Auction 98 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts, Jewish Ceremonial Art
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Tractate Avot, with commentaries by Rashi and the Vilna Gaon; Avot DeRabbi Natan, and the minor tractates: Sofrim, Semachot, Kallah, Derech Eretz Rabbah, Derech Eretz Zuta and Perek HaShalom, corrected according to the text of the Vilna Gaon. Shklow: Aryeh son of Menachem, [1804]. First edition.
The book was brought to press by the sons of the Vilna Gaon, R. Yehudah Leib and R. Avraham, and compiled by his disciple, the kabbalist R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow. The book begins with an important foreword by R. Menachem Mendel, in which he relays several extraordinary points that he heard from his teacher, the Vilna Gaon.
Leaves 3-24: Tractate Avot, the Mishnah occupying the center of the pages, with the commentaries of Rashi and the Vilna Gaon on either side. Leaves 25-50: Tractate Avot DeRabbi Natan, based on the text and corrections of the Vilna Gaon. The center of the page is occupied by the text corrected by the Vilna Gaon, with the old, unedited version printed on the side. Leaves 51-82: Minor Tractates in the same format, the corrected text occupying the center of the page, with the old version on the side.
At the top of the title page, on the last leaf and on the titles of leaf 70: Signatures of R. "Yaakov Berlin of Mir", father of the Netziv of Volozhin (inscriptions deleted with ink). Handwritten glosses in several places in the book.
R. Yaakov Berlin (1794-1870), father of the Netziv of Volozhin and father-in-law of the author of Aruch HaShulchan, was a wealthy trader and an outstanding Torah scholar, an influential leader of the Mir community. He moved to Jerusalem in 1852 and became a leader of its Ashkenazi community (his life and piety are chronicled at length in Mekor Baruch by his grandson R. Baruch Epstein).
82 leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Light wear. Small marginal tears. Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper filling and tape. Stamp on title page. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 318.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Taharat HaKodesh, the Zer Zahav commentary on Tosefta Order Taharot, by the Vilna Gaon. Zhovkva, 1804. First edition.
Copy of R. "Meir Leibush Malbim". Several of his signatures on title page, endpaper and leaf [2]. On margins of title page, his handwritten inscription from 1839 [apparently, the present signatures are from his tenure as Rabbi of Września, Posen region), from 1837-1841].
R. Meir Leibush Malbim (acronym for Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michel; 1809-1879), famed Biblical commentator and leading rabbi of his generation, well versed in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (his teacher for Kabbalah was R. Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov). Wherever he served as rabbi or visited (he served as rabbi of Wreschen, Kempen, Bucharest, Kherson, Łęczyca, Mogilev and Königsberg), he was renowned for the uncompromising battle he waged against modernism, Haskalah and Reform, which elicited much harassment.
During his tenure in Bucharest, he fought the Maskilim, who retaliated by contriving a libel. This resulted in him being imprisoned and sentenced to death, and only thanks to the intervention of Sir Moses Montefiore was his punishment commuted to expulsion from Romania. The spread of Haskalah drove him to devote his time and skills to composing a systematic commentary to the Bible, with the goal of clarifying the depth of wisdom which lies in the words of the sages, and proving the veracity of the Oral Torah. Thus came to be his famous commentary to the Bible, which was well received throughout the Jewish world and reprinted in hundreds of editions.
This edition was compiled and printed by R. Meir of Shad (Seda), disciple of the Vilna Gaon. In his foreword, he writes: "… I did not depart from the tent of Torah in the home of the prominent Gaon, R. Eliyahu of Vilna, who quenched my thirst when I studied under him Mishnayot Order Taharot, with all the Tosefta of this Order…". At the beginning of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Yonah (Vilna, 1800), the sons of the Vilna Gaon sharply censured R. Meir of Shad (without mentioning his name), claiming that the transcript of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Mishnayot Order Taharot, which was in the possession of R. Meir (later printed in Brünn, 1802), was error-ridden (see lot 100). They write that R. Meir violated their exclusive rights to printing their father's teachings. This is another work printed by R. Meir of Shad without the authorization of the Vilna Beit Din and the sons of the Gaon of Vilna.
[2], 39, [1], 41-59, [1], 60-8, 59-60, 71-72 leaves. 23 cm. Bluish and greenish paper on some leaves. Good condition. Stains. Wear. Some tears and creases to margins. Ex libris label. Old binding, damaged and partially torn.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 281.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Collection of Shulchan Aruch books with the commentary of the Vilna Gaon. First editions of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on the Shulchan Aruch:
• Maginei Eretz, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, with the commentary of the Vilna Gaon. Shklow, [1803]. Title page printed in red and black.
