Auction 92 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
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Early amulet for protection of the home, customarily given by R. Yeshaya Steiner of Kerestir, the Yismach Moshe, and other rebbes. [Europe, ca. late 19th century].
Stam script on parchment.
The book Mofet HaDor about R. Yeshaya of Kerestir notes that most the amulets he would give contained the present text. It is told there of a Jewish store which was miraculously saved from being set on fire by a non-Jewish competitor, through such an amulet received from R. Yeshaya of Kerestir. See there two pictures of such amulets.
The book Elef Ketav (by R. Yitzchak Weiss of Vrbové, section 515) interprets this amulet: the first line contains the initials of two verses of protections from Tehillim (122:7 and 91;10), alternating; the second verse contains the initials of a verse of protection from Bereshit (19;1).
Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, the Yismach Moshe, would give amulets containing this text for protection of the home from thieves and destructive forces. A picture of a similar amulet written by the Yismach Moshe and given by his grandson the Yitav Lev to his attendant R. Meir Schwartz appears in Nachalat Tzvi (XVI, pp. 126-127). It is related there that when the Divrei Yoel of Satmar came to Eretz Israel, he went specially to view the amulet and took pleasure in it. Similar amulets were later given by the rebbes of Sanz, Belz, Ruzhin, Sighet and Liska. Likewise, R. Hillel of Kolomyia, in his book Teshuvot Beit Hillel HaChadash (section 32) recommends to place this amulet at every entrance of a new house for a period of time, to protect the household members from harm.
63X23 mm. Mounted on card, 95X40 mm. Good condition. Ink slightly faded and cracked from age.
![Letter from Rebbe Yisrael Perlow, the Yenuka of Karlin-Stolin. [Stolin?, ca. 1900s-1910s].Written by a scribe, with the signa](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale92_1/69.jpg "Letter from \"the Frankfurter\", Rebbe Yisrael Perlow of Karlin – Passov")
Letter from Rebbe Yisrael Perlow, the Yenuka of Karlin-Stolin. [Stolin?, ca. 1900s-1910s].
Written by a scribe, with the signature of the rebbe – "Yisrael son of R. Asher". Letter addressed to a relative, R. Asher Levi – confirming the receipt of a kvittel and Pidyon, with blessings for a complete recovery, satisfaction from his children and Passover wishes.
"May G-d heal him speedily and completely from all his ills, and may he merit to see much satisfaction from his offspring, and G-d should fulfill all his heart's desires for the good… may he celebrate the festival of Matzot in kashrut and rejoicing, with a plentiful cup of salvations… His relative who seeks his wellbeing, and blesses him with a kosher, joyous festival, Yisrael son of R. Asher".
Rebbe Yisrael Perlow of Karlin-Stolin, known as "the Yenuka" (1868-1921), was orphaned from his father R. Asher of Stolin in his childhood, and was appointed rebbe at the young age of four and a half (!). He was the son-in-law of R. David Twersky of Zlatopoli. He passed away at the age of 53, and was buried in Frankfurt, and has since been known amongst Karlin Chassidim as "the Frankfurter". He left behind six sons – Rebbe Moshe of Stolin, Rebbe Avraham Elimelech of Karlin, Rebbe Yochanan of Lutsk, Rebbe Yaakov of Detroit, R. Aharon of Warsaw and R. Asher of Stolin – and four daughters. All of his descendants perished in the Holocaust, except for his sons Rebbe Yaakov Chaim Perlow, who passed away in the United States in 1946 and was buried in Detroit, and Rebbe Yochanan Perlow of Lutsk and the United States (1900-1955) – grandfather of the current rebbe of Karlin-Stolin and of his brother, the rebbe of Lutsk.
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.
Letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Yehoshua Horowitz of Dzikov, the Ateret Yeshuah. Dzikov (present day: Tarnobrzeg), [ca. 1900s].
Certificate of ordination for the shochet R. Yisrael Schub; Rebbe Yehoshua Horowitz attests to the shochet's knowledge of the laws of shechitah and bedikah, and approves of his shechitah. Signed: "Sunday, Parashat Tazria, ---, Dzikov. Yehoshua Horowitz".
At the beginning and end of the letter, stamps (faded and damaged) of the rebbe.
