Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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A signed ownership inscription on title page: "…Yosef Meir son of R. Shmuel Tzvi" - signature of the first Spinka rebbe, R. Yosef Meir Weiss, author of Imrei Yosef (1838-1909), predecessor of the Spinka dynasty. Son of R. Shmuel Tzvi Weiss, head of the Munkacs Beit Din. Prominent Torah scholar and Chassid, disciple of the Maharam Ash, R. Meir Eisenstädter, Rabbi of Ungvar (Uzhhorod), and of his son R. Menachem Eisenstädter Rabbi of Ungvar. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Shmuel Shmelke of Selish (Vynohradiv), author of Tzeror HaChaim, and of his uncle the kabbalist R. Yitzchak Eizik Weiss of Svalyeve (Svalyava).
An ardent Chassid from his youth, in his early years he travelled to Rebbe Sar Shalom of Belz, who said of him that he has a "good head". He was also accustomed to travelling to Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz and to Rebbe Chaim of Sanz, author of Divrei Chaim. However, his primary teacher was his relative, Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov (Zhydachiv) - the Mahari, who considered him his most illustrious disciple and "would summon him daily and for hours speak with him thoughts of wisdom and fear of Heaven, and at times he studied with him the holy books Likutei Torah V'Shas".
In 1870, his teacher, the Mahari of Zidichov, appointed him rebbe, but he refused to receive Chassidim during his teacher's lifetime. Only in 1876, he conceded and heeded his teacher Rebbe Chaim of Sanz who ordained him rebbe, and from that time on, he began receiving Chassidim in Spinka in the Maramureş region, where he lived. His name quickly spread throughout Hungary and Galicia and thousands of Chassidim became his disciples, among them many prominent Torah scholars such as R. Shalom Mordechai Schwadron, the Maharsham of Berezhany. He also had close ties with tzaddikim of his times, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam of Siget, author of Yitav Lev, Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova, author of Divrei Yechezkel, and others.
He was reputed for his amazing erudition in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. When he traveled to R. Chaim of Sanz, the rebbe "welcomed him heartily and he loved R. Yosef Meir dearly, discussing with him Kabbalistic pilpul at length, although he was not accustomed to discussing these matters with anyone else" (A. Suraski, Shoshelet Spinka, p. 97). The Spinka prayer rite and conduct followed those of Zidichov. R. Yosef Meir's fervent prayers inspired the Chassidic multitudes, and are described as prayers with superhuman exertion. Stories are told of remarkable wonders he performed, through his blessings and counsel pronounced with Divine Inspiration. His son the Mahari of Spinka attests that "his blessings worked many great deliverances and that many barren women bore children through his prayers, and his prayers cured the ill… I can almost say that every word emitted from his holy mouth was answered…" (foreword to his book Imrei Yosef, named Asara Maamarot). Even after his death, his grave was renowned as a site for prayer and salvation. In 1972, his remains were brought to Eretz Israel and he was buried in the special burial plot of Spinka Chassidim in the Segulah cemetery in Petach Tikva.
The heading of leaf 8 bears another early signature: "Chaim ---".
50 leaves. 24.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and worming. New leather binding.
Copy of R. Meshulam Zusha Weissblum of Nadvorna. His signature stamp appears on the title page and several other leaves: "Meshulam Zusia of Nadvorna, son of R. Naftali of Lizhensk".
R. Meshulam Zusha Weissblum of Nadvorna (Nadvirna; d. 1890, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 380), great-grandson of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. He was one of the prominent disciples of the Torat Chaim, Rebbe of Kosov. He immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Safed, in fulfillment of his dream in which his teacher commanded him to do so.
Lengthy ownership inscription on back endpaper (presumably from a descendant of R. Avraham David of Buchach).
5, 7-132, 10 leaves. 20.5 cm. Bluish paper. Fair-poor condition. Stains, dampstains and wear. Extensive worming, affecting text. New binding.
Copy of the Munkacs Rebbes - R. Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro, author of Darchei Teshuva, and his son R. Chaim Elazar Shapiro, author of Minchat Elazar. Title page and other leaves bear their stamps: "Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro" and "Chaim Elazar Shapiro, Rabbi of Munkacs" (some of the stamps are trimmed).
