Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
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Kenaf Renanim, songs, bakashot and piyyutim for various occasions, with explanations. By R. Yosef Yedidiah son of R. Binyamin Yekutiel Carmi. Venice: Giovanni Caleoni, 1626.
Kenaf Renanim contains supplications and piyyutim to be recited at daybreak on weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. These piyyutim were composed by R. Yosef Yedidiah Carmi, a kabbalist, poet and rabbi in Modena, Italy. Before this book was printed, a fierce polemic broke out against these piyyutim which were being circulated in manuscript among Italian sages. The author's brother-in-law, the famed Kabbalist R. Aharon Berachiah of Modena, author of Maavar Yabok, headed the conflict, opposing the premise of prayers composed by contemporaries, especially those which are not compatible with the Arizal's kabbalistic approach.
Nonetheless, the book received enthusiastic approbations by Italian Torah scholars. In his second introduction to the book, the author writes at length about the background of the polemic and explains the claims of both parties and his rejoinder, including a report that the Rama of Fano was fond of the confession in Kenaf Renanim.
12; 107, [11] leaves. Misfoliation. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming to title page and several other leaves, affecting text. Tears and open tears, including small tear to title page, affecting title frame. Loose leaves and gatherings. Inscriptions. Early leather binding, with clasps. Wear and damage to binding.
Two books by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena – first and second edition of Galut Yehudah, with first edition of Pi Aryeh.
• Galut Yehudah, Hebrew-Italian dictionary of Tanach and Pirkei Avot, by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice: Giacomo Sarzina, 1612. First edition.
[10], 9-40; 42-43, 46-62, 64-106, [103]-112, [2] leaves. 18.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including ink stains to title page. Marginal worming to several leaves. Small open tear to title page, repaired with paper. Close trimming, affecting upper part of title frame. Old, worn binding, detached.
• Galut Yehuda, Padua: Giulio Crivellari, 1640. Includes at the end: Pi Aryeh (with divisional title page), additions to the dictionary and explanations of words used by rabbis, commentators and other authors, by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice: Gioanni Calleoni, 1640. Second edition of Galut Yehudah, and first edition of Pi Aryeh.
Inscriptions, including ownership inscriptions and signatures in various places.
Censor's signature on title page.
[8], 9-40, 42-43, 46-62, 64-114; 14, [3] leaves. Galut Yehudah lacking two leaves after title page. Last three leaves of Galut Yehudah, with index of names, bound at end of volume (after Pi Yehudah). 18.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears, including open tears, affecting text on several leaves. Worming, slightly affecting text on several leaves, repaired with paper. Old binding, damaged (large tears and detached spine).
Tikkun Leil Shavuot and Hoshana Rabba, based on the prayer service in Shnei Luchot HaBrit (Shlah), with kavanot of Holy Names from the Arizal. Slavita (Slavuta): R. Shmuel Avraham Shapiro son of the Rabbi of Slavita, 1827.
Some words on title page printed in red ink.
[2], 165 leaves. 21.5 cm. Bluish paper. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Small marginal tears to title page and several other leaves. Open tear to last leaf, affecting text. Early leather binding, mostly missing (only back part remains).
Another edition was printed concurrently by the same printer, with [2], 135 leaves. Copies of the present edition are known to have slight variants in the censor's name and a few typographical differences (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, entry 000303939).
Chok LeYisrael, daily study in Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim, Mishnah, Gemara and Kabbalah, based on the Arizal's study routine, with Yosef LaChok by the Chida. Zhitomir: Chanina Lipa and Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, 1865. Complete five-volume set.
Two title pages for each volume (except for the Devarim volume, which is missing the first title page). Some words on first title pages printed in red ink.
Signatures and inscriptions of "Yosef Motetz of Bila Tserkva". Stamps of "Aharon Shlomo Lieberman, Jerusalem". Ownership inscriptions in various places. Study routine and family inscriptions.
