Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
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Assorted collection of over thirty letters and documents, rulings issued by Beit Din and wills. Safed, ca. 1880s-1930s.
The signatories on letters and halachic rulings in the present collection include: R. Avraham Leib Silberman, Rabbi of Safed; R. Efraim Shraga Weingott, a rabbi in Safed; R. Nachum Etrog, a rabbi in Safed; dayanim of the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem: R. Tzvi Pesach Frank, R. Bentzion Cuenca and R. Yerucham Fishel Berenstein; R. Baruch Kahana Malayov; R. David Kahana; R. Menachem Mendel Kahana; R. Yechiel Schneerson and his father R. Moshe Shalom Schneerson; and more.
33 paper items. Varying size and condition.
Collection of marriage certificates printed by the "Committee of the Ashkenazic Community in Jerusalem". Jerusalem: Tzion, [1920s]. Filled in by hand with signatures, for marriages held between ca. 1931-1936.
The certificates are printed on large leaves, with the details filled in by hand. The title of the document is "Marriage Certificate". At the top of the leaves is the official header: "Committee of the Ashkenazic Community in Jerusalem… headed by R. Avraham Schorr".
Some of the certificates are signed by the officiating rabbi himself. The signatures include: R. Elimelech Rubenstein (the Rabbi of Rachów), Rebbe Aryeh Mordechai Rabinowitz of Porisov (the Rabbi of Kurów and Rabbi of Bnei Brak); R. Yaakov Moshe Charlap; R. Yosef Gershon Horowitz (rabbi and dean of the Meah Shearim yeshiva); R. Yitzchak Yaakov Wachtfogel; R. Shlomo Aharon Wertheimer; R. Avraham Elyashiv (Rabbi of Gomel; Rabbi of Tiferet Bachurim); R. Yaakov Henich Senkevitz (dean of the Sefat Emet Ger yeshiva); R. Yaakov Asher HaLevi Grayevsky; R. Yitzchak David Rubenstein; R. Yair Peterseil, "formerly rabbi in Berlin"; R. Yaakov Aryeh HaLevi Prager; R. Simchah Bunim Werner; R. Shmuel Weingart; Rebbe Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz; R. Pinchas Lichtenstein (Rabbi in Givat Shaul); R. Shmuel Pesach Heilpern; R. Chaim Pesachowitz; R. Shmuel Eliezri; and more.
On one of the certificates, for a marriage held on 12 Elul, 1932, the name of the officiating rabbi is given as: "R. Yoel Teitelbaum of Carei" [during his first visit to Eretz Israel in 1932, before his appointment as Rabbi of Satmar].
About 72 marriage certificates. Size and condition varies (overall good condition; damage and stains to some of the certificates).
Collection of documents and publications of Orthodox organizations for purchasing land and settling in northern Jerusalem (in the Nabi Samwil area, near the tomb of the prophet Samuel), ca. 1920s. Includes signatures of: R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld [chief rabbi of the Edah HaCharedit], R. David Beharan, R. Asher Lemel Beharan, R. Yitzchak Tzvi Rivlin [rabbi in Zichron Moshe], R. Amram Blau [later head of Neturei Karta], R. Yisrael Yitzchak Reisman [later dayan of the Edah HaCharedit], and others.
• Letter from Ramatayim Tzofim, an organization for Orthodox settlements in Eretz Israel, signed by Yisrael Luria, on acquisition of land in Ramah. Jerusalem, 1923.
• Handwritten document from Ramatayim Tzofim, signed by rabbis and leaders of the organization, authorizing R. Avraham Hershkowitz to sell estates. Signed by directors of the company, R. David Beharan, R. Yechiel Yehudah Schlesinger, R. Eliyahu Tzvi Krauser, R. Amram Blau and R. Avraham Steiner; along with a letter of approval from the Beit Din Tzedek, signed by dayanim R. Yitzchak Frankel, R. Dov Tzvi Karlenstein and the scribe R. Avraham Chaim Naeh. On the margins of the leaf is a letter of approval and blessing handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. Jerusalem, Tamuz 1924.