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro, author of Darchei Teshuva (1845-1914, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 618-620), was the son of R. Shlomo Shapiro Rabbi of Munkacs, author of Shem Shlomo, who was the son of R. Elazar of Lantzut (Łańcut), son of R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar. A leading Torah scholar and rebbe of his generation, he succeeded his father as rabbi of Munkacs. He established the Munkacs Chassidic dynasty, which numbered thousands of Chassidim. Founder of Kollel Munkacs, he was titled "Nesi Eretz Israel". He authored: Darchei Teshuva, Be'er LaChai Ro'i, Tzvi Tiferet and more.
His son, Rebbe Chaim Elazar Shapiro, author of Minchat Elazar (1872-1937), was a leading Torah scholar, halachic authority, rebbe and kabbalist in his generation. Succeeding his father as rabbi of Munkacs, he battled to preserve the sanctity of the Jewish people, and his teachings in Halacha and Kabbalah were disseminated throughout the Jewish world. His books include Responsa Minchat Elazar, Shaar Yissachar, Nimukei Orach Chaim, Divrei Torah - 9 parts, and more. (See: Darkei Chaim VeShalom).
Signatures on title page: " Gottlieb Kahan[a] Sapir", "…Shalom son of R. M.(?) HaKohen of ---(?)".
[1], 58, [1] leaves. 31.5 cm. Darkened paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Dampstains. Worming to several leaves. Repaired tear to upper margin of title page. Repaired tear to last leaf, slightly affecting text. Leaves trimmed affecting some of the headings. Stamps on title page and in other places. New leather binding.
Copy of R. Mordechai (Maharam) Brisk. His stamp appears on the title page: "Mordechai Brisk, dayan of Margareten", together with an inscription in his handwriting and with his signature, attesting that he received this book from the author: "A gift… to me… from the rebbe, the author. Mordechai [son of R. Yehoshua…]".
R. Mordechai Brisk - Maharam Brisk (1886-1944) was a leading Torah scholar and a prominent Torah disseminator in Hungary. He was the son-in-law of R. Shmuel Zalman Weinberger, rabbi of Margareten (Marghita), son of the Mahariatz. He served as a dayan and posek in Margareten, and in 1918 was appointed rabbi of Tăşnad. He established there his famous yeshiva where he taught thousands of disciples. His works include: Responsa Maharam Brisk (4 parts), Derashot Maharam Brisk, and others.
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro author of Darchei Teshuva (1845-1914, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut III, 618-620). Son of R. Shlomo Shapiro Rabbi of Munkacs author of Shem Shlomo, who was the son of R. Elazar of Lantzut (Łańcut), son of R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov author of Bnei Yissaschar. He was an outstanding Torah scholar, halachic authority and kabbalist. A leading Torah scholar and rebbe of his generation, he succeeded his father as rabbi of Munkacs. He established the Munkacs Chassidic dynasty, which numbered thousands of Chassidim. A founder of Kollel Munkacs, he was titled "Nesi Eretz Israel". He authored: Darchei Teshuva, Be'er LaChai Ro'i, Tzvi Tiferet and more.
[3], 259 leaves. Approx. 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Ink stains to p. 244b, affecting text. Original binding, with damage.
Copy of Rebbe Shalom Eliezer Halberstam of Ratzfert (Újfehértó). Ownership inscriptions, stamps and signatures of the rebbe on the endpapers, title page and final leaf: "Shalom Eliezer", "Shalom Eliezer Halberstam", "Shalom Eliezer Halberstam, residing in Tarnów", "This book belongs to R. Shalom Eliezer Halberstam".
Rebbe Shalom Eliezer Halberstam (1862-1944) was one of the younger sons of the Divrei Chaim Rebbe of Sanz, a leading righteous man and wonder-worker in the pre-Holocaust generation. Already as a youngster, prominent rebbes spoke of his holiness and lofty soul. For instance, during his stay in Sanz, the Tiferet Shlomo Rebbe of Radomsk reputedly pointed at R. Shalom Eliezer and said that at the coming of the Messiah he will be among the Jewish leaders. At the time of his father's death, he was only 14 years old, and was raised by his elder brother, the rebbe of Shinova. He married his niece, daughter of his sister and brother-in-law Rebbe Mordechai Dov Twersky, rabbi of Hornostaipil. In 1886, R. Shalom Eliezer settled in the city of Tarnów (Galicia), and cloistered himself in the kloiz of the Sanz Chassidim, studying Torah day and night. In 1899, he established his court in Ratzfert (Újfehértó, Hungary), remaining there for over 40 years. His reputation as a wonder-worker drew Jews from all over Hungary to his court in Ratzfert, and they experienced salvations through his blessings (see Rabbenu HaKadosh MiRatzfert, Bnei Brak 2007, for numerous testimonies and accounts of miracles and salvations he effected). During the Holocaust he refused to abandon his community, and perished with them in Auschwitz in Sivan 1944.
