Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
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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).
Volume in original parchment binding, with five books by R. Shlomo de Oliveira, Rabbi of Amsterdam. Containing:
1. Darchei Noam – Talmudic principles, with Tuv Taam on cantillation notes and Darchei Hashem, an index to the 613 commandments. Amsterdam, [1688-1689].
2. Sharshot Gavlut – a rhyming dictionary. Amsterdam, [1665].
3. Igeret Ayelet Ahavim – a didactic poem. Amsterdam, [1665].
4. Etz Chaim – Hebrew-Aramaic-Portuguese lexicon. Amsterdam, [1682-1683].
5. Yad Lashon – Livro Da Gramatica Hebrayca & Chaldayca; Dal Sefatayim – Gramatica Breve da Lingua; two works on Hebrew and Aramaic grammar. Amsterdam, [1689].
All the books in the present volume were printed by David de Castro Tartas, all first editions, some never reprinted. Sharshot Gavlut contains tables and graphic poems in various forms. At the end of Igeret Ayelet Ahavim appears a poem in the form of a star.
Five books in one volume: Darchei Noam: 45, [3], 28, [4] leaves. Sharshot Gavlut: 70, [2] leaves. Igeret Ayelet Ahavim: 20, 31-42, [2] leaves. Etz Chaim: [6], 72 leaves; 44, [5], 53 pages. Yad Lashon – Dal Sefatayim: [8], 71, [11] pages. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tear slightly affecting text of one leaf, without loss, and another small open tear to another leaf, slightly affecting text. Inscription on front endpaper. Original parchment binding. Stains, wear and damage to binding. Illustrated ex libris label of Jakob Klatzkin.
Yosef Ometz, halachot and practices for the entire year, with customs of Frankfurt, by R. Yosef Yuspa Hahn Nördlingen, Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Frankfurt. Frankfurt am Main, [1723]. First edition.
Yosef Ometz is a renowned book of Ashkenazi customs, written by R. Yosef Yuspa Hahn Nördlingen (d. 1637), chief dayan in Frankfurt, first published by his grandson and reprinted several times since.
Nazi stamps on endpaper: "Inst. d. NSDAP z. Erforschung d. Judenfrage Abt. Ostjudentum Litzmannstadt" (Institute for Research on the Jewish Question).
French inscription on endpaper dated 1826. Anonymous ownership inscription on last leaf.
On front binding, inscription of the letters "MM". Inscription on spine: "Joseph ometz".
[8], 212 leaves, 15.5 cm. Dark paper. Overall good condition. Stains. Stamps. Original leather binding, with new spine and new endpapers. Damage to binding.
Hon Ashir, commentaries and novellae on the Six Orders of Mishnah, by the kabbalist R. Immanuel Chai Ricchi. Amsterdam: Shlomo Katz Proops, [1731]. First edition.
The author, R. Immanuel Chai Ricchi, author of Mishnat Chassidim, writes in his first preface to this book that he composed the book in Safed over the course of two years. While traveling in a ship, he was robbed of everything he owned by Berber pirates, miraculously succeeding in saving only this book.
Two poems composed by R. Immanuel Chai Ricchi were printed in this book, including musical notation. According to Chabad tradition, this was the source for the melody known as "Lechatchilah Ariber", composed by the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch, which corresponds to the original poem by R. Immanuel Chai Ricchi. Chabad tradition attributes this melody to the Arizal, on the basis that R. Immanuel Chai Ricchi was one of the great transmitters of the Arizal's kabbalistic teachings (see at length in: Prof. Edwin Seroussi, 'Lechatchilah Ariber': The Transmission of an Italian Melody to Chabad Tradition and Oriental Piyyut", in: Prof. David Asaf, Oneg Shabbat blog, September 14, 2018 [Hebrew]).
[2], 168, [2] leaves. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including light dampstains. Light wear. Small tears and damage to margins of some leaves. Early leather binding, with damage and wear and open tear to top of spine.
Zichron Yosef, responsa and homilies by R. Yosef of Steinhardt, Rabbi of Fürth. Fürth: Itzek son of Leib Buchbinder, [1773]. First edition.
The author's preface contains sharp criticism of the Chassidic movement and the practice of following rebbes. He calls the Chassidic movement "a sect providing no satisfaction, forming a community of pietists and ascetics differing in their actions and customs from the holy community". This introduction was printed on two leaves, after the title page. Chassidim would often tear out these leaves; in the present copy these leaves are present.
Signature on title page: "Binyamin Niederhofheim". Additional signature deleted with ink: "Meir Oppenheim".