• Handwritten document with seven signatures, on the sale of a plot of land to R. Yosef Levi Chagiz – signed by R. Yitzchak Tzvi Rivlin, R. Matityahu Naftali Elbe, R. Asher Lemel Beharan [Weissfish], R. Aharon Sari Levi, R. David Yitzchak Altschuler, R. Yisrael Moshe Goldschmid and R. Alter Streltzer. Jerusalem, Tevet 1923. The signatures are crossed out, with the inscription "paid" [apparently the present document of sale was used as mortgage for a loan from the renowned Orthodox philanthropist R. Yosef Levi Chagiz].
• Kol Mevaser Yeshuah, printed poster with letters from the heads of Nachalat Yisrael Ramah and R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, on resettling the Ramah neighborhood, the residence of the prophet Samuel. Jerusalem, [ca. 1921-1922].
• Document of sale for land in the Nachalat Yosef neighborhood founded by Ramatayim Tzofim, filled in by hand with signatures of the directors of the organization: R. Yisrael Yitzchak HaLevi Reisman, R. Pinchas Tzvi Shenberger, R. Moshe Holtzman, R. Abba Eisenbach and the secretary R. Amram Blau. Jerusalem, Elul 1922. On the verso is a confirmation dated 1985 on the voiding of the share, by a lawyer from Ramatayim Tzofim.
• Advertisement from the Peli Agency for brokerage services in purchasing plots of land in Jerusalem and the region, sold by the Tamuah company. [Jerusalem, ca. 1920s-1930s].
6 leaves. Varying size and condition (open tears at the top of the letter of authorization signed by R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld).
Leaf handwritten and signed by R. Yehudah Aszód – confirmation of sale of a seat in the synagogue in Senica. Senica, 1849.
The document names the seller and buyer and states that the seat was sold after the customary announcement three times.
R. Yehudah Aszód (1796-1866), a foremost rabbi and yeshiva dean in Hungary. A disciple of R. Aharon Suditz and R. Mordechai (Maharam) Benet. He was appointed rabbi of Semnitz (Senica) and Szerdahely (Dunajská Streda), at the initiative of the Chatam Sofer.
[1] double leaf. 17 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Folding marks and wear.
![Letter on postcard handwritten and signed by R. Eliezer Deutsch, Rabbi of Bonyhád. Bonyhád, [Iyar 1913].Sent to](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/264.jpg "Letter from R. Eliezer Deutsch Rabbi of Bonyhád – Bonyhád, 1913")
Letter on postcard handwritten and signed by R. Eliezer Deutsch, Rabbi of Bonyhád. Bonyhád, [Iyar 1913].
Sent to R. Binyamin Ullman, son of R. Shlomo Zalman Ullman, Rabbi of Makó, author of Yeriot Shlomo. In the letter, he asks him to send him Yeriot Shlomo as soon as possible, since he wanted to cite the author's ideas in his own booklet. [In another letter auctioned by Kedem (auction 95, lot 287), R. Eliezer Deutsch thanks him for sending the book and mentions that he cited the author].
R. Eliezer Chaim Deutsch, Rabbi of Bonyhád (1850-1915), leading Hungarian posek, disciple of R. Yehudah (Mahari) Aszod and Maharam Ash.
Postcard. 14x9 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postmarks of Bonyhád and Alsóvalkó (Valcău de Jos).
Letter on Postcard (more than 4 lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbe Chaim Elazar Shapiro, the Minchat Elazar. [Munkacs, 1934].
Sent to the philanthropist R. Eliezer Bollag of Baden. On the postcard appear two letters from the Rebbe, a short one in his own handwriting, and a second more detailed one in the name of the Rebbe, handwritten by his attendant.
The Rebbe's letter is written in brief with many abbreviations: "With the help of God, I greet my dear friend, exceptional and outstanding etc.… Chaim Elazar Shapiro". On the margins of the page appears the Rebbe's stamp (in Latin script).
