Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Displaying 13 - 18 of 18
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $600
Sold for: $750
Including buyer's premium
Two letters handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Tzvi (Maharitz) Dushinsky, rabbi of Galanta, Khust and Jerusalem. Khust, Erev Rosh Hashanah 1929, and Jerusalem, Av 1941.
Two letters addressed to his beloved disciple, R. Shmuel Gottlieb. The first letter opens with blessings "May the year begin with its blessing", and with expressions of gratitude for having sent him a high-quality etrog from the Holy Land. At the foot of the letter, he sends regards to R. Yisrael Bollag and his son, the student Yosef (R. Yosef Bollag is mentioned in the second letter from 1941 as well).
R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (1868-1948), foremost Hungarian Torah scholar, and among the prominent Torah scholars in his generation. He served as rabbi of Galanta and Khust, where he also headed one of the largest and most prestigious yeshivot in Hungary. In 1933, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, to succeed R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld as rabbi of the Eida HaChareidit in Jerusalem, and stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in Eretz Israel. He reestablished his yeshiva in Jerusalem, and delivered regular lectures. He was connected to his thousands of disciples like a father to his sons, as is portrayed in these letters.
Two letters, official stationery. 21X14 cm. First letter in good condition. Second letter in good-fair condition, with tears to folds (repaired). Folding marks and minor wear.
Two letters addressed to his beloved disciple, R. Shmuel Gottlieb. The first letter opens with blessings "May the year begin with its blessing", and with expressions of gratitude for having sent him a high-quality etrog from the Holy Land. At the foot of the letter, he sends regards to R. Yisrael Bollag and his son, the student Yosef (R. Yosef Bollag is mentioned in the second letter from 1941 as well).
R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (1868-1948), foremost Hungarian Torah scholar, and among the prominent Torah scholars in his generation. He served as rabbi of Galanta and Khust, where he also headed one of the largest and most prestigious yeshivot in Hungary. In 1933, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, to succeed R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld as rabbi of the Eida HaChareidit in Jerusalem, and stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in Eretz Israel. He reestablished his yeshiva in Jerusalem, and delivered regular lectures. He was connected to his thousands of disciples like a father to his sons, as is portrayed in these letters.
Two letters, official stationery. 21X14 cm. First letter in good condition. Second letter in good-fair condition, with tears to folds (repaired). Folding marks and minor wear.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
![Letter handwritten and signed by R. Akiva Sofer Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg. Pressburg (Bratislava), [Tevet 1922]. Wo](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale67-public/221.jpg "Letter from Rabbi Akiva Sofer - Pressburg, 1922")
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Akiva Sofer Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg. Pressburg (Bratislava), [Tevet 1922].
Words of encouragement and blessings addressed to his disciple R. Michael Schay, following his marriage to the daughter of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, and his trip to the United States: "…I hope that you have already reached your destination and have settled down, to reside in the tent of Torah with your father-in-law… may you grow and continue… delving into Torah… to collect in your hands all goodness, and goodness refers to Torah…". Further in the letter, he writes that he is sending him also "a certificate, which I promised you, to be for you a remembrance, and I hope you will be satisfied with it…".
The Gaon of Pressburg - R. Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), author of Daat Sofer, son of R. Simcha Bunem author of Shevet Sofer, who was the son of the Ketav Sofer. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg since the passing of his father in 1907. Following the Holocaust, he reestablished his yeshiva and community in Jerusalem. He was a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Michael Schay (1894-1979, HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, p. 648), was a rabbi in New York. He studied in the Pressburg yeshiva, and in the yeshiva of R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky in Khust. He was the son-in-law of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, rabbi of the Hungarian Beit Midrash in New York. Following his wedding, he served as rabbi in New York, succeeding his father-in-law in 1936.
[1] double leaf, official stationery. 23 cm. Approx. 12 autograph lines. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor tears to folds.
Words of encouragement and blessings addressed to his disciple R. Michael Schay, following his marriage to the daughter of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, and his trip to the United States: "…I hope that you have already reached your destination and have settled down, to reside in the tent of Torah with your father-in-law… may you grow and continue… delving into Torah… to collect in your hands all goodness, and goodness refers to Torah…". Further in the letter, he writes that he is sending him also "a certificate, which I promised you, to be for you a remembrance, and I hope you will be satisfied with it…".