Rebbe Yehoshua Horowitz of Dzikov (1848 – Tevet 1912), leading rebbe in western Galicia (south-eastern Poland). Son of Rebbe Meir of Dzikov, the Imrei Noam, grandson of R. Naftali of Ropshitz. He was known as a brilliant genius from a young age, and corresponded with Torah leaders of his times. His father attested that at the age of 20, he had already finished studying the entire Zohar twice. In his father's lifetime, he was appointed rabbi of Dzikov, and from 1877, he began serving as rebbe of Dzikov. During his tenure, the Dzikov court numbered thousands of Chassidim who were elevated in Torah and fear of G-d through his presence. He was a leader of Galician Orthodox Jewry, and one of the founders of Machzikei HaDat in 1879. He published books on halachah and Talmudic topics: Emek Halachah (Lviv, 1870) and more, but was primarily known for the Ateret Yeshuah series on the Torah and festivals, and responsa.
[1] leaf. 23 cm. Fair-poor condition Open tears to center of letter, affecting text, repaired with paper. Stains.
Letter signed by Rebbe Shlomo Halberstam of Bobov. White Lake (resort town close to the Catskills, North-West New York), Av 1982.
Typewritten, with many handwritten corrections. Signed by Rebbe Shlomo Halberstam. Printed title at the top of the page: "Letter of Encouragement".
Letter of condolences and encouragement following the passing of a young student of the Bobov yeshiva, "…who was superior in fear of G-d, sharp and well versed in Torah matters, the student Avraham Eliezer, who passed away in his prime after suffering a mortal disease…". The rebbe writes to the father of the student that G-d only sends such a difficult trial to someone who is capable of accepting it faithfully and wholeheartedly, without questioning G-d's will.
Rebbe Shlomo Halberstam (the second) of Bobov (1907-2000), a prominent rebbe, son of Rebbe Benzion Halberstam, the Kedushat Tzion (1874-1941, perished in the Holocaust; son of the first rebbe of Bobov, Rebbe Shlomo Halberstam – 1847-1905, grandson of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz). In 1931, his father moved from Bobov (Bobowa) to Tshebin (Trzebinia), and appointed his son as assistant rabbi in Bobov. R. Shlomo also assisted his father in running the largest network of yeshivot in Galicia, the Etz Chaim-Bobov yeshiva with its dozens of branches. Following the Holocaust, which he miraculously survived, he reached the United States where he re-established the Bobov Chassidut. The rebbe led the Bobov court in the United States for over fifty years, and was one of the leading rebbes in the United States. He established communities, yeshivot and educational institutions in the United States and throughout the world (in Eretz Israel, Belgium and England). The Bobov Chassidut is today one of the largest Chassidic communities in the world, numbering tens of thousands of families.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28 cm. Very good condition.
Two manuscript volumes, Ezri Mikodesh, two parts, novellae on Talmudic tractates, Talmudic methodology, halachic responsa and homiletics – handwritten by R. Avraham Auerbach Rabbi of Bonn, [ca. 1820s-1830s].
Autograph manuscript in two volumes; with deletions, glosses and additions (occasionally on pieces of paper pasted over the text) handwritten by the author. In several places, there are glosses and additions handwritten by his sons – R. Aharon Auerbach Rabbi of Bonn and R. Tzvi Binyamin Rabbi of Halberstadt, author of Nachal Eshkol; and by his grandson – R. Aviezri Zelig Auerbach Rabbi of Halberstadt. The title Ezri MiKodesh was given by the author. In several places, one part of the work is referred to by a different title – Zehav HaKodesh (presumably the title given to the brief glosses containing references only). Ezri MiKodesh was edited by the author and his sons. It was recently published by the Shomrei Mishmeret HaKodesh institute (Jerusalem, 2019), based on the present manuscripts (after being further edited).
Several essays are dated Shabbat Shuvah or Shabbat HaGadol, early 1830s, and the work was presumably mostly written in those years. At the end of the first volume (leaves 223-224), the text of a community regulation from 1716 is quoted, forbidding requesting a special exemption to live outside of the Jews' street, and evading tax or community tolls; with the text of the annulment of the prohibition from 1821, signed by R. "Avraham Auerbach, rabbi of Bonn and the region".