Five volumes. Bereshit: 5, 5-252, 257-259 leaves. Shemot: 244 leaves. Vayikra: 239 leaves. Bamidbar: 226 leaves. Devarim: 2-246 leaves. Missing first title page. 19.5-20 cm. Overall good-fair condition. Some leaves in several places in fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears, including open tears in several places, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Part of margins of title page and other leaves repaired with paper. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Old, uniform bindings, with leather spines. Heavy wear and damage to bindings.
Vayikra and Devarim volumes not recorded in Bibliography of the Hebrew Book. Bereshit recorded based only on photocopy of title page.
The Significance and Segulah of Reciting Chok LeYisrael Daily
The custom of reciting passages daily from the Bible, Mishnah, Talmud and Zohar was established by the Arizal, who observed this custom himself. The order printed in Chok LeYisrael is for the most part based on the writings of the Arizal in various places. The Chida added to this regimen daily halachic passages, taken from the Rambam's Mishneh Torah and Shulchan Aruch, as well as passages from ethical books. The Chida's additions are called Yosef LaChok. The purpose of the Chok LeYisrael order of study, as explained in the writings of the Arizal, is both for the perfection and tikkun of the soul, nourishing it through the study of the various parts of the Torah, and for effecting tikkunim and yichudim in the upper spheres.
Many prominent Chassidic leaders, and especially the Tzaddikim of the Chernobyl dynasty, spoke in sublime terms of the segulah of the Chok LeYisrael study regimen, and attested that it provides a tikkun for sins in matters of holiness. Rebbe Yisrael Dov of Vilednik writes in his book She'erit Yisrael (Shaar HaShovavim, homily I) that studying Chok LeYisrael serves as Tikkun HaBrit, "as I received from my master [Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl], that true tikkun is achieved by attaching oneself to both the Written and Oral Law, through Chok LeYisrael… and therefore in these times with the approach of the Messiah, the Yosef LaChok book has been published, authored by the Chida, disciple of R. Chaim ibn Attar the Or HaChaim, who embodies the lights of both Mashiach ben David and Mashiach ben Yosef, akin to the kabbalistic concept of an all-encompassing Tzaddik capable of effecting a tikkun for the imperfections of the entire Jewish people".
Rebbe Avraham of Trisk, son of Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl, writes: "And following the prayers, one should recite Chok LeYisrael, every single day unfailingly… and through this he causes G-d to be filled with mercy for the Jewish people" (Magen Avraham, 96a).
Great rabbis of previous generations have spoken of great segulot attained by reciting Chok LeYisrael. Some wrote that it is also a segulah for livelihood (the Rebbe of Shinova is said to have based this on the statement of the Talmud, "Chok means sustenance"). R. Yaakov Rokeach, in his foreword Maaseh Rokeach to Chok LeYisrael, wrote: "It is a mitzvah for every Jew to buy himself a Chok LeYisrael, to read from it every day…".
Mivchar HaPeninim, sayings of the ancient philosophers with commentary. Zhitomir: Aryeh Leib Shapiro, grandson of the Rabbi of Slavita, 1858.
Bound with: Maalot HaTorah by R. Avraham brother of the Vilna Gaon. [Königsberg (Kaliningrad): Gruber and Langrien, 1858]. Missing title page and last leaf.
Mivchar HaPeninim: 65 pages. Maalot HaTorah: [2], 4-24 leaves. Missing title page and last leaf. Approx. 16 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains to title page and additional leaves. Marginal worming to last leaves in second book. Uneven trimming in Mivchar HaPeninim (gatherings bound at different heights). Stamp. Early binding, worn and damaged, with most of spine missing.
Responsa Mayim Chaim, two parts, by R. Chaim HaKohen Rappaport, Rabbi of Ostroh. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, grandsons of the Rabbi of Slavita, 1857. First edition. With approbations of Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl and the Sar Shalom of Belz.
