Divrei Shlomo, homily, Part I, by R. Shlomo HaLevi. Venice: Matteo Zanetti and Comino Presegno, [1596]. Only edition.
R. Shlomo HaLevi (1532-1600), disciple of Mahari Ben Lev, served as rabbi in Salonika. This book is a compilation of the sermons he delivered for various occasions in his community. As the author explains in his preface, he published the homily to Vayikra first, since the sages state that one beginning to study Torah should start with the Book of Vayikra. The second part was never printed.
The copy of R. Yedidia Tia Weil. His signature appears at the top of the title page: "Tia Weil".
R. Yedidia Tia Weil (1722-1806), leading Torah scholar of his times, son of R. Netanel Weil author of Korban Netanel, and close disciple of R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz. He exchanged halachic correspondence with the Noda BiYehuda and the Haflaa. He succeeded his father in 1770 as rabbi of Karlsruhe and of the State of Baden. His only work printed in his lifetime was his commentary to the Passover Haggadah - Marbeh LeSaper, which was published anonymously, yet he left behind dozens of manuscript compositions, which have been increasingly published in recent years.
217, 214-314; 14 leaves. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to title page and several other leaves. Dark dampstains to some leaves, mostly towards end of book. Verso of title page and several other leaves reinforced with strips of paper. Library stamps. Old binding, with damage.

Commentaries and novellae (Sefer HaMenucha, on the Rambam) by Rabbenu Manoach. Constantinople, 1718.
Copy of R. Natan Adler. Early ownership inscriptions on the title page, including: "…to the rabbi and dean of this city, Boskowitz, R. Natan Adler"; "Belongs to R. Natan Adler Katz [several deleted words], Boskowitz".
Additional inscription: "Received as a gift from R. Asher Ashkenazi, dayan in Jerusalem. Fegersheim, Sunday 16th Shevat 1851, Alexander" (R. Alexander Aron, rabbi of Fegersheim).
R. Natan HaKohen Adler (1742-1800) was born in Frankfurt am Main to R. Yaakov Shimon Adler. He was an outstanding Torah scholar and eminent kabbalist. He headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt, and was the prime teacher of R. Moshe Sofer - the Chatam Sofer, who mentions him extensively in his books in matters of Halacha and Kabbalah, referring to him as "my prime teacher, the renowned and pious Torah scholar, the great eagle" (alluding to the name Adler, German for eagle), and other similar titles. He suffered much persecution from the residents of his city, who even forbade him from holding prayers services in his Beit Midrash conforming with his singular kabbalistic customs. In 1782, R. Natan Adler left Frankfurt and settled in Boskowitz (Boskovice), Moravia. His disciple R. Moshe Sofer (the Chatam Sofer) remained with him, accompanying him to Boskowitz where he continued studying under him. R. Natan Adler served for only two years in Boskowitz, and this was the only time he held a rabbinic position. In ca. 1785, he returned to his home and Beit Midrash in Frankfurt.
56 leaves. 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Large tears to title page and several other leaves, affecting text. New binding.
See: Stefansky Classics, no. 51.

Kreiti UPleiti, commentary to Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah, by R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz. Altona, [1763]. First edition.
Signatures and ownership inscriptions on the title page, including the signature of R. Aryeh Leib Breslau Rabbi of Rotterdam: "The purchase of books increases wisdom, Aryeh Leib Breslau".
R. Aryeh Leib Breslau (1741-1809), a leading Torah scholar in his times. Born in Breslau, he studied in his youth in Lissa and Berlin. He frequented the renowned Beit Midrash of the wealthy R. Daniel Yaffe in Berlin, where many of the foremost Torah scholars of the generation studied (including the Pri Megadim and others). He served as rabbi of Emden, and in 1781, was appointed rabbi of Rotterdam. He authored Responsa Pnei Aryeh (Amsterdam 1790), in which he records the halachic correspondence he exchanged with the leading Torah scholars of his time: R. Pinchas Horowitz of Frankfurt - the Haflaa, R. Yeshaya Pick, R. David Tevele of Lissa, R. Meir Weil - a Lissa Torah scholar, and R. Meir Posner - the Beit Meir.
In his books, the Pnei Aryeh at times sharply challenges the novellae recorded in the books Kreiti UPleiti and Urim VeTumim, by R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz. Furthermore, he devotes in his book an entire composition named Maamar Yesod HaShtarot, comprising 12 chapters, in which he systematically refutes many principles innovated by R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz on the topic of shtarot. In his preface to this composition, the Pnei Aryeh states: "I am astounded at the author of Urim VeTumim, who erred on everything he said on this topic, errors which are unsuitable for a Torah scholar of his stature…".
Other signatures and stamps on the title page: "Yosef Natan of Hamburg", "Menachem HaLevi Horowitz", "Shlomo Zalman Berensohn of Warsaw". Signature and stamp: "Yissachar Berush HaLevi [Segal] Horowitz [of Warsaw]".
[3], 34 [i.e.: 35]; 165 leaves. 30 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Large dampstains to some leaves. Worming in several places. Marginal tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Non-original binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 177.

