Tzror HaMor, kabbalistic commentary on the Torah, by R. Avraham Saba. Venice: Marco Antonio Justinian, Tishrei 1545. Second edition.
This copy belonged to the first Gerrer Rebbe, R. Yitzchak Meir Alter (the Chiddushei HaRim), and bears the inscriptions and signatures of his grandsons R. Aryeh Leib Alter (the Sfat Emet) and Rebbe Pinchas Menachem Justman of Piltz (Pilica), author of Siftei Tzaddik.
On the front flyleaf, an ownership inscription signed by the Siftei Tzaddik: "G-d has granted me [this] from the estate of my grandfather the Rebbe, I am an atonement for his resting place, Pinchas Menachem Mendel son of R. B.E. of Ger" [the phrase "I am an atonement for his resting place" (Hareini Kaparat Mishkavo) customarily used during the first year after a parent's death, indicates that this inscription was penned within the year of the Chiddushei HaRim's passing]. Stamps of the Siftei Tzaddik appear at the top of the first leaf of Bereshit and at the end of Shemot: "Pinchas Menachem son of R. B.E. Justman of Ger". The ownership inscription of the Sfat Emet, "G-d has granted me [this], Aryeh Leib", appears in the top corner of the first leaf of Bereshit. This copy also bears ownership inscriptions, signatures and stamps of R. Avraham Abba Bomatz of Lodz (son-in-law of the Siftei Tzaddik); his inscription reveals how he came to possess the book: "G-d has granted me this precious book, which I have received from the rebbe in exchange for a different book, Avraham Abba Bomatz here in Ger – from Lodz" (apparently, the Siftei Tzaddik inherited the book from the estate of his grandfather the Chiddushei HaRim, and later gave it to his brother-in-law the Sfat Emet. Eventually the book was given back to R. Avraham Abba Bomatz by one of the Gerrer Rebbes – the Sfat Emet or perhaps his son the Imrei Emet).
Several other signatures and stamps (some early) appear on the first leaves, including the signature and stamps of R. Mordechai Mottel Katz Zilberstein of Kalisch. The blank page facing the title page bears a kvitel inscription of "Reuven Yisrael, son of Chana, HaLevi of Kalisch", who it seems gave the book to his teacher the Chiddushei HaRim (R. Reuven Yisrael Frankel of Kalisch was the son of the Kotzker chassid R. Shmuel Frankel of Kalisch and son-in-law of the wealthy R. Yehuda Leib Kushmirak of Kalisch).
A scholarly handwritten gloss appears on p. 7a. A number of textual corrections by several different writers can also be found throughout the book (the corrections on p. 35b are written in handwriting similar to that of the Chiddushei HaRim, see enclosed material for comparison). A censor's deletion appears at the end of Parashat Tazria (p. 97b), and a censor's stamps and signature appear on the title page.
R. Yitzchak Meir Alter, the first Gerrer Rebbe and author of Chiddushei HaRim (1799-1866, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 413-423), was one of the greatest scholars of Torah and Chassidut in his generation. He was raised in the home of the Maggid of Kozhnitz and became his close disciple. At the age of 13, he moved to his father-in-law's house in Warsaw and studied under R. Aryeh Leib Zünz. Shortly, he became known throughout Poland as "the prodigy from Warsaw". After the passing of the Maggid of Kozhnitz, he became one of the primary disciples of R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa. Then, with R. Simcha Bunim's passing, he accepted the authority of his colleague R. Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, influencing most of the Chassidim to follow his lead. In 1859, R. Yitzchak Meir was appointed as the Kotzker Rebbe's successor and moved to nearby Ger (Góra Kalwaria). In Ger, he served as rabbi and established the Gerrer Chassidic court, which flourished with thousands of followers during his seven-year tenure. His works of responsa and novellae in halachah and aggada are called collectively Chiddushei HaRim (abbreviation of R. Yitzchak Meir), the moniker which he later came to be known by.
