Two large notebooks of Torah novellae handwritten by R. Binyamin David Levin, Rabbi of Kolno. Halachic responsa, Bible and Talmudic novellae, homilies, genealogies and other writings.
* Enclosed: Shemen Sasson responsa, by R. Binyamin David Levin. Warsaw, 1904. First edition. Bound with Imrei No'am on Talmudic tractates by R. Binyamin David Levin. Warsaw, 1904. First edition. Handwritten corrections.
Handwritten by the author, with additions, erasures and notations. The first volume contains an assortment of topics in random order, halachic responsa and homilies, novellae on the Talmud and on the Bible, sections of a genealogy and biographic information, versions of loyalty oaths to the monarchy [oath to the Emperor in 1881].
The second volume contains well-ordered novellae on Tractate Berachot and on other tractates as well. Apparently, these manuscripts were written in preparation of the printing of the author's three books: Tzuf D'vash (sermons), Warsaw, 1898; Shemen Sasson (responsa); and Imrei No'am (novellae), Warsaw, 1904. Both manuscripts contain many sections which have not yet been printed and articles with text that differs from that found in his printed books.
Among the topics in the manuscripts: A sermon for Motzei Shabbat Parshat Ki Tetze, [Elul] 1880, homily for the Shmita year or for the Festival of Shavu'ot, introduction to his book Tzuf D'vash [apparently, never printed], Hadran for Tractate Megillah, the author's genealogy, versions for taking an oath of loyalty to the monarchy [the Emperor in 1881].
The author, R. Binyamin David HaLevi Levin (c. 1825-1906), was born in the town of Byaroza (Bereza Kartuska, Minsk region), son of R. Shimshon Refael HaLevi, a community dignitary, direct descendant of R. Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi author of Chiddushei Maharsha, and a descendant of R. Yehuda HaChassid, author of Sefer Chassidim. A close disciple of R. Ya'akov Meir Pado in the city of Pinsk and in Brisk. In 1845, he was chosen to serve as rabbi in his native town of Byaroza (succeeding R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor who moved to serve in the Nyas'vizh rabbinate). From there, R. Binyamin David moved to serve in the Kopyl rabbinate (Minsk district) and in 1869 was appointed Rabbi of Kolno, a position he held for 37 years until his death in 1906. He exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Yosef of Slutsk (see this manuscript, Tractate Berachot, page 13/a), with R. Eliezer Simcha Rabinowitz and with R. Yitzchak Elchanan who calls him: "My bosom friend, the famed Torah prodigy" (see the Shemen Sasson response, Siman 28 and Siman 32). He was very active in teaching Torah and in the education system in Kolno and assisted in establishing the local yeshiva as a branch of the Łomża Yeshiva of R. Eliezer Shulevitz. Many Kolno children, born the year R. Binyamin David died were name after their highly-esteemed rabbi.
2 handwritten volumes and one printed book.
* Vol. 1: Approximately 32.5 cm. About 190 written pages. Fair condition. Detached leaves, wear and tear. Stains, torn binding.
* Vol. 2: 31 cm. More than 40 written pages in two framed columns. Many blank leaves. Good condition. Contemporary binding.
* Shemen Sasson and Imrei No'am: [3], 4-86 pages; [2], 3-42 pages; 87-92 pages. 31.5 cm. Condition varies. Brittle paper with tears and damages to several leaves. The rest of the leaves are in good condition. Contemporary worn binding.

Large handwritten volume (almost 500 pages). Commentary on the B'hag (Halachot Gedolot), Hilchot Ketubot, Hilchot Nedarim, Hilchot Gittin, Hilchot Kiddushin, Hilchot Nidah V'Yoldot. [US, ca. 1930].
Cursive Ashkenazi script. Complete composition by an unidentified author which evidently was never printed.
The content, which includes long explanations of many treatises, indicates that the author was an exceptional Torah scholar who was proficient in the profound depth of the expositions and the halachot.
[496] written pages, 30 cm. The pagination of the notebook is printed from left binding to right, 3-500. Good condition. New binding.

Autograph responsum regarding Sirtut (straight lines etched on parchment) for Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot, signed by R. Moshe Provençal. [Mantua (Mantova), Italy, before 1576, 16th century].
Handwritten by the author, with corrections and erasures. Folding creases. This responsum was printed in the Rabbi Moshe Provençal responsa, Part 1, Siman 35.
R. Moshe Provençal (1503-1576) was a leading Italian Torah scholar, contemporary of Maran R. Yosef Karo and the Maharam of Padua. Celebrated as one of the foremost Torah scholars and poskim of his illustrious times. His reputation crossed the Italian borders and reached as far as Poland and Lithuania. One responsum, written in 1551 was included and printed in the Rama responsa. The Safed sages headed by Maran R. Yosef Karo maintained contact with R. Moshe and in spite of their disagreement regarding a polemic which arose between them, they refer to him as the "Chief R. Moshe, whom we cherish". R. Moshe, son of R. Joseph di Trani - the Mabit, a Safed sage, in his responsa refers to him as "the rabbi who battles for the sake of the Torah, and his name is famous". R. Azarya min Ha'Adumim attests in his book Me'or Einayim, that R. Yosef Karo allotted the task of publishing his Kesef Mishneh commentary on the Mishneh Torah of the Ramban to R. Moshe Provençal. Kabbalist R. Menachem Azarya (the Rama) of Fano was a younger contemporary of R. Moshe Provençal and some say that he was his disciple in his youth because he signs a letter written to R. Moshe "Your young disciple". [The Rama of Fano, as well, contributed to the printing of the Kesef Mishne, possibly by the initiative of R. Moshe Provençal].
15.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Wear and tears to margins. Folding creases. Several inscriptions on verso.

Letter signed by R. Simcha Bunim Sofer-Schreiber, rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Pressburg (Bratislava), author of "Shevet Sofer". Pressburg, 1882.
Letter of blessings and confirmation of receipt of donations from his community for "our Jewish brothers who are in desperate straits (may G-d have mercy on them)". The letter was sent to his student R. Mordechai Ephraim Fishel Sofer, rabbi of Kehal Yerei'im in Miklosz. Handwritten by a scribe, with the following lines added by R. Sofer at the end of the letter: "signed by one who desires his success and fame. The small Simcha Bunim, son of the great R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer".
R. Simcha Bunim Sofer-Schreiber (1843-1907), was the son of the "Ktav Sofer", and from 1872 his successor in the Pressburg rabbinate and head of the yeshiva. A prominent rabbi in his times, he stood at the helm of Hungarian Charedi Jewry. Most of the Hungarian rabbis of that generation were his disciples. Among his works are the Shevet Sofer novellae on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch, Shevet Sofer novellae on the Talmud and Sha'arei Simcha on the Torah.
This letter was written following the assassination of Czar Alexander II of Russia, which led to a series of pogroms. These pogroms (1881-1882) were actively encouraged by the Russian authorities in order to divert the attention of the populace from the corrupt government. They also led to severe restriction of Jewish rights throughout Russia.
Postcard, 14.5X9 cm. Good condition.