Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Displaying 145 - 156 of 302
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Eliyahu Chaim Meisel, Rabbi of Łódź. Łódź, 2nd Tevet [eighth day of Chanukah] 1892.
Approbation to Netiv HaYam, a commentary on Midrash Tanchuma authored by R. Yisrael Moshe Bromberg of Łódź. [The book on Bereshit was eventually printed in Piotrków, 1914, with the present approbation (slightly edited), and reprinted by Zichron Aharon, Jerusalem, 2008 – see preface].
R. Eliyahu Chaim Meisel (1821-1912), Rabbi of Łódź, was celebrated from his youth for his brilliance, and at the young age of 8 he joined the Volozhin yeshiva to study under R. Yitzchak of Volozhin. At the age of 19, he was appointed Rabbi of his native Horodok (Gródek), and in 1851, of Dereczyn. He later served as Rabbi of Pruzhany and of Łomża, and from 1873, as Rabbi of Łódź, a position he held for 40 years. He was renowned as one of the most prominent Torah leaders of his times in Lithuania and Poland and was famous for his exceptional acts of kindness in redeeming captives and saving needy families from starvation. His gravesite in Łódź was popular as a prayer-site for requesting salvation for the Jewish people and for individuals and was perpetually covered with kvittels.
On verso – letter of subscription to the book by Dr. Yisrael Yelsky of Łódź, dated 1894.
Dr. Yisrael Yelsky, a district doctor of the Łódź region, one of the first preachers in the Great Ashkenazi Synagogue on Kościuszki Avenue, established in the center of Łódź in 1888.
[1] leaf (Written on both sides). 15.5X13 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains. Marginal tears. Mounted on another paper, slightly affecting text of Dr. Yelsky's letter.
Catalogue
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $300
Unsold
Letter of approbation, handwritten and signed by R. "Shmuel Zanvil Klepfish, local posek", and head of the Warsaw Beit Din. Warsaw, first day of Selichot [26th Elul] 1892.
Approbation to Netiv HaYam, a commentary on Midrash Tanchuma authored by R. Yisrael Moshe Bromberg of Łódź. After the signature are four more lines in his handwriting, committing to purchase the book upon publication. [The book on Bereshit was eventually printed in Piotrków, 1914, with the present approbation (with minor errors), and reprinted by Zichron Aharon, Jerusalem, 2008 – see preface].
R. Shmuel Zanvil Klepfish (1825-1902), disciple of the Gaon of Kutno, author of Zayit Raanan, son-in-law of R. Mordechai son of R. Nechemiah, a leading posek in Warsaw. R. Shmuel Zanvil served as posek in Warsaw, and in 1873 he was appointed head of the Beit Din and "successor to the Rabbi" (the highest Torah authority in Warsaw). His halachic rulings were accepted by the leading rabbis of his generation, such as the Chidushei HaRim and the Beit HaLevi.
[1] leaf. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Dark stains. Wear and creases. Marginal tears. Mounted on another paper.
Catalogue
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $500
Unsold
Letter of approbation, handwritten and signed by R. Yitzchak HaKohen Feigenbaum, head of the Warsaw Beit Din. Warsaw, Monday, 20th Elul 1892.
Approbation to Netiv HaYam, a commentary on Midrash Tanchuma authored by R. Yisrael Moshe Bromberg of Łódź. Scribal writing, with his signature – "Yitzchak son of R. Y. A. HaKohen Feigenbaum, local posek". After the signature are two more lines in his handwriting and signature, committing to purchase the book upon publication. [The book on Bereshit was eventually printed in Piotrków, 1914, with the present approbation (with minor errors), and reprinted by Zichron Aharon, Jerusalem, 2008 – see preface].
R. Yitzchak HaKohen Feigenbaum (1828-1911), a leading rabbi of Warsaw, close disciple of the Chidushei HaRim. He was a follower of the Seraph of Kotzk and his disciples, including the Chidushei HaRim of Ger and the Avnei Nezer of Sochatchov. In 1868 he was appointed dayan and posek in Warsaw, and later served as head of the Beit Din, alongside R. Shmuel Zanvil Klepfish, and headed an important yeshiva. In 1903 he founded the Shaarei Torah periodical, a central Torah journal in Poland, which continued to be published by his sons and disciples until 1939.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Dark stains. Wear and tears. Mounted on another paper.
