and pious R. Shraga Meir Feivish Leizerowitz". R. Shlomo Elyashov advises R. Shraga Meir to act upon the advice of R. Leib Chassid of Kelm on a certain matter, and be cautious lest R. Natan Tzvi of Slabodka know about it: "Concerning what the Chassid R. Leib told him, his advice is very correct. But take care not to inform Natan Tzvi of Slabo--- about it…" (we do not know which topic is being discussed, nor whether the Natan Tzvi mentioned refers to R. Natan Tzvi Finkel, the Saba of Slabodka. It may pertain to R. Shraga Meir's plans of travelling to London).
The holy Torah scholar, R. Shlomo Elyashov (1841-1926), a leading Kabbalist in Lithuania – "the G-dly Kabbalist, master of secrets, unique in his generation…" (as his disciple R. Aryeh Levin described him on the title page of the biography he wrote about him), lived in Shavel (Šiauliai, Lithuania). R. Shlomo became renowned at a young age for his proficiency in Kabbalah, and he arranged for printing most of the writings of the Gaon of Vilna on Kabbalah. His notes on Etz Chaim were printed in the Warsaw 1891 edition under the title Hagahot HaRav SheVaCh (Shlomo ben Chaikel). His series of books on Kabbalah named Leshem Shevo V'Achlama were published from 1909-1948, and are considered fundamental works for the study of Kabbalah. His books and writings were composed amidst much holiness and purity (he reputedly also used Hashbaat HaKulmus). He entertained a close relationship with the Chafetz Chaim, who visited him several times in Shavel and Homel (the Chafetz Chaim once spent a Shabbat with him in Shavel, and on that occasion, the women of the family ate the meals in a different room. See the letter of R. Tzvi Hirsh Ferber, Yeshurun, 5, p. 663, 6). The Chafetz Chaim urged his disciple R. Eliyahu Dushnitzer to go visit the Leshem, famously saying that in this world one may still merit to see him, while in the Next World, his place will be in the highest spheres, and we will be far from him.
The recipient of the letter, R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz (1840-1929), was a native of Kelm. He was a pious person and a Kabbalist, close to R. Leibly Chassid of Kelm, to the foremost Kabbalists of Lithuania (the Leshem, R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin of Kretinga, R. Aharon Shlomo Maharil, R. Yitzchak Meltzan and others) and to the leading disciples of R. Yisrael of Salant. After his marriage, he lived in Žagarė, and honored R. Chaim Chaikel Elyashov (father of the Leshem) to be the Sandak at the circumcision of his son. R. Shraga Meir arrived in England in the early 1890s, where he served for many years a rabbi of Chevrat Shas. In his later years he immigrated to Jerusalem.
Postcard. 14 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Postmarks from Šiauliai.
Sent via Kovno (Kaunas), to be passed on to his friend and relative R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz of Žagarė. The letter opens with warm wishes for the new year: "He Who gives life should decree years of life and Ketiva VeChatima Tova for my friend and relative… the outstanding and pious R. Shraga Meir Feivish Leizerowitz". R. Shlomo Elyashov advises R. Shraga Meir to act upon the advice of R. Leib Chassid of Kelm on a certain matter, and be cautious lest R. Natan Tzvi of Slabodka know about it: "Concerning what the Chassid R. Leib told him, his advice is very correct. But take care not to inform Natan Tzvi of Slabo--- about it…" (we do not know which topic is being discussed, nor whether the Natan Tzvi mentioned refers to R. Natan Tzvi Finkel, the Saba of Slabodka. It may pertain to R. Shraga Meir's plans of travelling to London).
The holy Torah scholar, R. Shlomo Elyashov (1841-1926), a leading Kabbalist in Lithuania – "the G-dly Kabbalist, master of secrets, unique in his generation…" (as his disciple R. Aryeh Levin described him on the title page of the biography he wrote about him), lived in Shavel (Šiauliai, Lithuania). R. Shlomo became renowned at a young age for his proficiency in Kabbalah, and he arranged for printing most of the writings of the Gaon of Vilna on Kabbalah. His notes on Etz Chaim were printed in the Warsaw 1891 edition under the title Hagahot HaRav SheVaCh (Shlomo ben Chaikel). His series of books on Kabbalah named Leshem Shevo V'Achlama were published from 1909-1948, and are considered fundamental works for the study of Kabbalah. His books and writings were composed amidst much holiness and purity (he reputedly also used Hashbaat HaKulmus). He entertained a close relationship with the Chafetz Chaim, who visited him several times in Shavel and Homel (the Chafetz Chaim once spent a Shabbat with him in Shavel, and on that occasion, the women of the family ate the meals in a different room. See the letter of R. Tzvi Hirsh Ferber, Yeshurun, 5, p. 663, 6). The Chafetz Chaim urged his disciple R. Eliyahu Dushnitzer to go visit the Leshem, famously saying that in this world one may still merit to see him, while in the Next World, his place will be in the highest spheres, and we will be far from him.
