Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 49 - 60 of 116
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $6,500
Sold for: $23,750
Including buyer's premium
Letter signed by the Rebbe "Yitzchak Ya'akov son of R' Natan David". Biala, Poland, 1886.
Letter of New Year blessings.
The first Biala Rebbe – Rebbe Yitzchak Ya'akov Rabinowitz (1846-1905), a leading Polish rebbe. Son of Rebbe Natan David of Szydłowiec, grandson of "the Holy Jew", Rabbi Yitzchak Ya'akov of Przysucha. In his youth, he was already recognized for his prodigious ability and his great soul [his father attested that as a child he merited a revelation of Eliyahu and before his bar-mitzvah, Rebbe Yechezkel of Kuzmir called him "My Teacher" and Rebbe Elazar of Dzikhev gave him a "pitka" to read. When visiting the author of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz with his father, the rebbe stood before the child and honored him]. In 1873, he succeeded his father-in-law Rebbe Yehoshua of Ostrów-Leczna who led thousands of Chassidim. Following the orders of Rebbe Ya'akov Aryeh of Radzymin, he accepted the yoke of leadership and many Chassidim flocked to his court which later relocated to Biala.
Rabbi Rabinowitz was revered and accepted by all Polish Chassidic leaders. Rebbe Yechiel Meir of Gostynin said that he never believed that after the Kotzker Rebbe, there would be such a talented, wise man. The Rabbi of Gostynin was also used to sending him a letter every Erev Rosh Hashana with the request that he mention him "in his lucid prayers" during the upcoming holy days. Rebbe Chaim Yisrael of Puławy said about him that “A wise person is preferable to a prophet”. Rebbe Ya’akov Aryeh of Radzymin who was among the elder rebbes of his times, once honored him with speaking words of Torah at his table. Although he was young at the time he had no choice and spoke as requested. When he finished speaking, the rebbe responded: “True! True! True!”. His words of Torah were printed in the series of books: Divrei Bina and Yishrei Lev.
He died in the middle of the evening prayer and his pure soul left him when he reached the words “And all will accept the yoke of your kingship” of the Aleinu prayer.
All his sons and grandsons became renowned rebbes in Poland who drew large groups of followers. They are: his son Rebbe Yerachmiel Zvi of Siedlce (predecessor of the Biala rebbes’ dynasty in our times), his son Rebbe Natan David of Parczew (father of the Mukacheve-Petach Tikva Rebbe), his son Rebbe Meir Shlomo Yehuda of Mezritch, his son Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Lublin and his son-in-law Rebbe Yosef Zvi Kalish of Skierniewice, the first Rabbi of Bnei Brak.
[1] leaf, 20 cm. Scribal writing with the Rebbe’s signature. Brittle paper. Good condition, filing holes and minor wear to paper folds.
Letter of New Year blessings.
The first Biala Rebbe – Rebbe Yitzchak Ya'akov Rabinowitz (1846-1905), a leading Polish rebbe. Son of Rebbe Natan David of Szydłowiec, grandson of "the Holy Jew", Rabbi Yitzchak Ya'akov of Przysucha. In his youth, he was already recognized for his prodigious ability and his great soul [his father attested that as a child he merited a revelation of Eliyahu and before his bar-mitzvah, Rebbe Yechezkel of Kuzmir called him "My Teacher" and Rebbe Elazar of Dzikhev gave him a "pitka" to read. When visiting the author of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz with his father, the rebbe stood before the child and honored him]. In 1873, he succeeded his father-in-law Rebbe Yehoshua of Ostrów-Leczna who led thousands of Chassidim. Following the orders of Rebbe Ya'akov Aryeh of Radzymin, he accepted the yoke of leadership and many Chassidim flocked to his court which later relocated to Biala.
Rabbi Rabinowitz was revered and accepted by all Polish Chassidic leaders. Rebbe Yechiel Meir of Gostynin said that he never believed that after the Kotzker Rebbe, there would be such a talented, wise man. The Rabbi of Gostynin was also used to sending him a letter every Erev Rosh Hashana with the request that he mention him "in his lucid prayers" during the upcoming holy days. Rebbe Chaim Yisrael of Puławy said about him that “A wise person is preferable to a prophet”. Rebbe Ya’akov Aryeh of Radzymin who was among the elder rebbes of his times, once honored him with speaking words of Torah at his table. Although he was young at the time he had no choice and spoke as requested. When he finished speaking, the rebbe responded: “True! True! True!”. His words of Torah were printed in the series of books: Divrei Bina and Yishrei Lev.
He died in the middle of the evening prayer and his pure soul left him when he reached the words “And all will accept the yoke of your kingship” of the Aleinu prayer.
All his sons and grandsons became renowned rebbes in Poland who drew large groups of followers. They are: his son Rebbe Yerachmiel Zvi of Siedlce (predecessor of the Biala rebbes’ dynasty in our times), his son Rebbe Natan David of Parczew (father of the Mukacheve-Petach Tikva Rebbe), his son Rebbe Meir Shlomo Yehuda of Mezritch, his son Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Lublin and his son-in-law Rebbe Yosef Zvi Kalish of Skierniewice, the first Rabbi of Bnei Brak.
[1] leaf, 20 cm. Scribal writing with the Rebbe’s signature. Brittle paper. Good condition, filing holes and minor wear to paper folds.
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Rare and Important Items
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Lot 50 Letter Signed by Rebbe Mordechai Dov Twersky of Hornistopol, Son-in-Law of the "Divrei Chaim"
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $12,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Letter with the signature of Rebbe "Mordechai Dov son of R' HaRemez". [Hornistopol (Gornostaypol), ca. 1890s].
Request to interrupt the process of the sale of a house because the seller regretted the transaction: "…it should not be sold so as not to endanger his life, and concerning the buyer's claims, they should arrange a Din Torah…".