Catalogue
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $400
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Letter on postcard, handwritten (over thirty lines) and signed by R. Akiva Sofer, Rabbi of Pressburg. "Here, Tatra mountains", Tuesday, [Ki Tavo, 12th Elul] 1931 [with postmark: "Tatr. Lomnyca-Poprad", dated August 28, 1931].
Written in the resort town Lomnický-Poprad in the Tatras (northeastern Slovakia, on the Polish border), addressed to an important Torah scholar in Pressburg, R. Moshe David Roth. The Rabbi of Pressburg thanks him for his Torah letter, and offers him a blessing to study Torah with health and comfort as he wishes. He goes on to discuss the Torah topics brought up in the letter by R. Moshe David Roth, concluding that due to the lack of books at his current location, he would speak with him about the issue later in person, concluding with his signature, "your friend, Akiva son of R. S[imchah] B[unam] S[ofer]".
R. Akiva Sofer, Rabbi of Pressburg – author of Daat Sofer (1878-1960), son of R. Simchah Bunam, author of Shevet Sofer, son of the Ktav Sofer. Served for 33 years as Rabbi of Pressburg (Bratislava) and dean of the Pressburg yeshiva. In 1939 he traveled to his son in Lugano, Switzerland, and immigrated to Jerusalem during the Holocaust, where he established his yeshiva and community. He was a leader of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Moshe David Roth of Pressburg (1858-1936), was a disciple of the Shevet Sofer and R. Moshe Levinger of Vác. He studied Torah in Pressburg and was an expert in the laws of gittin, whose opinion was relied upon by the local Batei Din.
Postcard, 15X10.5 cm. Good condition. Foxing.
Catalogue
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $700
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Kislev 1910.
Addressed to R. Tzvi Hirsch Steinman, rabbi and posek in Nizhny Novgorod. R. Tzvi Steinman had apparently submitted a halachic ruling to R. Chaim Ozer for his approval. R. Chaim Ozer responds that R. Tzvi Steinman ruled correctly.
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years. His authority is evidenced by the present letter, in which a childhood friend from yeshiva, holding a rabbinical position, submits his ruling to him for approval.
The recipient of the letter,
R. Tzvi Steinman (ca. 1865-1947), Rabbi of Rechovot, a student of the Volozhin yeshiva [where R. Chaim Ozer also studied in his youth]. Served as a lecturer in the Smorgon yeshiva, and later for about twenty years as Rabbi of Nizhny Novgorod. In 1925 he immigrated to Eretz Israel and was appointed Rabbi of Yavne'el, and two years later, of Rechovot, where he served for some twenty years.
R. Tzvi Steinman (ca. 1865-1947), Rabbi of Rechovot, a student of the Volozhin yeshiva [where R. Chaim Ozer also studied in his youth]. Served as a lecturer in the Smorgon yeshiva, and later for about twenty years as Rabbi of Nizhny Novgorod. In 1925 he immigrated to Eretz Israel and was appointed Rabbi of Yavne'el, and two years later, of Rechovot, where he served for some twenty years.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 20.5 cm. 7 lines in his handwriting. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and folding marks.
Catalogue
![Lengthy letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Druskininkai [a spa city near Vilna], 13th Elul 1932.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/186_1.jpg "Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – On Attaining the Chafetz Chaim")
![Lengthy letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Druskininkai [a spa city near Vilna], 13th Elul 1932.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/186_2.jpg "Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – On Attaining the Chafetz Chaim")
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Druskininkai [a spa city near Vilna], 13th Elul 1932.
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabbi in London and an intimate associate of his. Most of the letter relates to R. Yisrael Soloveitchik's mission to South Africa, to assist the rabbis in Russia left behind the Iron Curtain.
