Handwritten leaf (two written pages), novellae on topics of Choshen Mishpat, handwritten by R. Yaakov Baruch Frankel MiBach (=MiBeit Chalfan). 19th century.
This leaf is presumably part of a composition on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat. It contains a halachic study on the case of a loan accorded without any witnesses. At the top of the first page, and at the end of the second page, the writer's signature: "…Yaakov Baruch son of Uri Lipman Frankel MiBach". In this leaf, he quotes several times his manuscript composition, Birkat Yaakov on Choshen Mishpat, as well as Shemen Rokeach by R. Elazar Löw. Near the end of the leaf, he writes: "And if they would not ridicule me in the Beit Midrash, I would say that Rashi's intention is…". At the top of both pages, the acronym of "With the help of G-d, I have placed G-d before me constantly".
R. (Reuven) Yaakov Baruch Frankel MiBach (1792-1864), a brilliant and sharp Torah scholar. He studied in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer in 1813-1814, and exchanged halachic correspondence with him. Several of the responsa in Responsa Chatam Sofer are addressed to him. In one responsa, his teacher addresses him: "My beloved disciple, the outstanding rabbi… R. Baruch Frankel… may G-d be with him and elevate him to exalted levels…". From 1821, he resided in Kalov (Nagykálló), and gained prominence both in Torah and in material wealth (see Ishim BiTeshuvot HaChatam Sofer, pp. 193-194; HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, p. 230-232). He authored a few works, most of them remained in manuscript form and were never published. His works include: Chevel Yaakov - homily; Responsa Shufraya DeYaakov; Birkat Yaakov on the Torah and on Tractate Beitza. Based on this leaf, it appears that he authored a composition named Birkat Yaakov on Choshen Mishpat as well (see Tzefunot, 15-16, articles by R. Moshe A. Zusha Kinstlicher for R. Baruch's biography and regarding his relationship with his teacher, the Chatam Sofer).
This leaf was presumably never published.
[1] leaf (two written pages). 21 cm. Good condition. Stains.

Manuscript, copying of the foreword of R. Chaim of Volozhin to the book of the Gaon of Vilna on Safra DeTzniyuta. Neat script, with headings and emphasized words in calligraphic script. [Lithuania, ca. 1820].
This copying was presumably produced in the lifetime of R. Chaim of Volozhin (1749-1821), who authored this foreword in 1820, in preparation for the printing of the book Safra DeTzniyuta (Vilna, 1821), and he is mentioned here with the blessing for the living.
The foreword of R. Chaim of Volozhin, foremost disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, is an important composition in its own right, depicting the extraordinary ways of his preeminent teacher, his exceptional Torah knowledge, and great righteousness. R. Chaim of Volozhin describes at length the erudition of the Gaon of Vilna in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, and offers a wondrous portrayal of his exalted holiness, providing first hand testimonies of teachings he heard from the Gaon, or episodes he witnessed. R. Chaim relates that the Gaon of Vilna himself testified that he had received revelations from Eliyahu HaNavi, and that R. Shimon bar Yochai and the Arizal appeared to him while he was studying the Zohar. The Gaon also revealed to him that Heavenly maggidim appeared to him to teach him Kabbalah, but the Gaon rejected them, wishing to exert himself over understanding the words of the Zohar and the Arizal.
The main objective of R. Chaim in publishing this foreword was to publicize the opinion of the Gaon and his views on the importance of studying the Zohar and the teachings of the Arizal. At the beginning of the foreword, he writes of G-d's promise to the Jewish people that the Torah will not be forgotten, stating that this promise was fulfilled with the coming of the Gaon of Vilna to the world. He concludes by attesting that his entire body shakes in fear and awe of his teacher "when I contemplate the holiness of his Torah, his piety, purity and modesty".
[5] leaves (9 written pages). Approx. 24.5 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Wear. Small marginal defect to leaf [3]. New binding.

Manuscript, sermons and eulogies, from an unidentified author [a rabbi of Prussia - western Poland?, ca. 1838-1851].
