Auction 98 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts, Jewish Ceremonial Art
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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.
Sefer HaTakanot VeHaskamot, public ordinances and halachic customs enacted by Jerusalem rabbis over the generations, by R. Chaim Avraham Gagin. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1842.
Two title pages. The first title page is decorated with a woodcut (previously used for Avodat HaKodesh). The second title page is on leaf [5], after R. Gagin's preface.
The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Printed in the press established by R. Yisrael Bak of Berditchev and Safed, disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin.
This book is comprised of two parts: the first contains R. Gagin's preface and a long responsum (dated 1824) by R. Shlomo Moshe Suzin regarding the authority of the Beit Din to issue public ordinances. The second part includes a compilation of the regulations and customs of Eretz Israel following the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch. At the end of the book, approbations dated 1841 and 1842, by rabbis and community officials, according R. Yisrael Bak the exclusive rights to printing in Eretz Israel. The approbations describe how R. Yisrael established a new printing press in Jerusalem after his press in Safed was destroyed and looted. [There are some copies without the final leaf containing the approbation from 1842. See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book listing 123175, and Sh. Halevy, HaSefarim HaIvriyim Shenidpesu BiYerushalayim, no. 3].
The bibliographer A. Tauber, in his Hebrew article "History of Printing in Eretz Israel" (Mechkarim Bibliographim, pp. 10-11; Kovetz Yerushalayim – Lachakirat Eretz Yisrael, Jerusalem 1928, pp. 179-192), posits that the main purpose of this book was to reinforce several controversial public ordinances (especially those regarding estate and ownership titles). In order to print this book, R. Gagin and the Sephardic community officials encouraged the establishment of R. Yisrael Bak's printing press, intending this book to be the first published there.
R. Gagin, who was persecuted by his opponents, initiated the printing of this book in order to answer their contentions. To avoid making the book's purpose obvious, R. Gagin instructed R. Yaakov Capiloto and R. Avraham Ashkenazi, two Jerusalem scholars, to research the customs and ordinances of Eretz Israel, arrange them in the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch, and combine them with the rebuttals to those who questioned the controversial ordinances.
This book was presumably printed in stages, according to the progress of the abovementioned editors. According to Tauber, the first part of Sefer HaTakanot was already printed in 1841 (before the printing of Avodat HaKodesh, which is recognized as the first Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem). The printing was only concluded after R. Capiloto and R. Ashkenazi finished compiling and editing the second part of the book.
[16], 13-72, [4] leaves. 15 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains (many stains to several leaves). A few tears, including marginal open tear to one leaf, not affecting text. Pencil inscriptions inside text on several leaves. New binding.
The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Sh. Halevy, no. 3 (this is in fact the second book printed in Jerusalem, since listing no. 2 by Sh. Halevy is actually a broadside and not a book).
Includes leaf with approbation from 1842, which is not included in all copies.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Chukat HaPesach, study order for the month of Nissan, with the Haggadah order, and other selections. Jerusalem: Israel Bak, [1843]. The second Haggadah printed in Jerusalem (the first was printed in 1842).
The Haggadah is accompanied by laws and instructions in Judeo-Arabic.
Also includes: Ka'arat Kesef by Rabbi Yosef Ha'Ezovi, order for the eve of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, Passover evening prayer, Song of Songs, Counting of the Omer, Pirkei Avot, poem in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (by Rabbi David Elkayam), and order for the eve of Rosh Chodesh Sivan (incomplete at the end).
On the title page, a signature in ornate Sephardic script, erased in ink.
83 leaves. Missing last leaf (replaced with photocopy). Approx. 14.5 cm. Gilt edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Small tears to title page and open tear to lower margin, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Small open tear to margin of one leaf. Paper reinforcement to inner margins of several leaves, affecting text in one leaf. New binding.
Otzar HaHaggadot 861.
One of the earliest books printed in Jerusalem. Sh. Halevy, no. 12.
Provenance: Formerly from the collection of Dr. I. Mehlman, with inscriptions in his handwriting.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Ethical will by R. Aharon Moshe MiGeza Tzvi of Brody (disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and founder of the Chassidic settlement in Jerusalem). Jerusalem: [Yisrael Bak], 1845. First edition.