R. Binyamin Niederhofheim (1810-1885), a merchant and extraordinary Torah scholar, and a renowned and expert Mohel (7110 infants were circumcised by him!). A prominent member of the Frankfurt am Main community at the time of R. Shimshon Refael Hirsch (who was buried next to him). Author of Dinei Milah, a work printed in R. Moshe Brück's Sefer HaBrit (Frankfurt am Main, 1841). He hosted in his home the minyan (prayer quorum) perpetuating the distinctive customs of R. Natan Adler of Frankfurt am Main, teacher of the Chatam Sofer. R. Natan Adler had originally established a private minyan in his home, which prayed following the Sephardi rite. After his passing, his disciple R. Leib Emmerich upheld this minyan, and in 1818, it was transferred to the home of the son-in-law of his son-in-law, R. Binyamin Niederhofheim, where it continued being held until the Holocaust, and was known as the "Niederhofheim'sche Shul". R. Binyamin owned a large private library, which also included rare manuscripts.
[3], 24, [1], 25-46, 46-67, 67-119, [2] leaves. 31.5 cm. Partially dark paper. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming to first leaves, affecting text, mostly repaired with paper and paper filling. Margins of title page and several other leaves repaired with paper. New binding.
Three books authored by R. Elazar Kallir, Rabbi of Kolín, a prominent rabbi in the generation of the Noda BiYehudah. First editions, printed in 1776, 1792 and 1838:
• Or Chadash, Part II, novellae on Tractate Pesachim by R. Elazar Kallir. Frankfurt an der Oder, [1776]. First edition of this part. Ownership inscription on title page handwritten and signed by R. Chaim David Kalifi [a leading rabbi of Tripoli, d. 1886].
• Chavot Yair Chadash, sermons on aggadah and ethics, by R. Elazar Kallir. Prague, [1792]. First edition printed in the lifetime of the author. Signatures on title page (both sides): "Michael [--?] Aszód" and an additional deleted signature.
• Responsa Cheker Halachah, Part I, by R. Elazar Kallir. Vienna, 1838. First edition. No additional parts were printed. Missing leaves 70-84 containing comments of son and son-in-law of author, and other additions. Nazi stamp on title page: "Inst. d. NSDAP z. Erforschung d. Judenfrage Abt. Ostjudentum Litzmannstadt" (Institute for the Study of the Jewish Question). Ownership inscription and stamp on title page.
R. Elazar Kalir (1738-1801) was one of the most renowned Torah scholars of his times. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean of Zabłudów, Rechnitz and Kolín. He edified many disciples and many of the rabbis of his generation were his close disciples. He corresponded extensively with the Noda BiYehudah, who esteemed him highly although R. Elazar was decades younger than him; after the passing of the Noda BiYehudah, he was deemed the leading halachic authority in Central Europe.
3 books. Varying size and condition. New bindings.
• Mesilat Yesharim. Mantua: Eliezer Shlomo of Italy, [1781].
35, 39-49 leaves. 16 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Small marginal tear to one leaf. Original binding, inscribed with owner's name, Bolaffi Giulio (who studied in Reggio in 1846-1847, and received the book from the institution where he studied).
• Mesilat Yesharim, with Seah Solet, by R. Refael of Norzi. Livorno: Moshe Yeshuah Tuviana, [1843].
[2], 60 leaves. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains. Original binding. Wear and damage to binding (open tears to spine).
Lot 144 Collection of Books Printed in Amsterdam – 1692-1730 – Signatures and Ownership Inscriptions
Seven books printed in Amsterdam between the years 1692-1730, some containing signatures and ownership inscriptions:
• Pri Chadash on Yoreh Deah, by R. Chizkiyah di Silva. Amsterdam, [1692]. Engraving on title page. First edition. Original leather binding, with remains of clasps, damaged and torn. Many inscriptions and signatures, including "R. Moshe Gavriel" [perhaps R. Moshe Gavriel of Lissa (Leszno), Rabbi of Grodziec].
The sharp attacks in this book against the Beit Yosef and other leading authorities awakened a controversy which led to a ban on reading the book. Consequently, copies of the first edition are rare. By the next generation, the controversy had died down and the Pri Chadash was once again widely studied and respected.
• Yad Yosef, homilies on the Torah and for various occasions, by R. Yosef Tzarfati. Amsterdam, 1700. Second edition. Two title pages, engraving on first title page. Original leather binding (front side detached). Stamps of R. "Yosef Asher HaLevi Pollak" – R. Yosef Asher HaLevi Pollak, Rabbi of Verpelét and dean of its yeshiva (1898-1944), a leading young yeshiva dean in Hungary. Grandnephew of R. Moshe HaLevi Pollak, dean of Bonyhád yeshiva.