The Gaon of Pressburg - R. Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), author of Daat Sofer, son of R. Simcha Bunem author of Shevet Sofer, who was the son of the Ketav Sofer. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg since the passing of his father in 1907. Following the Holocaust, he reestablished his yeshiva and community in Jerusalem. He was a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Michael Schay (1894-1979, HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, p. 648), was a rabbi in New York. He studied in the Pressburg yeshiva, and in the yeshiva of R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky in Khust. He was the son-in-law of R. Alter Shaul Pfeffer, rabbi of the Hungarian Beit Midrash in New York. Following his wedding, he served as rabbi in New York, succeeding his father-in-law in 1936.
[1] double leaf, official stationery. 23 cm. Approx. 12 autograph lines. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor tears to folds.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $3,500
Sold for: $4,375
Including buyer's premium
Eighty-nine postcards sent by Heinrich Cohn, yeshiva student, to his parents in Basel, while studying in the Pressburg yeshiva. [Pressburg (Bratislava), October 1908 until April 1909]. German, with a bit of Hebrew.
Detailed and fascinating portrayal of life in the Pressburg yeshiva and community, from the perspective of a Western European student.
The writer, Chaim Heinrich Cohn, son of the rabbi of Basel, Rabbi Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, studied in the Pressburg yeshiva for half a year (at the age of 19-20). During that time, he corresponded continuously with his family, writing several times a week, and sometimes even every day. These letters form a fascinating journal, documenting the daily routine of a student in the Pressburg yeshiva at that time, the lifestyle of Pressburg Jews, their social and financial situation, and more. This correspondence also allows us a glimpse into the relations between the Eastern European boys, and those who came from Western Europe, from the personal perspective of the writer.
The postcards describe his daily schedule, learning with his study partner, the students' society for studying Chumash with Rashi, his living conditions, his lodging with one of the families of the community (the Ratz family, who provided him with food and lodging, and washed his clothes), events in the yeshiva and community, various political matters, Hungarian Jews and how they compare to the Jews of Basel, Chanukah and Purim in Pressburg, the Purim Shpiel performed by the yeshiva students, the big examination in the yeshiva, sending kosher meat from Pressburg to Basel, and many other varied topics (a summary of the contents of all the postcards in German is enclosed).
The rabbi of Pressburg at that time was R. Akiva Sofer, author of Daat Sofer, who succeeded his father the Shevet Sofer that year. The writer's teacher in the yeshiva was R. Yitzchak Leib Sofer (referred to in the postcards as "R. Leib"), son of the Daat Sofer. R. Leib is mentioned repeatedly in these letters. One postcard relates of R. Leib's opposition to Zionism, and in several letters, the writer relays messages on various topics between his father the rabbi of Basel and R. Leib.
Rabbi Dr. Chaim (Heinrich) Cohn (1889-1966), son of R. Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, rabbi of Basel. Upon completing his studies in the Basel gymnasium in 1908, he went to study in the Pressburg yeshiva, from where he wrote these letters. He later received a degree in teaching English and French, and in 1914, was rabbinically ordained in the Berlin Rabbiner Seminar. In 1917-1918, he served as military chaplain on the Western front. In 1918-1939, he served as rabbi of the Synagogenverein Moabit und Hansabezirk, Berlin. He was the principal of the Jewish school in the Hansa district of Berlin, and a board member of Agudath Israel. In 1939, he succeeded in escaping Germany through Switzerland, and settled in London.
89 postcards. Approx. 14X9 cm. Overall good condition.
Detailed and fascinating portrayal of life in the Pressburg yeshiva and community, from the perspective of a Western European student.
The writer, Chaim Heinrich Cohn, son of the rabbi of Basel, Rabbi Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, studied in the Pressburg yeshiva for half a year (at the age of 19-20). During that time, he corresponded continuously with his family, writing several times a week, and sometimes even every day. These letters form a fascinating journal, documenting the daily routine of a student in the Pressburg yeshiva at that time, the lifestyle of Pressburg Jews, their social and financial situation, and more. This correspondence also allows us a glimpse into the relations between the Eastern European boys, and those who came from Western Europe, from the personal perspective of the writer.