Rebbe Mordechai Dov Twersky [Chanuka, 1839 – Elul, 1903], son of Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Tlumacz and illustrious son-in-law of the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz, was orphaned from his mother in his childhood and raised in the home of his maternal grandfather Rebbe Ya'akov Israel Twersky of Cherkasy. From childhood, his knowledge and fear of G-d were outstanding. An exceptional Torah scholar with tremendous knowledge of Halacha and Kabbalah, he was also known to be a holy man. His father-in-law, the Divrei Chaim, attested that he studied Torah for the sake of Heaven. In 1863, his grandfather who had moved to Cherkasy, appointed him Rebbe and Rabbi in the city of Hornistopol which began to draw many Chassidim. In 1876, the death of his grandfather ensued in increasing the masses of Chassidim streaming to his Beit Midrash and he became one of the most prominent rebbes in Russia.
He was also well-known as a great Torah authority and exchanged halachic correspondence with the leading rabbis in Russia and elsewhere [the Sho’el U’Meshiv, Maharil Diskin, Rabbi Chaim Berlin, etc.]. He wrote the Emek She’ela responsa, Torei Zahav on the laws of interest, Emek HaChochma which is a Chassidic and halachic work of homiletics and pilpul. Kad HaZahav on Kabbalistic topics [remained as a handwritten manuscript and was torn by plunderers in a pogrom in Ukraine].
[Rabbi Ya’akov Israel Kanievsky was a native of the same city. He was born in 1889 after his parents wed following the counsel and with the blessings of the Rebbe. He was raised in Hornistopol (Steiple) after which he was known as “the Steipler”].
20.5 cm. leaf. Scribal writing with his signature. Good condition, minor creases.
Request to interrupt the process of the sale of a house because the seller regretted the transaction: "…it should not be sold so as not to endanger his life, and concerning the buyer's claims, they should arrange a Din Torah…".
Rebbe Mordechai Dov Twersky [Chanuka, 1839 – Elul, 1903], son of Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Tlumacz and illustrious son-in-law of the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz, was orphaned from his mother in his childhood and raised in the home of his maternal grandfather Rebbe Ya'akov Israel Twersky of Cherkasy. From childhood, his knowledge and fear of G-d were outstanding. An exceptional Torah scholar with tremendous knowledge of Halacha and Kabbalah, he was also known to be a holy man. His father-in-law, the Divrei Chaim, attested that he studied Torah for the sake of Heaven. In 1863, his grandfather who had moved to Cherkasy, appointed him Rebbe and Rabbi in the city of Hornistopol which began to draw many Chassidim. In 1876, the death of his grandfather ensued in increasing the masses of Chassidim streaming to his Beit Midrash and he became one of the most prominent rebbes in Russia.
He was also well-known as a great Torah authority and exchanged halachic correspondence with the leading rabbis in Russia and elsewhere [the Sho’el U’Meshiv, Maharil Diskin, Rabbi Chaim Berlin, etc.]. He wrote the Emek She’ela responsa, Torei Zahav on the laws of interest, Emek HaChochma which is a Chassidic and halachic work of homiletics and pilpul. Kad HaZahav on Kabbalistic topics [remained as a handwritten manuscript and was torn by plunderers in a pogrom in Ukraine].
[Rabbi Ya’akov Israel Kanievsky was a native of the same city. He was born in 1889 after his parents wed following the counsel and with the blessings of the Rebbe. He was raised in Hornistopol (Steiple) after which he was known as “the Steipler”].
20.5 cm. leaf. Scribal writing with his signature. Good condition, minor creases.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $1,800
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Leaf with notes and signatures of ten subscribers who signed in advance for the purchase of the book Kol Ya'akov from the author of Melo HaRo'im after its printing. 1899.
Among the signatures: Letter (approximately six penciled lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbe Menashe Eichenstein of Zhydachiv, author of Alfei Menashe and a letter (five lines in ink) by Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein Av Beit Din of Rzeszów (Rayshe).
Rebbe Menashe Eichenstein (1865-1935), son and successor of Rebbe Yissachar Berish of Zhydachiv and son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua Horowitz of Dzikov- Ropshitz. Outstanding Torah scholar, author of Alfei Menashe, Torat Ha’Asham, and Mat’e Menashe. From 1904, he served as Av Beit Din of Rzeszów, replacing Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein. After WWI he settled in Mukacheve and from 1924 served as Rabbi of Zhydachiv instead of his father.
Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein (1844-1904), Av Beit Din of Rzeszów, disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and a leading Galician rabbi. Authored the Sde Yehoshua responsa and Kerem Yehoshua.
21 cm. leaf, written on both sides. Brittle paper, good-fair condition, tears and tape on margins.
Among the signatures: Letter (approximately six penciled lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbe Menashe Eichenstein of Zhydachiv, author of Alfei Menashe and a letter (five lines in ink) by Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein Av Beit Din of Rzeszów (Rayshe).
Rebbe Menashe Eichenstein (1865-1935), son and successor of Rebbe Yissachar Berish of Zhydachiv and son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua Horowitz of Dzikov- Ropshitz. Outstanding Torah scholar, author of Alfei Menashe, Torat Ha’Asham, and Mat’e Menashe. From 1904, he served as Av Beit Din of Rzeszów, replacing Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein. After WWI he settled in Mukacheve and from 1924 served as Rabbi of Zhydachiv instead of his father.
Yehoshua Heshel Wallerstein (1844-1904), Av Beit Din of Rzeszów, disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and a leading Galician rabbi. Authored the Sde Yehoshua responsa and Kerem Yehoshua.
21 cm. leaf, written on both sides. Brittle paper, good-fair condition, tears and tape on margins.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Long letter (9 large pages) with a Torah responsum, handwritten and signed by the Ostrovtse (Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski) Rebbe, Yechezkel Halstock Av Beit Din of Nasielsk – to the renowned Rabbi Meir Arik Av Beit Din of Tarnów. Nasielsk, 1922.
Rebbe Yechezkel HaLevi Halstock (1887-perished in the Holocaust on the 10th of Tevet 1942), son of Rebbe Meir Yechiel HaLevi Av Beit Din of Ostrovtse [fasted for 40 years], son-in-law of Rebbe Naftali of Mielec-Rupshitz. An outstanding Torah scholar and holy man, he was known for his study method learned from his scholarly father. In 1911, he was appointed Rabbi of Inowłódz near Tomashov and in 1921 he moved to serve in the Nasielsk rabbinate. In 1928, he became rebbe and Av Beit Din of Ostrovtse succeeding his holy father. He founded the Beit Meir chain of yeshivot and stood at their helm. Many students studied in these yeshivot with the special study method of the Ostovtse rebbes – sharpness and proficiency in all areas of Torah study. He and all his descendants were murdered in the Holocaust (seven sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren). The remnants of his Torah novellae on Seder Kodshim, Torah homiletics, etc. were printed in Kodshei Yechezkel.
