Three notebooks handwritten by the kabbalist, R. Yehuda Leib Ashlag, the Baal HaSulam. [Eretz Israel, ca. 1920s].

Three works on kabbalah and the Zohar, handwritten by the Baal HaSulam. The works are titled on the notebook wrappers: Kishrei HaTzinorot – essays on kabbalistic topics (heading on p. 12 dated 1922), Likutei Zohar VeSidrei Meorot – homilies, commentaries and novellae on the Zohar and kabbalistic concepts (dated 1923 in several places) and Terumat Netzach Part II – Noach, Lech, Vayera, Chaye Sara – kabbalistic commentaries and novellae on the Torah portions, and more (dated 1923).

The three notebooks are filled with neat, close writing (approx. 30-40 lines per page, some in two columns), and comprise three different works (or parts of works). To the best of our knowledge, these works are unpublished.

R. Yehuda Leib Ashlag (1884-1954), outstanding Torah scholar, kabbalist, and thinker. He served as rabbi in Warsaw, later immigrating to Jerusalem where he delivered many classes on kabbalah to elite Torah scholars. With time, a large group of disciples and Chassidim gathered around him, and appointed him their rebbe. He composed and published many works on kabbalah, most famously Talmud Eser Sefirot and the Sulam commentary on the Zohar.

Three notebooks: [27] written pages; [28] written pages; 31 written pages. Approx. 21 cm. Neat, close writing (approx. 30-40 lines per page). Good-fair condition. Dampstains and foxing. Wear; several detached leaves. Ink on several pages smudged due to dampness (script remains legible).

Manuscript, copying of the songs of the Chatam Sofer, with a commentary by the author, R. Moshe Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg. Pechy Neudorf (present day: Pečovská Nová Ves, Slovakia), 1865.

Neat calligraphic square and semi-cursive (Rashi) script. Inscription on front endpaper: "Meir son of the late R. Sh. Diamant", possibly the writer.
The songs of the Chatam Sofer were first published in Shirat Moshe (Pressburg 1857), yet it didn't include all the songs found in the present manuscript, and the author's commentary. Only in 1977 was an expanded edition of Shirat Moshe HaShalem published, including all the songs and the commentary.
At the end of the manuscript, two pages in cursive script with additional prayers and an incantation.
R. Meir Diamant whose signature appears at the beginning of the manuscript was presumably the son of R. Shabtai Diamant, disciple of the Chatam Sofer and rabbi of Pechy Neudorf in 1850-1865. R. Shabtai was the son-in-law of R. Shlomo Ganzfried, and his novellae were published in Lechem VeSimlah.

[1], 15, [1] leaves. 31.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and tears. Loose leaves. Original binding, worn and damaged.

Collection of books of Responsa of the Chatam Sofer, mostly first editions:

• Yoreh De'ah. Pressburg, 1841. First edition.
• Orach Chaim. Pressburg, 1855. First edition, different printing. Bound with: Yoreh De'ah. Pressburg, [1860]. Second edition.
• Even HaEzer, Parts I and II. Pressburg, 1858-1859. First edition.
• Part VI. Vienna, 1864. First edition.
• Choshen Mishpat. Vienna, [1862]. First edition. Bound with additional copy of: Part VI. Vienna, 1864. First edition.
• Choshen Mishpat. Vienna, 1872.
• Yoreh De'ah. Vienna, 1897.
• Orach Chaim. Vienna, 1895.
• Part VII. Munkacs, 1912. First edition.

11 books in 9 volumes. Size and condition vary. New bindings. The books were not thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.

Lengthy letter (4 pages) handwritten and signed by R. Gershon Litsch-Rosenbaum, author of Meshiv Devarim. Pressburg, [Elul] 1864. Yiddish.

The first page contains a letter to the heads of the Miklosh community, in which R. Gershon apologizes for his inability to visit their community. Concludes with good year wishes, and his signature. The other pages contain a lengthy sermon in Yiddish, with homiletics, words of inspiration and ethics for the approaching High Holidays.

R. Gershon Segal Litsch-Rosenbaum (1837-1901), disciple of the Ketav Sofer and R. Yehuda Aszód. He served as rabbi of Tállya for over thirty years, from 1870. Served as rabbi and preacher in various communities already before his appointment as rabbi of Tállya, as the present letter discloses.

[1] double leaf (approx. four written pages). 22.5 cm. Thin, light-bluish paper. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.

Postcard with a letter handwritten and signed by R. Shaul Ehrenfeld Rabbi of Siks. Siks (Szikszó), [1891].

Addressed to his colleague R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger in Jerusalem. He reports that he sent someone to pray at the gravesite of his mother-in-law (wife of R. Hillel Lichtenstein of Kolomyia) to pray for his daughter, and blesses her with a complete recovery and sons.
R. Shaul Ehrenfeld (1839-1905), grandson of the Chatam Sofer. An outstanding Torah scholar, leader of Hungarian Orthodox Jewry. Rabbi of Siks.

Postcard. 14.5X9 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears and creases. Open tear to corner, affecting text. Postmarks (partially damaged) of Szikszó, Trieste and Jerusalem.