R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, the second Gerrer Rebbe and author of Sfat Emet (1847-1905, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 8-16), was a prominent Rebbe and leader of Polish Jewry. Under his leadership, the Gerrer Chassidut grew to become the largest and most influential Chassidic dynasty in Poland. When his grandfather the Chiddushei HaRim died in 1866, R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib was appointed, as per his grandfather's testament, to become rabbi of Ger at the young age of 19. The Chassidim wanted to appoint him Rebbe as well, however he adamantly refused, instead joining a group of Ger Chassidim who accepted the leadership of R. Chanoch Henich HaKohen of Aleksander (a disciple of the Kotzker Rebbe). When R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib would travel to see him each year, the Aleksander Rebbe (who was very old at that time) showed great respect for the young man and would seat him at the head of the table. Then, when the Aleksander Rebbe died in 1870, the Chassidim repeated their request that the Sfat Emet serve as Rebbe. After much imploring on the part of the Chassidim, the Sfat Emet accepted their request. Interestingly, since the Sfat Emet refused to sit at the head of the table, it became customary for future Gerrer Rebbes, as well, to sit in the middle of the table and not at its head. Notwithstanding his original refusals to serve as Rebbe, after accepting the post he employed his brilliance and wisdom to elevate and strengthen his multitudes of Chassidim, counseling them in matters both spiritual and material. As his reputation grew, tens of thousands more – from all over Poland and the neighboring countries – began to flock to Ger in quest of the Sfat Emet's counsel and guidance. Before long, the Gerrer Chassidut had developed into the largest Chassidut in Poland, with approximately 100,000 people coming to visit each year. In 1899, a special railway line was launched between Ger and Warsaw to service the thousands of Chassidim who thronged to Ger. This railway was dubbed "The Rebbe's Line" and the Sfat Emet personally participated in funding its construction. The Sfat Emet's classic work on the Torah, renowned for its depth and originality, is quite likely the Chassidic book which has achieved the most popularity in circles unaffiliated with Chassidut, such as the Lithuanian yeshiva world. The profound Talmudic novellae of the Sfat Emet are likewise widely studied.
Rebbe Pinyele of Piltz – R. Pinchas Menachem Justman (1848-1920) was a holy Chassidic Torah scholar, a leader of Polish Jewry and one of the founders of Agudath Yisrael. He was the son of R. Binyamin Eliezer (son-in-law of the Chiddushei HaRim) and the son-in-law of his uncle R. Avraham Mordechai (son of the Chiddushei HaRim). He lived in Ger and was one of the foremost Chassidim of his brother-in-law, the Sfat Emet. After the latter's passing, the Chassidim wanted to appoint R. Pinchas as Rebbe, however he refused and instead moved to Piltz to serve as rabbi there. Even after he moved to Piltz, Chassidim continued to throng to him in attempt to declare him their Rebbe, and after their many entreaties he did agree to accept the position. However, he remained faithful and subject to the leadership of the new Gerrer Rebbe, the Imrei Emet, and all communal matters were managed jointly by the two. R. Pinchas wrote Siftei Tzaddik on the Torah, as well as other works. His illustrious son-in-law was R. Avraham Abba Bomatz of Lodz.
[2], 3-165 leaves. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Title page heavily stained, with marginal damage (mounted on paper for preservation). Marginal damage to final leaves (repaired with paper). Library stamps. New leather binding.

Responsa of Rabbenu Yitzchak HaLevi (brother and teacher of the Taz), Part I. Neuwied, 1736. First edition.
Copy of R. Meir Margolies, author of Meir Netivim, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and one of his "sixty warriors", which he gave to his son R. Betzalel Margolies Rabbi of Ostroh. Owner's signature at the top of p. 10a (using the "י" of the page numeral): " Meir", in square script, presumably handwritten by the Meir Netivim. Inscription on the title page, handwritten by R. Betzalel Margolies, attesting that he received this book from his father the Meir Netivim, and listing their lineage up to R. Yeshaya HaLevi Rabbi of Dubno, brother of the author of this book and of the Taz: " I received this responsa book as a gift from my father the outstanding Torah scholar... R. Meir Margolies, grandson of R. Yeshaya Rabbi of Dubno, brother of the author and of the Taz. So are the words of his son, Betzalel Margolies".
On the approbation leaf following the title page (on the blank side), R. Betzalel records their lineage in further detail: " Betzalel son of R. Meir, son of R. Tzvi Hirsh Margolies, son-in-law of the leader of the entire diaspora R. Mordechai Mordush Auerbach of Germany, son-in-law of R. Tzadok Shebreshiner a leader of the Council of the Four Lands, son-in-law of R. Yeshaya HaLevi Rabbi of Dubno, brother of R. Yitzchak HaLevi author of this book".
There is an additional inscription at the top of the same page, also handwritten by R. Betzalel, torn and partly lacking.