This responsum was printed in Kodshei Yechezkel – Mahadura Tanina, Responsum 4 (at the end of the book Meir Einei Chachamim, Mahadura Tlita’a, New York, 1993).
5 leaves, approximately 34 cm. (9 written pages), good-fair condition, wear and filing holes on text.
Rebbe Yechezkel HaLevi Halstock (1887-perished in the Holocaust on the 10th of Tevet 1942), son of Rebbe Meir Yechiel HaLevi Av Beit Din of Ostrovtse [fasted for 40 years], son-in-law of Rebbe Naftali of Mielec-Rupshitz. An outstanding Torah scholar and holy man, he was known for his study method learned from his scholarly father. In 1911, he was appointed Rabbi of Inowłódz near Tomashov and in 1921 he moved to serve in the Nasielsk rabbinate. In 1928, he became rebbe and Av Beit Din of Ostrovtse succeeding his holy father. He founded the Beit Meir chain of yeshivot and stood at their helm. Many students studied in these yeshivot with the special study method of the Ostovtse rebbes – sharpness and proficiency in all areas of Torah study. He and all his descendants were murdered in the Holocaust (seven sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren). The remnants of his Torah novellae on Seder Kodshim, Torah homiletics, etc. were printed in Kodshei Yechezkel.
This responsum was printed in Kodshei Yechezkel – Mahadura Tanina, Responsum 4 (at the end of the book Meir Einei Chachamim, Mahadura Tlita’a, New York, 1993).
5 leaves, approximately 34 cm. (9 written pages), good-fair condition, wear and filing holes on text.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Long letter (four large pages) with a handwritten responsum on the laws of Kiddushin, by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady to Rabbi Shmuel Salant. [Jerusalem, ca. 1890s].
Scribal writing incorporating the handwriting of the Gaon of Lublin: the opening line reads "My honorable friend, the renowned Rabbi Shmuel Salanter", and the letter is concluded and signed "His friend, Shneur Zalman" with handwritten additions between the lines [this responsum was printed in the book Torat Rabbi Shmuel of Salant", Vo. 3, Siman 121 pp. 54-58].
The Gaon of Lublin, Rabbi Shneur Zalman [Pradkin-Liadier], author of Torat Chesed, was born in 1830 in Liady and was known from childhood as a prodigy and outstanding Torah genius; he became a leading Chassid of the Tzemach Tzedek and of following Lubavitcher rebbes. From 1868 he served as Av Beit Din of Lublin and was one of the most famous Torah scholars of his generation. In 1892 he immigrated to Jerusalem where he was recognized as a foremost Torah sage (together with the Maharil Diskin and Rabbi Shmuel Salant). In 1899 he moved to Hebron (upon the request of Rebbe Shalom Dover Schneerson), but returned to Jerusalem after a short period. In 1901, as he grew older, Rabbi Shmuel Salant sought a successor to the Jerusalem rabbinate and invited the Aderet, (Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz) who was serving as Rabbi of Mir, Lithuania, to take the post; this caused a disturbance in the Chassidic communities of Jerusalem who hoped that the Gaon of Lublin would be appointed. Still, in spite of the controversy, the two rabbis remained close friends and held each other in great esteem. Rabbi Shneur Zalman died in 1902 and the title “Raban shel Kol Yisrael” is inscribed on his gravestone.
[4] pages. 29 cm. Fair condition, damages to paper (with lacking text), restored with paper filling.
Scribal writing incorporating the handwriting of the Gaon of Lublin: the opening line reads "My honorable friend, the renowned Rabbi Shmuel Salanter", and the letter is concluded and signed "His friend, Shneur Zalman" with handwritten additions between the lines [this responsum was printed in the book Torat Rabbi Shmuel of Salant", Vo. 3, Siman 121 pp. 54-58].
The Gaon of Lublin, Rabbi Shneur Zalman [Pradkin-Liadier], author of Torat Chesed, was born in 1830 in Liady and was known from childhood as a prodigy and outstanding Torah genius; he became a leading Chassid of the Tzemach Tzedek and of following Lubavitcher rebbes. From 1868 he served as Av Beit Din of Lublin and was one of the most famous Torah scholars of his generation. In 1892 he immigrated to Jerusalem where he was recognized as a foremost Torah sage (together with the Maharil Diskin and Rabbi Shmuel Salant). In 1899 he moved to Hebron (upon the request of Rebbe Shalom Dover Schneerson), but returned to Jerusalem after a short period. In 1901, as he grew older, Rabbi Shmuel Salant sought a successor to the Jerusalem rabbinate and invited the Aderet, (Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz) who was serving as Rabbi of Mir, Lithuania, to take the post; this caused a disturbance in the Chassidic communities of Jerusalem who hoped that the Gaon of Lublin would be appointed. Still, in spite of the controversy, the two rabbis remained close friends and held each other in great esteem. Rabbi Shneur Zalman died in 1902 and the title “Raban shel Kol Yisrael” is inscribed on his gravestone.
[4] pages. 29 cm. Fair condition, damages to paper (with lacking text), restored with paper filling.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Long letter of Kabbalistic and Chassidic inspiration, handwritten and signed by Rebbe "Avraham Chaim Duber HaCohen" Levine, to his son Rabbi Refael Zalman. [Without location or date].
Words of inspiration pertaining to man's purpose in this world, strengthening Torah study and abstention from Bitul Torah.
"My dear son Refael Zalman… the factors that prevent Torah study… love of idleness and self-centered desire are found in most young people and even in elderly people. It is very difficult to remove (these obstacles), especially to those who have become accustomed to them from youth…".
Rebbe Chaim Avraham Dov HaCohen Levine (died in New York in 1938, Encyclopedia Le'Chassidut Vol. 1 p. 566), disciple of the Maharash (Rebbe Shmuel Schneerson), studied under the disciples of his father, the Tzemach Tzedek. He immigrated to the USA and managed his court in the synagogue Nusach HaAri in the Bronx. He led his Chassidim to serve G-d in the same manner Chassidim served him for hundreds of years. On Shabbat and on Festivals, he entirely abstained from sleep and was immersed in G-d's service the entire Shabbat. At times he would not talk for more than 10 hours and would stand in deep meditation (service of the soul during which all thoughts and senses are concentrated on G-d).