The recipient of the letter, R. Shraga Meir Leizerowitz (1840-1929), was a native of Kelm. He was a pious person and a Kabbalist, close to R. Leibly Chassid of Kelm, to the foremost Kabbalists of Lithuania (the Leshem, R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin of Kretinga, R. Aharon Shlomo Maharil, R. Yitzchak Meltzan and others) and to the leading disciples of R. Yisrael of Salant. After his marriage, he lived in Žagarė, and honored R. Chaim Chaikel Elyashov (father of the Leshem) to be the Sandak at the circumcision of his son. R. Shraga Meir arrived in England in the early 1890s, where he served for many years a rabbi of Chevrat Shas. In his later years he immigrated to Jerusalem.
Postcard. 14 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Postmarks from Šiauliai.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
Unsold
Soviet passport of the holy kabbalist R. Shlomo Elyashov, the Leshem. Gomel (Homel), 1923.
Russian passport, printed in Russian and French, of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. This passport discloses details pertaining to the immigration to Eretz Israel of the Leshem at the age of 82, together with his son-in-law, daughter and grandson: R. Avraham Popka-Elyashov, Mrs. Chaya Musha (Musia), and the child Yosef Shalom.
The passport was issued in Gomel (Homel) in November 1923, citing Eretz Israel as the destination of their journey. The identification details were completed by hand: Age: 82. Year of Birth: 1841. Place of Birth: Kaunas province. The leaves of the passport bear stamps, attesting to their journey from Homel, via Moscow, Odessa and Turkey: 1. Stamp of the Soviet Republic, from Gomel, November 1, 1923 – allowing exit from the Soviet Union to Eretz Israel, via Odessa. Russian. 2. Visa entry stamp to Eretz Israel from Moscow, November 14, 1923. English. 3. Stamp from Odessa, February 15, 1924. 4. Stamp from Turkey dated February 29, 1924 with details in Turkish and stamp of the Russian embassy in Turkey. 5. Stamp of the Government of Palestine dated March 7, 1924 (according to their immigration certificate issued by the Palestine Office of the Jewish Agency in Constantinople – see Kedem Auction 62 Item 280 – the date they registered in Constantinople for immigration was March 2, 1924, and they actually left Constantinople on a ship headed for Jaffa on March 6, 1924). The photograph was torn off this passport.
The holy Kabbalist R. Shlomo Elyashiv (Elyashov, Elyashoff), author of the Leshem (1841-1926) was a leading Lithuanian Kabbalist. His notes on Etz Chaim were printed in the Warsaw 1891 edition under the title Hagahot HaRav SheVaCh (Shlomo ben Chaim Chaikel), appellation the Sephardi rabbis were fond of calling him by. His series of books on Kabbalah named Leshem Shevo V'Achlama were published in 1909-1948, and are considered fundamental works on the study of Kabbalah. He was received in Jerusalem with great honor by the leading Sephardi and Ashkenazi Kabbalists, especially R. Shaul Dweck, dean of the Rechovot HaNahar yeshiva who had exchanged correspondence with him all the years, and the Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, his disciple in Kabbalah already during the time the Leshem lived in Šiauliai. His was joined in his immigration to Eretz Israel by his son-in-law from Homel - R. Avraham Elyashov (Elyashiv; 1878-1943), his daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Musha (Musia, 1881-1952) and their only son R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (1910-2012), then a young boy of thirteen and a half, who later became one of the leading Halachic authorities of this generation.
Booklet, 17.5 cm. 8 leaves. Good-fair condition. Lacking photograph. Open tear in place of photograph at the center of leaf [3]. Original, fabric covered wrappers, detached and slightly worn.
Russian passport, printed in Russian and French, of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. This passport discloses details pertaining to the immigration to Eretz Israel of the Leshem at the age of 82, together with his son-in-law, daughter and grandson: R. Avraham Popka-Elyashov, Mrs. Chaya Musha (Musia), and the child Yosef Shalom.
The passport was issued in Gomel (Homel) in November 1923, citing Eretz Israel as the destination of their journey. The identification details were completed by hand: Age: 82. Year of Birth: 1841. Place of Birth: Kaunas province. The leaves of the passport bear stamps, attesting to their journey from Homel, via Moscow, Odessa and Turkey: 1. Stamp of the Soviet Republic, from Gomel, November 1, 1923 – allowing exit from the Soviet Union to Eretz Israel, via Odessa. Russian. 2. Visa entry stamp to Eretz Israel from Moscow, November 14, 1923. English. 3. Stamp from Odessa, February 15, 1924. 4. Stamp from Turkey dated February 29, 1924 with details in Turkish and stamp of the Russian embassy in Turkey. 5. Stamp of the Government of Palestine dated March 7, 1924 (according to their immigration certificate issued by the Palestine Office of the Jewish Agency in Constantinople – see Kedem Auction 62 Item 280 – the date they registered in Constantinople for immigration was March 2, 1924, and they actually left Constantinople on a ship headed for Jaffa on March 6, 1924). The photograph was torn off this passport.