On the reverse side of the postcard is an additional letter from the Rebbe's attendant, R. Chaim Dov Grünfeld – "writing at the command of the Rebbe": "…And I was instructed by the Rebbe to give a loving response, that he is entreating and praying for… May the Creator of cures and salvations send His holy assistance and heal her, and may she be saved from evil dreams and all fears, and may she be saved in all her wishes for good and blessing…".
Rebbe Chaim Elazar Shapiro (1872-1937), the Minchat Elazar, was a leading Torah scholar, halachic and Chassidic authority and kabbalist. Son of Rebbe Tzvi Hirsch Shapiro, author of Darchei Teshuvah, and grandson of Rebbe Shlomo Shapiro, author of Shem Shlomo (both Rabbis of Munkacs), he was born to the dynasty of Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, the Bnei Yissachar. He fought for the holiness of Judaism, and his halachic and kabbalistic teachings are studied all over the world. Author of Minchat Elazar, Shaar Yissachar, Nimukei Orach Chaim, Divrei Torah in nine parts, and more.
Postcard. 15X10.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postage stamps and postmarks.
Letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Yisrael Tzvi Rottenberg of Koson. Koson, 1938.
Addressed to Rebbe Baruch Yerachmiel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of Munkacs and the Kollel Munkacs administration. The Rebbe asks them to negotiate a compromise with the Kollel scribe from Jerusalem, who sued the administration in Beit Din and won. He states that it would be inappropriate for them to let someone work for them grudgingly, and enjoins them to make sure he does his work wholeheartedly by settling the matter with him. The letter is labeled as a "copy", but by comparison with his other manuscripts, the "copy" can also be identified as being written in the handwriting of the Or Male.
Rebbe Yisrael Tzvi HaLevi Rottenberg of Koson, author of Or Male (1890-1944; perished in the Holocaust), son of Rebbe Yehosef Rottenberg, Rabbi and first Rebbe of Koson, and son-in-law of his elder brother Rebbe Chaim Shlomo Rottenberg, second Rebbe of Koson. Rebbe Yisrael succeeded his father and brother as Rebbe and Rabbi of Koson, and he also established a yeshiva there.
[1] double leaf. Official stationery. 23 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and ink stains. Wear and folding marks.
![Letter on a postcard, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager, Rebbe of Visheve. Visheve (Vișeu de Sus), Nisan, [1938].Sent to R. Avra](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/267.jpg "Letter of Blessing for a Bar Mitzvah – From Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hage")
Letter on a postcard, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager, Rebbe of Visheve. Visheve (Vișeu de Sus), Nisan, [1938].
Sent to R. Avraham Leib Silberman, Chief Rabbi of Safed, on the occasion of the bar mitzvah of his son Refael, with many blessings: "And may God help him that it be for Mazal Tov and at an auspicious time, and may he merit to raise him to Torah, marriage and good deeds, and receive satisfaction and pleasure from him and all his offspring full of joy, and may he receive the upcoming festival joyfully and properly".
Scribal handwriting, with two lines in the Rebbe's handwriting at the end of the letter, with his signature: "Honoring and esteeming him, hoping for a speedy salvation for all of Israel, Menachem Mendel son of R. Y[israel]".
Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager of Visheve (1885-1941, Encyclopedia LaChassidut, III, pp. 95-96), son of the Ahavat Yisrael of Vizhnitz. From 1908 he served as Rabbi of Vizhnitz, and from 1921 as Rabbi of Visheve (Vișeu de Sus), where he founded the Beit Yisrael yeshiva. After his father’s death in 1936, he succeeded him as rebbe. A leader of Agudat Yisrael and member of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. His teachings are published in the She'erit Menachem series on the Torah, on festivals and responsa.
[1] postcard. 15x10.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Filing holes (not affecting text).
Halachic ruling signed by Rebbe Yosef Grünwald, the Vayechi Yosef of Pupa, and his court. [Szombathely (Hungary), Kislev 1945].
