Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
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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).
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.