On the endpaper facing the title page - signature of R. Efraim Fishel Hershkowitz (1922-2017), rabbi of Hallein and leading posek in the United States. He served as head of the Sanz-Klausenberg Beit Din in the U.S.
96 leaves (final leaf misfoliated 98). 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dampness damage and wear. Tears to several leaves. Tear from printing process to leaf 20, affecting text. Leaves 79-80 printed over four leaves, with only one printed side, verso remaining blank (no lacking text). Binding damaged.
Many ownership stamps of Rebbe Elazar Rosenfeld of Oshpitzin (Oświęcim). Ownership inscription on the flyleaf: "This book belongs to the holy Tzaddik… of holy lineage, R. Elazar". An undeciphered signature on the title page: "Uri… (?)".
Rebbe Elazar HaLevi Rosenfeld of Oshpitzin (1861-1943) was the youngest son-in-law of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and son of Rebbe Yehoshua of Kaminka (who was a son of R. Shalom of Kaminka). In 1885, he was appointed rabbi of Bochnia, succeeding his father as rebbe of Kaminka in 1897. In 1900, he went to serve as rabbi and rebbe in Oshpitzin. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1936, establishing his Beit Midrash in Jerusalem (the Oshpitzin Beit Midrash exists until this day on Chesed LeAvraham St., near Me'a Sh'earim), yet returned to Poland just before the outbreak of WWII, and perished in the Sosnowiec ghetto.
This book was published by the close disciple of R. Naftali Katz - the kabbalist R. Shlomo Rechnitz son of R. Yehuda Leib Mochiach. In his youth, he copied piyyutim and prayers composed by his teacher, and would recite them every night at midnight, with great fervor. In his foreword to this book, R. Shlomo Rechnitz relates a wondrous story of the encounter of his teacher the author with the Angel of Death, and how he overpowered it by donating four coins to charity. R. Shlomo further quotes testimonies from letters received from the Istanbul community, which describe the wondrous passing of R. Naftali Katz in 1718, on his way to Eretz Israel. On this occasion, his wondrous abilities and exceptional holiness were disclosed to one and all. The letters relate how he shouted at the Angel of Death and expelled him from his room in great wrath, closing the door and exclaiming: "Get out of here! Let me fall in the hands of G-d, only in His hands will I entrust my spirit and soul…".
[2], 37, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming affecting text. Library copy. Non-original cloth binding.
The Haggadah of Rebbe Shalom Halberstam of Stropkov. His handwritten inscription and signature appear on the title page: "Shalom Halberstam, Košice (Kashoy)". His stamps appear on the front endpaper, title page and subsequent leaf: "Shalom Halberstam son of the rabbi and tzaddik of Shinova".
Rebbe (Avraham) Shalom Halberstam (1855-1940), the Divrei Shalom, cherished son of Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Shinova-Sanz, the Divrei Yechezkel (eldest son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz), who would acclaim him for "his very holy and supremely lofty soul". He served as rabbi and rebbe of Stropkov, and was the first rebbe of the Stropkov Chassidic dynasty. His court was always teeming with Chassidim and thousands came to seek his blessings. He was reputed for his wonderworks.
16, 9-56, [1] leaves. Leaves 9-16 appear twice. 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Food and wine stains to some leaves. Small marginal tears to several leaves. New leather binding.
Yaari 2150; Otzar HaHaggadot 3296.
[1] leaf at the end of the book, with additional names of subscribers, not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
Many ownership inscriptions and stamps of Rebbe Moshe Halberstam Rabbi of Bardiov (Bardejov); signatures of his son Rebbe "Yechiel Natan Halberstam"; other signatures.