In the present work, the author brings many teachings in the name of his father R. Aviezri Zelig Auerbach and his grandfather R. Tzvi Hirsh Auerbach Rabbi of Worms. He also quotes his illustrious father-in-law, R. Yosef David Sinzheim, prominent French rabbi and president of Napoleon's Sanhedrin. On leaves 201-214, the author copies halachic rulings and responsa from his father-in-law, author of Yad David. Another responsa by his father-in-law is copied on pp. 224b-225a.
The author also quotes teachings by other German rabbis, such as R. Avraham Lissa Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main (p. 15b) and R. Yitzchak Kahana Rabbi of Bonn (p. 99b).
At the beginning of the second volume, heading handwritten by the author's son (R. Aharon Auerbach Rabbi of Bonn): "Ezri MiKodesh Part II – Halachic novellae, rulings and Talmudic methodology, by my father R. Avraham Auerbach", followed by his foreword with words of encouragement and ethics.
The author, R. Avraham Auerbach (1763-1845), disciple of R. Natan Adler and colleague of the Chatam Sofer, was a leading rabbi of Germany and the Rhinelands. He was the son of R. Aviezri Zelig Auerbach Rabbi of Bouxwiller (1724-1768), and son-in-law of his uncle R. David Sinzheim Rabbi of Strasbourg (president of Napoleon's Sanhedrin). He was raised by his grandfather R. Tzvi Hirsh Auerbach Rabbi of Worms, and later studied under R. Natan Adler in Frankfurt am Main, together with the Chatam Sofer (who later eulogized him; see: Ishim BiTeshuvot HaChatam Sofer, p. 20). He served as rabbi of several German communities. In 1808, he was appointed rabbi of Bonn. His descendants include prominent rabbis and Torah leaders, including his eldest son, R. Tzvi Binyamin Auerbach – author of Nachal Eshkol and Rabbi of Darmstadt and Halberstadt; and his son R. Aharon Auerbach, Rabbi of Bonn.
His work Ezri MiKodesh was published in 2019, while the rest of his books remained in manuscript, including his work Brit Avraham on the Yalkut (mentioned in Mishnat Rabbi Natan by his son R. Tzvi Binyamin Auerbach) and Remez HaEresh on the Torah (mentioned by the author in a homily for Shavuot, see Ezri MiKodesh p. 492).
The author's father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef David Sinzheim (ca. 1736-1812), of whom a few rulings and responsa are copied in the present manuscript, was one of the leading French Torah scholars of the past few generations and president of the Grand Sanhedrin established by Napoleon. He was born in Trier (southwestern Germany), where his father, R. Yitzchak Isaac Sinzheim, served as rabbi. In 1778, he founded a yeshiva in Bischheim (Alsace, France) together with his brother-in-law R. Naftali Hertz Medelsheim (Herz Cerfbeer of Medelsheim). The yeshiva later relocated to Strasbourg. In the early 19th century, he was appointed by Napoleon as president of the Grand Sanhedrin – a Jewish high court convened by Napoleon in order to legalize the status of the Jews in France. In this position, he very wisely dealt with various attempts to reform Jewish practices. R. Sinzheim was eulogized by the Chatam Sofer: "…This tzaddik whom we are eulogizing, R. David Sinzheimer, author of Yad David, was very honored and close to Paris royalty and was asked about a number of issues. He responded to their questions and was greatly esteemed by the king and the officers… Nonetheless, he studied Torah all his life, completing the Talmud several times, and was proficient in all the books of the Rishonim and Achronim as can be discerned from his book. I knew him in my youth and also later, I could recognize his righteousness in our correspondence…". R. Sinzheim left many Torah writings, including Yad David on the Talmud, Minchat Ani on Talmudic topics and Shelal David on the Torah. Many volumes of his works were printed by Machon Yerushalayim.
Two volumes: 3-227 leaves; [18], 96 leaves, and many more blank leaves (altogether: 342 written pages in vol. I, and 154 written pages in vol. II). 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Traces of past dampness and mold stains to vol. I. Detached leaves in vol. II. Vol. I in a new binding, somewhat loose. Vol. II in an old binding, detached (missing spine).
Provenance: The author's descendants. The manuscripts were preserved for many years in the Mendel Gottesman Library at Yeshiva University, NY, Ms. 21-22, and were returned to the author's descendants, who used it to publish the book Ezri MiKodesh in 2019.
