Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
Assorted collection of ten books, with ownership inscriptions, stamps and dedications – Hungarian and Romanian rabbis and their families.
Distinguished copies belonging to the following rabbis:
• R. Yehudah Kahana of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), son of R. Chaim Aryeh Kahana, dayan and posek in Sighet and author of Divrei Geonim (1830-1917) and brother of R. Nachman Kahana, head of the Spinka Beit Din, author of Orchot Chaim.
• R. Yisrael Harnik, Rabbi of Vicovu de Sus (Bukovina) and Rădăuți (1879-1949), author of Demaot Yisrael, Pe'er Yisrael and other works that remain in manuscript.
• R. Yisrael Gottesman, Rabbi of Zastavna (Bukovina) in the 1920s-30s. Son and successor of R. Meir Gottesman, Rabbi of Zastavna and Novoselytsia. Perished in the Holocaust in 1942.
• R. Chaim Yehudah Goldenberg, Rabbi of Svaliava (perished in the Holocaust, 1944), son and successor of R. Shalom Goldenberg, Rabbi of Svaliava, and grandson of R. Yitzchak Eizik Weiss, Rabbi of Svaliava and head of the Munkacs Beit Din.
• R. Menachem David Ish-Shalom of Vienna.
• R. Amram Rosenberg, Rabbi of Ratzfert (Újfehértó; perished in the Holocaust, 1944), succeeded his father R. Shaul Rosenberg, Rabbi of Ratzfert, author of Chemdat Shaul (d. 1939).
• R. David Moskowitz, Rabbi of Năsăud, author of Gelilei Zahav (1868-1959), immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1935 and served as Rabbi in Tel Aviv.
• R. Avraham Abba (Armin) Frieder, Chief Rabbi of Slovakia. Known for a sermon he delivered during the Holocaust in March 1942, revealing to the community the news that the Jews were being sent to death camps and calling for them to escape.
• And more.
10 books in 11 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
See Hebrew description for a detailed listing of books and details on signatures and dedications.
Twelve books, with ownership inscriptions, signatures and stamps of Hungarian rabbis, ca. mid-20th century.
Signatures and stamps of the following rabbis:
• R. Chaim Yehudah Segal Deutsch, author of Ahavat Chaim (1876-1938), dayan and posek in Makó. • R. Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss, the Minchat Yitzchak (1902-1989), leading posek, Rabbi in Grosswardein and Manchester, and chief rabbi of the Edah HaCharedit in Jerusalem. • R. Yonatan Steif (1877-1958), dayan and posek in Budapest, leading American rabbi after the Holocaust. • R. Yisrael Welz (1887-1974), rabbi in Tinnye and head of the Budapest Beit Din, leading rabbi in Eretz Israel. • R. Shalom Schnitzler, author of Shaarei Shalom (1920-1989), leading rabbi and rebbe after the Holocaust in Hungary and England. • Rebbe Shalom Eichenstein of Zidichov-Safed (ca. 1900-1989), author of Rav Shalom. • R. Yehoshua Grünwald, Rabbi of Khust, author of Chesed Yehoshua (1909-1969), dayan in Ungvár (Uzhhorod), succeeded his father R. Avraham Yosef Grünwald and his grandfather the Arugat HaBosem as Rabbi of Khust. • R. Reuven Levinbuk, Rabbi of Alytus. • R. Yaakov Yitzchak Neumann, the dayan of Pupa (1919-2007), leading posek after the Holocaust, dayan in Pupa (Pápa), Szombathely, Australia and Canada. • R. Yaakov Klamka of Raab (Győr), disciple of the Vayaged Yaakov of Pupa and teacher of R. Yaakov Yitzchak Neumann. • R. Baruch Tzvi HaKohen Moskowitz-Rappaport, author of Tenuvot Baruch (1907-1990), Rabbi of Paks, head of the Budapest Beit Din, later moved to Vienna. • R. Avraham Yishai Direnfeld of Szombathely (1912-2003), disciple of the Vayaged Yaakov of Pupa and senior Belz Chassid in Antwerp and the United States. • R. Yitzchak Tigerman, Rabbi of Békéscsaba (perished in the Holocaust, 1944), son of R. Yosef Meir Tigerman, Rabbi of Neuhausel (Nové Zámky). • R. Yosef Dov HaLevi Jungreis, dayan and posek in Gyöngyös, where his father R. Asher Anshel Jungreis served as Rabbi.