Rebbe Moshe Halberstam Rabbi of Bardiov-Bartfeld (1850-1903), son of Rebbe Baruch Halberstam of Gorlice and son-in-law of his uncle Rebbe Aharon Halberstam Rabbi of Sanz. Educated in the home of his grandfather Rebbe Chaim of Sanz, who entrusted him with editing his responsa Divrei Chaim, together with his cousin Rebbe Shlomo of Bobov (the first). Rebbe Moshe was appointed rabbi and rebbe of Bardiov (Bartfeld, Hungary) in his father's lifetime and had many followers. Among his sons and sons-in-law are many rabbis and rebbes, including his renowned son-in-law Rebbe Chone Halberstam of Kołaczyce and his son Rebbe Yechiel Natan Halberstam of Bardiov (1865-1933), who succeeded him as rabbi and rebbe in Bardiov.
[2], 2-79; 88, [1] leaves. 31 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Small tears to several leaves. New leather binding.
Responsa Divrei Chaim, Parts I and II, by Rebbe Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. Bardiov (Bardejov), 1901. Second edition.
Copy belonging to the author's disciple - R. Avraham Abish Reinhold. The title page bears stamps with his name, and stamps with his title: "Yeshiva dean of the Etz Chaim society, here in Tarnów". The book contains several glosses (apparently handwritten by R. Avraham Abish). A handwritten leaf is enclosed, presumably also in his handwriting, containing references to all parts of the Talmud.
R. Avraham Abish Reinhold (1853-1935) was born in Tarnów, Galicia, and later served there as yeshiva dean. An outstanding Torah scholar and kabbalist. He was a disciple of R. Pinchas of Dembitz and Briegel (a disciple of R. Naftali of Ropshitz) and of R. Ze'ev Dov Schenckel of Tarnów (disciple of the Chatam Sofer). He later frequented the court of the Divrei Chaim, absorbing from him the methods of studying Kabbalah and Chassidism, as he writes in the title pages of his books Arba Kenafayim UFetach HaGan and Shaar Petach HaGan: "I began with studying the books Sur Mera, Zera Kodesh and Avodat Yisrael, and based on their teachings I studied the writings of the Arizal, and in my youth I studied under the holy Divrei Chaim, and from his approach in the worship of G-d and pleasant ways, I understood a little on how to study holy writings with absolute self-nullification, and to partake from the tree of life, a taste of the World to Come". He relocated to Antwerp in Summer 1911. During WWI, he fled to Holland (see below), returning to Antwerp after the war. He authored many works: Chiddushei Avrach (Kraków 1921-1924), Rashei Besamim (Kraków 1921), Arba Kenafayim UFetach HaGan (Poland, 1925), Otiyot Machkimot (Biłgoraj, 1926?), Mikra'ei Kodesh (Biłgoraj, 1926?), Shaar Petach HaGan (Antwerp, 1926), Zichron Mashiach (Biłgoraj, 1927).
[2], 138, [1]; [2], 130 leaves. 38 cm. + [1] handwritten leaf. 27.5 cm. Fair condition. Leaves of book dry and brittle. Stains. Dark marginal dampstain. Open tears to several leaves. Tape repairs to title page and several subsequent leaves. Tears to final leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper. Binding worn and damaged.
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Joint Completion of the Talmud by WWI Refugees in Holland
During WWI, R. Avraham Abish Reinhold escaped Antwerp to Holland. He reached the village of Scheveningen (presently a district of The Hague), where dozens of Jewish refugees gathered, primarily young boys escaping conscription to various European armies. The refugees, who wished to take advantage of their free time for Torah study, decided to initiate a remarkable project. Headed by R. Avraham Abish, one of the leaders of the group, they undertook to jointly study and complete the entire Shas. They divided the tractates between themselves, and on Rosh Chodesh Elul 1917, celebrated the completion of the Shas. On this occasion, they all undertook to once again complete the Shas by Rosh Chodesh Tammuz of the coming year. (The 100th anniversary of this event was marked by a moving initiative arranged by descendants of these refugees, who once again divided between themselves the Talmudic tractates and completed the Shas. The completion was celebrated in Lakewood, and broadcasted throughout the world; see enclosed material). A memorial plaque from this event in Scheveningen, recorded on the day of the first siyum, lists the names of the men and the tractates they each undertook to study once again (R. Avraham Abish is listed as having taken on the tractates: Eduyot, Horayot, Temurah, Me'ilah and Tammid).
Stamps of the Akedat Yitzchak, Rebbe of Alexander, on the title page and subsequent leaf: "Yitzchak Menachem son of the Rebbe of Alexander". Several inscriptions on the title page, some attesting that the book belongs to the rebbe of Alexander.