Leaf handwritten by R. Shlomo Eger, containing notes of Torah novellae and a draft letter. Warsaw, 1807.
Leaf handwritten by R. Shlomo Eger, with additions and deletions.
The leaf begins with an interesting draft letter addressed to his father R. Akiva Eger, dated 28th Tammuz (August 3) 1807, in which he reports on military and political events taking place in Warsaw, with the retreat of the Prussian and French forces in preparation for the creation of the Duchy of Warsaw (following the Treaty of Tilsit, signed in July 1807 – see below).
Further in the letter, R. Shlomo adds information about rabbis and philanthropists in Poland, mentions a wedding to take place on 24th Av, and relates about a certain rabbi who had come to Warsaw to publish his book.
The rest of the leaf and the verso contain drafts of Torah novellae on Tractate Gittin. Inscription in a different hand: "Copied". A different date is mentioned between the lines (presumably relating to that particular note): "Sunday Parashat Behar 1807".
The writings of R. Shlomo Eger were published in "Responsa of R. Shlomo Eger – Rulings and Writings" (published by Mosad HaRav Kook, Jerusalem, 1983-1985), based on a manuscript copying produced by his son R. Yisrael Eger and his descendants (who presumably marked this leaf as "copied"). The present novellae were published based on these copyings in Responsa of R. Shlomo Eger (part II, Writings, section 13). The printed version contains several errors which can be corrected based on the present manuscript, such as missing characters and words, and even the omission of an entire line (21 words). In the printed book, the editor quotes the copyist, who wrote at the foot of the copying: "The letter is addressed to his father R. Akiva Eger, yet from the contents of the letter, it appears that it is not so…". In fact, from the present original manuscript, it appears that the Torah novellae are not a direct continuation of the draft letter at the beginning of the leaf.
R. Shlomo Eger (1785-1852), leading Torah scholar of his times, second son of R. Akiva Eger (and brother-in-law of the Chatam Sofer). His illustrious father held him in high esteem, as he praises him in a letter to R. Yaakov Gezundheit: "G-d granted me a son of great stature like a cedar" (Responsa and Novellae of R. Akiva Eger, Jerusalem 1947, section 22). In ca. 1801, he married Rebbetzin Rivka Golda, daughter of the wealthy Hirschsohn family of Warsaw, and settled there. In his father-in-law's home, R. Shlomo continued applying himself to his Torah studies, and became one of the most prominent and wealthiest Torah scholars of Warsaw. After he lost his fortune in the Polish revolution of 1831 (which he supported together with the Torah leaders of Poland, R. Chaim Davidson and R. Berish Meisels), he was appointed as rabbi of Kalisch. In 1840, he succeeded his father as rabbi of Posen. He edited and published his father's responsa and novellae, and included some of his own novellae. His writings were also published in the books Gilyon Maharsha on the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch; Responsa of R. Shlomo Eger, two parts, published by Mosad HaRav Kook (Jerusalem, 1983-1985) and Sefer HaIkkarim, two parts (Jerusalem, 1991-1996).
[1] leaf, written on both sides. Approx. 23.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear and some open tears. Marginal paper repairs.
The Establishment of the Duchy of Warsaw in July 1807, Following the Treaties of Tilsit – Contemporary Jewish Report
The present draft letter was written in Warsaw on August 3, 1807. About a month earlier, on July 7 and July 9, two agreements (the treaties of Tilsit) were signed between the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the Russian Emperor Alexander I, and the King of Prussia Frederick William III. As part of these agreements, the Kingdom of Prussia had to relinquish almost all the Polish territory it had annexed during the Second and Third Partitions of Poland in the late 18th century; Napoleon Bonaparte then created the Duchy of Warsaw, a protectorate of France, on this territory. Napoleon appointed his ally, King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony (grandson of Augustus III king of Poland), as its ruler. Two weeks later, in Dresden on 22 July 1807, Napoleon divided the Duchy of Warsaw into several administrative regions, which would be managed by the Senate and the Council of State. The Duchy of Warsaw only lasted for a few years; following Napoleon's downfall, it was handed over to the Russian Empire at the congress of Vienna in 1815.
The present letter was written by R. Shlomo Eger, who was living in Warsaw at the time, to his father R. Akiva Eger, who served then as rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (presently Mirosławiec, Poland, West Pomerania).