Young men surrounded him and hovered in his presence. They were referred to as "the Malachim (angels)" named after their Rebbe Avraham “HaMalach” and they stood out in their extreme Chassidism and abstention, in their different attire and long tzitziyot. They studied only from Slavita and Zhitomir printings of the Talmud, and had other customs that were disapproved of by American yeshiva leaders. After the death of the rebbe, Rabbi Ya’akov Schorr brother of Rabbi Gedalya Schorr of Torah V’Da’at headed the group of “Malachim”. His writings were published anonymously in the book Otzar Igrot Kodesh (Jerusalem, 1952) with the author described as “Echad [acronym of Avraham Chaim Dov] of the special people of his times… a rabbi who is similar to an angel of G-d”.
His son Rabbi Refael Zalman HaCohen Levine, studied with his holy father the entire Sefer HaTanya when he was only eleven or twelve years old. He was later the disciple of Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz at the Knesset Beit Yitzchak Yeshiva in Vilnius. When Rabbi Baruch Ber visited the USA, he stayed at Rabbi Refael Zalman’s home in Albany for ten days and many stories are told about this visit. [See MiPihem U’Mipi Kotvam, Vol. 2 pp. 97, 142-144].
3 pages, 21 cm. Approximately 46 handwritten lines. Good condition.
This letter was not printed in Otzar Igrot Kodesh.
Words of inspiration pertaining to man's purpose in this world, strengthening Torah study and abstention from Bitul Torah.
"My dear son Refael Zalman… the factors that prevent Torah study… love of idleness and self-centered desire are found in most young people and even in elderly people. It is very difficult to remove (these obstacles), especially to those who have become accustomed to them from youth…".
Rebbe Chaim Avraham Dov HaCohen Levine (died in New York in 1938, Encyclopedia Le'Chassidut Vol. 1 p. 566), disciple of the Maharash (Rebbe Shmuel Schneerson), studied under the disciples of his father, the Tzemach Tzedek. He immigrated to the USA and managed his court in the synagogue Nusach HaAri in the Bronx. He led his Chassidim to serve G-d in the same manner Chassidim served him for hundreds of years. On Shabbat and on Festivals, he entirely abstained from sleep and was immersed in G-d's service the entire Shabbat. At times he would not talk for more than 10 hours and would stand in deep meditation (service of the soul during which all thoughts and senses are concentrated on G-d).
Young men surrounded him and hovered in his presence. They were referred to as "the Malachim (angels)" named after their Rebbe Avraham “HaMalach” and they stood out in their extreme Chassidism and abstention, in their different attire and long tzitziyot. They studied only from Slavita and Zhitomir printings of the Talmud, and had other customs that were disapproved of by American yeshiva leaders. After the death of the rebbe, Rabbi Ya’akov Schorr brother of Rabbi Gedalya Schorr of Torah V’Da’at headed the group of “Malachim”. His writings were published anonymously in the book Otzar Igrot Kodesh (Jerusalem, 1952) with the author described as “Echad [acronym of Avraham Chaim Dov] of the special people of his times… a rabbi who is similar to an angel of G-d”.
His son Rabbi Refael Zalman HaCohen Levine, studied with his holy father the entire Sefer HaTanya when he was only eleven or twelve years old. He was later the disciple of Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz at the Knesset Beit Yitzchak Yeshiva in Vilnius. When Rabbi Baruch Ber visited the USA, he stayed at Rabbi Refael Zalman’s home in Albany for ten days and many stories are told about this visit. [See MiPihem U’Mipi Kotvam, Vol. 2 pp. 97, 142-144].
3 pages, 21 cm. Approximately 46 handwritten lines. Good condition.
This letter was not printed in Otzar Igrot Kodesh.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $5,000
Unsold
Long letter, handwritten and signed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch-Chabad. [Brooklyn], the 4th of Tevet 1947.
17 lines in his handwriting and with his signature.
Sent to Dr. Asher Hillman from Tel Aviv. The Rebbe mentions Rabbi Asher's son, Rabbi David Zvi Hillman [author of Igrot Ba'al HaTanya U'Vnei Doro]. In the margins, the Rebbe adds notes on an article published by Rabbi Maimon in the Sinai periodical, Nisan 1947.
Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe. Son of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Av Beit Din of Yekatrinoslav, sixth generation directly descended from the Tzemach Tzedek. From his youth, his genius and leadership could clearly be seen. He married the daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz and since their immigration to the US, he assisted his father-in-law in managing matters pertaining to his Chassidut. Among other activities, he managed the central Chabad institutes and was chief editor of Kehot [as reflected in this letter written a short while before the death of Rebbe Rayatz]. After the death of his father-in-law in 1950, Rebbe Menachem Mendel was appointed Rebbe and head of the world Lubavitch Chassidim. He established the “sheluchim” project which has spread to all corners of the world. He authored dozens of books dealing with all spheres of Torah.
Letter on an aerogram, 21.5 cm. Good condition, folding marks and few stains. Written on verso is the name of the recipient and the name of the sender, also in the Rebbe’s handwriting.
Letters written by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson before he was appointed Rebbe are very scarce.
17 lines in his handwriting and with his signature.
Sent to Dr. Asher Hillman from Tel Aviv. The Rebbe mentions Rabbi Asher's son, Rabbi David Zvi Hillman [author of Igrot Ba'al HaTanya U'Vnei Doro]. In the margins, the Rebbe adds notes on an article published by Rabbi Maimon in the Sinai periodical, Nisan 1947.
Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe. Son of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Av Beit Din of Yekatrinoslav, sixth generation directly descended from the Tzemach Tzedek. From his youth, his genius and leadership could clearly be seen. He married the daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz and since their immigration to the US, he assisted his father-in-law in managing matters pertaining to his Chassidut. Among other activities, he managed the central Chabad institutes and was chief editor of Kehot [as reflected in this letter written a short while before the death of Rebbe Rayatz]. After the death of his father-in-law in 1950, Rebbe Menachem Mendel was appointed Rebbe and head of the world Lubavitch Chassidim. He established the “sheluchim” project which has spread to all corners of the world. He authored dozens of books dealing with all spheres of Torah.