The postcards describe his daily schedule, learning with his study partner, the students' society for studying Chumash with Rashi, his living conditions, his lodging with one of the families of the community (the Ratz family, who provided him with food and lodging, and washed his clothes), events in the yeshiva and community, various political matters, Hungarian Jews and how they compare to the Jews of Basel, Chanukah and Purim in Pressburg, the Purim Shpiel performed by the yeshiva students, the big examination in the yeshiva, sending kosher meat from Pressburg to Basel, and many other varied topics (a summary of the contents of all the postcards in German is enclosed).
The rabbi of Pressburg at that time was R. Akiva Sofer, author of Daat Sofer, who succeeded his father the Shevet Sofer that year. The writer's teacher in the yeshiva was R. Yitzchak Leib Sofer (referred to in the postcards as "R. Leib"), son of the Daat Sofer. R. Leib is mentioned repeatedly in these letters. One postcard relates of R. Leib's opposition to Zionism, and in several letters, the writer relays messages on various topics between his father the rabbi of Basel and R. Leib.
Rabbi Dr. Chaim (Heinrich) Cohn (1889-1966), son of R. Asher Michael (Arthur) Cohn, rabbi of Basel. Upon completing his studies in the Basel gymnasium in 1908, he went to study in the Pressburg yeshiva, from where he wrote these letters. He later received a degree in teaching English and French, and in 1914, was rabbinically ordained in the Berlin Rabbiner Seminar. In 1917-1918, he served as military chaplain on the Western front. In 1918-1939, he served as rabbi of the Synagogenverein Moabit und Hansabezirk, Berlin. He was the principal of the Jewish school in the Hansa district of Berlin, and a board member of Agudath Israel. In 1939, he succeeded in escaping Germany through Switzerland, and settled in London.
89 postcards. Approx. 14X9 cm. Overall good condition.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,063
Including buyer's premium
Handwritten copy of a Beit Din act recording the giving of a get (divorce document), handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Mordechai Vorhand Rabbi of Nitra. Nitra, Nisan [1938?].
In this copy, the rabbi copied in his handwriting the signatures of the dayanim in his Beit Din who had signed on the original Beit Din act: "Zalman Leib Halberstam" and "Chaim Dov Meislik".
R. Mordechai Vorhand (1886/1887-1944), son of R. Moshe Rabbi of Makova, disciple of R. Eliezer Deutsch author of Tevuat Sadeh, the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet and the Arugat HaBosem. In his youth, he frequented the courts of Rebbe Mordechai of Nadvorna and Rebbe Yechezkel of Shinova. In 1909, he was appointed dayan and posek in Bethlen (Beclean), Hungary, and in 1912, he began serving as rabbi and dean of Nitra, Slovakia, where he headed a large yeshiva. He was particularly drawn to manuscripts of Rishonim and clarifying their early versions. During his stay in Italy in 1924 for health reasons, he spent many hours in the Vatican Library, attempting to locate various manuscripts. In that time, he also recorded an index, in which he describes numerous manuscripts which he saw. During this visit, he held a lengthy and sensitive audience with Pope Pius XI. He composed over forty books in Halacha and Aggadah, some of which were published. His halachic works which were printed in his lifetime was very well received, and earnt enthusiastic approbations from leading Hungarian rabbis.
[1] double leaf, official stationery of the "Beit Din of the Nitra Community". 23.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and folding marks.
In this copy, the rabbi copied in his handwriting the signatures of the dayanim in his Beit Din who had signed on the original Beit Din act: "Zalman Leib Halberstam" and "Chaim Dov Meislik".