• Responsa Chacham Tzvi, Part I, by R. Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi. Amsterdam, [1712]. First edition. Heavy traces of former dampness, open tears and worming. Signatures.
• Panim Meirot, Part I, novellae on Tractate Zevachim by R. Meir Eisenstadt. Amsterdam, [1715]. First edition. Does not contain responsa section printed with it. On last page, signature and inscriptions.
• Ozen Shmuel, homilies by R. Shmuel Avila. Amsterdam, [1715].
• Tzuf Devash, commentary on the Torah, with Megilat Setarim on the Book of Esther, Hatzaat Rut on the Book of Ruth, Otzar Nechmad on Tehillim and Misgav HaImahot on the verses of Eshet Chayil, by R. Vidal Tzarfati. Amsterdam, [1718]. Only edition, rare. Signature on title page.
• Arugat HaBosem, Hebrew grammar, by R. Shmuel Archevolti. Amsterdam, [1730].
7 books. Varying size and condition. Condition varies from good-fair to fair-poor. Many stains and traces of former dampness, detached leaves, tears and worming. Some with old, worn bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
See Hebrew description for list of books.
10 books. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
Large collection of over 30 books of halachah, responsa and Talmudic novellae, including important books in first editions, printed in the years 1679-1846. Some distinguished copies with signatures and stamps, ownership inscriptions and glosses.
• Chut HaShani. Frankfurt, 1679. First edition.
• Yam Shel Shlomo on Tractate Chulin. Offenbach, [1718]. Signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page: "Meir son of R. Yehudah Leib Weingott of Kalisch" [R. Meir Weingott of Zduńska Wola, son of R. Yehudah Leib Weingott of Kalisch, who had seven sons worthy of rabbinic office; see enclosed material]; "David Eger of Halberstadt".
• Responsa Shevut Yaakov, Part II, by R. Yaakov Reischer. Offenbach, 1719. Stamp of the "Ashkenazi Beit Midrash in London" (Jews' College). Handwritten gloss.
• Responsa Shevut Yaakov, Part III, by R. Yaakov Reischer. Metz, 1789.
• Chidushei Halachot, Part I, on Tractates Beitzah, Bava Metzia, Ketubot, Chulin and Gitin, by Maharam Schiff. Bad Homburg, [1737]. Title page illustrated with a whale figure.
• Chamishah Shitot – novellae of the Ramban, Ran and Ritva on Tractates Sanhedrin, Makot, Gitin, Chulin and Nidah. Sulzbach, [1762].
• Asifat Zekenim, Shitah Mekubetzet on Tractate Ketubot by R. Betzalel Ashkenazi, Parts I-II. Strasbourg, [1777]. Both parts in one volume. Signature on title page: "David Kitze" – R. David son of Moshe Yaakov of Kitze, served as dayan of Pressburg in the Beit Din of Maharam Berabbi ca. 1760s-1780s.
• Responsa Maharam Ash [author of Panim Meirot], Part III, with novellae and commentary on Tractates Kidushin and Beitzah. Sulzbach, [1738].
• Responsa of R. Eliezer and Siach HaSadeh, by R. Eliezer son of R. Shlomo Zalman Lipschitz. Neuwied, [1748]. Only edition.
• Mirkevet HaMishneh on the Rambam, Part I, with Berechot BeChesbon, by R. Shlomo of Chelm. Frankfurt an der Oder, [1750]. First edition printed in the lifetime of the author (with introduction opposing the Chassidic movement and wonderworkers).
• Etz Yosef, novellae on Tractates Berachot, Beitzah and Megillah by R. Yosef Darmstadt, Part I. Karlsruhe, [1763].
• Tosefet Shabbat, commentary on Shulchan Aruch, laws of Shabbat, by R. Refael Meisels. Frankfurt an der Oder, [1767]. First edition.
• Tosefot Shabbat, with Mahadura Batra, by R. Refael Meisels. Zhovkva, [1806].
• Or Chadash, Part II, novellae on Tractate Pesachim by R. Elazar Kallir. Frankfurt an der Oder, [1776]. First edition.
• Korban Asham, novellae on Tractates Yoma, Bechorot, Chulin, Arachin, Temurah, Keretot, Me'ilah, Tamid, Beitzah and Shevuot, by R. Yitzchak Itzek Schacherles. Sulzbach, [1777]. Illustrated title page.
