Auction 97 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
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![Knesset HaGedolah on Tur Even HaEzer, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Izmir: Yonah Ashkenazi and David Chazan, [1731]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/82_1.jpg "Knesset HaGedolah – Izmir, 1731 – Copy of the Noda BiYehudah, with his")
![Knesset HaGedolah on Tur Even HaEzer, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Izmir: Yonah Ashkenazi and David Chazan, [1731]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/82_2.jpg "Knesset HaGedolah – Izmir, 1731 – Copy of the Noda BiYehudah, with his")
![Knesset HaGedolah on Tur Even HaEzer, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Izmir: Yonah Ashkenazi and David Chazan, [1731]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/82_3.jpg "Knesset HaGedolah – Izmir, 1731 – Copy of the Noda BiYehudah, with his")
![Knesset HaGedolah on Tur Even HaEzer, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Izmir: Yonah Ashkenazi and David Chazan, [1731]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/82_4.jpg "Knesset HaGedolah – Izmir, 1731 – Copy of the Noda BiYehudah, with his")
Knesset HaGedolah on Tur Even HaEzer, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Izmir: Yonah Ashkenazi and David Chazan, [1731]. First edition.
Copy of R. Yechezkel Landau, Rabbi of Prague, author of Noda BiYehudah, with his signature, and inscriptions by his son and sons-in-law.
On the front endpaper is an ownership inscription handwritten by the son of the Noda BiYehudah: "Belongs to my beloved father, teacher and master, the famed Gaon, rabbi of all the diaspora, R. Yechezkel Segal Landau, Rabbi of Prague". Another ownership inscription is dated 1782.
Additional inscriptions on this leaf, handwritten by the son-in-law of the Noda BiYehudah – R. Yom Tov Wehly of Prague. One in Hebrew: "Belongs to my father-in-law, my master and teacher, the famed Gaon… R. Yechezkel Segal Landau, Rabbi of Prague – Yom Tov son of R. Efraim Wehly, Thursday, 13th Elul 1782". Another in German, from the same year, signed: "Jentoff Ephr. Wehly".
On the back endpaper are several inscriptions in German attesting that the book belongs to the Chief Rabbi of Prague R. Yechezkel Landau. Two of them are signed by Joseph Landau – apparently, this is the Noda BiYehudah's second son-in-law, R. Yosef Landau, Rabbi of Posen, known as "Yosef HaTzaddik".
In the center of the title page is a signature: the name "Yechezkel" encoded in the Atbash cipher. Apparently, this signature is in the handwriting of the Noda BiYehudah.
Additional inscriptions, at the top of the title page: "From R. Hirsch Shidlov" (possibly R. Tzvi Hirsch Shidlov, publisher of Ateret Eliyahu, by his father R. Eliyahu Shidlov, Fürth, 1776); "A book of R. Yaakov Pisling, given to me by his dear, excellent son R. Yehudah – Yechiel Michel Sachs, [1862], when I was in Prague" (the rabbi and scholar Dr. Michael Sachs, Rabbi in Prague and Berlin, d. 1864; R. Yaakov Pisling, a Torah scholar in Prague, mentioned in Responsa Shivat Tzion by R. Shmuel Landau, section 16: "and my mechutan the excellent… R. Yaakov Pisling alerted me to this…").
R. Yechezkel HaLevi Landau (1713-1793) was a leading Halachic authority of all times. From a young age, he was renowned as a leading Torah scholar of his generation. He studied for 17 years in the celebrated Kloiz of leading Brody Torah scholars, renowned in the revealed and hidden portions of the Torah, including R. Chaim Sanzer and R. Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov). During those years, he studied the Arizal's writings together with R. Chaim Sanzer, a leading scholar in the Kloiz.
In Brody he served for 10 years as Head of one Beit Din of the four that were there. In ca. 1745, he went to serve as Rabbi of Jampol, and in 1754, he began serving as Rabbi of Prague and the region.
In Prague, he established a large yeshiva, where he educated thousands of disciples, including many of the leaders of that generation (his disciple R. Elazar Fleckeles, author of Teshuvah MeAhavah, eulogized him: "He edified several thousands of disciples, including hundreds of rabbis and dayanim"; Olat HaChodesh HaShlishi, 17, p. 85a).
Thousands of queries were addressed to him from far-flung places, many of them published in his Noda BiYehudah.
The Chida in Shem HaGedolim greatly praises the book Noda BiYehudah as well as its author, describing him as an exceptionally outstanding Torah scholar who disseminated much Torah through his books and disciples, and mentions the acuity and extensive Torah wisdom apparent in his responsa and books. The Noda BiYehudah himself wrote in a responsum regarding one of his novellae, that in his opinion it is "a true matter in the Torah of Moshe" (Even HaEzer, Mahadura Tinyana, section 23, 2). The Chatam Sofer writes of this responsum in one of his responsa (Part II, Even HaEzer, section 95): "The word of G-d in his mouth is true".