In this letter, dated early August 1807, R. Shlomo Eger reports on these historic events as they were taking place, shortly after the retreat of the victorious French forces and the defeated Prussian forces from Polish territory, and several days before the King of Saxony and his troops entered Warsaw, capital of the Duchy.
R. Shlomo Eger informs his father that the Prussian and French troops had left, and that the King of Saxony was due to arrive on the 15th. He also mentions that the "vice king" would be Polish, that the seven ministers who would be ruling Poland were still in Dresden, and that the famous Marshal Davout was currently in the Duchy.
The letter indicates that the seven ministers appointed in Dresden had not yet reached Warsaw at the beginning of August. As R. Shlomo informed his father, the "vice king" was indeed a Polish noble and not one of the king's men from Saxony (in October 1807, the Polish noble Stanisław Małachowski was appointed president of the Council of State and head of the council of the Duchy of Warsaw, and in December 1807, Małachowski was appointed president of the Senate).
Leaf handwritten by the Chafetz Chaim, with the text of the title page for his book Likutei Halachot on Tractates Zevachim and Menachot – approx. 9 lines handwritten and signed by R. "Yisrael Meir son of R. Aryeh Zev HaKohen". [Warsaw, ca. 1899].
The draft of the title page text varies significantly from the text which was eventually printed (the present text is more rudimentary; the printed text contains additions which do not appear in the draft).
Enclosed with the leaf: three printed leaves – galley proofs of leaves 1-3 containing the author's prefaces to the aforementioned book. On p. 3a, there is a lengthy gloss (2 lines) handwritten by the Chafetz Chaim, with an addition to be inserted in the middle of the first preface. This addition was not ultimately included in the printed version.
R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin (1837-1933), leader of the Jewish people, was widely known by the name of his first book, the Chafetz Chaim. He founded the Radin yeshiva and authored many halachic and ethical works: Mishna Berura, Shemirat HaLashon, Ahavat Chessed and dozens more. One of his greatest enterprises was Likutei Halachot, a complementary work to Hilchot Rav Alfas by the Rif, with a clear and concise commentary, compiled from books of the Rishonim. The Rif's book was written on Talmudic topics which are currently relevant and applicable. Likutei Halachot covers topics relating to the Temple and its services, which are not practiced at the present time. The objective of the Chafetz Chaim in publishing this book was to encourage the study of topics pertaining to the Temple services and offerings, thereby bolstering the yearning for the rebuilding of the Temple, speedily in our times.
The first part of Likutei Halachot on Tractates Zevachim and Menachot was printed in Warsaw in the autumn of 1899, and these leaves remain from the printing process.
[4] leaves. Approx. 23 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Closed and open tears, affecting text. Worming.
Notebook handwritten by R. Shmuel Rozovsky, a dean of the Ponovezh yeshiva, novellae on Tractate Yevamot, novellae on the topic of Brit Milah and conversion, and novellae on Tractate Ketubot. [Bnei Brak? ca. 1950s].
Autograph manuscript, with additions and deletions. R. Shmuel mentions teachings he heard in person from his teachers and from leading Torah scholars of his time such as R. Shimon Shkop (p. 2), R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik of Brisk (p. 23), R. Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman (p. 18), and R. Aharon Kohen dean of the Hebron yeshiva, author of Beit Aharon (p. 8). R. Shmuel also quotes the comments of some of his disciples and colleagues in the Ponovezh yeshiva, such as R. Gershon Edelstein (p. 34 of Tractate Ketubot; see also p. 15 of Tractate Yevamot).
In the present notebook, R. Shmuel explains and clarifies the teachings of the Rishonim and leading Acharonim on the Talmudic topics at hand. He relates to the famous difficulty which R. Shaul Berlin raises in his comments to the book Besamim Rosh (titled Kasa DeHarsena), which is discussed by leading Acharonim such as the Minchat Chinuch, the Aruch LaNer and R. Elchanan Wasserman. He also quotes many teachings from R. Chaim of Brisk, stressing on each occasion the source of these teachings: "R. Chaim in his book" [the book Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, published by R. Chaim with great accuracy]; "the writings of the disciples of R. Chaim" [Chiddushei HaGrach, stencil edition]; and "Kitvei R. Chaim" [R. Chaim's own writings, which were not published in his book on the Rambam; some of which were published in the stencil edition of Chiddushei HaGrach].