R. Chaim Ozer responds to R. Abramsky's suggestion to have the Chafetz Chaim sign a fundraising announcement for South Africa. R. Chaim Ozer debates the issue, taking into consideration the uncertainties and possible damage arising from such an announcement, but dismisses the concerns because of the need to do what can be done for the Jews of Russia, and says he will have the Chafetz Chaim sign. He asks R. Abramsky for assistance with the formulation of the announcement [as he did on another occasion – see: Kedem, Auction 99, Lot 204].
R. Chaim Ozer also expresses his joy at R. Abramsky's efforts to have the writings of their teacher R. Chaim of Brisk printed, which "I am always bothered his sons, the great rabbis, have not published". He also expresses his joy for R. Abramsky's ongoing Chazon Yechezkel commentary on the Tosefta.
R. Chaim Ozer concludes with a Ketivah VaChatimah Tovah blessing and his signature.
In the margins of the letter, R. Chaim Ozer adds a greeting (with a second signature) to R. Yisrael Soloveitchik. R. Yisrael Soloveitchik, a rabbi of South Africa (d. 1951), son of R. Avraham Baruch Rabbi of Smolensk and cousin of R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav – See Lot 203.
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years.
The recipient of the letter,
R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish rule) to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who attended the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33).
R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish rule) to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who attended the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33).
While subsequently serving as Rabbi of Smilavichy and Slutsk, he served often as R. Chaim Ozer's agent in various communal affairs. R. Abramsky smuggled the manuscript of Part I of his Chazon Yechezkel from Slutsk to his teacher R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna, who was involved in its publication in Vilna, 1925. When R. Abramsky was arrested by the Soviets and sent to Siberia in 1930, R. Chaim Ozer made every possible effort to release him. After his release in 1931, R. Chaim Ozer and the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch joined with R. Abramsky to initiate the project of sending Pesach flour and food packages to Jews under the Bolshevik regime in Russia. Likewise, R. Abramsky was active on missions for R. Chaim Ozer for yeshivas in Poland and Lithuania and for rabbis of Europe. They also cooperated on many public issues, including the struggles for Jewish marriage and against the anti-Semitic laws in Germany and Europe forbidding Jewish shechitah (requiring stunning animals before slaughtering, which renders the meat non-kosher), and on rescue activity for rabbis and yeshivas who fled as refugees to Vilna at the start of the Holocaust. The present letter reflects some of their cooperation on wide-ranging public activities.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 26 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and folding marks. Marginal tears.
Catalogue
![Letter of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. [Vilna], 2nd Shevat 1938.
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabbi in Lond](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/187.jpg "Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – On Assistance to Shemitah-Obse")
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Letter of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. [Vilna], 2nd Shevat 1938.
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabbi in London and an intimate associate of his. Most of the letter written by his scribe, with two lines at the end handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer himself. The letter relates his health situations and concludes with R. Chaim Ozer's signature. At the end, the scribe adds a greeting and a short handwritten letter signed with his initials [R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky, R. Abramsky's wife's cousin].
The letter discusses various topics. Most of the letter is about fundraisers for Shemitah-observant farmers in Eretz Israel, while R. Chaim Ozer adds his opinion on the irrelevance of Heter Mechirah (an allowance for agricultural work in the Shemitah year by sale of the land to a non-Jew) [in the period after the Arab Revolt, when non-Jewish workers were not employed in the fields].
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years.
The recipient of the letter,
R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish rule) to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who attended the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33).
R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish rule) to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who attended the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33).
While subsequently serving as Rabbi of Smilavichy and Slutsk, he served often as R. Chaim Ozer's agent in various communal affairs. R. Abramsky smuggled the manuscript of Part I of his Chazon Yechezkel from Slutsk to his teacher R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna, who was involved in its publication in Vilna, 1925, through his confidant R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (R. Abramsky's wife's cousin). When R. Abramsky was arrested by the Soviets and sent to Siberia in 1930, R. Chaim Ozer made every possible effort to release him. After his release in 1931, R. Chaim Ozer and the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch joined with R. Abramsky to initiate the project of sending Pesach flour and food packages to Jews under the Bolshevik regime in Russia. Likewise, R. Abramsky was active on missions for R. Chaim Ozer for yeshivas in Poland and Lithuania and for rabbis of Europe. They also cooperated on many public issues, including the struggles for Jewish marriage and against the anti-Semitic laws in Germany and Europe forbidding Jewish shechitah (requiring stunning animals before slaughtering, which renders the meat non-kosher), and on rescue activity for rabbis and yeshivas who fled as refugees to Vilna at the start of the Holocaust. The present letter reflects some of their cooperation on wide-ranging public activities.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and folding marks.