[2], 220 leaves. 30 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Much worming, affecting text, partially repaired with tape. Stamps. New binding, with two fabric bookmarks.
Provenance: Estate of Prof. Ephraim Elimelech Urbach.
Maayan HaChochmah on the 613 commandments, by R. Noach Chaim Tzvi Berlin, Rabbi of Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek (author of Atzei Almogim and Atzei Arazim). Rödelheim: Wolf Heidenheim and Baruch Baschwitz, 1804. First edition.
On the front endpaper, a dedication handwritten and signed by R. Betzalel Ronsburg, addressed to his disciple: "Wedding gift – to my disciple and friend as dear to me as myself... R. David Bogdan son of... R. Seckel Hirsch Bogdan, as a token of love for him to explore… on Shabbat and festivals. From his loving teacher, Betzalel Ronsburg".
Several long glosses by an unidnetified writer.
Inscription on last leaf: "This book was lent to me… David Jonas".
Next to the dedication at the beginning of the book – stamp of "Shmuel Binyamin Freudiger de Óbuda [Budapest]".
R. Betzalel Ronsburg (1762-1820), a leading Torah scholar of his generation located in Prague. He was a close disciple of the Noda BiYehudah. In his preface to his book Horah Gaver, R. Betzalel writes of his teacher: "Every single Shabbat… I did not desist from hearing Torah from him". In his responsa, he terms him "the greatest of the Acharonim". His works include Horah Gaver on Tractate Horayot (the only book which was published in his lifetime). Many of his works and novellae were lost over the years, and in recent time, his work Chochmat Betzalel – Pitchei Niddah and his book of responsa were published. His glosses on the Talmud were printed in the Prague edition of the Talmud, and later in the Vilna edition. His commentary on the Rosh, Sedeh Tzofim, is also printed in the Talmud editions.
[4], 142 leaves. 24.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Tears to title page and several leaves. Original binding, with damage and wear.
Magen Avraham, commentary on the Tosefta by R. Avraham Abele Gombiner (author of the Magen Avraham commentary on the Shulchan Aruch), with Part II of Lechem HaPanim (on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah) by R. Moshe Yekutiel Kaufman, son-in-law of the Magen Avraham. Amsterdam: Shlomo Katz Proops, [1732]. First edition. Divisional title page for Lechem HaPanim.
Copy of the kabbalist R. Nathan Adler, teacher of the Chatam Sofer.
On title page, ownership inscription: "Belongs to the outstanding Torah scholar R. Natan son of the late R. Shimon Adler Katz". Additional inscription (on inner margin of title page): "This book belongs to… R. Natan… Adler Katz".
Two signatures of former owner: "Yosef Josbel Segal of Fürth" – R. Yosef Josbel Segal of Fürth, author of Emek HaShaveh printed in Emek Yehoshua, Offenbach, 1722. Son-in-law of R. Shimon Segal, Rabbi of Heidingsfeld and the Principality of Würzburg.
On second title page (for Lechem HaPanim), additional signature of R. Yosef Josbel Segal of Fürth, deleted by crossing out, next to an ownership inscription: "Belongs to R. Nathan Adler Katz".
On p. 47a, short handwritten gloss, possibly in the hand of R. Nathan Adler (the gloss is marked with his customary three dots).
R. Nathan HaKohen Adler (1742-1800), born in Frankfurt to R. Yaakov Shimon Adler. An outstanding Torah scholar and eminent kabbalist, he headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt, and was the prime teacher of R. Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer – who mentions him extensively in his books in halachic and kabbalistic matters, referring to him as "my prime teacher, the renowned and pious Torah scholar, the great eagle" (alluding to the name Adler, German for eagle), and other honorific titles. He suffered much persecution from the residents of his city, who even forbade him from holding prayer services in his Beit Midrash conforming with his singular kabbalistic customs. In 1782, R. Nathan Adler left Frankfurt for Boskowitz (Boskovice), Moravia. His disciple R. Moshe Sofer (the Chatam Sofer) remained with him, accompanying him to Boskowitz where he continued studying under him. R. Nathan Adler served as rabbi for only two years in Boskowitz, the only time he held a rabbinic position. In ca. 1785, he returned to his home and Beit Midrash in Frankfurt.
[2], 60 leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Some wear and tears. Worming to several leaves, affecting text. Several detached leaves. Without binding.
"Five Books of the Torah in Yiddish" – Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim (Tanach) in Yiddish, "translated and explained" by R. Yekutiel son of Yitzchak Blitz, with Toaliyot HaRalbag to Torah and Neviim Rishonim by R. Levi son of Gershon (Ralbag). Amsterdam: Uri Phoebus HaLevi, [1676-1679].
Five divisional title pages: for Torah, Megillot, Neviim Rishonim, Neviim Acharonim and Ketuvim, with an additional illustrated title page (copper engraving) at the beginning of the volume. Approbations of the rabbis of the Council of Four Lands, and the Sephardi and Ashkenazi rabbis of Amsterdam. The book begins with leaves of "approbation and privilegium" – special permission granted by the King of Poland for this printing, in Yiddish and in Latin (the two leaves are bound separately; the first leaf, in Yiddish, is bound after two title pages and the Hebrew introduction; while the second leaf in Latin is bound between the leaves of approbations).