Asara Maamarot, by R. Menahem Azariah da Fano, with the Yo'el Moshe commentary by R. Moshe son of R. Shlomo HaLevi of Frankfurt. Amsterdam, 1649.
Copy of R. Avraham Danzig, the Chayei Adam. His signature at the center of the title page: "Avraham Danzig". Another inscription of his name, in square script, appears above the title page border.
R. Avraham Danzig (1748-1820), a leading Torah scholar in his times, disciple-companion and mechutan of the Vilna Gaon, authored classic halachic books: Chayei Adam, Nishmat Adam, Chochmat Adam, and others. Son of R. Yechiel Michel ben R. Shmuel, author of Nechamot Zion. In his youth, R. Avraham studied in Prague and was the disciple of the Noda BiYehuda and of R. Yosef Lieberman, Prague Torah prodigies. The latter granted him a writ titling him Chaver at the age of 18, and wrote among other praises: "Young of age but with a settled mind like the elderly, a disciple who adds to the wisdom of his teachers… proficient in the Talmud and the poskim… he is fluent in his Torah learning…". After his marriage, he settled in Vilna and basked in the presence of the Vilna Gaon, discussing Torah with him. Eventually, he became his mechutan, as R. Avraham's son wed the Vilna Gaon's granddaughter. His reverence of the Vilna Gaon knew no bounds and he expressed his veneration in the eulogies he delivered for him. In the beginning of his book Zichru Torat Moshe, he documented the study schedule of "my mechutan, our Master, Marana v'Rabana Geon Yisrael u'Kedosho Rabbenu Eliyahu Chassid…", and wrote that this schedule is "as commanded to us by Moshe Rabbenu". In his book Chayei Adam, R. Avraham introduces many teachings in the name of the Vilna Gaon, however he also disagrees with him in several places. This caused dissent; therefore in his book Chochmat Adam, R. Avraham refrained from quoting the Gaon so as not to openly disagree with him.
He refused to serve in the rabbinate, following his grandfather's footsteps, dealing in trade for his livelihood, with Torah study being his main priority (as recounted in his famous introduction to Chochmat Adam). In spite of this refusal, he was one of the leaders of the Vilna community, being constantly asked for his opinion on Torah matters and his agreement being sought on all issues.
R. Avraham had strong connections with the prominent rabbis of his times. R. Chaim of Volozhin, together with R. Yaakov of Lisa, author of Chavot Daat, encouraged him to publish his book Chochmat Adam. He exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Meir Pozner, author of Beit Meir.
His books were accepted in the entire Jewish world as basic halachic books, in a generation of great Torah sages, the days of the Vilna Gaon. They became the primary books of Torah rulings in Lithuania until the time of the Mishna Berura, which quotes him everywhere and heavily relies on his rulings. Many of the greatest Torah authorities of his generation and those who lived thereafter quote his books at length and discuss his writings, valuing his opinion.
In the beginning of the second edition of Chayei Adam, he wrote: "Since I am certain that in G-d’s kindness, my works both on Orach Chaim and on Yoreh Deah did not disappoint… and will be printed and reprinted until the Redemption, because even in my lifetime… they have been accepted and have spread throughout the Jewish world, that also after my death they undoubtedly will be even more accepted". The fact that all over Lithuania and Russia "Chayei Adam societies" were established, attests to their impressive success. These societies began in the author's lifetime as his friend R. Chaim of Volozhin wrote: "A man assisted by his Master… whose book Chayei Adam… spread throughout the Jewish world".
Even outside of Lithuania, his books became rudimentary study books, as can be learned from the Chatam Sofer, who affirmed that Torah authorities can rely on the rulings in these books whenever they cannot find the time to study the halachic sources themselves.
R. Avraham dealt extensively in Kabbalah, and the Passover Haggadah which he published with his commentary includes a kabbalistic preface and kabbalistic commentaries. He also wrote piyyutim and prayers, including the Tefillah Zaka, said at the beginning of Yom Kippur. He lived to the age of 73 - the numerical value of the name of his book Chayei Adam.
158 leaves. 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains, damage and wear. Dampness damage. Tears and worming to several leaves. New binding.
See: Stefansky Classics, no. 357.