R. Meir Margolies (1700/1708-1790) was a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and one of the first to cleave to him, as early as 1737, before the latter became famous. Reputedly, his teacher the Baal Shem Tov requested that he write his name in the siddur he prayed from, to enable him to mention R. Meir in prayer, and the latter did so. His signature in the siddur of the Baal Shem Tov was preserved until this day (Kevutzat Yaakov, Berditchev 1896, p. 52b; MiBeit HaGenazim, Brooklyn 2010, p. 230). R. Meir refers to his teacher the Baal Shem Tov in several places in his books as "my teacher" and "my colleague". In his book Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh, 1794), he describes the level of learning Torah for the sake of Heaven: "...as I was instructed by my teachers who were prominent in Torah and Chassidut, headed by my friend the pious R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov... and from my youth, when I attached myself with bonds of love to my teacher and friend R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov... I knew with absolute certainty that his conduct was in holiness and purity, piety and ascetism... occult matters were revealed to him...". In his book Meir Netivim (Part II, end of Parashat Vayigash), he quotes a segulah from his teacher for dissipating anger: "I learnt from my teacher that a wonderful segulah for dissipating anger is to say the verse...". His son R. Betzalel, his successor as rabbi of Ostroh, wrote in his approbation to Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov (Berditchev 1815 edition): "...and as I heard from my father... who from his youth was one of the Torah scholars associated with the Baal Shem Tov, and R. Meir would frequently extol his virtues...". Rebbe Yitzchak Izek of Komarno attested in his book Netiv Mitzvotecha (Netiv HaTorah, Shevil 1): "Our teacher R. Yisrael son of Eliezer... he was accorded sixty warriors, souls of righteous men, to protect him, and one of them was the Meir Netivim".
R. Meir Margolies was a leading and prominent rabbi in his times. In his youth, he served as rabbi of Yazlovets and Horodenka. In 1755, he was appointed rabbi of the Lviv region. In 1766, he was appointed by the King of Poland as chief rabbi of Ukraine and Galicia. In 1776, he received an official letter of appointment from the King of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski (the rabbinical appointment, in gilt letters, is preserved until this day in the Dubnow archives in New York). In 1777, he was appointed, in addition to his position as rabbi of the Lviv region, as rabbi of Ostroh and the vicinity. R. Meir was a member of the famous Brody Kloiz most of his life. He was closely attached to the Kloiz Torah scholars, and quotes their teachings extensively in his book.
R. Meir authored several prominent compositions in revealed and kabbalistic realms of the Torah, in Halachah and in homily. His series of books was named Or Olam, and includes his books on Halachah, homily and Kabbalah: His renowned book Responsa Meir Netivim, two parts (Polonne 1791), Sod Yachin UBoaz (Ostroh 1794), HaDerech HaTov VehaYashar (Polonne 1795) and Kotnot Or (Berditchev 1816).
His son, R. Betzalel Margolies (d. 1821), first served as rabbi of Zvhil (Novohrad-Volynskyi), and after the passing of R. Meir in 1790, he succeeded him as rabbi of Ostroh, a position he held for over thirty years. He was renowned as a great Torah scholar and kabbalist, pious and humble. During his tenure, he penned dozens of approbations, some in the form of a poem. He authored Keter Shabbat (unpublished). R. Betzalel was very close to R. Zusha of Anipoli, and whenever R. Zusha came to Ostroh, he would stay at his home.
The lineage inscription found here was published (with a picture) in Kerem Shlomo, Iyar-Sivan 1989, pp. 44-45.
[2], 31 leaves. Lacking final two leaves. 30.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming and tears to title page and other leaves, affecting text.
Variant: the approbations on verso of title page do not appear in all copies. In some copies, a leaf with the approbations was attached to the verso of the title page.
The book is bound with:
Torat Chaim, novellae on Tractates Bava Kama, Bava Metzia, Bava Batra, Eruvin, Sanhedrin, Shevuot, Pesachim, Avoda Zara and Chulin, by R. Avraham Chaim Schorr. Frankfurt an der Oder, [1734].
[1], 103, 105-148 leaves. Engraved title page. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming. Tears to title page, affecting engravings. Tears to several other leaves, affecting text.
2 books in one volume. New leather binding.

Samaritan manuscript, Five Books of the Torah (codex). Nablus, [19th century].
Particularly beautiful manuscript, on high-quality paper, with wide-margins. Copied by the priest Shlomo son of Amram son of Shlomo son of Toviah HaLevi ("from the Kehat family"). Colophon at the end of each Book.