The holy Kabbalist R. Shlomo Elyashiv (Elyashov, Elyashoff), author of the Leshem (1841-1926) was a leading Lithuanian Kabbalist. His notes on Etz Chaim were printed in the Warsaw 1891 edition under the title Hagahot HaRav SheVaCh (Shlomo ben Chaim Chaikel), appellation the Sephardi rabbis were fond of calling him by. His series of books on Kabbalah named Leshem Shevo V'Achlama were published in 1909-1948, and are considered fundamental works on the study of Kabbalah. He was received in Jerusalem with great honor by the leading Sephardi and Ashkenazi Kabbalists, especially R. Shaul Dweck, dean of the Rechovot HaNahar yeshiva who had exchanged correspondence with him all the years, and the Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, his disciple in Kabbalah already during the time the Leshem lived in Šiauliai. His was joined in his immigration to Eretz Israel by his son-in-law from Homel - R. Avraham Elyashov (Elyashiv; 1878-1943), his daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Musha (Musia, 1881-1952) and their only son R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (1910-2012), then a young boy of thirteen and a half, who later became one of the leading Halachic authorities of this generation.
Booklet, 17.5 cm. 8 leaves. Good-fair condition. Lacking photograph. Open tear in place of photograph at the center of leaf [3]. Original, fabric covered wrappers, detached and slightly worn.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
![Maharach Or Zarua Responsa, by R. Chain son of Rabbeinu Yitzchak of Vienna, author of Or Zarua. Leipzig, [1860]. First editio](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale63-public/46_1.jpg "Maharach Or Zarua Responsa – Private Copy of the Saba of Slabodka")
![Maharach Or Zarua Responsa, by R. Chain son of Rabbeinu Yitzchak of Vienna, author of Or Zarua. Leipzig, [1860]. First editio](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale63-public/46_2.jpg "Maharach Or Zarua Responsa – Private Copy of the Saba of Slabodka")
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Unsold
Maharach Or Zarua Responsa, by R. Chain son of Rabbeinu Yitzchak of Vienna, author of Or Zarua. Leipzig, [1860]. First edition, copied from a manuscript "which was hidden for close to 600 years".
Copy of R. Natan Zvi Finkel "the Saba of Slabodka" and of his son R. Moshe Finkel. Handwritten inscription on the flyleaf: "Gift to my brother-in-law… R. Natan Zvi Finkel". Ownership stamps of his son R. "Moshe Finkel – Rosh Metivta of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva – Slobodka, Kovne". Signature on title page: "Zvi Meir HaCohen".
R. Natan Zvi Finkel – the "Saba of Slabodka" (1849-1927), leading figure in the Mussar Movement. Disciple of R. Yisrael of Salant and one of the founders of Kollel Perushim in Kovne. Founded many yeshivot, including the Slabodka Yeshiva, later named Knesset Yisrael after his teacher R. Yisrael of Salant. In his senior years, he moved to Eretz Israel and established a branch in the city of Hebron. Taught thousands of disciples, many of whom blossomed into Torah giants, and was known for his profound ethical influence. An anthology of his deep discourses was printed in the Or HaTzafun series. He conducted himself with simplicity and asceticism and modesty, never appearing in public, his name and signature do not appear on any official document of the Slobodka Yeshiva or Torah institutes which he managed. His private correspondence was infrequent and he would usually sign the few letters he wrote with his initials and not with his full signature. His home was open wide and his disciples would move about as comfortably as its owners. His personal belongings were few and books belonging to his private library are very rare.
R. Moshe Finkel, one of the heads of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva in Slabodka and in Hebron (1884-1925), esteemed son of the "Saba of Slabodka", R. Natan Zvi Finkel and son-in-law of the head of the yeshiva R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, Torah prodigy who amazed both R. Chaim of Brisk and R. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk with his Torah knowledge and profound comprehension foreseeing that he would be a future Torah luminary. In 1913, he began delivering discourses in the Slabodka Yeshiva. In the month of Adar 1925, he moved to Eretz Israel and officiated as a head of the Knesset Yisrael – Slobodka Yeshiva in Hebron. He died on Chol Hamoed Sukkot 1926 at the age of 42 and in the lifetime of his illustrious father [stories abound of the Saba's control of his sentiments and his coping with his personal tragedy during the Festival].
XIV, 91 leaves, [1] leaf. Lacking the last three leaves of the index of responsa and errata. 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains and heavy wear. Defects and dampstains. Paper strips reinforcing the margins of some leaves. Detached leaves, torn and detached binding.
Copy of R. Natan Zvi Finkel "the Saba of Slabodka" and of his son R. Moshe Finkel. Handwritten inscription on the flyleaf: "Gift to my brother-in-law… R. Natan Zvi Finkel". Ownership stamps of his son R. "Moshe Finkel – Rosh Metivta of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva – Slobodka, Kovne". Signature on title page: "Zvi Meir HaCohen".
R. Natan Zvi Finkel – the "Saba of Slabodka" (1849-1927), leading figure in the Mussar Movement. Disciple of R. Yisrael of Salant and one of the founders of Kollel Perushim in Kovne. Founded many yeshivot, including the Slabodka Yeshiva, later named Knesset Yisrael after his teacher R. Yisrael of Salant. In his senior years, he moved to Eretz Israel and established a branch in the city of Hebron. Taught thousands of disciples, many of whom blossomed into Torah giants, and was known for his profound ethical influence. An anthology of his deep discourses was printed in the Or HaTzafun series. He conducted himself with simplicity and asceticism and modesty, never appearing in public, his name and signature do not appear on any official document of the Slobodka Yeshiva or Torah institutes which he managed. His private correspondence was infrequent and he would usually sign the few letters he wrote with his initials and not with his full signature. His home was open wide and his disciples would move about as comfortably as its owners. His personal belongings were few and books belonging to his private library are very rare.