Record of a testimony about a woman who perished in the Holocaust, in order to permit her husband to remarry. Signed by dayanim Rebbe "Yosef Grünwald", R. "Yaakov Yitzchak Neumann", "Elimelech Wieder". Stamp of Rebbe Yosef Grünwald.
Rebbe Yosef Grünwald of Pupa (1903-1984), last Rabbi of Pápa, Hungary, and leading rabbi in the United States. Son and successor of R. Yaakov Yechizkiyah Grünwald, Rabbi of Pápa, the Vayaged Yaakov (son of R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem). He served as posek and yeshiva dean in Satmar, and in 1941 after the passing of his father the Vayaged Yaakov, he moved to Pápa and served as town rabbi. After the Holocaust he served as Rabbi in Pápa and Szombathely, later relocating to Belgium and finally the United States, where he established the Kehillat Yaakov Pupa community, and served as rabbi and yeshiva dean.
[1] leaf. 21x15 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks. Signed inscriptions on verso.
Seven halachic rulings signed by R. Yaakov Yitzchak Neumann, the head of the Beit Din of Pupa (Pápa). Celldömölk, 1946 / Antwerp, 1949-1950.
Contains: Two letters written during his residence in Antwerp, on his official stationery; five testimonies recorded in Celldömölk on women who perished in the Holocaust, signed by R. Neumann and his court.
The testimonies, recorded in order to permit remarriage, were written and signed by the Special Beit Din for Agunot established in Budapest after the Holocaust.
R. Yaakov Yitzchak Neumann, the dayan of Pupa (Pápa; 1911-2007), a prominent rabbi and posek in the previous generation. Taught thousands of students over the course of seventy years. Was a faithful disciple of the Pupa rebbes, appointed by the Vayaged Yaakov of Pupa to head the Pupa Beit Midrash and after the Holocaust assisted Rebbe Yosef Grünwald, the Vayechi Yosef of Pupa. He later served as Rabbi of the Melbourne community (Australia) and Machazikei HaDat community in Montreal (Canada).
7 leaves. Varying size and condition.
Large collection of letters and halachic rulings, signed by R. Moshe Stern, Rabbi of Debrecen. Debrecen, ca. 1946-1948.
Most of the letters deal with issues relating to agunot from the Holocaust, divorce and betrothal, and all contain his signature.
R. Moshe Stern, Rabbi of Debrecen (1914-1997), author of Be'er Moshe. After the Holocaust, he served as dayan and posek in Nové Zámky and Debrecen, dealing at length with agunot from the Holocaust. He was later appointed Rabbi of Debrecen. He later relocated to Argentina and soon thereafter to the United States, where he established the Debrecen community and became known worldwide as a leading posek.\
19 signed items. Some on official stationery. Varying size and condition. Most in good condition.
Large assorted collection of letters of rabbis from Hungary and Romania regarding divorce and marriage, agunot and Holocaust survivors:
• Lengthy letter from R. David Sperber (author of Afarkasta DeAnya). Brașov, 1946.
• Two letters from R. Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss, head of the Grosswardein Beit Din (the Minchat Yitzchak). Grosswardein (Oradea), 1947.
• Two letters from R. Azriel Yehudah Leibowitz, head of the Hajdúhadház Beit Din (author of Ezer MiYehudah). Hajdúhadház, [ca. 1946-1947].
• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Efraim Fishel Hershkowitz, dayan and posek in Ratzfert. Ratzfert, Sivan 1947.
• Record of testimony signed by R. Yitzchak Elbaum, Rabbi of Cieszyn. Cieszyn, Elul 1946.
• Record of testimony signed by dayanim of the Satmar Beit Din: R. Yishai Hecht, R. Moshe Aryeh Freund and R. Yechezkel Shraga Brach. Satmar, Adar 1949.
• Mimeographed leaf with summary of a responsum from R. Chaim Mordechai Roller, by the Special Beit Din for Agunot in Budapest, which relied on this ruling in giving thousands of agunot permission to remarry after the Holocaust. [Budapest, ca, 1945-1946].
8 signed letters and one mimeograph. Varying size and condition.