This volume is from the collection of Chacham Yitzchak Binyamin Yechezkel Yehudah (1863-1941), educator, translator, bookseller and Orientalist who studied the history of the Jewish people and Arabic culture. In the early 20th century Chacham Yehudah lived in Darmstadt, Germany, where he traded in books and manuscripts in Hebrew and Oriental languages. In 1906, he immigrated to Cairo, where he opened a bookshop for classical and religious Arabic texts near the al-Azhar mosque. He was renowned as the premier expert on Arabic literature in the region, and he often assisted Muslim scholars as well as Orientalists residing in Cairo. He published a number of books including "The Western Wall"(Jerusalem, 1929), "Fables of the East" (3 volumes, Jerusalem, 1932-1990), and others. In addition to Hebrew and Arabic, Chacham Yehuda was fluent in Ladino, Persian, Yiddish, German, Turkish, English and French. His son-in-law, Prof. Yosef Yoel Rivlin attested that he was "amazingly proficient in Oriental studies and literature, and one of the greatest Jewish researchers".
This volume is stamped with the stamp of Chacham Yehuda's bookshop in Cairo, and bears his signature (from Jerusalem). At the end of the volume, Chacham Yehudah bound a leaf in his own handwriting, quoting several verses introduced by an interesting, unique comment about the custom of Sephardi Jews (and later the Rashash) of reciting these verses whenever three Torah scrolls are removed from the ark for the Shabbat Torah reading: "The ancient custom of Saragossa was to recite these verses whenever three Torah scrolls were removed from the ark on Shabbat or Yom Tov, and the Rashash followed this custom". Five (printed) prayer leaves from siddurim are bound before this leaf. Several handwritten glosses (in pencil) by Chacham Yehuda in the margins of the first chapter of the Book of Bereshit.
[428] pages. 15.5 cm. Good condition. Creases and stains, primarily to first and final leaves, and to endpapers. Some marginal stains. Original, contemporary dark red leather binding, with embossed decorations and leather closure. Some marginal defects to binding; tears to spine.
Rare.
Provenance: Collection of Yitzchak Binyamin Yehudah.

Memorandum [of understanding] transferring copyright privileges for one of Felix Mendelssohn's works – his musical score to Psalms 114 ("When Israel out of Egypt came...") to the music publisher Joseph Alfred Novello. Signed by Felix Mendelssohn. London, September 29, 1840. English.
Official form, printed and filled in handwriting, declaring that Felix Mendelssohn has received from the music publisher Joseph Alfred Novello the sum of fifteen guineas (British currency in the form of gold coins, removed from circulation in the early 19th century, but remaining in use as a unit of account for "aristocratic" purchases, i.e., works of art, objects of value, horses, land) as payment for the copyright privileges to the melody Mendelssohn composed for Psalms 114. Signed "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy".
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847), composer, grandson of the German Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, among the greatest composers of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn composed seven musical scores for chapters of Psalms. Though raised and educated as a Christian – and despite the fact he had composed no shortage of music with themes and styles characteristic of Christian Europe – his melodies for Psalms were regarded as "Jewish" in nature. That is especially true of the present work, with respect to which the musicologist George Grove (author and editor of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians) states that "the Jewish blood of Mendelssohn must surely for once have beat fiercely over this picture of the great triumph of his forefathers" (George Grove, "Dictionary of Music and Musicians, " London, 1890, Vol. II, p. 304).
Joseph Alfred Novello (1810-1896), eldest child of the composer and organist Vincent Novello. Among the foremost printers and publishers of musical scores in the 19th century. Under his guiding hand, the publishing company established by his father, Novello & Co., developed into a predominant power in the music world of that period; it was the first to introduce affordable sheet music and to depart from the method of publishing by subscription. Conducted a longstanding correspondence with Felix Mendelssohn, and printed musical scores to his works.
[1] f. (sheet folded in half), 33.5 cm. Good condition. Fold lines. Minor tears to fold lines. Minor stains. In new binding with gilt title imprinted on spine, and with new endpapers of high-quality paper. Minor blemishes to binding.

Letter handwritten and signed by Albert Einstein, addressed to the pianist Bruno Eisner. Princeton, New Jersey, USA, September 26, 1936. German.