R. Moshe Finkel, one of the heads of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva in Slabodka and in Hebron (1884-1925), esteemed son of the "Saba of Slabodka", R. Natan Zvi Finkel and son-in-law of the head of the yeshiva R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, Torah prodigy who amazed both R. Chaim of Brisk and R. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk with his Torah knowledge and profound comprehension foreseeing that he would be a future Torah luminary. In 1913, he began delivering discourses in the Slabodka Yeshiva. In the month of Adar 1925, he moved to Eretz Israel and officiated as a head of the Knesset Yisrael – Slobodka Yeshiva in Hebron. He died on Chol Hamoed Sukkot 1926 at the age of 42 and in the lifetime of his illustrious father [stories abound of the Saba's control of his sentiments and his coping with his personal tragedy during the Festival].
XIV, 91 leaves, [1] leaf. Lacking the last three leaves of the index of responsa and errata. 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains and heavy wear. Defects and dampstains. Paper strips reinforcing the margins of some leaves. Detached leaves, torn and detached binding.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
Six parts of the Mishnah Berurah, commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, by R. Yisrael Meir HaCohen of Radin, author of Chafetz Chaim. [Warsaw, Piotrków, 1884-1907. Vol. 1, 3, 4 and 5 are first editions. Vol. 2 and 6 are stereotype editions].
Some volumes bear "proofread" inscriptions in the handwriting of the author of the Chafetz Chaim. The volume which contains the laws of Shabbat bears an ownership inscription on the flyleaf: "Belongs to R. Baruch Duber Leibowitz Rosh Metivta in the great Knesset Beit Yitzchak Yeshiva". Signatures and ownership inscriptions of R. Moshe Finkel, a head of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva in Slobodka and Hebron, adorn the five other volumes. A handwritten gloss appears in part 3, p. 42.
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1940), author of Birkat Shmuel, taught many disciples. Disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin Yeshiva, son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman Rabbi of Hlusk. After his father-in-law relocated to the Kremenchuk rabbinate, he succeeded him in the Hlusk rabbinate and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak Yeshiva in Slobodka. During WWI, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, finally settling in Kamenets. Author of Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic treatises. His writings are basic works of deep yeshiva Torah study.
R. Moshe Finkel, (1884-1925), son of the "Saba of Slabodka", R. Natan Zvi Finkel and son-in-law of the head of the yeshiva R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, Torah prodigy who amazed both R. Chaim of Brisk and R. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk with his Torah knowledge and profound comprehension and they foresaw that he would be a future Torah luminary. In 1913, he began delivering discourses in the Slabodka Yeshiva. In the month of Adar 1925, he moved to Eretz Israel and officiated as a head of the Knesset Yisrael – Slobodka Yeshiva in Hebron. He died on Chol Hamoed Sukkot 1926 at the age of 42, in the lifetime of his illustrious father.
Six volumes. Part 1: 151, [1] leaves. Part 2: 155 leaves. Part 3: [1], 2-195 leaves (lacking first leaf with the introduction to the Hilchot Shabbat). Part 4: [1], 196-290 leaves. Part 5: 153, [1] leaves. Part 6: 164 leaves. 23 cm. Brittle paper. Condition varies, fair to good-fair. The inside of some volumes is in good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming. Detached leaves and few tears. Contemporary bindings, mostly detached. Defects and worming to binding.
The Mishnah Berurah books on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim were composed and printed by the author of the Chafetz Chaim during the course of 27 years. He toiled greatly in studying the halachot and labored to reach true halachic conclusions (sometimes studying the same topic more than 36 times). These books were accepted by the entire Jewish world and many editions were printed. The Chafetz Chaim was accustomed to inspecting each and every book for defective printing or exchanged leaves and would write in his own handwriting "proofread" on each book which passed his inspection.
Some volumes bear "proofread" inscriptions in the handwriting of the author of the Chafetz Chaim. The volume which contains the laws of Shabbat bears an ownership inscription on the flyleaf: "Belongs to R. Baruch Duber Leibowitz Rosh Metivta in the great Knesset Beit Yitzchak Yeshiva". Signatures and ownership inscriptions of R. Moshe Finkel, a head of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva in Slobodka and Hebron, adorn the five other volumes. A handwritten gloss appears in part 3, p. 42.
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1940), author of Birkat Shmuel, taught many disciples. Disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin Yeshiva, son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman Rabbi of Hlusk. After his father-in-law relocated to the Kremenchuk rabbinate, he succeeded him in the Hlusk rabbinate and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak Yeshiva in Slobodka. During WWI, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, finally settling in Kamenets. Author of Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic treatises. His writings are basic works of deep yeshiva Torah study.