R. Shmuel Rozovsky (1913-1979) was the son of R. Michel David Rozovsky, a rabbi in Grodno (1869-1935). He studied under R. Shimon Shkop in the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno (his hometown), in the Mir yeshiva in Poland and in the Lomza yeshiva in Petach Tikva. He was the son-in-law of R. Tzvi Pesach Frank, rabbi of Jerusalem. He served as lecturer in the Lomza yeshiva even before he got married. In Kislev 1943 he moved over with his disciples to the newly founded Ponovezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak, and was the first lecturer in the Ponovezh yeshiva. His lectures were the focal point of the Ponovezh yeshiva, where he gave over the Torah of the Lithuanian yeshivot to the new generation in Eretz Israel. His impact on the Torah world in our times was highly significant, and until this day the lectures in most yeshivot are based on the principles and approaches of R. Shmuel, which he absorbed from his teachers in the Grodno yeshiva and in the yeshivot in Lithuania. Already in his lifetime, his lectures were published based on his students' notes, which were photocopied and printed in various stencil editions. After his passing, his novellae and lectures were rearranged by his descendants and leading disciples, and published in Chidushei Rabbi Shmuel, Shiurei Rabbi Shmuel and Zichron Shmuel. When compiling these books, they used mostly the notes which his disciples took during the lectures, referring only minimally to R. Shmuel's own manuscripts, since he wrote very little of his own notes. Thus, most of his teachings were transmitted through his disciples' records.
The novellae on Tractate Yevamot were written on one side of the notebook, while the novellae on Tractate Ketubot were written on the other side, upside down (double pagination was later added, on each side of the notebook).
74 written pages. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Original card cover, torn and detached. One page of text written inside cover.
Notebook handwritten by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach – clarifying the Talmudic topics pertaining to using milking machines on Shabbat. [Jerusalem, ca. 1948].
Autograph manuscript, with many deletions, additions and glosses. This notebook comprises addenda to two halachic responsa on this topic sent by R. Shlomo Zalman to the chief rabbi of Israel, R. Yitzchak Eizik HaLevi Herzog. The first page of the notebook contains a draft letter addressed to R. Herzog, in which he writes that he reviewed the previous two letters he had sent to R. Herzog on the matter, and wishes to make some amendments and additions, he therefore asks R. Herzog to append the present letter to the previous two. The notebook (which is full of emendations and deletions) presumably served as a draft for a letter sent to R. Herzog (the first two letters were published in Otzrot HaShabbat, Bnei Brak, 1996 – see enclosed material. Other responsa by R. Shlomo Zalman on the topic of using milking machines on Shabbat were published in Minchat Shlomo, II, section 26; and in Mahadura Tinyana, section 31. We were not able to ascertain whether the contents of the present notebook appear in the aforementioned books).
R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995), dean of the Kol Torah Yeshiva and leading posek of his times. Born in Jerusalem to R. Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach, dean of the Shaar HaShamayim yeshiva for kabbalists. He was a close disciple of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, who held him in high esteem and quotes him in his book Even HaEzel. In 1935, at the age of only 24, he published his first book – Meorei Esh on using electricity on Shabbat, which received the approbations of the Torah leaders of the generation, including R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky (who was very impressed by the ability of the young Torah scholar from Jerusalem to analyze the halachic status of a new invention, which is not discussed in halachic literature), his teacher – R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and R. Kook. In his youth, R. Shlomo Zalman was a household member of R. Zelig Reuven Bengis, head of the Edah HaChareidit, who despite being an elder Lithuanian Torah scholar, held the young Torah scholar in high regard. In the home of R. Bengis, R. Shlomo Zalman made acquaintance with his colleague R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, and elder Jerusalem Torah scholars such as R. Gershon Lapidot and the rabbi of Teplik. In time, R. Shlomo Zalman became one of the leading poskim and the foremost authority in several Halachic fields, such as medicine and halachah. His pleasant ways and refinement earned him the veneration of all sects of Orthodox Judaism, as was expressed at his funeral which was attended by some 300,000 people.
Notebook: [32] leaves (approx. 40 written pages). 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Original card cover, slightly torn.