In Part I, section 27, there is a letter from Mezhibuzh sent to R. Meir (son of R. Yaakov Emden), Rabbi of Konstantin (Konstantynów Łódzki), regarding a kosher issue permitted by the local rabbi but questioned by several prominent members of the community. The signatories to the question include: "Yisrael Baal Shem of Tłuste [Tovste]" – the Baal Shem Tov. R. Meir's lengthy response justifies their concern and disputes the ruling of the Rabbi of Mezhibuzh. The responsum opens with several lines of honorifics and appreciation for the Baal Shem Tov: "chief in Judah and Israel… finder of ailment and cure… extraordinary, celebrated with a high reputation, R. Yisrael…" (the decipherment and interpretation of the lengthy and poetic titles offered at the beginning of this responsum is discussed at length in the scholarly literature).
Both parts of the book are bound together, Part I on Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, and Part II on Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat. Kuntres Otzrot Chaim is printed at the end of Part II, with novellae on Aggadot and pilpul on the Torah portions by the author and his son the publisher. The book also includes responsa from the author's grandfather and uncles, who were leading Torah scholars. At the beginning of the book is printed a letter by the Ohev Yisrael of Apta agreeing with the author's ruling. The letter is printed with the approbations to the book, as a sort of approbation for the author.
84; 151 pages. Two title pages for each part, and an additional title page for Kuntres Otzrot Chaim bound at the end of the book (total of five title pages). Leaf 3 of Part I is bound after leaf 4. 30.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains (many stains on first title page). Creases. Stamps of the "Kollel Kovno library" and additional stamps. New binding.
Jerusalem Talmud. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, 1860-1867. Five parts in four volumes.
Jerusalem Talmud, with the Pnei Moshe, Mareh HaPanim, Korban HaEdah and Sheyarei Korban commentaries. This is the first edition of the Pnei Moshe and Mareh HaPanim commentaries to orders Zeraim-Moed.
The Nezikin volume includes leaves 4-19 of Minchat HaBoker on Tractate Bava Metzia by R. Shlomo Yehudah Aryeh Leib Morgenstern (Warsaw 1883).
Stamp on Nezikin volume: "Belongs to the Kloiz of R. Getzel of Uman". On Nashim volume, stamp of the Berlin Rabbinical Seminary.
Four volumes. Vol. I (Order Zeraim): [5], 14, 14-60; 30; 31; 33; 42; 18; 24; 18; 24, 23-33; 14; 9 leaves. Tractate Kilayim bound after Tractate Challah. Vol. II (Order Moed): [2], 52; 55; 61; [1], 39; 2-31; 17, 17-23; 20; 21; 2-23; 5, 7-32; 20; 17; 34 leaves. Lacking title page of Tractate Eruvin. 34 leaves with Pnei Moshe and Mareh HaPanim on Tractate Shabbat bound at end of volume. Leaf 23 of Tractate Sukkah appears twice. Vol. III (Order Nashim): [2], 79; 45; 64; 34; 56; 51; 41 leaves. Vol IV (Order Nezikin and Tractate Niddah): [2], 33; 2-29; 2-26; 42; 31; 17, 17-26; 6; 15; 9 leaves. Tractate Makkot bound after Tractate Avodah Zarah. 36-39.5 cm. Good to good-fair condition, first leaves of Nezikin volume in fair condition. Stains. Tears, including open tears (tear on title page of Order Nezikin, affecting title frame). Light worming in several places. Old bindings, mostly leather, with damage and tears (spine of one volume partially torn and detached; non-uniform bindings).
Collection of title pages, leaves and parts of books, printed in Slavita, Zhitomir, and in Russia-Poland in the 19th century:
The collection includes: • Or Zarua, Part II, by R. Yitzchak of Vienna. Zhitomir, 1862. • Siddur HaAri Kol Yaakov by R. Yaakov Koppel Lipschitz of Mezeritch, Part II, leaves 179-185 – order of Lulav, Sukkah and Hoshanot. Slavita, [1804]. First edition. • Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, laws of terefot. Zhitomir, 1866. Partial copy.