R. Moshe Finkel, (1884-1925), son of the "Saba of Slabodka", R. Natan Zvi Finkel and son-in-law of the head of the yeshiva R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, Torah prodigy who amazed both R. Chaim of Brisk and R. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk with his Torah knowledge and profound comprehension and they foresaw that he would be a future Torah luminary. In 1913, he began delivering discourses in the Slabodka Yeshiva. In the month of Adar 1925, he moved to Eretz Israel and officiated as a head of the Knesset Yisrael – Slobodka Yeshiva in Hebron. He died on Chol Hamoed Sukkot 1926 at the age of 42, in the lifetime of his illustrious father.
Six volumes. Part 1: 151, [1] leaves. Part 2: 155 leaves. Part 3: [1], 2-195 leaves (lacking first leaf with the introduction to the Hilchot Shabbat). Part 4: [1], 196-290 leaves. Part 5: 153, [1] leaves. Part 6: 164 leaves. 23 cm. Brittle paper. Condition varies, fair to good-fair. The inside of some volumes is in good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming. Detached leaves and few tears. Contemporary bindings, mostly detached. Defects and worming to binding.
The Mishnah Berurah books on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim were composed and printed by the author of the Chafetz Chaim during the course of 27 years. He toiled greatly in studying the halachot and labored to reach true halachic conclusions (sometimes studying the same topic more than 36 times). These books were accepted by the entire Jewish world and many editions were printed. The Chafetz Chaim was accustomed to inspecting each and every book for defective printing or exchanged leaves and would write in his own handwriting "proofread" on each book which passed his inspection.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Mesilat Yesharim, pertaining to ethics and fear of G-d, including Derech Etz Chaim, by R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto – the Ramchal. Vilna, 1869.
The title page bears the signature of R. Yehuda Leib Chasman, signing with the acronym: "Yahel---". The margins contain numerous brief as well as lengthy notes in his handwriting.
Mesilat Yesharim is the foremost ethics work in Torah study halls and for adherents of the Mussar movement. This edition was printed based on the Königsberg 1858 edition which was published at the behest of R. Yisrael of Salant, following a directive he received from his teacher R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. The latter related to his illustrious disciple, that upon receiving a farewell blessing from his teacher R. Chaim of Volozhin when leaving the Volozhin yeshiva, he asked his teacher which ethics books he recommends studying. R. Chaim replied: "All ethics books are beneficial, but Mesilat Yesharim should be your guide".
R. Yehuda Leib Chasman (1869-1934), a leading Torah scholar of his times, was a study partner and childhood friend of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in their native city of Iwye. A student of the Kelm Beit HaTalmud, he served as mashgiach of the Telshe yeshiva during the time of R. Shimon Shkop. From 1909, he served as rabbi of Szczuczyn, and established there a Yeshiva Gedola which was closed at the outbreak of WWI. After the war, with the ensuing destruction of Torah institutions and communities, he dedicated himself to the activities of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. He was a confidant of the heads of the Vaad: R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, the Chafetz Chaim and R. Shimon Shkop.
In 1927, the Saba of Slabodka (who dubbed him "the genius in ethics") called him to succeed him as mashgiach of his yeshiva in Hebron, a position he held until his death in Cheshvan 1935. His Torah novellae were published in his book Minchat Yehuda and his discourses were printed by his leading disciples in the three volumes of Or Yahel.
[7], 2-42 leaves. Approx. 17.5 cm. Thin, high-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. New, elaborate leather binding.
Report from R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss enclosed, identifying the signature and notes as "R. Yehuda Leib Chasman's distinctive handwriting". R. Weiss affirms that the signature on the title page can be read "Yahelibman", as per his surname in his youth, when he was known as Yehuda Leib Libman.
The title page bears the signature of R. Yehuda Leib Chasman, signing with the acronym: "Yahel---". The margins contain numerous brief as well as lengthy notes in his handwriting.
Mesilat Yesharim is the foremost ethics work in Torah study halls and for adherents of the Mussar movement. This edition was printed based on the Königsberg 1858 edition which was published at the behest of R. Yisrael of Salant, following a directive he received from his teacher R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. The latter related to his illustrious disciple, that upon receiving a farewell blessing from his teacher R. Chaim of Volozhin when leaving the Volozhin yeshiva, he asked his teacher which ethics books he recommends studying. R. Chaim replied: "All ethics books are beneficial, but Mesilat Yesharim should be your guide".
R. Yehuda Leib Chasman (1869-1934), a leading Torah scholar of his times, was a study partner and childhood friend of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in their native city of Iwye. A student of the Kelm Beit HaTalmud, he served as mashgiach of the Telshe yeshiva during the time of R. Shimon Shkop. From 1909, he served as rabbi of Szczuczyn, and established there a Yeshiva Gedola which was closed at the outbreak of WWI. After the war, with the ensuing destruction of Torah institutions and communities, he dedicated himself to the activities of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. He was a confidant of the heads of the Vaad: R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, the Chafetz Chaim and R. Shimon Shkop.
In 1927, the Saba of Slabodka (who dubbed him "the genius in ethics") called him to succeed him as mashgiach of his yeshiva in Hebron, a position he held until his death in Cheshvan 1935. His Torah novellae were published in his book Minchat Yehuda and his discourses were printed by his leading disciples in the three volumes of Or Yahel.