Copy of R. Shlomo Eiger. Signature on the first title page (in square letters): "Shlomo Eiger", and signature on second title page (somewhat blurred): "Shlomo Eiger". On verso of the first title page is a handwritten inscription: "This book belongs to the woman Rivkah Golda, wife of R. Shlomo Eiger" (Rebbetzin Rivkah Golda, daughter of R. Yisrael Hirschsohn of Warsaw).
On the title pages are stamps with the letters "SE" [=Solomon Eger].
Inscriptions on front endpaper, including an inscription on a death in 1812 and a birth in 1895.
R. Shlomo Eiger (1785-1852), leading Torah scholar of his times, second son of R. Akiva Eiger (and brother-in-law of the Chatam Sofer). His illustrious father held him in high esteem, as he praises him in a letter to R. Yaakov Gesundheit: "Praise to G-d Who granted me a son of a cedar's stature" (Responsa and Novellae of R. Akiva Eiger, Jerusalem 1947, section 22). In ca. 1801, he married Rebbetzin Rivkah Golda, daughter of the wealthy Hirschsohn family of Warsaw, and settled there the year of their marriage. In his father-in-law's home, R. Shlomo continued applying himself to his Torah studies, and became one of the most prominent and wealthiest Torah scholars of Warsaw.
After he lost his fortune in the Polish revolution of 1831 (which he supported along with the Polish Torah leaders R. Chaim Davidson and R. Berish Meisels), he was appointed Rabbi of Kalisch. In 1840, he succeeded his father as Rabbi of Posen. He edited and published his father's responsa and novellae and included some of his own novellae. His writings were also published in Gilyon Maharsha on the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch; Responsa of R. Shlomo Eiger, two parts, published by Mosad HaRav Kook (Jerusalem, 1983-1985) and Sefer HaIkkarim, two parts (Jerusalem, 1991-1996).
[7], 63, [1], 64-75, 77-138, 140-256, [1]; 18, [1] leaves. Including leaf with "apology of the corrector" and haftarot chart, which does not appear in all copies. Approx. 31 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Wear. Tears, including open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting illustrated title frame and text, partially repaired with paper and tape (the illustrated title page was cut off and mounted on another leaf for reinforcement at an early stage, as the signature of R. Shlomo Eiger and the inscription on his wife appear on the reinforcement leaf). The book is severed into two at the spine. Stamps. Only has back binding, loose, with part of the spine (torn and partially detached).
Various dates appear on the title pages: 1676, 1678 and 1679. The approbations are dated 1671-1677. Two different editions of the Bible translated to Yiddish were printed concurrently in Amsterdam in those days, considered to be the first Yiddish editions of the Bible.
For further information regarding the controversy surrounding this printing, see: A.M. Habermann, Perakim BeToldot HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, pp. 300-310.
Marcheshet, responsa and novellae by R. Chanoch Henoch Eigis, a rabbi of Vilna, Part I, on Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, with sections on the topics of Hazamah (refuting witnesses) and Ye'ush (despair). Bilgoraj: Notte Kronenberg, 1931. First edition.
Copy of the Chazon Ish, with glosses in his handwriting. The book contains nine scholarly glosses, some or all of them handwritten by R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, the Chazon Ish (some of the glosses may have been written by another member of his household, or written by him while lying in bed or another position that made writing difficult; in any case, the contents and style of glosses are typical of the Chazon Ish's study method).
R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (1879-1953), author of the Chazon Ish, a foremost scholar in Halachah and Jewish thought in our times. A preeminent Torah scholar and hidden righteous man, his first book Chazon Ish was published in 1911 anonymously, since then he has been known by the name of his book. In his great modesty, he would sign his name with his initials only: "Ish". After World War I, during which he fled to Belarus, he returned in 1920 to Lithuania and lived for several years in Vilna. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1933, where he became recognized as the leading Torah authority, and stood at the helm of the renaissance of the Torah world in our generation. He authored and published numerous volumes of Chazon Ish, which were written with great toil and in-depth study, covering nearly all Talmudic topics.
During the time the Chazon Ish lived in Vilna, he was a close associate of the rabbis of the city, R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski and R. Chanoch Eigis, author of the Marcheshet, who would discuss Torah with him and held him in high esteem (Pe'er HaDor, a biography of the Chazon Ish (I, p. 340), describes the departure of the Chazon Ish for Eretz Israel on Motza'ei Shabbat 7 Tammuz 1933 – heading the crowd of well-wishers on the platform of the Vilna train station were R. Chaim Ozer and R. Chanoch Eiges).
[3], 3-124, [1] leaves + [2] leaves – front and back printed wrappers. 34 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains and wear. Original binding (with new spine), with minor damage.