Catalogue
![Letter handwritten, stamped and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Wednesday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan [October] 1938](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/188.jpg "Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – Vilna, 1938 – Recommendation f")
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $700
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten, stamped and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Wednesday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan [October] 1938.
Recommendation for financial aid for Shalom Stolnik, a student of the Ramailes yeshiva in Vilna, "who has a certificate to travel to the Holy Land, but does not have the travel expenses". R. Chaim asks for "philanthropists who love the Torah to support him generously for his travel, and may the G-d of recompense reward their work in full…".
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years.
In addition to his spiritual leadership and halachic responsa, R. Chaim Ozer worked indefatigably to improve the conditions of yeshivas and rabbis in Lithuania and surrounding regions. He did much to support the Ramailes yeshiva in Vilna and its students, including having a new building established for it.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 21.5x14 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear and tears to folds. Mounted on back of acid tape, with pasting stains.
Catalogue
![Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 27th Cheshvan [November 9] 1939.
Addressed to R](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/189_1.jpg "Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – Vilna, Cheshvan 1939 – To the")
![Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 27th Cheshvan [November 9] 1939.
Addressed to R](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/189_2.jpg "Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – Vilna, Cheshvan 1939 – To the")
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 27th Cheshvan [November 9] 1939.
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabbi in London and an intimate associate of his. Most of the letter deals with rescue efforts for the yeshivas that were exiled to Vilna and independent Lithuania (at the outbreak of World War II, many yeshivas fled Poland, which had been occupied and partitioned by the Germans and Russians, for Vilna and other cities in independent Lithuania, at the instruction of R. Chaim Ozer). During that turbulent time, R. Chaim Ozer assisted the leaders of the wandering yeshivas while taking care of their sustenance, doing everything to provide for their needs. The exiles to Vilna (mentioned in the present letter) included R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav (who reached Vilna with some of his family members and students, who escaped and immigrated with him to Jerusalem in 1941); the Kamenets yeshiva and R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz (d. in Vilna, 5th Kislev 1939; his family escaped with some of his students and immigrated to the United States and Eretz Israel); the Mir yeshiva; the Radin yeshiva; the Baranavichy yeshiva and R. Elchanan Wasserman; the Kletsk yeshiva and R. Aharon Kotler; and others.
This historical letter recounts the situation in Vilna in those early days of the war; the concerns about Germany and Russia, who conquered Poland while hiding their plans; and on the exile of the yeshivas and rabbis who escaped to Vilna. He states that all the yeshivas arrived unharmed, but that the future is still unclear.
The beginning of the letter appears to be in scribal writing [in handwriting similar to R. Chaim Ozer's], while the last nine lines, about payments made on R. Abramsky's behalf, are handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer.
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years.
The recipient of the letter,
R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish rule) to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who attended the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33).
R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish rule) to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who attended the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33).
While subsequently serving as Rabbi of Smilavichy and Slutsk, he served often as R. Chaim Ozer's agent in various communal affairs. R. Abramsky smuggled the manuscript of Part I of his Chazon Yechezkel from Slutsk to his teacher R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna, who was involved in its publication in Vilna, 1925.