[7], 2-42 leaves. Approx. 17.5 cm. Thin, high-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. New, elaborate leather binding.
Report from R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss enclosed, identifying the signature and notes as "R. Yehuda Leib Chasman's distinctive handwriting". R. Weiss affirms that the signature on the title page can be read "Yahelibman", as per his surname in his youth, when he was known as Yehuda Leib Libman.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Lot 49 Letter from Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz – To Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook – Vilna, 1925
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by R. "Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the Slabodka Beit Yizchak yeshiva in Vilna". Vilna (Vilnius), Adar 1925.
Addressed to R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook in Jerusalem - "To his honor, the great Torah scholar… R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen", the letter contains a request to obtain immigration certificates for four students who needed to travel urgently, for life-threatening reasons (during that period, new conscription decrees came into effect in Poland and Lithuania, threatening the yeshivot, and in its wake the Slabodka yeshiva in Hebron was founded. These decrees were annulled in the end of the summer, 1925).
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1939), author of Birkat Shmuel was a leading disseminator of Torah in his generation. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman Rabbi of Halusk. After the latter relocated to Kremenchug to serve as rabbi there, R. Baruch Ber succeeded him as rabbi of Halusk and established a yeshiva there. After 13 years, he was invited to serve as dean of the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During WWI, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchug and Vilna, finally establishing it in Kamenitz (Kamyanyets). He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His orally transmitted and written teachings are the basis of in-depth, yeshiva study.
This letter dates from the period the yeshiva spent in Vilna, before relocating to Kamenitz, and the foot of the letter bears the (rare) stamps of R. Baruch Ber from that period.
[1] leaf. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and filing holes.
Addressed to R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook in Jerusalem - "To his honor, the great Torah scholar… R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen", the letter contains a request to obtain immigration certificates for four students who needed to travel urgently, for life-threatening reasons (during that period, new conscription decrees came into effect in Poland and Lithuania, threatening the yeshivot, and in its wake the Slabodka yeshiva in Hebron was founded. These decrees were annulled in the end of the summer, 1925).
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1939), author of Birkat Shmuel was a leading disseminator of Torah in his generation. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva and son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman Rabbi of Halusk. After the latter relocated to Kremenchug to serve as rabbi there, R. Baruch Ber succeeded him as rabbi of Halusk and established a yeshiva there. After 13 years, he was invited to serve as dean of the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During WWI, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchug and Vilna, finally establishing it in Kamenitz (Kamyanyets). He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His orally transmitted and written teachings are the basis of in-depth, yeshiva study.
This letter dates from the period the yeshiva spent in Vilna, before relocating to Kamenitz, and the foot of the letter bears the (rare) stamps of R. Baruch Ber from that period.
[1] leaf. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and filing holes.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Interesting letter, handwritten and signed by R. Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop, dean of the Grodno yeshiva. London, summer 1936.
Addressed to his disciple, "my acquaintance from my young years", R. Yisrael Baruch Zinober, a rabbi in Manchester. R. Shimon writes to him with humility and joy at the prospect of meeting one of his veteran disciples, also mentioning his delight upon seeing R. Zilberstam, whom he met in Liverpool.
This letter was written during the course of R. Shimon Shkop's trip to England in his later years, with the purpose of saving the Grodno yeshiva from financial collapse. The letter contains a description of the difficulty involved in this trip, and about his stay in London, which would extend over two weeks before his departure for Manchester. He concludes the letter "Seeking his wellbeing, blessing him with success in all his endeavors – Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop".
R. Shimon Yehuda Shkop (1860-1939, Otzar HaRabbanim 19962), as disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin yeshiva, who instructed him on intricate and profound methodology of Torah study. At the age of 24, he was appointed dean of the Telshe yeshiva (founded by his uncle R. Eliezer Gordon), where he gave over to the many students his innovative method of logical study – approach adopted by the entire Torah world until this day. One of his foremost disciples from that period was R. Elchanan Wasserman. In 1920, he was called to head the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno. His works include: Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei R. Shimon Yehuda HaKohen.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28 cm. 15 lines in his handwriting and with his signature. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and minor tears. Repairs to the verso of the leaf.
Addressed to his disciple, "my acquaintance from my young years", R. Yisrael Baruch Zinober, a rabbi in Manchester. R. Shimon writes to him with humility and joy at the prospect of meeting one of his veteran disciples, also mentioning his delight upon seeing R. Zilberstam, whom he met in Liverpool.
This letter was written during the course of R. Shimon Shkop's trip to England in his later years, with the purpose of saving the Grodno yeshiva from financial collapse. The letter contains a description of the difficulty involved in this trip, and about his stay in London, which would extend over two weeks before his departure for Manchester. He concludes the letter "Seeking his wellbeing, blessing him with success in all his endeavors – Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop".