Volume comprising manuscripts by Moroccan Torah scholars, including letters of Torah thoughts, novellae, piyyutim, Hashbaot, segulot, and more. [Morocco, ca. 19th century].
The volume comes from the Ibn Tzur rabbinic family, whose members served as rabbis in Fez. Stamps of R. Shlomo ibn Tzur and R. Rafael ibn Tzur at the beginning of the manuscript.
The volume comprises leaves in different hands. It includes original letters sent to R. Rafael ibn Tzur (presumably R. Rafael ibn Tzur [the last], rabbi of Fez, 1830-1917), as well as Hashbaot and protections for "dream questions", segulot and texts of amulets, kavanot for prayers to be accepted, novellae on verses, homiletics and allusions, and more. The first part of the volume contains selected laws, customs and reasons for the festivals.
Some of the leaves are signed by Moroccan Torah scholars. These include: two letters addressed to "HaMal'ach Rafael" (R. Rafael Ibn Tzur), signed "Yedidya" (presumably R. Yedidya Monsonego [the second], author of Devar Emet, 1799-1868); several letters from R. Eliyahu Otmezgin (whose signature also appears on several other leaves); halachic responsum signed by R. Yosef Attia; a Torah teaching signed by R. Avraham HaKohen Skali (d. 1871]; poem signed by R. Avraham ibn David VeYosef; legal document from 1834 regarding grinding wheat (trimmed signature: "Nechemia…"); and more.
The other handwritings were not identified. Signature of R. Rafael ibn Tzur at the top of one leaf (containing a "dream question"). Some of the leaves may have been written by R. Rafael ibn Tzur himself, or by other Torah scholars in his family.
[144] leaves. Size varies (most leaves approx. 11-12 cm). Fair-good condition. Stains. Tears, worming and wear. Damage to text in several places. Old leather binding, damaged.
Three handwritten Pinkasim of emissaries who raised funds on behalf of the Maghrebi community in Jerusalem, with signatures of rabbis and emissaries:
• "Pinkas HaKlali – from Rosh Chodesh Nissan 1876" – large format notebook, mostly from the years 1876-1879 (several records from 1900) – detailed records of income and expenditures, report of donations received from various communities worldwide, detailed reports of the missions of various emissaries – R. Yaakov Elmaliach's mission to London, France and Portugal; R. David Adahan's mission to Arabistan; R. Chaim ibn Walid's mission to Tunis and Africa; R. Avraham Arouimi's mission to America; the mission of R. Yosef Arouas to the Maghreb; R. Levi Iflah's mission to the inner Maghreb; R. Y. Albo's mission in 1900; R. Eliyahu Panigel's mission to Turkey; and more.
One leaf contains a letter of confirmation signed by the rabbis of the Maghrebi community in Jerusalem: R. Yosef HaKohen, R. David Adahan and R. Moshe Maradji.
Lettered in gilt on the leather binding: "Donations Pinkas for our Maghrebi Kollel in Jerusalem, by the emissary R. Chaim ibn Walid".
Approx. 30 written leaves, + many more blank leaves. Approx. 37 cm. Fair condition. Stains, dampstains and dampness damage. Tears and wear, affecting text in several places. Blemishes to binding.
• Emissary Pinkas given to R. Natan Rofe, who went on a mission to Yemen and India. Jerusalem, 1923. The notebook opens with two letters signed by the rabbis of the Maghrebi community in Jerusalem. The first letter is an authorization for the emissary, while the second is an appeal to the communities of India and Yemen to support the Kollelot of the Maghrebi community. The letters are hand-signed by: R. Shimon Ashriki, R. Yaakov ibn Attar, R. Moshe Chai Benaim, R. Aharon Amiel, R. Eliyahu Yaakov el Ajmi, and others; with official stamps of the Maghrebi institutions: "Committee of the Maghrebi community", "Maghrebi Beit Din", "Boys' School of the Maghrebi community", "Kollelot of the Maghrebi community".
[5] written leaves, rest of notebook blank. Approx. 35 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Blemishes to binding.