Letter on an aerogram, 21.5 cm. Good condition, folding marks and few stains. Written on verso is the name of the recipient and the name of the sender, also in the Rebbe’s handwriting.
Letters written by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson before he was appointed Rebbe are very scarce.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Letter (more than 15 lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbe Moshe Yitzchak Gvirzman of Przeworsk. Antwerp, 1965.
Many blessings in honor of the birth of a son and an apology that he cannot accept the honor of being sandak at his brit milah, "It should be His will that you should merit raising him and all your children together with your wife, with ease and wealth and honor in the path of our holy Torah and Chassidism and fear of Heaven…".
He concludes the letters with his signature: "Moshe Yitzchak grandson of 'the Raban shel kol Yisrael' Rabbi Elimelech".
Rebbe Moshe Yitzchak Gvitzman, known as Rebbe Itzikel of Przeworsk (1882-Yom Kippur 1975), descendent of Rebbe Elimelich of Lizhensk (fifth generation), close Chassid of Rebbe Yechezkel of Shinova and son of the Divrei Simcha of Cieszanów. Served as Rebbe of Przeworsk and exiled to Siberia during the Holocaust. He finally settled in Antwerp, Belgium travelling via Poland and France. Known for his holiness, he was exceptional in abstention and self-denial (for years he never rested his feet on his bed and would sleep in a sitting position). He followed the ways of his outstanding grandfather, author of Noam Elimelech who integrated clinging to G-d with loving-kindness to his fellow Jews. Thousands flocked to his court seeking counsel and his prayers on behalf of the ill and for salvation from all suffering. He was also famous for the chesed he performed, he would distribute large amounts of money to the needy Jews throughout the world.
Official stationery, 21.5 cm. approximately 16 handwritten lines, good condition, file holes.
Many blessings in honor of the birth of a son and an apology that he cannot accept the honor of being sandak at his brit milah, "It should be His will that you should merit raising him and all your children together with your wife, with ease and wealth and honor in the path of our holy Torah and Chassidism and fear of Heaven…".
He concludes the letters with his signature: "Moshe Yitzchak grandson of 'the Raban shel kol Yisrael' Rabbi Elimelech".
Rebbe Moshe Yitzchak Gvitzman, known as Rebbe Itzikel of Przeworsk (1882-Yom Kippur 1975), descendent of Rebbe Elimelich of Lizhensk (fifth generation), close Chassid of Rebbe Yechezkel of Shinova and son of the Divrei Simcha of Cieszanów. Served as Rebbe of Przeworsk and exiled to Siberia during the Holocaust. He finally settled in Antwerp, Belgium travelling via Poland and France. Known for his holiness, he was exceptional in abstention and self-denial (for years he never rested his feet on his bed and would sleep in a sitting position). He followed the ways of his outstanding grandfather, author of Noam Elimelech who integrated clinging to G-d with loving-kindness to his fellow Jews. Thousands flocked to his court seeking counsel and his prayers on behalf of the ill and for salvation from all suffering. He was also famous for the chesed he performed, he would distribute large amounts of money to the needy Jews throughout the world.
Official stationery, 21.5 cm. approximately 16 handwritten lines, good condition, file holes.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Public appeal, to "all the G-d fearing and Charedim, to join together (to uphold) the words of G-d" under the banner of Agudat Yisrael, calling to "raise the banner of Torah on the soil of Eretz Israel!". Signed by 24 leading rebbes and rabbis in Eretz Israel. [c. 1950s].
"It is our obligation at this time to convene and organize the thousands of Torah observers from all ends of the country to become a mighty public power and a deciding factor to preserve the Torah and its traditions in each and every city". At the beginning, the need to reorganize is stressed: "In our generation, after millions of our brethren have perished, large communities and Torah centers were annihilated… After this destruction, Eretz Israel is the largest center of faithful Jewry".
Among the signatures: Rebbe Yisrael Alter of Ger; Rebbe Chaim Mordechai Rosenbaum of Nadvirna; Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager of Vizhnitz, his brother Rabbi Baruch Hager of Seret-Vizhnitz, Rebbe Avraham Ya’akov of Sadigura, Rebbe Shlomo son of R’ Nachum Mordechai of Chortkiv, Rebbe Moshe Yechiel HaLevi Epstein of Ożarów, Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz of Biala, Rebbe Shmuel Eliyahu Taub of Modzhitz, Rebbe Mordechai Goldman son of Rabbi G.M. of Zvhil, Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim, Rebbe Zvi Aryeh Twersky of Zlatopol, Rabbi Yochanan Twersky of Rachmastrivka, Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld, Rabbi Akiva Sofer, Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin of Lutsk, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, Rabbi David Shfarber, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna, Rabbi Baruch Marcus, Rabbi Aharon Weinstein, Rabbi Baruch Kunstadt, Rabbi Ezra Attie.
[1] leaf, 21X52.5 cm. Typewritten; hand-signed by the rabbis. Good-fair condition, creases and wear. (2 leaves, pasted one to the other, for the rabbis’ signatures).
"It is our obligation at this time to convene and organize the thousands of Torah observers from all ends of the country to become a mighty public power and a deciding factor to preserve the Torah and its traditions in each and every city". At the beginning, the need to reorganize is stressed: "In our generation, after millions of our brethren have perished, large communities and Torah centers were annihilated… After this destruction, Eretz Israel is the largest center of faithful Jewry".
Among the signatures: Rebbe Yisrael Alter of Ger; Rebbe Chaim Mordechai Rosenbaum of Nadvirna; Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager of Vizhnitz, his brother Rabbi Baruch Hager of Seret-Vizhnitz, Rebbe Avraham Ya’akov of Sadigura, Rebbe Shlomo son of R’ Nachum Mordechai of Chortkiv, Rebbe Moshe Yechiel HaLevi Epstein of Ożarów, Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz of Biala, Rebbe Shmuel Eliyahu Taub of Modzhitz, Rebbe Mordechai Goldman son of Rabbi G.M. of Zvhil, Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim, Rebbe Zvi Aryeh Twersky of Zlatopol, Rabbi Yochanan Twersky of Rachmastrivka, Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld, Rabbi Akiva Sofer, Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin of Lutsk, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, Rabbi David Shfarber, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna, Rabbi Baruch Marcus, Rabbi Aharon Weinstein, Rabbi Baruch Kunstadt, Rabbi Ezra Attie.
