"Order of prayers according to the prayer-rite of the Arizal", two parts in two volumes, prayers for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals, by R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi – the Baal HaTanya. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, 1863-1864. Title pages printed in black and red.
The text of the Siddur, the laws and the two Chassidic essays were composed and compiled by the Baal HaTanya, and were even published in his lifetime in several editions (the essays are entitled HaKol Kol Yaakov and Heara LeTikkun Chatzot). The other Chassidic discourses (commentaries to the prayers) were delivered by the Baal HaTanya and recorded by his son the Mitteler Rebbe, R. Dov Ber Shneuri of Lubavitch (first published in Kopust, 1816). These siddurim are known amongst Chabad chassidim as Siddur im Dach (Divrei Elokim Chaim – words of the Living G-d). This edition includes the additional Dach essays, first printed in the Berditchev (Berdychiv) 1818 edition, and not appearing in the first, Kopust 1816 edition.
In this edition, the Holy Names in Pesukei DeZimra and in other places were vocalized according to Kabbalah. R. Avraham David Lawat testified that the Tzemach Tzedek, Rebbe of Lubavitch, criticized the printers for modifying what the Baal HaTanya established, thereby allowing the siddur to be used even by those who have no knowledge in Kabbalah, including youths (Shaar HaKollel 6, section 9).
Two volumes. Vol. I (weekday prayers): [4], 308 pages. Vol. II (prayers for Shabbat and festivals): 124; 188 pages. 24 cm. Condition varies. Vol. I: Light-colored high-quality paper. Most leaves in good to good-fair condition. Stains. Minor tears and worming to title page and other leaves, not affecting text (first leaves professionally restored with paper). Paper repairs in several places. Vol. II: Stains. Dark food and wine stains to several leaves (Passover Haggadah). Minor wear and signs of use to some leaves. Many middle leaves in good-fair condition. Tears, repaired with paper, to title page and to first and last leaves. Last four leaves apparently supplied from a different copy (leaves restored at margins – enlarged to match size of other leaves). A small part of the title page border and several words on the last leaf were replaced with photocopies. New, uniform bindings.

Shaar HaTeshuva VehaTefillah, two parts, teachings of the second rebbe of the Chabad dynasty R. Dov Ber Schneuri – the Mitteler Rebbe. Printed in the Rebbe's lifetime. Shklow and Kopust (Kopys), [1817-1818]. First editions.
1. Shaar HaTeshuva VehaTefillah, Part I – repentance and prayer, joy and bitterness. With the Shaar HaBechira section, which "discusses matters which subdue a person's heart to complete repentance". Shklow, [1817]. First edition.
[4], 22; 11, [1], [2]; 84, [2] leaves. 16.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears to inner margins of first leaves. Title page darkened and stained, with tears. Worming and wear to title page and several other leaves (with minor damage, repaired in part). Tears and damage to several leaves, affecting text. Several leaves presumably supplied from a different copy. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 586. The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book quotes the Chabad bibliographer Chaim Lieberman, who contends that the book may have been printed in Kopust and not in Shklow.
2. Shaar HaTeshuvah VehaTefillah, Part II, "regarding repentance and service of the heart". Shklow, [1818]. First edition.
Ownership inscriptions, stamps and signatures.
[2], 42, 2, 5-81, [1] leaves. Lacking leaf 17 of first sequence. 16.5 cm. Overall good condition. Worming to several leaves. Stains. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 586. This book has several variants (differences in page headings of first gathering).

