Handwritten notebook, “Nitzotzei Sela”, novellae on Talmudic aggadot. Rabbi Chaim Finkelstein. Paris, 1935.
Ideas and original ethical explanations on Talmudic aggadot. Printed in the book “Shvilei Chaim” (Jerusalem 1997), with the omission of the version on the title page written by the author at the top of the notebook. First, he called his work by the name of “Nitzotzei Even”, hinting to the meaning of his name in Yiddish (Finkel-stein). Later, he erased the word “Even” (stone) and wrote “Sela” (rock) instead. He put his real name in parentheses and wrote a pen name next to it: "Chai ben Yashar Stein".
Rabbi Chaim Finkelstein (1906-1982), a prominent figure in the Navardok Yeshiva, a genius of Torah and mussar, with a sensitive and poetic soul. Close to World War II, he reached Paris where he married the daughter of Rabbi Yisrael Frankfurter. Later, he was appointed kashrut supervisor on the French ship “Normandy”. When the war erupted and the ship received political refuge in New York, Rabbi Chaim and his wife settled in the city of Lakewood (New Jersey). There he was renowned for his widespread efforts for Torah institutions amongst his other activities.
Notebook, 22 cm. [87] pages. Good condition, stains and wear, several detached leaves. Damaged cardboard binding.