The present letter was written in 1936, when Albert Einstein was already residing in the United States, in Princeton, New Jersey, a scant few years following the Nazi rise to power and Einstein's decision to refrain from returning to Germany. In his letter, Einstein offers advice to his friend – the Austrian Jewish pianist Bruno Eisner – with regard to settling in the United States and the difficulties a Jewish immigrant with no connections should expect. (In fact, Eisner had already arrived at the US shortly beforehand, and was staying in New York with another of Einstein's friends, the ophthalmologist Max Talmey.)
Einstein writes: "You are unfortunately relying on a false assumption. I am very lonely here, and I am not in touch with anyone, least of all with any musicians. The assignment of positions is completely disorganized, so you find out about vacancies in any given place only through personal connections... There exists here a tremendous [degree of] anti-Semitism, especially in academia (though also in industry and banking). Mind you, this [anti-Semitism] never takes the form of brutal speech or action, but rather, it brews, all the more intensely, under the surface. It is, so to speak, an omnipresent enemy, one that's impossible to see, [whose presence] you only perceive." As an example, Einstein cites the case of his own assistant, who, as a last resort, was forced to leave the United States and accept a job position in Russia.
Further on in the letter, Einstein qualifies the above warnings, and points out that in fact it is not entirely impossible to find a job in the United States, "though not necessarily in one of the larger cities, where everyone seems to end up." He encourages Eisner to establish personal connections in musical circles and make an effort to gain admittance to an appropriate professional association. He also advises Eisner to contact and request assistance from another one of his musician-friends, the renowned pianist and composer Leopold Godowsky.
Toward the end of the letter, Einstein states that "I am happy that you are staying with such fine, good-hearted people; I've known Mr. Talmey since childhood (he was a student back then)." In his days as a student of ophthalmology, Max Talmey (originally Max Talmud; 1869-1941) would regularly come to visit the Einstein home in Munich for lunch. As a token of gratitude, he tutored the 10-year-old Albert in algebra and supplied him with science texts, including books belonging to the popular series "Naturwissenschaftliche Volksbücher" ("Popular Books on Natural Science") by Aaron Bernstein – an author who had a profound impact on the young Einstein's intellectual development.
At the very end, Einstein sends regards from his wife, Elsa Einstein, who was seriously (and terminally) ill at the time. "She suffers greatly, bedridden, trouble breathing, diabetes..." (Elsa passed away roughly three months later.)
Albert Einstein (1879-1955), among the most influential of physicists of the 20th century, gave rise to the theory of relativity and helped lay the foundations for the theory of quantum mechanics. Nobel Laureate in Physics. Born in Ulm in southern Germany, studied in Switzerland, and served as professor at a number of different universities, including Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität (today Humboldt University) in Berlin.
When the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, there was a gradual move to isolate Jews and remove them from positions of influence in German society. Among the earliest anti-Semitic edicts were laws preventing Jews from holding public office, and this included university posts. The persecutions targeted Jewish physicists in particular; among other things, Einstein's theory of relativity was dismissed as "Jewish Physics." At the time of Adolf Hitler's rise to power, Einstein coincidentally happened to be on a lecture tour outside Germany. In light of the situation in his native land, Einstein decided to renounce his German citizenship, and after a brief period of wandering, ended up settling in the United States, where he was offered a position at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University in New Jersey. Einstein remained at Princeton until his death on April 18, 1955.
Bruno Eisner (1884-1978), Jewish pianist, native of Vienna. Studied music in Vienna, appeared throughout Europe as a concert pianist, and served as an instructor at various musical academies in Germany. Held concerts in Palestine in 1929 and 1936. Following the Nazi takeover in Germany, immigrated to the United States with the support of Albert Einstein, whom he first met in 1928. Einstein provided Eisner with an affidavit that assisted him in acquiring an entry visa. He also helped him find an available room at the home of Max Talmey in New York, and even paid his rent for the first month. The present letter's recipient address was apparently this residence. In spite of the rising tide of anti-Semitism that characterized those years – influenced by the spread of Nazism throughout Europe, anti-Jewish demagoguery, and conspiracy theories associated with the New Deal, all in the shadow of the Great Depression – Eisner managed to quickly find a niche in the American classical music scene. He nurtured a career as a concert pianist and professor of music at universities and music academies across the land, and passed away at a ripe old age in New York.
[1] f. (written on both sides), approx. 28 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Fold lines and minor creases. Few small tears to edges, and punch holes (not affecting text).
Provenance: Christie's, Auction No. 9364, Printed Books and Manuscripts including Americana (New York, May 19, 2000), Item No. 204.