Ethical will of R. Aharon Moshe MiGeza Tzvi of Brody, authored five years before his death (at its end he requests that it be printed immediately after his passing).
R. Aharon Moshe MiGeza Tzvi (1775-1845), Chassidic leader, disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and R. Uri of Strelisk, among the first Chassidim to immigrate to Jerusalem (in 1799) and one of the founders of the Chassidic settlement there and head of the Chassidic kollel. His gravestone on the Mount of Olives is inscribed with titles of praise which were rarely used in those times in Jerusalem.
Ownership inscriptions on title page.
8 leaves. 14.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains and traces of former dampness. Worming to margins of some leaves. Stamp. New binding.
Rare edition.
Sh. Halevy, no. 30.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Be'er Sheva, homilies on the Torah by Rebbe Moshe David Ashkenazi, Rabbi of Tolcsva and Safed (author of Toldot Adam; father-in-law of the Yitav Lev and progenitor of the Satmar and Klausenburg Chassidic dynasties). Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1853. First edition.
The author, R. Moshe David Ashkenazi, Rabbi of Tolcsva and Safed (1774-1856), author of Toldot Adam, father-in-law of the Yitav Lev of Sighet. Progenitor of the Satmar and Klausenburg Chassidic dynasties. Rabbi of Tolcsva for some forty years, and later one of the founders of the Chassidic settlement in post-earthquake Safed.
Inscriptions in Sephardic script on title page.
[3], 172, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves. Worming in many places (heavy worming on some leaves), affecting text, partially repaired with paper and tape. New fabric binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 50.
Provenance: Formerly of the collection of Dr. I. Mehlman, with his handwritten inscriptions.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Aderet Eliyahu, "Segulah… for an open mind, memory and success…" – sayings of the Sages mentioning the prophet Elijah, to be recited as a Segulah at the end of Shabbat, and a passage from the Zohar for circumcision. Jerusalem: Yisrael Bak, [1859].
24 leaves. Approx. 14 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Damage and open tears to title page, affecting title frame and text, repaired with paper filling. Worming, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Variant, with slight difference of wording on title page (as in the the copy in the Ben Menachem collection).
Sh. Halevy, no. 56.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Selichot and prayers for 7th Adar, according to the custom of the Gomlei Chesed Shel Emet Chevra Kadisha of Jerusalem. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1863.
First of several editions printed in Jerusalem.
Leaf [2] printed with decorated frame with printed dedication (not filled out), with printed signatures of the Gabbai of the Chevra Kadisha.
[2], 13, [1] leaf. 17.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. New binding.
Rare edition.
Sh. Halevy, no. 83.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Sefer HaChezyonot, known as Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital. Jerusalem: Avraham Rautenberg, [1866].
On verso of title page, introduction by R. Moshe Vital, grandson of R. Chaim Vital. Printed from manuscript of R. Chaim Vital's grandson.
On title page, ownership inscription in Sephardic script (in pencil).
28 leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Light wear. Marginal tears and open tears to title page and several other leaves. Inner margins of title page and other leaves repaired with paper. Uneven trimming. New binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 120.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Calendar for the entire sixth millennium, from the beginning of the millennium until the year 6000, by R. Shraga Feivel of Grodno. Jerusalem: Yisrael Bak, [1867].
Divided into three parts: Calendar I, festivals, fast days and Torah readings; calendar II, with moladot and tekufot; and calendar III, general calendar with names of secular months.
Owner's signature on title page: "Yosef David Dweck HaKohen".
71 leaves. 16.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. Tears and damage to margins of some leaves, repaired with paper. New leather binding.
Bound with orange front wrapper with a printed illustration of Jerusalem printed by Bak.
Sh. Halevy, no. 134.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
The Jerusalem Almanack, 1869. Jerusalem, 1869. English and some Hebrew. On title page: "Published under the direction of the Hebrew Christian Mutual Aid Society".
1869 calendar with verses from the Prophets for each day of the month (in English translation only) and additional English information at the end relating to the population of Jerusalem, its various parts and institutions, and more.
[1], [27], 28-35, [1] pages. Includes original front and back printed wrapper. 13.5 cm. Good condition. Stains (including to wrapper). New binding.
Especially rare booklet, unknown bibliographically.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.