12 books. Varying size and condition. Overall good to fair condition. Wear and old bindings. Some with traces of former dampness, tears and detached leaves. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and they are being sold as is.
Five books (in four volumes) printed during the 19th and early 20th century, from the private library of R. Meir Shapiro of Lublin, with ownership stamps from his tenure as Rabbi of Piotrków. The books also contain stamps of the library of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva (to which the books were transferred after his passing).
• Megaleh Amukot, 252 ways to explain the prayer of Vaetchanan kabbalistically, by R. Natan Nata Shapiro, Rabbi of Cracow. Lviv (Lemberg): Dov Berish Luria, 1858. Ownership inscriptions on title page: "Shlomo Meshulam Shte[---?] Piotrków"; "Yitzchak".
• Responsa Maharach Or Zarua. Leipzig: C. W. Fullroth, [1860]. Signature on title page: "Aharon Yaakov HaLevi Horowitz".
• Responsa Terumat Yad, Part I, Yad Yosef, by R. Mordechai Eliasberg, Rabbi of Bauska. Vilna: Hillel Dvorzetz, 1875. Does not contain two leaves with "Response to people's talk about authors of books and their publishers" and index, which do not appear in some copies. Bound with: Keset Yehonatan, halachic discussion on various topics by R. Yehonatan Eliasberg, Rabbi of Pumpėnai, son of R. Mordechai Eliasberg. Vilna: Hillel Dvorzetz, 1875. Does not contain leaf with index at the end.
• Or Yisrael, Parts I-II, commentary on Talmudic teachings containing grave admonishments and homilies for various occasions, by R. Yisrael Rabinowitz. Warsaw: Meir Yechiel Halter and partner, 1903. Handwritten inscription on title page: "R. Avraham Yitzchak Yaakov Fox".
R. Meir Shapiro (1887-1933), Rabbi of Piotrków and Lublin, dean of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva and founder of Daf Yomi, one of the founders of Agudat Yisrael and leading rabbi in his times. He was one of the youngest and most dominant rabbis in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. One of the most renowned figures in recent times. A yeshiva dean with a sharp wit and acumen, an outstanding scholar in halachah and aggadah, he was a close follower of his rebbes. An excellent orator, and extremely accomplished person. An active and dynamic communal worker, a member of the Polish Sejm. Always full of grace, his conduct was regal. R. Meir passed away without leaving any offspring, yet he himself would say that he has two children – the first being Daf Yomi, and the second the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva.
5 books in 4 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings.
Collection of halachic books, responsa and novellae from the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva's library. All of the books are marked with the library's stamp, and in some cases various inscriptions of the library, signatures and stamps of former owners and donors to the yeshiva's library.
• Simchat Yom Tov, on Tractate Beitzah, by R. Aryeh Leib Zinz. Warsaw: Avigdor son of Yoel Lebenssohn, 1841. First edition. Stamp of R. "Avraham Yitzchak HaLevi Blauweiss, posek in Brisk, Lithuania", and signatures of R. "Tzvi Hirsch HaLevi Blauweiss".
• Novellae Aryeh DeVei Ila'I, on five tractates (Kidushin, Yoma, Menachot, Kinim and Nidah), by R. Aryeh Leibush Lipshitz, Rabbi of Vishnitza (Nowy Wiśnicz) and the region (son-in-law of the Yismach Moshe of Ujhel). Przemyśl: Chaim Aharon Zupnik and Chaim Knoller, 1880. First edition. Approbations of important rebbes and rabbis of the generation – the Divrei Yechezkel of Shinova, the Yitav Lev of Sighet, R. Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Cracow and more. Stamp on title page: "Shmuel David son of R. Yosef Solberg, Warsaw" (his name appears on the list of pre-subscribers at the end of the book).