This is the first edition of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, based on the Vilna Gaon's original manuscript. This edition was published by the Vilna Gaon's sons, together with his disciples, R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow and R. Yisrael of Shklow, and with his grandson R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim (son of R. Avraham son of the Vilna Gaon).
The text of the Shulchan Aruch is flanked on one side by the commentary of the Vilna Gaon, and on the other by the Magen Avraham. Be'er HaGolah is printed in the margins.
In his foreword printed on verso of the title page, R. Chaim of Volozhin describes the Vilna Gaon's approach in explaining the Shulchan Aruch. On the second leaf, there is a lengthy and noteworthy foreword by the sons of the Vilna Gaon, in which they portray the greatness of their father beginning from birth, his special practices and his study methods. They also list the disciples of the Vilna Gaon in order of their prominence (see Hebrew description). On the third leaf, there is a foreword by R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, followed by the foreword of R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim, grandson of the Vilna Gaon. The fourth leaf contains the foreword of the editor – R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Vilna Gaon.
On p. 213b, lengthy handwritten gloss.
[1], 3, 316, [2] leaves. 35 cm. Varying condition; first and last leaves in fair condition; other leaves in good-fair condition. Stains. Wear. Tears, including small open tears, and worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper (on margins of title page and last leaf, tape repairs over some of the text). New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 747.
• Ashlei Ravrevei, Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, with Be'er HaGolah and commentary by the Vilna Gaon. Grodno, 1806. First edition of the commentary of the Vilna Gaon. Title page printed in red and black.
First edition of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Yoreh Deah, published by his sons, with introduction by his disciple R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow and the sons of the Vilna Gaon.
23, [1], 24-176 leaves. 33.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Margins of title page and several other leaves reinforced with strips of paper. Tears, including minute open tear affecting text on one leaf. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra no. 749.
• Apei Ravrevei, Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, sections 1-178, with Be'er HaGolah and the commentary of the Vilna Gaon, Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel. Vilna and Grodno, [1819].
The printing of Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer with the commentary of the Vilna Gaon began in 1812, but was interrupted shortly thereafter, due to Napoleon's invasion of Russia that year. The printers only managed to print sections 1-25 (and the beginning of section 26), without the title page. In 1819, the printing resumed, and sections 26-178, the title page and forewords were printed and bound with the incomplete copies printed in 1812.
There is a significant difference between the two printings. The part printed in 1812 contains only the commentary of the Vilna Gaon with the text of the Shulchan Aruch, while the Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel commentaries were to be printed as an addendum at the end of the book. In the part printed in 1819 however, the Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel commentaries were returned to their place on each page. In 1819, complementary leaves with the above commentaries pertaining to sections 1-25 were printed (which were originally printed without the commentaries). Concurrently, in 1819, a complete edition of Even HaEzer was printed, in which sections 1-25 were also printed in the new format (with the Chelkat Mechokek and Beit Shmuel commentaries on each page). See Hebrew sidebar for more details. The present copy is of the third type, printed entirely in 1819.
Signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page: "Eliyahu son of R. Yaakov of Darbėnai"; "Binyamin Wolf Segal…"; and more.
4 pages; 5-61; 188 leaves. 34.5 cm. Partly bluish paper. Overall good condition. Stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 755.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Nefesh HaChaim, by R. Chaim of Volozhin, foremost disciple of the Vilna Gaon. [Vilna and Grodno: Menachem Mann son of Baruch and Simchah Simmel son of Menachem Nachum, 1824. First edition. Copy lacking title page].
A classic book of the teachings of the Vilna Gaon and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (much of the book was written as a response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the viewpoint of the Vilna Gaon and his disciples). The book was first published in successive booklets, hence there is a separate pagination for each section.
Copy lacking title page. [5], 17 leaves; 10 leaves; 8, [1] leaves; 4; 17 leaves. 22.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Wear, creases and tears. Loose leaves. Without binding.
Variant, from the first printing of the book, with sharp critiques of the Chassidic movement. In subsequent editions the criticism was softened. According to family tradition, the changes were made by the author's son, R. Itzele of Volozhin.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Volume containing the twelve issues of the Tevunah anthology, published by R. Yisrael Salanter, founder of the Musar movement. Memel-Königsberg: A. Salomon, 1861-1868.