R. Shimon Yehuda Shkop (1860-1939, Otzar HaRabbanim 19962), as disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin yeshiva, who instructed him on intricate and profound methodology of Torah study. At the age of 24, he was appointed dean of the Telshe yeshiva (founded by his uncle R. Eliezer Gordon), where he gave over to the many students his innovative method of logical study – approach adopted by the entire Torah world until this day. One of his foremost disciples from that period was R. Elchanan Wasserman. In 1920, he was called to head the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno. His works include: Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei R. Shimon Yehuda HaKohen.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28 cm. 15 lines in his handwriting and with his signature. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and minor tears. Repairs to the verso of the leaf.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Yosef Rosen – the Rogatchover. Dvinsk (Daugavpils), Nisan 11, 1925.
Letter of condolences ("an abundance of peace and thousands of consolations to my dear friend R. David"), containing a brief responsum pertaining to laws of mourning, concluding with blessings "and may G-d repair the breaches in His nation, the Jewish people, and may we celebrate the Festival of Matzot in accordance with the law. So are the words of his close friend Yosef Rosen, Rabbi of this city".
R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936) - known as the Rogatchover (after his birthtown Rogatchov [Rahachow]), was a Chabad-Kopust follower. In his youth, he was a disciple of R. Yosef Dov Ber Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi, together with the latter's son R. Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community in Dvinsk, Latvia alongside the rabbi of the city, the Or Same'ach, position he held for 40 years. A remarkable figure renowned for his tremendous sharpness and genius, he was proficient in all areas of the Torah, down to its finest details, producing profound definitions, hypotheses and original methods of Torah study. Tales of his genius and indescribable diligence abound. His legendary brilliance was also highly regarded by the secular world in his days and Bialik reputedly said that "two Einsteins could be carved out from the mind of the Rogatchover". The Rogatchover dealt extensively in explaining the teachings of the Rambam and wrote numerous halachic responsa. His responsa and novellae were published in his Tzofnat Pane'ach series. His printed books are a small part of the incessant flow of the inexhaustible fountain of his Torah. Due to the profundity of his teachings and his concise, cryptic style of writing, several projects have risen in recent generations to decipher and explain his teachings, resulting in the publishing of annotated editions of his works.
[1] leaf, 21 cm. 13 handwritten lines. Good-fair condition. Dampstain. Wear and creases.
Letter of condolences ("an abundance of peace and thousands of consolations to my dear friend R. David"), containing a brief responsum pertaining to laws of mourning, concluding with blessings "and may G-d repair the breaches in His nation, the Jewish people, and may we celebrate the Festival of Matzot in accordance with the law. So are the words of his close friend Yosef Rosen, Rabbi of this city".
R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936) - known as the Rogatchover (after his birthtown Rogatchov [Rahachow]), was a Chabad-Kopust follower. In his youth, he was a disciple of R. Yosef Dov Ber Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi, together with the latter's son R. Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community in Dvinsk, Latvia alongside the rabbi of the city, the Or Same'ach, position he held for 40 years. A remarkable figure renowned for his tremendous sharpness and genius, he was proficient in all areas of the Torah, down to its finest details, producing profound definitions, hypotheses and original methods of Torah study. Tales of his genius and indescribable diligence abound. His legendary brilliance was also highly regarded by the secular world in his days and Bialik reputedly said that "two Einsteins could be carved out from the mind of the Rogatchover". The Rogatchover dealt extensively in explaining the teachings of the Rambam and wrote numerous halachic responsa. His responsa and novellae were published in his Tzofnat Pane'ach series. His printed books are a small part of the incessant flow of the inexhaustible fountain of his Torah. Due to the profundity of his teachings and his concise, cryptic style of writing, several projects have risen in recent generations to decipher and explain his teachings, resulting in the publishing of annotated editions of his works.
[1] leaf, 21 cm. 13 handwritten lines. Good-fair condition. Dampstain. Wear and creases.
Category
Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy and interesting letter handwritten by R. Elchanan Bunem Wasserman and with his full signature. Baranovich (Baranovichy), [1930].
Addressed to his friend the wealthy R. David Potash of Tel-Aviv. The letter begins with R. Elchanan's account of the Chafetz Chaim's historic audience with the President of Poland (in 1930, while lobbying to rescind the decree of compulsory secular studies in Jewish boys' schools): "I returned today from Warsaw, and the Chafetz Chaim was also there and was received for an audience with the government ministers. The ministers received him with exceptional friendliness and promised to fulfill his requests to the extent it would be possible".
R. Elchanan then asks R. David to inquire about a prospective match for the daughter of R. Tzvi Gutman, Mashgiach of the Baranovich yeshiva - the young student Shmuel Felman "who is a lecturer on the Talmud in one of the Tel-Aviv yeshivot, and son of the deceased rabbi of Zagar-Yashan (Žagarė)… and I request of you to inform us of the character of the boy in question, since I have not seen him for ten years…". R. Elchanan extols the virtues of the young lady in question and relates to the prerequisites the boy's mother set for the couple's financial situation: "These days, it is very difficult to obtain a young lady who follows the straight path, therefore the sum of money cannot be a decisive factor, her wishes should rather be disregarded… in order to finalize the matter in the best way, please G-d". (R. Shmuel Felman, a dean of the Or Zore'ach yeshiva in Tel Aviv-Yafo, indeed later married the daughter of R. Tzvi Hirsh Gutman of Baranovich. Their son was R. Ben Tzion Felman, a leading rabbi in Bnei Brak).