Rebbe Yitzchak Menachem Danziger of Alexander (1880-1942), a leading rebbe of his times. He received his education from his grandfather, Rebbe Yechiel, founder of the Alexander dynasty, his father Rebbe Shmuel Tzvi of Alexander, author of Tiferet Shmuel, and his uncle R. Yerachmiel Yisrael Yitzchak author of Yismach Yisrael.
He was appointed rebbe in 1924, after seventy of the most prominent rabbis of Poland who were his father's Chassidim asked him to head the dynasty. The Alexander court expanded greatly under his leadership, until it comprised tens of thousands of Chassidim. He founded the large Beit Yisrael network of yeshivot together with his brother R. Avraham Chaim Danziger, in the memory of his uncle the Yismach Yisrael. He was murdered in the Holocaust together with all his children and grandchildren, leaving behind no survivors to perpetuate this illustrious family. After the Holocaust, the remaining Alexander Chassidim gathered together and appointed his cousin R. Yehuda Moshe Thieberg as their rebbe. The remnants of his teachings were compiled by his Chassidim after the Holocaust, and published in the book Akedat Yitzchak.
[2], 63-377 leaves. Volume begins with leaf 63 (section 308), preceded by the title page and foreword leaf. Lacking first 1-62 leaves. 37.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Several detached leaves. Original leather binding, with damage, torn spine.
Copy belonging to Rebbe Chanoch Henich of Sassov. His signature appears in Parashat Yitro (p. [79]): "Chanoch Henich of Sassov", with a scholarly gloss (3 lines) in his handwriting on the previous page (p. 78). On p. 122, another gloss in his handwriting.
Rebbe Chanoch Henich Dov Meier-Teitelbaum (1884-1942), Rabbi of Sassov (Sasiv) and Keretsky, one of the greatest rebbes and tzaddikim of his generation, son-in-law of the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet and brother-in-law of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar. Son of R. Yosef David of Sassov, descendant of Rebbe Chanoch of Alesk - the Lev Same'ach, and a descendant of R. Shalom of Belz. An exceptional, holy and pure Torah scholar, he was renowned for his fervent prayers and the wonders he performed for the Jewish people. In his will, he commanded that his epitaph should contain no attribute apart from the inscription: "Who performed salvations for the Jewish people".
His son, Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Királyháza (Korolevo) and later, the United States, published two volumes of his Torah novellae titled Ir Chanoch (Jerusalem, 1978). Several years later, the books Responsa Yad Chanoch and Mefaneach Ne'elamim (Brooklyn, 2000) were also published. In 1957, a Midrash Rabba with his notes entitled Ein Chanoch, was published in the United States by his son Rebbe Yoel.
2-96 leaves. Lacking title page. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and stains. Last leaf detached and slightly damaged. Without binding.
Most books contain signatures or inscriptions in his handwriting, attesting to the purchase or receipt of the book, and several books even include his handwritten glosses. Signatures, stamps and ownership inscriptions of previous owners in several books, as well as authors' dedications. Most books are from the second half of the 20th century, apart from the volumes of a Vilna Talmud (printed by Widow and Brothers Romm).
Rebbe Alter Eliezer Kahana of Spinka-Zidichov (1937-2009), a wide-ranging and eminent Torah scholar, renowned for his exceptional prayers and holy practices, for his worship of G-d and love of his fellow. A halachic authority and holy kabbalist, he wrote and edited halachic and Chassidic books, as well as books on other topics. He compiled and arranged material on numerous topics in the framework of Otzar HaPoskim, and exchanged halachic correspondence with many rabbis. He presided over several Kollelim and managed the charity funds of Shomrei HaChomot. An ideologist associating with the Neturei-Karta sect and Satmar Chassidism, he also acknowledged other views in Orthodox circles. He donated a lot of charity to individuals and public institutions from all factions, and dispensed interest-free loans to the needy.
His father was Rebbe Yosef Meir Kahana of Spinka-Jerusalem (1909-1978), son of R. Tzvi Hirsh Kahana Rabbi of Spinka and son-in-law of Rebbe Yitzchak Teitelbaum of Husakov. He served as rebbe in Ungvar (Uzhhorod), and in 1936, was appointed rabbi and yeshiva dean in Seredna (Serednie). He immigrated to Eretz Israel with his family in 1941, where he founded the Imrei Yosef yeshiva and established his court.
Approx. 260 books. Size and condition vary.