The collection also includes many title pages of books printed in Slavita and Zhitomir; see Hebrew description for listing.
Over 30 items. Varying size and condition.
Fourteen books printed in Russia and Poland in between 1794-1819, some containing signatures and ownership inscriptions.
14 books. Varying size and condition. Most in new bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
See Hebrew description for list of books.
Shaar Gan Eden, foundations of kabbalah, by R. Yaakov Koppel Lipshitz of Mezeritch. Korets: Avraham son of Yitzchak Eizik and Eliyahu son of Yaakov [HaLevi], [1803]. First edition. With an approbation by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
The books of R. Yaakov Koppel of Mezeritch, Shaar Gan Eden and the Kol Yaakov siddur, are adapted and edited compilations of the writings of R. Moshe Cordovero, R. Chaim Vital and R. Yisrael Sarug, with the addition of his own novellae.
The approbation of the rabbis of Mezeritch attests to the high regard the Baal Shem Tov had for the writings of the kabbalist R. Yaakov (while they were still in manuscript before publication): "Everyone knows that the writings of this author were examined by the Baal Shem Tov, who would ardently bind the writings of this author by hand, for he was a faithful servant and a great and wise kabbalist in this science". This testimony is repeated with further details on the title page: "When that work was brought before [the Baal Shem Tov], both Shaar Gan Eden… and the prayer book he authored, the holy mouth read two or three sections from them, hugged them and kissed them, and he put the above holy writings upon his head… nodding in approval, 'Happy is the people that has such'". R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev writes in his approbation of the author: "He was a faithful kabbalist, and all his statements are made with Ruach HaKodesh". Many Chassidic masters cite Shaar Gan Eden in their books, and use its statements as the basis for their own teachings.
[2], 33, 35-84 leaves. Lacking leaf 34. 30 cm. Bluish paper. Fair condition. Many stains. Tears, including a large open tear on the title page, affecting text on both sides of the leaf, repaired with paper filling (with photocopy text replacement). Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Close trimming, affecting headers of leaves in several places. New binding.
Approbations of the Noda BiYehudah, the Haflaah, R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam, R. Betzalel Margaliot Rabbi of Ostroh, Rabbi Refael HaKohen Rabbi of Hamburg and other rabbis. At the beginning of Seder Nashim are approbations of R. Elazar Kallir Rabbi of Kolín and Rabbi David Tzvi Auerbach Rabbi of Kremenets [father-in-law of R. Natan of Breslov].
The author, R. Meshulam Feivish HaLevi Horowitz (born ca. 1710, died between 1785-1790) was born and lived his entire life in Kremenets (Eastern Galicia), where he taught Torah. R. Elazar Kallir extols him in his approbation, calling him "holy from the womb" and stating that "only his Torah is his trade, learning Torah for its own sake". The Noda BiYehudah offers him uncharacteristically extensive praise in his own approbation, declaring him to be like one of the early generations and reputed unique among Torah learners. The author of Haflaah, in his approbation, calls him "my dear friend, the extraordinary, well-reputed rabbi, sharp and proficient".
His daughter Gittel wed R. Avraham the Malach, son of the Maggid of Mezeritch (their grandson was R. Yisrael of Ruzhin). Many stories of this match circulate among the Chassidic dynasties of his descendants. Rebbe Chaim Meir Yechiel of Mogielnica relates that when the Maggid of Mezeritch sought "a daughter of a Torah scholar" for his son R. Avraham, he asked that Heaven reveal to him the greatest Torah scholar of that generation, and the one revealed to him was R. Feivel of Kremenets (Toldot HaNiflaot, Warsaw 1899, no. 123). In another source, it is recounted that the Maggid of Mezeritch desired to have R. Meshulam Feivish's daughter marry his son, since she was the daughter of a Torah scholar studying Torah for its own sake in holiness and purity (Toldot HaMishnat Chachamim at the end of Mishnat Chachamim, Beit Avot edition, Brooklyn, 2014, p. 694; see there for further stories regarding the match, his extraordinary meeting with the Maggid of Mezeritch and his view of the great holiness of the Maggid and his son R. Avraham).