When R. Abramsky was arrested by the Soviets and sent to Siberia in 1930, R. Chaim Ozer made every possible effort to release him. After his release in 1931, R. Chaim Ozer and the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch joined with R. Abramsky to initiate the project of sending Pesach flour and food packages to Jews under the Bolshevik regime in Russia. Likewise, R. Abramsky was active on missions for R. Chaim Ozer for yeshivas in Poland and Lithuania and for rabbis of Europe. They also cooperated on many public issues, including the struggles for Jewish marriage and against the anti-Semitic laws in Germany and Europe forbidding Jewish shechitah (requiring stunning animals before slaughtering, which renders the meat non-kosher), and on rescue activity for rabbis and yeshivas who fled as refugees to Vilna at the start of the Holocaust. The present letter reflects some of their cooperation to rescue and provide for rabbis and yeshiva students in exile, who continued to study Torah even under those harsh conditions.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 29 cm. Written on both sides. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.
Catalogue
![Letter from R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Kamenets. [Kamenets], 12th Sivan,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/190.jpg "Letter of Blessing and Thanks from Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz – Kamene")
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
Letter from R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Kamenets. [Kamenets], 12th Sivan, 1931. Yiddish.
Sent to donors of the yeshiva, the Feigin family in Philadelphia, USA. R. Baruch Ber showers them with blessings and thanks for their generous support for the yeshiva.
Most of the letter is typewritten, and it concludes with five lines of warm, heartfelt blessings handwritten, stamped and signed by the yeshiva dean R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz: "I bless you and your righteous wife with all the blessings included in the Torah's blessing, 'Blessed is one who supports [Torah]', lengthy days with wealth and happiness, and may you merit along with all Jews to see the coming of the Messiah, speedily in our days. Blessing, honoring and esteeming you, Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the holy Beit Yitzchak yeshiva".
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1939), author of Birkat Shmuel, leading Torah disseminator in his times. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva, and the son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman, Rabbi of Hlusk. After his father-in-law went on to serve as rabbi of Kremenchuk, he succeeded him in Hlusk and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During World War I, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, finally settling in Kamenets. He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His teachings and writings are classics of in-depth yeshiva study.
[2] leaves, official stationery. 29.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
Catalogue
![Letter of R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Kamenets yeshiva. [Kamenets], 7th Adar I [February] 1938.
Ad](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale101/191.jpg "Letter of Blessing and Thanks from Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz – Kamene")
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,200
Sold for: $1,750
Including buyer's premium
Letter of R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Kamenets yeshiva. [Kamenets], 7th Adar I [February] 1938.
Addressed to his relative R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din (their wives were cousins), in thanks for his donation to the yeshiva. About half of the letter is typewritten, while it concludes with seven lines of warm, heartfelt blessings handwritten and signed by the yeshiva dean, R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz.
R. Baruch Ber informs R. Abramsky that his health condition has improved, and blesses him, his wife and all his offspring: "May you be blessed with all blessings and successes and all satisfaction forever, and may we merit to see the redemption and the coming of our Messiah. Your wife's relative, seeking your welfare and blessing you with love and affection, Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the Beit Yitzchak yeshiva".
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1939), author of Birkat Shmuel, leading Torah disseminator in his times. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva, and the son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman, Rabbi of Hlusk. After his father-in-law went to serve as rabbi of Kremenchuk, he succeeded him in Hlusk and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During World War I, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, before finally settling in Kamenets. He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His teachings and writings are classics of in-depth yeshiva study.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks. Small marginal tears.
Catalogue
Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Feb 18, 2025
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy letter (20 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Kamenets yeshiva. [Kamenets?], Nisan [April] 1938.
A request for assistance to the kollel in the Kamenets yeshiva, which was established at that time. Addressed to his relative R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din (their wives were cousins).
The letter tells of the establishment of the kollel that year, for students to study in up to five years after their marriage, and the need for funds for its upkeep. R. Baruch Ber asks R. Abramsky to support the kollel and influence others to support it as well. He signs: "your wife's relative, Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the Beit Yitzchak yeshiva – 10th day of the Omer, 1938".
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1939), author of Birkat Shmuel, leading Torah disseminator in his times. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva, and the son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman, Rabbi of Hlusk. After his father-in-law went to serve as rabbi of Kremenchuk, he succeeded him in Hlusk and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During World War I, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, before finally settling in Kamenets. He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His teachings and writings are classics of in-depth yeshiva study.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 30 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Tears, small open tears to margins.
Catalogue