Copy of R. Shmuel Salant, Rabbi of Jerusalem and childhood friend of R. Yisrael Salanter, who studied alongside him under R. Tzvi Hirsch Brody (ca. 1830).
Stamps and signatures of R. "Shmuel Salant" on endpaper and title page of issue 1, and handwritten inscription and signature of his grandson R. Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky from 1894 stating that it was lent to him by R. Shmuel Salant. On margins of issues, learned glosses handwritten by R. Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky.
R. Shmuel Salant (1816-1909), immigrated from Salant to Eretz Israel in 1841 to serve as posek and rabbi of the Perushim community of disciples of the Vilna Gaon in Jerusalem. His father-in-law R. Yosef Zundel Salant immigrated to Jerusalem in the same period. In his capacity as rabbi of Jerusalem, a position he held for close to seventy years, he founded the educational and charitable institutions in the city, established the Beit Din and strengthened the Ashkenazi community. He was renowned for his brilliance and pragmatic approach to halachic ruling and in running communal matters in Jerusalem and worldwide.
R. Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810-1883), founder of the Musar movement. He stood at the helm of many enterprises for strengthening study of Torah and Musar in various countries. In the 1860s, he decided to concentrate his efforts on countries influenced by Haskalah, to bolster Torah observance and study of Torah and Musar. He lived for several years in Königsberg (present-day Kaliningrad) and Memel (present-day Klaipėda), Eastern Prussia, and travelled around delivering sermons in German, drawing people closer to Torah observance. In order to raise the prestige of Torah, he established a forum for publishing Torah novellae and Musar teachings, in form of the Tevunah anthology, published in 1861, printing 12 issues – all contained in the present volume.
[2] leaves, 3-104 pages (without printed wrappers apart from one colorful wrapper at the beginning of the volume, apparently printed for the binding of all 12 issues). 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and heavy wear. Ownership stamps and censorship stamps. Original binding.
One of the first Torah periodicals to be printed, and the first in Eastern Europe.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Letter from R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. Otwock, 24th Sivan 1939.
Typewritten on the Rebbe Rayatz's official stationery, with his signature – "Yosef Yitzchak".
Sent to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, who had sent his book Chazon Yechezkel to the library established by the Rebbe Rayatz after his departure from Soviet Russia. The Rebbe thanks him for sending Chazon Yechezkel on Tractate Chulin, and he offers his thanks in advance if R. Abramsky would send him his other books.
The recipient, R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel (1886-1976), head of the Beit Din of London and a prominent Torah leader in Eretz Israel. President of the Council of Yeshivas, a director of the Chinuch Atzma'i system, member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and a dean of the Slabodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak. In Soviet Russia he served as Rabbi of Slutsk and (with the assistance of the Rebbe Rashab) of Smolyan, and was imprisoned for his activities in support of Judaism.
After leaving Russia he arrived in England, where he was appointed rabbi and head of the Beit Din of London, until his retirement and immigration to Eretz Israel in 1951. Throughout that period he was in close relations and cooperation with the Rebbe Rayatz, and later with the Lubavitcher Rebbe in public affairs. After his immigration to Eretz Israel, he came together with his friend HaGrashi Zevin to deliver a lecture at the Chabad yeshiva "Tomchei Temimim" in the city of Lod (see: Melech BeYofyo, Jerusalem, 2004, p. 670; according to the newspaper HaModia, Jerusalem, 16 Elul 1951).
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Light stains.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Shanah Tovah letter from R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. Brooklyn, New York, Erev Rosh Hashanah 1945.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature, "Yosef Yitzchak".
Sent to his relative R. Azriel Zelig Slonim in Jerusalem. The Rebbe blesses him: "Approaching the new year… I bless you and your household… with a Ketivah VaChatimah Tovah for a good and sweet year, physically and spiritually, and complete redemption".
The recipient, R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1972), a leading Chabad activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. A founder of Lubavitch Women's Organization and the Beit Chanah institution, and a founder of Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
[1] leaf, official stationery (thin paper). Approx. 13x14 cm. Good condition. Filing holes (torn). Folding marks and creases. Light stains.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Letter from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, 5th Sivan 1963.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature – "M.Schneerson".
A "public-private" letter (an identical letter sent to several individuals) for Shavuot. The Rebbe writes: "For the upcoming Festival of Shavuot, the time of the receiving of our Torah… I hereby express my wish in the words of the Rabbi, my father-in-law the Rebbe [Rayatz]… to receive the Torah joyfully and internally".