R. Elchanan signs the letter with expressions of friendship and blessings: "Who appreciates and honors him for his outstanding worth, attached to him with loyal love, and blesses him that G-d should fulfill all his heart's wishes for the good, may he merit to see the Redemption of the Jewish people through the true Redeemer…, seeking his wellbeing always – Elchanan Bunem Wasserman".
R. Elchanan Wasserman (1875-1941) was a disciple of R. Shimon Shkop in the Telshe yeshiva and prominent disciple of the Chafetz Chaim. He served as lecturer and dean in the Brisk (Brest) yeshiva and other places. During WWI, at the behest of the Chafetz Chaim, he established a yeshiva in Smilavichy (Minsk province, today Belarus), and R. David Potash, then one of the wealthiest people in Russia, was a leading supporter of the yeshiva. After the war, R. Elchanan founded Yeshivat Ohel Torah in Baranovich.
A renowned Torah scholar and a foremost yeshiva dean in Lithuania, he represented the Chafetz Chaim and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudat Yisrael. He composed many essays on Jewish ideology which were later published in his book Ikveta DeMeshicha, in which he expressed the Torah stance of his teacher the Chafetz Chaim on Zionist nationalism and the spiritual state of the Jewish people. During the Holocaust, he was deported to the Kovno (Kaunas) ghetto, where he was arrested and murdered in Seventh Fort, while studying the laws of Kiddush HaShem. His teachings and lectures were published in the following books: Kovetz Shiurim, Kovetz He'arot, Kovetz Inyanim, Kovetz Igrot HaGaon R. Elchanan Wasserman and others. His approach in learning and his books serve until this day as the basis of intensive yeshiva study in the Torah world.
[1] leaf, official stationery, 27.5 cm. 17 handwritten lines. Good-fair condition. Wear to the folds. Light stains.
Addressed to his friend the wealthy R. David Potash of Tel-Aviv. The letter begins with R. Elchanan's account of the Chafetz Chaim's historic audience with the President of Poland (in 1930, while lobbying to rescind the decree of compulsory secular studies in Jewish boys' schools): "I returned today from Warsaw, and the Chafetz Chaim was also there and was received for an audience with the government ministers. The ministers received him with exceptional friendliness and promised to fulfill his requests to the extent it would be possible".
R. Elchanan then asks R. David to inquire about a prospective match for the daughter of R. Tzvi Gutman, Mashgiach of the Baranovich yeshiva - the young student Shmuel Felman "who is a lecturer on the Talmud in one of the Tel-Aviv yeshivot, and son of the deceased rabbi of Zagar-Yashan (Žagarė)… and I request of you to inform us of the character of the boy in question, since I have not seen him for ten years…". R. Elchanan extols the virtues of the young lady in question and relates to the prerequisites the boy's mother set for the couple's financial situation: "These days, it is very difficult to obtain a young lady who follows the straight path, therefore the sum of money cannot be a decisive factor, her wishes should rather be disregarded… in order to finalize the matter in the best way, please G-d". (R. Shmuel Felman, a dean of the Or Zore'ach yeshiva in Tel Aviv-Yafo, indeed later married the daughter of R. Tzvi Hirsh Gutman of Baranovich. Their son was R. Ben Tzion Felman, a leading rabbi in Bnei Brak).
R. Elchanan signs the letter with expressions of friendship and blessings: "Who appreciates and honors him for his outstanding worth, attached to him with loyal love, and blesses him that G-d should fulfill all his heart's wishes for the good, may he merit to see the Redemption of the Jewish people through the true Redeemer…, seeking his wellbeing always – Elchanan Bunem Wasserman".
R. Elchanan Wasserman (1875-1941) was a disciple of R. Shimon Shkop in the Telshe yeshiva and prominent disciple of the Chafetz Chaim. He served as lecturer and dean in the Brisk (Brest) yeshiva and other places. During WWI, at the behest of the Chafetz Chaim, he established a yeshiva in Smilavichy (Minsk province, today Belarus), and R. David Potash, then one of the wealthiest people in Russia, was a leading supporter of the yeshiva. After the war, R. Elchanan founded Yeshivat Ohel Torah in Baranovich.
A renowned Torah scholar and a foremost yeshiva dean in Lithuania, he represented the Chafetz Chaim and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudat Yisrael. He composed many essays on Jewish ideology which were later published in his book Ikveta DeMeshicha, in which he expressed the Torah stance of his teacher the Chafetz Chaim on Zionist nationalism and the spiritual state of the Jewish people. During the Holocaust, he was deported to the Kovno (Kaunas) ghetto, where he was arrested and murdered in Seventh Fort, while studying the laws of Kiddush HaShem. His teachings and lectures were published in the following books: Kovetz Shiurim, Kovetz He'arot, Kovetz Inyanim, Kovetz Igrot HaGaon R. Elchanan Wasserman and others. His approach in learning and his books serve until this day as the basis of intensive yeshiva study in the Torah world.
[1] leaf, official stationery, 27.5 cm. 17 handwritten lines. Good-fair condition. Wear to the folds. Light stains.
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Lithuanian, Polish and Galician Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
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