Large collection of letters from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson of Lubavitch and his son-in-law Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, with their signatures and words added in their handwriting, sometimes even entire lines. Most are addressed to R. Yosef Shmotkin of Rishon LeZion and his family. Leningrad (Russia), Riga (Latvia), Warsaw, Otvosk (Otwock, Poland), Brooklyn (New York), 1926-1979.
• 17 letters from the Rebbe Rayatz (most typewritten on official stationery, a few written by a scribe), some unpublished. All the letters bear his signature; some his full signature, including his surname, and three the special signature which he used in the last year of his life (with the letter Yud in Ashuri script). Several letters contain words added in his handwriting.
Among the letters is an invitation to the wedding of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, bearing the Rebbe Rayatz's signature, the date, the name and address of the recipient and the words: "His friend who seeks his wellbeing and blesses him", all in the handwriting of the Rayatz.
• 18 letters and a telegram from the Lubavitcher Rebbe (typewritten on official stationery), some unpublished. The letters bear his signature, with some containing words or entire lines added in his handwriting.
Among the letters: New Year greetings from Elul 1950 (year of mourning for the Rebbe Rayatz), where next to the signature of the Rebbe (who was yet to be appointed rebbe) appear the signatures of his mother-in-law Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson and his brother-in-law R. Shemaryahu Gur-Aryeh; letter on the official stationery of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch.
• Rare copying of a discourse ("Hanocha", 8 pages) delivered by the Rayatz at the Purim feast in 1926, which was never fully printed (short sections of this discourse were printed in Shemuot V'Sipurim MeRabbotenu HaKedoshim, I, p. 41, and in Sipur shel Chag – Chag Purim, p. 161); copying of a discourse delivered by the Rayatz on 19th Kislev [1928], never printed (piece of paper, written on both sides).
• The collection also contains the following: 14 letters from R. Yechezkel Feigin, secretary of the Rayatz (most in the name of the Rayatz on official stationery); two letters from R. Shmuel Zalmanov (one sent by the directive and in the name of the Rayatz); a letter from R. Nachman Yisrael HaKohen (in the name of the Rayatz); a long letter from R. Shmuel HaLevi Levitin (sent from Kutaisi), regarding sending "maamadot" funds of the Rebbe Rayatz; a kvitel written by R. Yosef Shmotkin to his Rebbe the Rayatz; long letters from R. Yosef Shmotkin to the Rebbe Rayatz and to his secretary R. Yechezkel Feigin; a letter acknowledging receipt of a donation, from the management of the Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva in 1912 (on the yeshiva's official stationery, with the stamp of the Rayatz); signs and cards which document the visit of the Rayatz to Eretz Israel in 1929; "General Letter", with the Rebbe's signature in photocopy; official membership certificate of the Chabad Kollel; newspaper clippings with articles about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and other items related to Chabad.
Enclosed: A photograph of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; two legal documents of the Tel Aviv Chief Rabbinate, from 1929, with the signatures of the Chief Rabbis of Tel Aviv, R. Shlomo Aharonson and R. Ben Tzion Chai Uziel; Chok L'Yisrael – Bereshit, Piotrków 1898.
R. Yosef Shmotkin (1892-1979), the recipient of most of the letters, was a Chabad orchard owner and businessman. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1925 and was one of the founders of the Chabad community in Rishon LeZion, initiating the construction of the Chabad synagogue there. The letters the Rayatz sent to him deal among other matters, with the debts he incurred and complicated issues related to an estate and the sale of his orchard. Many letters sent to him by the Rebbe concern the health of his grandson Zohar Olpiner (1945-2012, owner of a law office in Rishon LeZion and chairman of the Chess Club in Rishon LeZion), who contracted polio at the age of 5 and was left with paralyzed legs. These letters contain much advice which the Rebbe gave regarding this illness, including information on treatments, doctors, hospitalizations and surgery. Apparently, these letters have not been printed.
76 paper items (including 17 letters with the signature of the Rebbe Rayatz and 18 letters with the signature of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) + one photograph. Size varies. Overall good condition.

Likutei Amarim – Tanya, by R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi. Brooklyn, 1978.
The signature of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, appears at the end of the book.
The following was written about this signature of the rebbe: "At the end of the month of Tishrei 1978, during private audiences with guests, the Rebbe gave instructions to go to the office to receive a Tanya…These books were especially cherished because they bore the signature of the Rebbe himself, on the book of the Tanya at its end…" (Kovetz L'Chizuk HaHitkashrut, 29, Tishrei 2011, p. 7).
[4], 216, [1] leaves. 18.5 cm. Good condition. Minor damage to binding.

The five books of the Torah with various commentaries, including three new commentaries: the Vilna Gaon's Aderet Eliyahu and two works on the Mesorah: Menorat Shlomo and Minchat Kalil, authored by R. Or Shraga Feivush, the rabbi of Dubrowna (the Vilna Gaon's son-in-law). Dubrowna, 1804. Two title pages.
First edition of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on the Torah, with an introduction by his sons. On the verso of the title page of part II are the approbations of R. Chaim of Volozhin and other rabbis of Lithuania and Belarus.
[2], 68 leaves; 54 leaves; [1], 46 leaves; 51 leaves; 54 leaves; 16 leaves. 47 cm. Wide margins. Condition varies, good to fair. Stains. Dampstains (mildew to some leaves). Tears to title pages and several other leaves, affecting text, some of them repaired. Minor worming. Stamps and censor's inscriptions. New elegant leather binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 1.