At the end of the letter, the Rebbe adds in his handwriting: "Respectfully and [with the holiday blessing]".
[1] leaf, official stationery (thin paper). 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Letter from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, Chanukah 1965.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature – "M.Schneerson".
A "public-private" letter (an identical letter sent to several individuals) sent to R. Shalom Moshe Nemirovsky in Jerusalem, for Chanukah. The Rebbe confirms receipt of his letter, and offers his wishes for positive updates regarding it, adding that Chanukah is "a time of miracles and salvations both physical and spiritual, holidays with praise and thanksgiving".
At the end of the letter, the Rebbe adds in his handwriting: "[With blessing] for a recovery".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
"Public-private" letter from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, 11th Nisan, 1972.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature; and with additions and corrections in his handwriting.
A "public-private" letter (an identical letter sent to several individuals), addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel. The Rebbe blesses him for Pesach with a kosher and happy holiday and "true freedom, freedom from worries both physical and spiritual – from everything that prevents happy and joyful service of G-d; and to draw from this freedom all the days of the year…".
At the top of the letter, next to the honorifics, the Rebbe adds in his handwriting the words "performer of many deeds"; at the end of the letter the Rebbe adds in his handwriting "respectfully and [with the holiday blessing]".
On the margins of the letter, the Rebbe thanks and blesses R. Abramsky for his blessing sent for his birthday on 11th Nisan.
The recipient, R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel (1886-1976), head of the Beit Din of London and a prominent Torah leader in Eretz Israel. President of the Council of Yeshivas, a director of the Chinuch Atzma'i system, member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and a dean of the Slabodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak. In Soviet Russia he served as Rabbi of Slutsk and (with the assistance of the Rebbe Rashab) of Smolyan, and was imprisoned for his activities in support of Judaism.
After leaving Russia he arrived in England, where he was appointed rabbi and head of the Beit Din of London, until his retirement and immigration to Eretz Israel in 1951. Throughout that period he was in close relations and cooperation with the Rebbe Rayatz, and later with the Lubavitcher Rebbe in public affairs.After his immigration to Eretz Israel, he came together with his friend HaGrashi Zevin to deliver a lecture at the Chabad yeshiva "Tomchei Temimim" in the city of Lod (see: Melech BeYofyo, Jerusalem, 2004, p. 670; according to the newspaper HaModia, Jerusalem, 16 Elul 1951).
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Letter of blessings from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, 19th Tamuz 1978.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature.
Sent to the philanthropist R. David Zimand of Brussels, regarding his proposal to build a gym in the Beit Rivkah seminary in Kfar Chabad. In his letter, the Rebbe expresses his immense gratitude for the donation and stresses its importance for the girls' education, blesses him with many special blessings, and expresses his hope for the establishment of the gym.
[See further in R. Efraim Wolf's letter to the Rebbe dated 8th Tamuz 1978, detailing his meeting with the philanthropist who was interested in contributing to the Beit Rivkah gym and asking for the Rebbe's approval (Yemei Temimim, VII, p. 253)].
The present letter was printed in Igrot Kodesh (XXXIII, letter 12565).
[1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 27 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Placed in fine wooden frame (along with a printed card with pictures of Chabad-Lubavitch rebbes). The letter has not been examined outside of the frame.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Letter from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, 20th Kislev 1980.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his signature – "M.Schneerson"; with added words and corrections in his handwriting.
Sent to his relative ("my mechutan") R. Chaim Shalom HaLevi Segal in Jerusalem. The Rebbe mentions that it is a Hakhel year and adds that the pidyon sent would be read at the previous Rebbe's gravesite.
At the end of the blessing, the Rebbe adds a blessing for his birthday: "With blessing – regarding the birthday – for a year of success, physical and spiritual".
The recipient, R. Chaim Shalom HaLevi Segal (1918-1983), sixth generation from the Baal HaTanya. Founder and mashpia at the Chabad synagogue Beit Yehudah in the Mazkeret Moshe neighborhood in Jerusalem, and lecturer in the Etz Chaim yeshiva. He studied Rashi's commentary on the Torah for decades, and published his works Tosefet Rashi on the Tanach, Munachei Rashi and Yitron HaOr. On his visit to the Rebbe's court on Shmini Atzeret 1970, he was appointed the delegate from Israel as part of the "Chassidic United Nations".
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.