• Pinkas of the emissary Yosef Yitzchak Shloush, who travelled to the Maghreb. The notebook opens with an appeal to support the Maghrebi community in Jerusalem, signed by the rabbis of the community: R. Shimon Ashriki, R. Yaakov ibn Attar, R. Moshe Chai Benaim, R. Avraham Elmaliach, R. Eliyahu Yaakov el Ajmi, R. Yeshua ibn Shushan, R. Avraham de Yitzchak HaLevi, R. Rachamim Elisha Afriat, R. Shalom Mordechai Azualai, and others; with official stamps of the Maghrebi institutions: "Committee of the Maghrebi community", "Maghrebi Beit Din", "Boys' School of the Maghrebi community", "Kollelot of the Maghrebi community". Further in the notebook, there is a translation of the aforementioned emissary letter in French, and a letter of recommendation from R. Moshe Sitruk, chief rabbi of Tunisia.
[6] leaves. 33 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Blemishes to binding.
![Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot (lots) by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. Rome, [18th century].Illustrated title page. Semi-cursive](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale92_1/82_1.jpg "Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot by Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra – Rome,")
![Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot (lots) by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. Rome, [18th century].Illustrated title page. Semi-cursive](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale92_1/82_2.jpg "Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot by Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra – Rome,")
![Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot (lots) by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. Rome, [18th century].Illustrated title page. Semi-cursive](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale92_1/82_3.jpg "Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot by Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra – Rome,")
![Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot (lots) by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. Rome, [18th century].Illustrated title page. Semi-cursive](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale92_1/82_4.jpg "Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot by Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra – Rome,")
Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot (lots) by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. Rome, [18th century].
Illustrated title page. Semi-cursive and square Italian script. Scribed by R. Avraham Anav, for R. Michael Chaim Di Segni (rabbi of Rome), as stated on the title page: "…scribed by Avraham son of Yaakov Anav upon the request of R. Michael Chaim Di Segni, here Rome". Includes two works: Urim VeTumim and Goralot by R. Avraham ibn Ezra.
On the verso of the title page, illustration of a scales within a frame, with a rhyming caption (the scales are depicted tilting to one side). On the opposite page is a sonnet forming an acrostic of the initials of Avraham ben Yaakov. These initials are mentioned again in the concluding line.
The purpose of Sefer Urim VeTumim was to foresee the future through lots. This work or parts of it are found in manuscripts already in the Middle Ages. The work in the present format (with slight textual variations) first appeared in print in Dyhernfurth 1728.
Goralot by R. Avraham ibn Ezra is similarly used for foreseeing the future, and also appeared in manuscripts during the Middle Ages. It was first printed in Ferrara 1556, and later in Venice 1657.
Brief poem by the scribe at the end of the manuscript, requesting the finder of this manuscript to return it to its owner.
R. Michael Chaim Di Segni served as chief rabbi of Rome from 1750 until his passing in 1772. The Di Segni family was a rabbinic family in Rome for many generations (A. Salah, La République des Lettres: Rabbins, médecins et écrivains juifs en Italie au XVIIIè Siècle, Leiden-Boston 2007, p. 594).
The scribe, R. Avraham son of Yaakov Anav (d. 1782), from the famous Anav family in Rome. Served in his youth as teacher of young children. He composed a play regarding the claims of the Ammonites in the times of Yiftach HaGiladi which was performed in the boys' school in Rome in 1758. R. Michael Di Segni, for whom the present manuscript was produced, was also present at the time. He also composed a wedding cantata (see: J. Schirmann, Theater and Music in the Italian Ghetti Between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Centuries, Zion, 29, 1964, pp. 89-90, 100). Upon the passing of R. Michael Di Segni in 1772, R. Avraham Anav was appointed one of the three community leaders. Between 1773-1782, his signature appears on many documents as one of the three rabbis leading the city (see: G. Sermoneta, La cultura ebraica a Roma nel XVIII secólo alla luce di nuovi documenti, Italia Judaica, 67, 1989, pp. 74-75, notes 13-14).
[97] leaves (including approx. 10 blank leaves). Approx. 12 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, slightly affecting text. Inscriptions. Gilt edges. Old binding, decorated with metal-thread embroidery; blemishes and worming to binding.
The manuscript was in the possession of the Anav family until the 20th century. At the end of the manuscript, a dedication in Italian, dated 1923, from Louisa Morpurgo née Anav, to her nephew Angelo Anav, in which she writes that the manuscript was preserved in their family.