Many gatherings bound together, containing notes and outlines of sermons which the writer delivered over the years, with comments which he added after he gave the address. Handwritten by the author, who was presumably a rabbi of one of the towns of Prussia (western Poland). The manuscript includes sermons for festivals and Shabbat, as well as for events related to the royal family: sermons for the birthday of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and for the passing of King Frederick William III of Prussia (about whom he writes: "Who ruled over his country for 44 years, with kindness and compassion, he loved peace, truth and justice… and even other countries learned from his benevolent ways to treat the Jewish people kindly…). The notes include references to historical events which took place in those times (the Damascus blood libel in 1840, the fire in the Szubin community, and others).
The manuscript contains many eulogies for rabbis of that time. The second sermon is a eulogy on rabbis who passed away in 1838-1839: R. Yehuda Leib Falk, head of the Breslau and Dyhernfurth Beit Din (d. 30th Sivan 1838, a disciple of R. Akiva Eger); R. Shmuel Bernstein Rabbi of Amsterdam (d. 4th Tevet 1838); R. Avraham Löwenstam Rabbi of Emden and Mezeritch (d. 29th Tevet 1839, son of R. Aryeh Leib author of Penei Aryeh); R. Binyamin Schreiber Rabbi of Greiditz (author of Em LeBina, d. 29th Shevat 1839); R. Naftali Hirsch Bleichrode Rabbi of Kórnik (d. 24th Adar 1839, disciple of R. Akiva Eger and son-in-law of R. Avraham Eger of Rawicz); R. Shlomo Zalman Lipschitz Rabbi of Warsaw (author of Chemdat Shlomo, d. 11th Nisan 1839).
The seventh sermon includes a eulogy for R. Aharon Yehoshua Eliyahu Herzfeld Rabbi of Rawicz (d. 3rd Elul 1846) - "…who lived approximately ninety years… in Lemberg in a generation full of Torah, and then in Berlin by R. Hirschell (Levin)… and then in Königsburg, and then in Rawicz… and indeed, he did not leave behind a Tzaddik and exceptional Torah scholar like him in the entire country…" (it appears from his words further that the writer was close to him, and exchanged halachic correspondence with him). Sermon [19] contains a eulogy for R. Itzek Heldenstein head of the Lissa Beit Din (d. 22nd Tammuz 1845).
Sermon [22] and the leaves at the end of the volume contain eulogies for his father-in-law R. Elazar HaKohen (both eulogies are in a different handwriting, possibly from a different writer).
In the sixth and [18th] sermon, the rabbi arouses to the necessity of building a synagogue and mikveh for the community, and writes: "…for our community, formerly did not have a mikveh, cemetery or synagogue…". In the sermon for Shabbat Nachamu 1838, he speaks of German Jewry's degeneration in Halacha observance, and of the decline in the Torah standards of the rabbis ("…and I thought that even the fact that the public wants to hear ethics sermons from the rabbi, this too is a ploy of the Evil inclination, to take them away from their Torah study… to be drawn after Aggadah, at the end he will lose out on both sides… and in this way, the rabbi in Germany has become a preacher…".
Approx. 290 written pages. Size varies. 13.5-17.5 cm (most leaves: 16.5 cm). Good condition. Wear. Dampstains. New binding.

Manuscript, homilies and essays on Aggadah and ethics, by an unidentified author. [Lithuania? After 1836 - mid-19th century?].
Complete composition in Ashkenazic script. Written by various copyists, with many corrections, glosses, additions and deletions by the author. We were unable to identify the author, though it appears that he was a Torah scholar of Lithuania or Belarus, who served as Maggid and delivered sermons.
The main part of the manuscript consists of seven homilies, entitled: Netivot Olam; Derech Tamim; Maaglei Yosher; Orach Mishor; Netivot HaShalom; Derech Tzedaka; Mesilat HaLev. Each homily begins with an introduction summarizing the subject of the homily. In the middle and end of the volume, other homilies in a slightly different style were bound (they may originate from a different work by the same author). The style of the composition is clear and engaging, and it contains in-depth essays on the midrashim and Aggadot of the sages, ethics and principles in worship of G-d. The contents attest to the author's exceptional erudition in midrashim and books of Jewish thought.