• Novellae of the Ramban on Tractate Gittin. Warsaw: Natan Schriftgisser, 1879. Stamp of "Avraham Henoch Brill, Piotrków", and his ownership inscription: "Avraham Henich Brill of Częstochowa". Additional signature: "Moshe Fromer Sansowitz" (perhaps the son of R. Aryeh Tzvi Frumer of Koziegłowy, dean of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva; his son Moshe was a student in the yeshiva who perished in the Holocaust).
• Shem MiShimon, novellae on the Talmud, by R. Shimon Stern, Rabbi of Dąbrowa. Lviv (Lemberg): Uri Ze'ev Salat, 1870.
• Igra Ramah, Part I, novellae on the Talmud and responsa by R. Meshulam Igra. Lviv (Lemberg): U. W. Salat and Yaakov Meshulam Nik, 1873. Signatures, including signatures of R. "Shlomo Leib Steren of Dobrin", and ownership inscription and signature (on leaf 1) of "Shlomo son of R. Tzvi Yehudah HaKohel Silberstein".
• Pitgamin Kadishin, selections from Chassidic masters. Warsaw: [A. Gins], 1886.
• Beit David, Chidushei HaRadach on Tractate Gitin, by R. David Yitzchak Bromberg of Piotrków, son-in-law of Rebbe Kalonymus Kalmish of Cracow, author of Maor VaShemesh. Piotrków: Avraham Rosengarten, 1906.
• Responsa Bikurei Shlomo, by R. Shlomo Avraham Rzechte of Ozorków. Part I. Piotrków, 1894. Stamp of "Yehudah Yosef Danziger, Będzin".
• Responsa Bikurei Shlomo, Part II, by R. Shlomo Avraham Rzechte of Ozorków. Warsaw: Nowozetgraf, 1931.
• Emek Yehoshua Acharon, selection of works and novellae by various authors, edited by R. Yehoshua Alter Wildman. Warsaw, [1912].
• Responsa Shai LaMora, by R. Moshe Yoel Hagerman, Rabbi of Czyżew and Żarnowiec. Piotrków: Shlomo Belchatowski, 1911. Ownership inscription: "Belongs to me, Tzvi Meir Lieberman".
• Emek Avraham, on laws of shechitah and covering the blood, by R. Avraham Yerachmiel Bromberg. Bilgoraj: Natan Nata Kronenberg, 1913. Signature and stamp of the author on title page (born 1877, perished in the Holocaust; Rabbi of Prlov and Łęczna, son-in-law of R. Elimelech Rubinstein, Rabbi of Rachów).
• Petach HaOhel, commentary on Tractate Ohalot and purity laws of kohanim, by R. Chaim Meshulam Kaufman HaKohen, Rabbi of Gostynin. Warsaw: Meir Yechiel Halter and partner, 1901.
• Kol HaRemez, commentary on Rashi and Tosafot Rosh on Tractate Nedarim, by R. Mordechai Ze'ev Berman, Rabbi of Drohobych. Sanok: Menachem Mendel Moshel, 1912. Ownership inscription of "Natan David Oppenstein", and stamp filled in by hand stating that he donated the book to the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva.
• Yeshuat David, on Choshen Mishpat, Part I, by R. David Povarsky (later dean of the Ponivezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak). Bilgoraj: Nata Kronenberg (Sikora I Mylner, Warsaw), 1933. First edition.
• Siftei Shoshanim, novellae on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and selected novellae on the Rambam, by R. Yaakov Meir Yablonka. Bilgoraj: Nata Kronenberg, 1935.
16 books. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and they are being sold as is.
Mishneh Torah by the Rambam, with all the commentators and new additions (edited by a committee headed by R. Shmuel HaLevi Wozner) – parts Mada, Ahavah, Zmanim and Nashim. Jerusalem: Pagi by Chorev, 1944-1946. Five volumes, containing all parts printed as part of this edition.
Copies of R. Wozner and R. Abramsky. Stamps of R. Wozner on all volumes (editor of the "new additions" to the edition), from his tenure as Rabbi in Bnei Brak: "Shmuel HaLevi Wozner – Zichron Meir – Rabbi and Posek – Dean of Chachmei Lublin yeshiva". On the endpaper of volume I: dedication from 1949, handwritten and signed by R. Wozner, to R. Daniel[!] Abramsky.
R. Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (1913-2015), author of Shevet HaLevi, disciple of R. Shmuel David Ungar, Rabbi of Nitra and R. Yosef Elimelech Kahana, Rabbi of Ungvár (Uzhhorod; both perished in the Holocaust), and later a close disciple of R. Meir Shapiro at the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva. In 1939, he immigrated to Eretz Israel with his wife. He soon thereafter earned prominence as a leading Torah scholar and was appointed as rabbi and posek of the Geulah neighborhood (during which time he edited the new edition of the Rambam). In 1947, he moved to Bnei Brak to serve as rabbi of the Zichron Meir neighborhood. R. Wosner eventually came to be renowned as a foremost halachic authority acknowledged by all circles.
The recipient of the book, R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), chief rabbi of the Beit Din in London, disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk, a leading rabbi of his times in Russia, England and Jerusalem. He authored twenty-five books of Chazon Yechezkel on the Tosefta and more. In 1951 he immigrated from England to Jerusalem, becoming a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and other organizations. The present volumes were given to him on his first visit to Eretz Israel in 1949.
Five volumes. Volume I (Sefer HaMada): [6], 2-367; [4], 52, [5] pages. Volume II (Sefer Ahavah): [7], 4-442; [1], 54-110 pages. Volume III (Zemanim, Part I): 4-364, [9]; [1], 4-76, [2], 80-100, [3]; [1], 112-162 pages. Volume IV (Zemanim, Part II): [8], 5-234, [4]; [2], 5-338; [7], 164-228 pages. Volume V (Nashim, Part I): [8], 4-705; [10], 88 pages. 24 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Original bindings, rubbed. Tears to spine of third volume.
Novellae of the Meiri on Tractate Beitzah. Berlin: Eduard Steinthal, 1859. First edition
On the title page are stamps of R. Itzele Blazer: "Yitzchak Blazer, formerly Rabbi in the capital city St. Petersburg"; "Yitzchak Blazer, formerly Rabbi in the capital city St. Petersburg; here in Jerusalem".
R. Yitzchak Blazer – known as R. Itzele Peterburger (1837-1907), prominent disciple of R. Yisrael Salanter, and disseminator of the Musar movement in the Lithuanian yeshivas. Leading Torah scholar of his times, a Musar personality known for his holiness. At the instruction of R. Salanter he began to serve as Rabbi of St. Petersburg in 1862; in 1878 he resigned and moved to Kovno, and headed the Kovno Kollel starting in 1880. Later he also resigned from this position in order to continue his service of G-d as a private individual. During all of these periods, he would deliver Musar sermons in the Knesset Yisrael yeshiva in Slabodka, near Kovno. In 1902 he began preparing to immigrate to Eretz Israel, to which end he sold his house and property in Kovno, finally arriving in Eretz Israel in 1904. At his arrival in Jaffa, he was received in a ceremony attended by many leading Jerusalem rabbis. During this period R. Itzele directed the Vilna Kollel in Jerusalem and headed the Vaad HaKlali of charitable institutions in Jerusalem. Author of Responsa Pri Yitzchak in two parts.
[2], 79 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Stamps. New leather binding.
R. Refael Meldola (1754-1828), dayan in Livorno, where he was ordained by his teacher the Chida, and later Rabbi of London and leader of the British Sephardic-Portuguese community.
On the front endpaper is a lengthy dedication by the Tzaddik of Jerusalem, R. Aryeh Levin, with warm, heartfelt blessings to the bridegroom R. Nisan Aharon Tukaczinsky, for his wedding in Kislev 1939.
The Tzaddik of Jerusalem, R. Aryeh Levin (1885-1969), great in Torah and good deeds. He served as the spiritual director and supervisor of the Etz Chaim Torah school. Renowned for his dedication to acts of benevolence, he offered a listening ear and true love to one and all.
[19], 88, 88-111 leaves. Approx. 15.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Minor tears. Marginal worming to last leaves. Stamps. Fabric binding (not original).