R. Mordechai Vorhand (1886/1887-1944), son of R. Moshe Rabbi of Makova, disciple of R. Eliezer Deutsch author of Tevuat Sadeh, the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet and the Arugat HaBosem. In his youth, he frequented the courts of Rebbe Mordechai of Nadvorna and Rebbe Yechezkel of Shinova. In 1909, he was appointed dayan and posek in Bethlen (Beclean), Hungary, and in 1912, he began serving as rabbi and dean of Nitra, Slovakia, where he headed a large yeshiva. He was particularly drawn to manuscripts of Rishonim and clarifying their early versions. During his stay in Italy in 1924 for health reasons, he spent many hours in the Vatican Library, attempting to locate various manuscripts. In that time, he also recorded an index, in which he describes numerous manuscripts which he saw. During this visit, he held a lengthy and sensitive audience with Pope Pius XI. He composed over forty books in Halacha and Aggadah, some of which were published. His halachic works which were printed in his lifetime was very well received, and earnt enthusiastic approbations from leading Hungarian rabbis.
[1] double leaf, official stationery of the "Beit Din of the Nitra Community". 23.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and folding marks.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
Letter (approx. 13 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld - the Tchebiner Rav. Jerusalem, Tishrei 1949.
Approbation and recommendation for the book VaYelaket Yosef by R. Yosef Mandelkern.
VaYelaket Yosef is an important compilation of Chassidic teachings from the rebbes of the Kotsk and Ger dynasties, and was eventually published in 1955 in Jerusalem. This approbation was not included. The printed book features approbations from many rabbis, and on p. 103, there is a different approbation by the Tchebiner Rav.
R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld (1881-1965), known as "The Tchebiner Rav" was the son of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Rimalov (Hrymailiv), author of Kochav MiYaakov, foremost Galician Torah scholar. From 1923, he served as rabbi of Tchebin (Trzebinia), Galicia, and already in his youth was renowned as a foremost Torah scholar and halachic authority in his generation, with exceptional proficiency in the entire Talmud and halachic literature. During his tenure in Tchebin, he established a prominent yeshiva, which attracted the finest, most astute students in Galicia. After the passing of R. Meir Shapiro, he joined the spiritual administration of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, together with the Gaon of Koziegłowy R. Aryeh Tzvi Frumer and Rebbe Moshenyu of Krakow. A chassid, he was attached to the Rebbes of the Belz and Ruzhin dynasties. During the Holocaust, he was exiled to Siberia then Bukhara, reaching Jerusalem in 1946, where he founded the Kochav MiYaakov - Tchebin yeshiva. The Tchebiner Rav was revered by all the leading rabbis of his times, rebbes and yeshiva deans, including R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Chazon Ish and R. Yitzchak Zev of Brisk. His teacher Rebbe Aharon of Belz would refer to him the gravest halachic questions. On his first Shavuot in Jerusalem, he went to pray in the Beit Midrash of the Imrei Emet, Rebbe of Ger, who declared upon seeing him: "Today we shall honor the Torah itself with the reading of the Ten Commandments".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and damage to folds.
Approbation and recommendation for the book VaYelaket Yosef by R. Yosef Mandelkern.
VaYelaket Yosef is an important compilation of Chassidic teachings from the rebbes of the Kotsk and Ger dynasties, and was eventually published in 1955 in Jerusalem. This approbation was not included. The printed book features approbations from many rabbis, and on p. 103, there is a different approbation by the Tchebiner Rav.
R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld (1881-1965), known as "The Tchebiner Rav" was the son of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Rimalov (Hrymailiv), author of Kochav MiYaakov, foremost Galician Torah scholar. From 1923, he served as rabbi of Tchebin (Trzebinia), Galicia, and already in his youth was renowned as a foremost Torah scholar and halachic authority in his generation, with exceptional proficiency in the entire Talmud and halachic literature. During his tenure in Tchebin, he established a prominent yeshiva, which attracted the finest, most astute students in Galicia. After the passing of R. Meir Shapiro, he joined the spiritual administration of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, together with the Gaon of Koziegłowy R. Aryeh Tzvi Frumer and Rebbe Moshenyu of Krakow. A chassid, he was attached to the Rebbes of the Belz and Ruzhin dynasties. During the Holocaust, he was exiled to Siberia then Bukhara, reaching Jerusalem in 1946, where he founded the Kochav MiYaakov - Tchebin yeshiva. The Tchebiner Rav was revered by all the leading rabbis of his times, rebbes and yeshiva deans, including R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Chazon Ish and R. Yitzchak Zev of Brisk. His teacher Rebbe Aharon of Belz would refer to him the gravest halachic questions. On his first Shavuot in Jerusalem, he went to pray in the Beit Midrash of the Imrei Emet, Rebbe of Ger, who declared upon seeing him: "Today we shall honor the Torah itself with the reading of the Ten Commandments".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and damage to folds.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue
Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 18, 2019
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Responsum letter handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner. Zichron Meir, Bnei Brak, Iyar 1974.