[1] leaf, 21X52.5 cm. Typewritten; hand-signed by the rabbis. Good-fair condition, creases and wear. (2 leaves, pasted one to the other, for the rabbis’ signatures).
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
A Large collection of letters, from the archive of Rabbi Yisrael Yehuda Peritz, including many letters and ordination writs from his teacher Rabbi Akiva Sofer Av Beit Din and Head of the Pressburg Yeshiva. Other letters by his teacher Rabbi Shimon Sofer Av Beit Din of Erlau [son of the Ktav Sofer], from his brother Rabbi Shlomo Alexandri Sofer Av Beit Din of Beregszasz [son of the Ktav Sofer], and others. C. 1924-1960.
The recipient of the letters is Rabbi Yisrael Yehuda Peritz (c. 1905-1985), son of Rabbi Yosef Peritz of Breslau, Germany. He studied six years in the Pressburg Yeshiva from Rabbi Akiva Sofer who was very fond of his disciple. From 1928, he served in the Konigsberg rabbinate and from 1932 he served in various communities in the Hessen region of Germany (Marburg, and another 40 synagogues in the Hessen region which were included in his rabbinical duties). During the Holocaust he escaped to the US via England and served in the rabbinates of Chicago, Eretz Irael and Manchester, devoting his life to teaching Torah, drawing Jews to their heritage and reinforcing halacha and religious adherence. His writings were printed by his disciples in the Mishkenot Yisrael series, Jerusalem, 1979, Pri Yisrael with Michtevei Sofer [most of these letters were printed therein], London, 1997 and the Keren Yisrael anthology published in his memory, London 2000.
Most of the letters (14) are from his teacher, Rabbi Akiva Sofer of Pressburg, author of Da'at Sofer. Perusal of the letters portrays the deep relationship between the teacher and his dear disciple. In the first letters which were written in 1928, the teacher inquires about the Konigsberg rabbinate and recounts events from the Pressburg Yeshiva. Among other things he writes: "This is my portion from all my toil, to see the success of my disciple in Torah and fear of Heaven". In a letter from 1936, he blesses his disciple upon his move to Marburg to serve in the rabbinate succeeding the “Elderly rabbi who due to his old age, wanted another rabbi to serve in his stead”. In another letter, he writes words of consolation on the death of his father and notes that “He left behind a soul who is attached to my soul…and blessed is he that merited that his only son teaches Torah to the Jewish People”. In all the letters, those from before the Holocaust and those from his years in Jerusalem, the rabbi’s love for his disciple is evident by the interest he takes in Rabbi Peritz’s life. Rabbi Sofer writes about his private matters, his children’s marriages, the construction the yeshiva in Jerusalem and the events of his friends who graduated the yeshiva.
· Letter from 1924 by Rabbi Shimon Sofer Av Beit Din of Erlau, who calls him “My nephew’s disciple” [Rabbi Akiva Sofer]. · Four interesting letters, by Rabbi Shlomo Alexandri Sofer Av Beit Din of Beregszasz (on a postcard). He also writes about the letters of the Chatam Sofer and the printing of his book Igrot Sofrim. · Letter of ordination on parchment by Rabbi Ya’akov Freiman, head of the Beit Midrash L’Rabbanim in Berlin, Av 1936. · Letter of ordination and recommendation of Rabbi Shmuel Yosef Rabinov, London, 1946. · More letters by Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer Av Beit Din of Pressburg-Jerusalem, by Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, etc. · Various pictures and a few newspaper cuttings.
Approximately 40 items, including approx. 28 letters, varied size and condition. Overall good condition.
The payment for this collection of letters will be allocated to tzedaka.
The recipient of the letters is Rabbi Yisrael Yehuda Peritz (c. 1905-1985), son of Rabbi Yosef Peritz of Breslau, Germany. He studied six years in the Pressburg Yeshiva from Rabbi Akiva Sofer who was very fond of his disciple. From 1928, he served in the Konigsberg rabbinate and from 1932 he served in various communities in the Hessen region of Germany (Marburg, and another 40 synagogues in the Hessen region which were included in his rabbinical duties). During the Holocaust he escaped to the US via England and served in the rabbinates of Chicago, Eretz Irael and Manchester, devoting his life to teaching Torah, drawing Jews to their heritage and reinforcing halacha and religious adherence. His writings were printed by his disciples in the Mishkenot Yisrael series, Jerusalem, 1979, Pri Yisrael with Michtevei Sofer [most of these letters were printed therein], London, 1997 and the Keren Yisrael anthology published in his memory, London 2000.
Most of the letters (14) are from his teacher, Rabbi Akiva Sofer of Pressburg, author of Da'at Sofer. Perusal of the letters portrays the deep relationship between the teacher and his dear disciple. In the first letters which were written in 1928, the teacher inquires about the Konigsberg rabbinate and recounts events from the Pressburg Yeshiva. Among other things he writes: "This is my portion from all my toil, to see the success of my disciple in Torah and fear of Heaven". In a letter from 1936, he blesses his disciple upon his move to Marburg to serve in the rabbinate succeeding the “Elderly rabbi who due to his old age, wanted another rabbi to serve in his stead”. In another letter, he writes words of consolation on the death of his father and notes that “He left behind a soul who is attached to my soul…and blessed is he that merited that his only son teaches Torah to the Jewish People”. In all the letters, those from before the Holocaust and those from his years in Jerusalem, the rabbi’s love for his disciple is evident by the interest he takes in Rabbi Peritz’s life. Rabbi Sofer writes about his private matters, his children’s marriages, the construction the yeshiva in Jerusalem and the events of his friends who graduated the yeshiva.
