Auction 93 Part 2 - Ancient Books, Chassidic and Kabbalistic Books, Manuscripts and Letters
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Nefesh HaChaim, by R. Chaim of Volozhin, foremost disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Vilna and Horodna: Menachem Mann son of Baruch and Simcha Simmel son of Menachem Nachum, 1824. First edition.
A classic book of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (many parts of the book were written as a response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the philosophy and ways of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples).
At the top of the title page, ownership inscription from the time of the printing (trimmed and partially deleted): "…Yitzchak son of R. Shmuel Ginzburg". This is presumably the signature of R. Yitzchak of Horodna, nephew of the author R. Chaim of Volozhin, son of his brother-in-law R. Shmuel Ginzburg, community leader in Horodna.
Many ownership inscriptions from various times.
[6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 4; 17 leaves. 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Extensive worming, affecting text. Stamps. Old binding.
Nine kabbalistic and homiletic books from the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples:
• Afikei Yehuda by R. Yehuda Leib HaLevi Edel. Lviv, 1828.
• Hechalot HaZohar with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. [Königsberg], [1856]. First edition.
• Tikunei HaZohar, with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. Vilna, 1867. First edition. First title page engraved.
• Sifra DeTzniuta, with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. Vilna, 1882.
• Zohar Chadash, with the commentary of R. Moshe Zacuto, other commentaries, and the commentaries and glosses of the Gaon of Vilna. Warsaw, 1885. Ownership inscription on the title page.
• Menachem Tzion, commentary on the Idra Zuta. Premisla, 1885. Mistakenly attributed to R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk; the true author is R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow.
• Mayim Adirim, commentary on the Idra Zuta, by R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Warsaw, 1886. This book is identical to Menachem Tzion, printed in Premisla 1885.
• Shaar HaShirim, songs for the Shabbat and festival meals according to the Zohar and Arizal, by R. Moshe Shlomo of Tolochin (disciple of the Gaon of Vilna). Warsaw, 1889.
• Maalot HaTorah, with Igeret HaGra. Munkacs, 1894.
9 books. Size and condition vary. New bindings. The books were not examined thoroughly, and are being sold as is.
Pe'at HaShulchan, laws pertaining to Eretz Israel, by R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Safed: R. Yisrael Bak, 1836. First edition.
Signature on the title page.
[5], 2-109, [1] leaves. 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and dark ink stains. Minor wear. Worming, mostly marginal, affecting text in several places. Minor marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves. New binding.
One of the last books published in Safed before the 1837 earthquake. Includes final leaf – errata, which appears in some copies only.
Printed booklet, "Letter sent from the Ashkenazi rabbis in Eretz Israel, to the sons of Moshe Rabbenu and the Ten Tribes", by R. Yisrael of Shklow, head of the Ashkenazi community in Safed. [Amsterdam: printer not indicated, 1830].
In 1830, R. Baruch son of R. Shmuel was sent as the emissary of the Prushim community of Safed. Apart from raising funds, he was given another mission – to locate the Ten Lost Tribes in the desert on the border of Yemen. He was therefore provided with a special letter from R. Yisrael of Shklow, leader of the Prushim in Safed, signed also by the other leaders of the Prushim and Chassidim in Jerusalem and Safed. A copy of the letter was sent to the "Pekidim and Amarkalim", heads of the center for fundraising for Eretz Israel in Amsterdam, where, having made a great impact, the letter was printed and distributed. R. Baruch reached Sanaa in Av 1833, where he was murdered on charge of espionage.
4 leaves. Printed without title page. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Old binding.
Printed leaf, advertisement by the printer Anton Schmidt for the publication of new editions of the books of the Rif and Hilchot HaRamban; with a lithograph of a letter handwritten and signed by R. Moshe Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg, the Chatam Sofer, dated 23rd Cheshvan 1835. [Pressburg, ca. 1835].
In his letter, the Chatam Sofer refers to a previous letter he had written regarding his desire to reprint Hilchot HaRamban on Bechorot and Challah (from Elul 1835). The Chatam Sofer recommends to support the printer in publishing these works, by attaining as many subscribers as possible.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears, repaired with tape.
This rare leaf was photographed and published in the Tzfunot quarterly (issue 18, Bnei Brak 1993, pp. 103-104) – see enclosed material.
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.
• Shirat Moshe, songs by the Chatam Sofer and other songs. Pressburg, 1857. First edition.
• Shirat Moshe, with the will of the Chatam Sofer and customs of the Chatam Sofer. Satmar, 1908.
• Minhagei Baal HaChatam Sofer. Bratislava, 1930. Partial copy.
• Minhagei Baal HaChatam Sofer. [Hungary (Budapest?): printer not indicated], 1950. Second edition.
See Hebrew description for further details.
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.
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Deutsch Rabbi of Nitra, to R. Eliezer Pollack, rabbi in Budapest. Nitra, 1874.
The letter discusses a divorce which was repeated in the Nitra Beit Din, after having been found to be invalid, due to failings of the scribe and witnesses. R. Shlomo Deutsch sends the invalid document to R. Eliezer Pollack rather than giving them to the husband, out of concern that the latter will claim his expenses from the guilty parties in a secular court.
R. Shlomo Deutsch (ca. 1800s – 1880), disciple of R. Yehuda Aszód and of the Chatam Sofer; dayan in Nitra, and later rabbi in Ipolyság (Šahy) and Nitra.
[1] leaf. 23 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Folding marks.
![Lengthy letter (4 pages) handwritten and signed by R. Gershon Litsch-Rosenbaum, author of Meshiv Devarim. Pressburg, [Elul] 1](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale93/516_1.jpg "Letter and Homily by Rabbi Gershon Litsch-Rosenbaum – Pressburg, 1864")
![Lengthy letter (4 pages) handwritten and signed by R. Gershon Litsch-Rosenbaum, author of Meshiv Devarim. Pressburg, [Elul] 1](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale93/516_2.jpg "Letter and Homily by Rabbi Gershon Litsch-Rosenbaum – Pressburg, 1864")
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.
Lengthy letter (2 written pages) handwritten and signed by R. Moses Chaim Segal Litsch-Rosenbaum, author of Lechem Rav. [Tállya?, ca. 1880s-1890s].
Addressed to the community of Eperjes (Hungary; present day: Prešov, Slovakia), who had invited him to present his candidacy as rabbi of the city. He replies that he does not wish to do so, since his brother-in-law R. Tuvia Schweiger had already applied for the position. He praises R. Tuvia profusely in the letter.
R. Moses Chaim HaLevi Litsch-Rosenbaum (1864 – Kislev 1942), prominent Hungarian rabbi. Son of R. Gershon Litsch-Rosenabum Rabbi of Tállya. Served as rabbi of Shamloi (Șimleu Silvaniei) and Kleinwardein (Kisvarda).
[1] leaf, written on both sides. 34 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks. Minor tears to folds. Deletions and emendations.
![Postcard with a letter handwritten and signed by R. Shaul Ehrenfeld Rabbi of Siks. Siks (Szikszó), [1891].
Addressed](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale93/518.jpg "Letter from Rabbi Shaul Ehrenfeld (Grandson of the Chatam Sofer) – Sik")
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.