Addressed to R. Efraim Greenblatt of Memphis, USA (author of Rivevot Efraim), concerning the laws of Amira LeAkum - instructing a non-Jew to perform a forbidden activity on Shabbat, for the purpose of a mitzvah, regarding having a non-Jew heat up the mikveh on Shabbat, and transporting in the public domain on Shabbat (this responsum is printed in Responsa Shevet HaLevi, IV, Orach Chaim, section 29).
R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (1913-2015), author of Shevet HaLevi, was a leading Halachic authority of the past generation. Born in Vienna, he was a disciple of R. Shmuel David Ungar, rabbi of Nitra, R. Yosef Elimelech Kahana, rabbi of Ungvar (both perished in the Holocaust) and later a close disciple of Rabbi Meir Shapiro at the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva. In 1939, he immigrated to Eretz Israel with his wife. He first settled in Jerusalem, where he studied under the leading rabbis of the city. He soon thereafter earned prominence as a leading Torah scholar and was appointed as rabbi and posek of the Geulah neighborhood. In 1947, he moved to Bnei Brak to serve as rabbi of the Zichron Meir neighborhood. He was recommended for this position by the Chazon Ish who already then discerned the greatness and strength of the young man and foresaw his illustrious future. After a short while, he was appointed rabbi of the Chug Chatam Sofer communities in the city and with time became renowned as a foremost halachic authority acknowledged by all circles. He responded to thousands of halachic queries which were published in the eleven volumes of his book Responsa Shevet HaLevi.
[1] leaf, official stationery with the letterhead: "Samuel Halevi Wosner, Rabbi of Sichron-Meir, Bnei Brak". Approx. 27.5 cm. Approx. 25 autograph lines and signature. Good condition. Tears and light creases.
Addressed to R. Efraim Greenblatt of Memphis, USA (author of Rivevot Efraim), concerning the laws of Amira LeAkum - instructing a non-Jew to perform a forbidden activity on Shabbat, for the purpose of a mitzvah, regarding having a non-Jew heat up the mikveh on Shabbat, and transporting in the public domain on Shabbat (this responsum is printed in Responsa Shevet HaLevi, IV, Orach Chaim, section 29).
R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (1913-2015), author of Shevet HaLevi, was a leading Halachic authority of the past generation. Born in Vienna, he was a disciple of R. Shmuel David Ungar, rabbi of Nitra, R. Yosef Elimelech Kahana, rabbi of Ungvar (both perished in the Holocaust) and later a close disciple of Rabbi Meir Shapiro at the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva. In 1939, he immigrated to Eretz Israel with his wife. He first settled in Jerusalem, where he studied under the leading rabbis of the city. He soon thereafter earned prominence as a leading Torah scholar and was appointed as rabbi and posek of the Geulah neighborhood. In 1947, he moved to Bnei Brak to serve as rabbi of the Zichron Meir neighborhood. He was recommended for this position by the Chazon Ish who already then discerned the greatness and strength of the young man and foresaw his illustrious future. After a short while, he was appointed rabbi of the Chug Chatam Sofer communities in the city and with time became renowned as a foremost halachic authority acknowledged by all circles. He responded to thousands of halachic queries which were published in the eleven volumes of his book Responsa Shevet HaLevi.
[1] leaf, official stationery with the letterhead: "Samuel Halevi Wosner, Rabbi of Sichron-Meir, Bnei Brak". Approx. 27.5 cm. Approx. 25 autograph lines and signature. Good condition. Tears and light creases.
Category
Letters - Hungarian, Galician and Central European Rabbis
Catalogue