Six title pages in the present copy – one for each order of Mishnah. The first title page is general and illustrated. Moed and Nashim have special frames for the respective order. Nezikin has an illustrated title page identical to the first general title page. Kodashim and Taharot have an unillustrated frame.
The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book documents a copy with only four title pages, without the title pages for Kodashim and Taharot.
Six volumes. Zera'im: [2], 33 leaves. Missing leaf [3], with the end of the approbations and introduction of the publisher, the author's son R. Menachem Manis of Kremenets. Leaves 9-10 are bound after leaf 6. Moed: [1], 15 leaves. Nashim: [1], 18 leaves. Missing leaves 19-22. Nezikin: [1], 20 leaves. Kodashim: [1], 24 leaves. Taharot: [1], 46 leaves. 19-20.5 cm. Varying condition of volumes; volumes I-III in fair-good to fair condition; volumes IV-VI in good condition. Stains. Tears, including open tears to title page and second leaf in first volume, affecting illustrated title frame and text, repaired with paper filling. Worming in several volumes, affecting text, partially repaired with tape. New (uniform) bindings.
• Sefer Ketubah, Part I of Haflaah, halachic and aggadic novellae on Tractate Ketubot. Offenbach am Main: Tzvi Hirsch Segal Spitz of Pressburg, [1787].
• Sefer HaMiknah, Part II of Haflaah, halachic and aggadic novellae on Tractate Kidushin. Offenbach: Tzvi Hirsch Segal Spitz of Pressburg, 1801. First edition, printed in lifetime of the author. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Bound with: Machaneh Levi, Part I, by R. Tzvi Hirsch HaLevi Horowitz. Offenbach: Tzvi Hirsch Pressburg Segal and his son Avraham, [1801]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
• Netivot Lashavet, novellae on Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer by R. Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz, the Haflaah. Lviv (Lemberg): Yehudah Leib Balaban, 1837. First edition. Stamp of R. "Moshe Eberstark, Rabbi of Bilyi Kamin". Rabbi Moshe Eberstark of Bilyi Kamin (1858-1915), disciple of R. Naftali Goldberg, author of Beit Levi, and son-in-law of R. Efraim of Łańcut.
• Lachmei Todah, Part II of Machaneh Levi, halachic and aggadic novellae. Offenbach: Avraham Spitz Segal, [1816]. First edition, printed in author's lifetime. Missing leaves 187-188 (in their place leaves 183-184 are bound for a second time).
R. Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz, author of the Haflaah (1731-1805), served as Rabbi of Vytkiv and Lyakhavichy, during which time he was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, studying under his tutelage together with his brother R. Shmelke of Nikolsburg. In 1772 he immigrated to Germany where he began to serve as Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main, a position he held for over 33 years. He taught many students in his yeshiva, the most famous of whom was his close disciple, the Chatam Sofer.
His son, the Machaneh Levi, R. Tzvi Hirsch HaLevi Horowitz (ca. 1746-1817), Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main, succeeding his father R. Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz, the Haflaah. Famous both in his generation and afterwards for his sharp acumen (even generations later, when a Torah scholar would deliver a deep, straightforward and sharp pilpul, he would be compared to the Machaneh Levi). He corresponded with leading Torah scholars of his generation, including R. Akiva Eiger and his brother-in-law R. Tzvi Yehoshua HaLevi Horowitz, Rabbi of Tarnów. His sons and descendants became leading Torah scholars, including R. Yoel of Brody and R. Yaakov Yehoshua, son-in-law of R. Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody.
5 books in 4 volumes. Varying size and condition. New bindings.