· Letter from 1924 by Rabbi Shimon Sofer Av Beit Din of Erlau, who calls him “My nephew’s disciple” [Rabbi Akiva Sofer]. · Four interesting letters, by Rabbi Shlomo Alexandri Sofer Av Beit Din of Beregszasz (on a postcard). He also writes about the letters of the Chatam Sofer and the printing of his book Igrot Sofrim. · Letter of ordination on parchment by Rabbi Ya’akov Freiman, head of the Beit Midrash L’Rabbanim in Berlin, Av 1936. · Letter of ordination and recommendation of Rabbi Shmuel Yosef Rabinov, London, 1946. · More letters by Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer Av Beit Din of Pressburg-Jerusalem, by Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, etc. · Various pictures and a few newspaper cuttings.
Approximately 40 items, including approx. 28 letters, varied size and condition. Overall good condition.
The payment for this collection of letters will be allocated to tzedaka.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $4,500
Unsold
Manuscript, Torah novellae expounding on the opinions of the Rishonim regarding the laws of Apotiki (laws of loan repayment), by Rabbi David Friedman Av Beit Din of Karlin. [Karlin, ca. 1900].
Some of the novellae were handwritten by his scribe and many pages were written in the author's handwriting [in his senior years, after the age of 70]. Many additions on the margins, also in the handwriting of Rabbi David of Karlin. These novellae were printed in his book Piskei Halachot – Yad David, Vol. 3, (Jerusalem, 1971), pp. 217-241. On the last page, at the end of his explanation of the opinion of Rav Hai Gaon in the book Mekach V'Hamemkar, he writes an interesting prayer: "We have troubled ourselves to explain the words of the Gaon because it is a G-dly task and we give him the benefit of the doubt. So G-d should judge us positively and assist us in studying his Torah Lishma…" [This prayer does not appear in the printed book].
Rabbi David Friedman, Av Beit Din of Karlin (1828-1915), author of She'elat David responsa, and Piskei Halachot Yad David, served in the Karlin rabbinate for over 50 years, and was considered a foremost Halachic authority and Torah leader of his times. He was a disciple of the disciples of Rabbi Menashe Ilya and a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Rivlin of Shklow. One of his famous qualities was his deep concentration in Torah study, a concentration so deep that he would not even notice a person standing before him [The famous photograph of Rabbi David of Karlin before an open book was the inspiration for an ex-libris designed by Ephraim Moshe Lilien]. He participated in the Katowice Conference of Chovevei Zion in 1885 but following the discussion concerning education, he withdrew from the movement and published sharp letters against the heads of Zionism and their activities. He was involved in the conception of Agudat Israel. See Raboteinu Shebagola, Vol 1, pp. 155-158. Ma’asaf Yeshurn, Issue 9, Elul 2000, pp. 786-802].
27 leaves (approximately 52 densely handwritten pages), 22.5 cm. Overall good condition, tears to first and last leaves. Elaborate leather binding.
Some of the novellae were handwritten by his scribe and many pages were written in the author's handwriting [in his senior years, after the age of 70]. Many additions on the margins, also in the handwriting of Rabbi David of Karlin. These novellae were printed in his book Piskei Halachot – Yad David, Vol. 3, (Jerusalem, 1971), pp. 217-241. On the last page, at the end of his explanation of the opinion of Rav Hai Gaon in the book Mekach V'Hamemkar, he writes an interesting prayer: "We have troubled ourselves to explain the words of the Gaon because it is a G-dly task and we give him the benefit of the doubt. So G-d should judge us positively and assist us in studying his Torah Lishma…" [This prayer does not appear in the printed book].
Rabbi David Friedman, Av Beit Din of Karlin (1828-1915), author of She'elat David responsa, and Piskei Halachot Yad David, served in the Karlin rabbinate for over 50 years, and was considered a foremost Halachic authority and Torah leader of his times. He was a disciple of the disciples of Rabbi Menashe Ilya and a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Rivlin of Shklow. One of his famous qualities was his deep concentration in Torah study, a concentration so deep that he would not even notice a person standing before him [The famous photograph of Rabbi David of Karlin before an open book was the inspiration for an ex-libris designed by Ephraim Moshe Lilien]. He participated in the Katowice Conference of Chovevei Zion in 1885 but following the discussion concerning education, he withdrew from the movement and published sharp letters against the heads of Zionism and their activities. He was involved in the conception of Agudat Israel. See Raboteinu Shebagola, Vol 1, pp. 155-158. Ma’asaf Yeshurn, Issue 9, Elul 2000, pp. 786-802].
27 leaves (approximately 52 densely handwritten pages), 22.5 cm. Overall good condition, tears to first and last leaves. Elaborate leather binding.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 48 - Rare and Important Items
December 2, 2015
Opening: $6,000
Sold for: $23,750
Including buyer's premium
Mishne Torah L'HaRambam, Vol. 1, Mada, Ahava and Zemanim. Warsaw, 1881.
Dozens of long scholarly glosses, mostly autographic glosses, in the characteristic handwriting of the Rogatchover Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Rosin Av Beit Din of Dvinsk. In several places, he notes his novellae which he wrote elsewhere. The linguistic style of the glosses is similar to his other novellae on the Rambam printed in his book Tzofnat Pa'aneach on the Rambam, but these glosses have not yet been printed. Some of these novellae are continuations of treatises and novellae which had already been discussed in his printed books.
The famous Torah genius Rabbi Yosef Rosin (1858-1936), known as the Rogatchover Gaon (named after his native city Rogatchev [Rahachow]), was a Chabad-Kapust Chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik author of Beit HaLevi and studied together with his son Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, for the next 40 years, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community of Dvinsk in Lithuania alongside the Av Beit Din of the city, author of the Or Sameach. An amazing and exceptional luminary, with an outstanding sharp mind and extraordinary genius, Rabbi Yosef was proficient in the knowledge of all aspects and details of the entire Torah, and was known for his novel definitions and deep comprehension and for his original study methods. Many stories circulate relating his outstanding brilliance and amazing diligence. He expended much effort in explaining the Rambam’s writings and wrote many halachic responsa. His responsa and novellae were published in the series of his books Tzofnat Pa’aneach. Due to the depth of his thoughts and his concise style of writing, several projects have been undertaken in the past few generations with the goal of deciphering and explaining his writings and publishing them with commentaries. His legendary genius earned him fame in the general public of his times and spurred Bialik’s well-known saying that "two Einsteins could be created from the mind of the Rogatchover."
