Chesed LeAvraham, by the kabbalist R. Avraham Azulai. Slavuta, [1794]. One of the first books printed by R. Moshe Shapiro, Rabbi of Slavuta (son of R. Pinchas of Korets).
This kabbalistic book was held in high esteem by great Chassidic leaders and is often cited in early Chassidic literature.

The author, R. Avraham Azulai (1570-1644) was born in Fez, Morocco. He immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Hebron. When an epidemic broke out in 1619, he fled to Gaza, where he composed this book within five weeks. Most of the book is a collection and arrangement of the teachings of R. Moshe Cordovero, which at that time were still in manuscript form. A small part is from the writings of the Arizal.
Signature on p. 65a.

Stamps and censorship inscriptions on title page and following leaf.

[6], 87; 8, 8-11, 11-34, [1] leaves. 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Worming, affecting text. Tears, including open tears affecting text, partially repaired with paper (title page and first and last leaves extensively repaired with paper). Old binding.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.

Responsa Mayim Chaim, two parts, by R. Chaim HaKohen Rappaport, Av Beit Din of Ostroh. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, grandsons of the Rabbi of Slavita, 1857. First edition.

In Part I, section 27, there is a letter from Mezhibuzh signed by several prominent members of the community, including: "Yisrael B[aal] Sh[em] of Tłuste [Tovste]" – the Baal Shem Tov.

Both parts of the book are bound together. Kuntres Otzrot Chaim is printed at the end of Part II, with novellae on Aggadot and pilpulim on the Torah portions by the author and his son the publisher. The responsa also include some from the author's grandfather and uncles. At the beginning of the book is printed a letter by the Ohev Yisrael of Apta agreeing with the author's ruling as a sort of approbation for the author.

84; 151 pages. Two title pages for each part, and an additional title page for Kuntres Otzrot Chaim bound at the end of the book (five title pages in total). Leaf 3 of Part I is printed after leaf 4. 32.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Light worming, marginal open tears to one leaf, not affecting text. Stamps. New binding.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.

Shnei Luchot HaBrit (Shlah), by R. Yeshayah HaLevi Horowitz. Amsterdam: Immanuel son of Josef Athias, 1698. Illustrated title page (by Avraham ben Yaakov HaGer).

Shnei Luchot HaBrit contains many halachic novellae, Kabbalistic principles, homiletics and ethics, and incorporates all realms of the Torah. The book was received with awe throughout the Jewish world, and its teachings are quoted in the books of leading poskim and kabbalists. Many renowned Chassidic leaders were extremely devoted to the study of the books of the Shlah.

This edition of the Shlah was printed in Amsterdam in 1698, the year the Baal Shem Tov was born, and Chassidic lore ties these two events. The Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch writes that the elaborate edition of the Shlah printed in the year "Nachat" ("gratification"; the numerical value of the Hebrew year 5458 [1698]) is an allusion to the heavenly gratification caused by the revelation of the holy book, leading to the birth of the Baal Shem Tov that year, a connection the Baal Shem Tov himself used to make.
Early signatures at the top of the title page and on the following leaf.

This copy belonged to R. David Sperber – the Gaon of Brașov (see below). His signature appears on the front endpaper. The book contains many glosses (over 150) handwritten by him, some lengthy. Some glosses are slightly trimmed.

[4], 422; 44; [12] leaves. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears and damage to title page and to several leaves. Loss to lower left corner of illustrated title page, affecting the illustration, with photocopy replacement. Stains, dark dampstains. Worming to several leaves. The book is severed into two parts. Old, damaged, detached binding.

R. David Sperber (1877-1962), leading Galician and Romanian rabbi. Born in Zablotov to a family of Kosov-Vizhnitz Chassidim, he was a disciple of R. Meir Arik and also studied under Rebbe Moshe Hager of Kosov, and prepared the latter's writings for press. From 1908, he served as dayan and posek in Polien Riskeve (Poienile de sub Munte), and from 1922 as Rabbi of Braşov (Kronstadt). In 1950, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he became known as "the Rabbi of Braşov", and served as a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and the Independent Education System. His grandson is R. Prof. Daniel Sperber.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.

Responsa Machaneh Chaim, Orach Chaim – Part II, by R. Chaim Sofer, Rabbi of Munkacs (Mukachevo). Munkacs: Pinchas Blayer, 1871. First edition of vol. II of the Responsa Machaneh Chaim series.
At the top of the title page is a dedication (cut off) handwritten and signed by the author, who gave the book as a wedding present to one of the students of his yeshiva, R. Meir Moskowitz. On the front endpaper is a handwritten self-dedication by the recipient of the book. Inscriptions in another hand about R. Meir Moskowitz.

R. Chaim Sofer (1821-1886), Rabbi of Munkacs and Budapest, prominent Hungarian Torah scholar. Leading disciple of the Chatam Sofer in the latter's final years, and later studied under Maharam Ash.

[7], 54, [1] leaves. 33 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and creases. Stamps. New leather binding.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.