In this work, the author quotes repeatedly the books of leading Lithuanian Torah scholars, such as: "Nefesh HaChaim" by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, the books of the Maggid of Dubno - Ohel Yaakov and Kol Yaakov, the book of R. Yehuda Leib Edel - Maggid of Slonim - Iyei HaYam and Afikei Yehuda (regarding this last book, the author writes one of the times he mentions it: "See Afikei Yehuda who wrote on this topic pleasing words… but he did not finish explaining… and we will follow in his footsteps a little…", p. [46b]), and the book Kapot Zahav (Vilna and Hrodna 1836). Kapot Zahav is the most recent of all the books quoted by the author (the author challenges this book repeatedly. On the first leaf of the composition, he writes: "And see in Kapot, ibid, and his ways are not like mine, nor my thoughts like his").
In several places, the author quotes the writings of his father-in-law (see Hebrew description). We were unable to identify who the father-in-law of the writer was (but it must be noted that the lengthy idea quoted in his name on p. [67] onwards, corresponds with the style and expressions of Chabad teachings).
The final sermons contain lengthy and detailed parables, taken from his surroundings, which provide us with information regarding his time and location. On p. [112b], the cities of St. Petersburg and Königsberg are mentioned as royal cities. On p. [125b], he mentions several concepts connected to commerce, indicating in parentheses the names of these notions, presumably in Lithuanian.
At the end of the volume, several leaves which are not part of the body of the book are bound, the last leaf states: "This book was written by R. David Tovia". It is unclear if this refers to the author or copyist of this book, or is perhaps not connected to this composition.
To the best of our knowledge, the manuscript was never published.
[130] leaves (and several blank leaves). 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Worming to several leaves. Marginal paper repairs to first three leaves. Tear to leaf [91], repaired with paper with text replacement. Cloth binding.

Manuscript, parts of Shtei Halechem and Lechem Shemen - autograph by R. Asher Luria, novellae and commentaries to the Mishna and parts of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah. [Jerusalem? Presumably written between 1900-1907].
Autograph, with many corrections, additions and deletions.
This manuscripts contains novellae and commentaries entitled Shtei Halechem and Lechem Shemen, on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah: Laws of Kila'im, Megillah, Yom Kippur, Shemitta, Terumot, Birkat HaTorah, Shema and its blessings, the Priestly Blessing, Torah reading, Synagogues, commentary to Mishnayot Tractate Nidda, laws of rising in the morning, tzitzit and tefillin, blessings over fruit, commentary to the Keitzad Mevarchin chapter of Tractate Berachot, laws of Terefot. Several leaves relating to other topics are bound with it as well. Thoughts on Aggadah and Kabbalah are presented in a few places.
On p. 22b, the author writes: "And my father-in-law wrote…" (=R. Shlomo Zalman Rivlin of Shklow).
The author, R. Asher Luria (d. 1907), a descendant of the Maharshal, was a Torah scholar of Mogilev, Belarus. He was the son-in-law and disciple of R. Shlomo Zalman son of R. Hillel Rivlin of Shklow. An extremely prosperous man, dealing in forest logging, R. Asher was an illustrious figure combining wealth and prominence in Torah. In 1867, he published commentaries and additions to his father-in-law's book Divrei Shlomo, two parts (Warsaw-Vilna, 1868-1888). In 1890, he printed in Vilna his book Shtei Halechem with the Lechem Shemen commentary, on the laws of Rosh Chodesh, Pesach, Yom Tov and Chol HaMoed. In Shtei Halechem, the author brings a summary of the teachings of the Beit Yosef, and an abstract of the words of the Rishonim which are not quoted by the Beit Yosef, whilst his own novellae are printed under the title of Lechem Shemen. In 1891, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he printed his book Or Yekarot on Mishnayot - Tractates Kelim, Ohalot and Nega'im of Order Taharot. The upper part of the page features a summary of the commentaries of the Rishonim, and in the lower part, Biurim VeChiddushim - commentaries and novellae. He frequently quotes the writings of the Gaon of Vilna in his books, and occasionally quotes commentaries from his father-in-law's writings. In his books, it is apparent that he followed the study methodology of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples.
This volume contains additional parts of his compositions on Mishnayot and Shulchan Aruch. These parts were presumably never published.
[200] leaves (approx. 400 written pages). 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Dampstains to some leaves. Worming to a few leaves. Tears to several leaves, some affecting text. New binding.