• Atzei Almugim, commentary on the laws of netilat yadayim, eruvei chatzerot and second-degree incest, by R. Noach Chaim Tzvi Berlin, Rabbi of Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek. Sulzbach, [1779]. First edition. Signature and stamps of R. Tzvi Hirsch Ferber (1879-1966), leading rabbi in England.
• Pnei Yehoshua, Part IV, on Tractates Chulin, Makot, Shevuot, Tur Choshen Mishpat and selections on various tractates. Fürth, [1780]. First edition of Part IV. Approbations of leading rabbis of the generation, including the Noda BiYehudah and R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam [the approbations page is not documented in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book].
• Responsa VeShav HaKohen, by R. Refael Katz, Rabbi of Hamburg. Altona, [1792]. First edition.
Bound with: She'elat HaKohanim Torah, by the same author R. Refael HaKohen of Hamburg. Altona, [1792]. First edition.
• Responsa and halachic commentaries on Even HaEzer, by R. Yosef Karo. Lviv, 1811.
• Responsa Toldot Adam – Part II of Responsa of the Rashba. Lviv, 1811.
• Mishnat DeRabbi Eliezer, on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat, by R. Eliezer Lazi Heilbut, Rabbi of Altona. Altona, [1815-1816]. First edition.
• Shem MiShmuel, Parts I-II, novellae on the Torah and Talmudic tractates by R. Shmuel Soller, Rabbi of Lviv. Lviv, 1817. Contains many approbations, including by R. Moshe Teitelbaum, the Yismach Moshe.
• Petach HaBayit, novellae by R. Avraham Tiktin. Brzeg Dolny, [1820].
• Leshon Zahav, Parts I-II, Talmudic novellae and responsa by R. David Tevle Schiff HaKohen. Offenbach, [1822]. First edition. Signature of R. Dov Aryeh Ritter, Rabbi of Rotterdam.
• Eretz Tzvi and Teomei Tzviyah, two commentaries on Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, laws of Gitin, Yibum and Chalitzah, by R. Tzvi Hirsch of Brody. Pressburg, 1846.
• Kedushat Yisrael, Part II, on Tractate Gitin, by R. Binyamin Wolf Lichtenstadt. Vienna, 1829. First edition.
• Chayei Olam, on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, by R. Yechiel Ziffer. Vienna, 1830.
• Ohel David, on Tractates Shevuot and Yevamot, by R. David Deutsch. Pressburg, [1836].
• Torat Shabbat, selected laws of Shabbat with explanation and Yiddish translation, by R. Yaakov Weil. Karlsruhe, 1839.
• Pri Tzadik on the Torah, Part I, by R. Meir Avraham, Rabbi of Békéscsaba. Pressburg, 1839.
33 books in 32 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
Collection of volumes of Responsa Chatam Sofer, some first editions:
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Even HaEzer, Part I. Pressburg: Vormals Schmid'sche Buchdruckerei, 1858. First edition. Stamp of "Yechezkel Lipshitz" and additional stamps.
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Part VI. Vienna: Yosef Schlesinger (printed by Heinrich Sieber's Erben), 1864. First edition. Stamps of "R. Shneur Levin son of R. Chaim Scheinen".
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Even HaEzer, Part I. Pressburg: Heinrich Sieber's Erben, 1865. Second edition. Ownership inscription and stamp (deleted with ink) on title page of "Shmuel David son of R. Yosef Solberg". Bound with: Responsa Chatam Sofer, Even HaEzer, Part II. Pressburg: Vormals Schmid'sche Buchdruckerei, 1859. First edition.
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Yoreh Deah. Vienna: Yosef Schlesinger (Heinrich Sieber's Erben), 1871. Two copies, with typographical differences in last index leaves. One contains a stamp of R. Meir Ehrlich, Rabbi of Raab (Győr), and a stamp of R. Feish Pollak, Rabbi of Weitzen (Vác). Ownership inscription (blurred) in pencil, evidently of R. Meir Ehrlich.
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Choshen Mishpat. Vienna: Yosef Schlesinger (printed by Heinrich Sieber's Erben), 1872. Ownership inscription in pencil (over a deleted inscription): "Paltiel Shimon HaLevi Landau".
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Orach Chaim. Pressburg: Stefan Nirschy (Vorm[als] Sieber's Erben), 1879. Second edition. Stamp of R. "Shneur Levin son of R. Chaim Scheinen".
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Even HaEzer, Part I. Vienna: Yosef Schlesinger (printed by Ad. Della Torre), 1880. Stamp of R. Meir Ehrlich, Rabbi of Raab (Győr).
8 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books were not thoroughly examined, and they are being sold as is.