His printed books are only a small part of his unending Torah wellspring. He did not succeed in writing most of his novellae in an orderly fashion and prepare them for print. While studying, he wrote deep clever glosses on books in all realms of the Torah but his particular love were the Rambam's books, especially the Mishne Torah on which he wrote his book Tzofnat Pa'aneach. This volume has long glosses with additional novellae that Rabbi Rosin wrote on the Rambam's books, none of which are included in his book.
A few years after the Rogatchover's death and on the eve of World War II, his daughter Rebbetzin Rachel (widow of Rabbi Israel Abba Tzitron Av Beit Din of Petach Tikva) traveled from Eretz Israel to Dvinsk to save the many novellae her father wrote on the sheets of his books. At that time the situation in Europe was very strained and her relatives attempted to discourage her from this dangerous journey but she was adamant and saw the retrieval of her father's writings as her obligation and responsibility. Upon her arrival in Dvinsk, which at that time was occupied by Russian forces, she surreptitiously began copying the writings of the Rogatchover Gaon and smuggled the copies beyond the Communist lines. Her efforts were joined by Rabbi Israel Alter Safran, a disciple of her father and editor of his writings who succeeded Rabbi Rosin in the Dvinsk rabbinate. The copies were sent by post to Rabbi Safran's family in the USA but her work was interrupted in the summer of 1941 with the Nazi occupation of Dvinsk. She perished in the Holocaust sharing the bitter lot of the Dvinsk community. The copies which she sent to the USA later constituted additional volumes of the Rogatchover's Torah thoughts printed by the Torah Shleima institute of Rabbi Kasher. Apparently, his original writings did not survive those catastrophic times.
This is a lone volume of the Rambam with glosses in the handwriting of the Rogatchover, a volume that remained in Russia after WWII. Because of the owner's fear lest he not be allowed to bring the book with him to Israel from behind the "Iron Curtain", he first tore out the leaves with the glosses and kept them separately. In the end, he was able to bring the whole book and the leaves were returned to their original place.
[2], 16, 132 pages; 172 pages; 170, 22 pages; [2], 171-420 pages (missing pages 421-424, with Likutim Yekarim and Pri Chadash). 33 cm. approximately 30 long handwritten glosses (some 25 in the Rogatchover's handwriting). Brittle paper, detached leaves, wear and tears. Old, worn leather binding.
Dozens of long scholarly glosses, mostly autographic glosses, in the characteristic handwriting of the Rogatchover Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Rosin Av Beit Din of Dvinsk. In several places, he notes his novellae which he wrote elsewhere. The linguistic style of the glosses is similar to his other novellae on the Rambam printed in his book Tzofnat Pa'aneach on the Rambam, but these glosses have not yet been printed. Some of these novellae are continuations of treatises and novellae which had already been discussed in his printed books.
The famous Torah genius Rabbi Yosef Rosin (1858-1936), known as the Rogatchover Gaon (named after his native city Rogatchev [Rahachow]), was a Chabad-Kapust Chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik author of Beit HaLevi and studied together with his son Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, for the next 40 years, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community of Dvinsk in Lithuania alongside the Av Beit Din of the city, author of the Or Sameach. An amazing and exceptional luminary, with an outstanding sharp mind and extraordinary genius, Rabbi Yosef was proficient in the knowledge of all aspects and details of the entire Torah, and was known for his novel definitions and deep comprehension and for his original study methods. Many stories circulate relating his outstanding brilliance and amazing diligence. He expended much effort in explaining the Rambam’s writings and wrote many halachic responsa. His responsa and novellae were published in the series of his books Tzofnat Pa’aneach. Due to the depth of his thoughts and his concise style of writing, several projects have been undertaken in the past few generations with the goal of deciphering and explaining his writings and publishing them with commentaries. His legendary genius earned him fame in the general public of his times and spurred Bialik’s well-known saying that "two Einsteins could be created from the mind of the Rogatchover."
His printed books are only a small part of his unending Torah wellspring. He did not succeed in writing most of his novellae in an orderly fashion and prepare them for print. While studying, he wrote deep clever glosses on books in all realms of the Torah but his particular love were the Rambam's books, especially the Mishne Torah on which he wrote his book Tzofnat Pa'aneach. This volume has long glosses with additional novellae that Rabbi Rosin wrote on the Rambam's books, none of which are included in his book.
A few years after the Rogatchover's death and on the eve of World War II, his daughter Rebbetzin Rachel (widow of Rabbi Israel Abba Tzitron Av Beit Din of Petach Tikva) traveled from Eretz Israel to Dvinsk to save the many novellae her father wrote on the sheets of his books. At that time the situation in Europe was very strained and her relatives attempted to discourage her from this dangerous journey but she was adamant and saw the retrieval of her father's writings as her obligation and responsibility. Upon her arrival in Dvinsk, which at that time was occupied by Russian forces, she surreptitiously began copying the writings of the Rogatchover Gaon and smuggled the copies beyond the Communist lines. Her efforts were joined by Rabbi Israel Alter Safran, a disciple of her father and editor of his writings who succeeded Rabbi Rosin in the Dvinsk rabbinate. The copies were sent by post to Rabbi Safran's family in the USA but her work was interrupted in the summer of 1941 with the Nazi occupation of Dvinsk. She perished in the Holocaust sharing the bitter lot of the Dvinsk community. The copies which she sent to the USA later constituted additional volumes of the Rogatchover's Torah thoughts printed by the Torah Shleima institute of Rabbi Kasher. Apparently, his original writings did not survive those catastrophic times.
This is a lone volume of the Rambam with glosses in the handwriting of the Rogatchover, a volume that remained in Russia after WWII. Because of the owner's fear lest he not be allowed to bring the book with him to Israel from behind the "Iron Curtain", he first tore out the leaves with the glosses and kept them separately. In the end, he was able to bring the whole book and the leaves were returned to their original place.
[2], 16, 132 pages; 172 pages; 170, 22 pages; [2], 171-420 pages (missing pages 421-424, with Likutim Yekarim and Pri Chadash). 33 cm. approximately 30 long handwritten glosses (some 25 in the Rogatchover's handwriting). Brittle paper, detached leaves, wear and tears. Old, worn leather binding.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue