Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 49 - 60 of 168
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $10,625
Including buyer's premium
Leaf with an inscription handwritten by R. Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer, with the signature of his grandson R. Shimon Sofer, Rabbi of Erlau.
Two handwritten lines, identified as the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer: "Sefer Otzrot Chaim by the Ari and at the end notation of Kol HaRamaz".
Evidently this leaf is a flyleaf of the kabbalistic composition Otzrot Chaim about the Arizal's teachings [by R. Chaim Vital], owned by the Chatam Sofer, to which he added a handwritten inscription that served as a title page of the manuscript.
Directly after the handwritten lines of the Chatam Sofer, is the signature of R. Shimon Sofer, Rabbi of Erlau, author of Hitorerut Teshuva, grandson of the Chatam Sofer, who apparently inherited the manuscript from his father and grandfather.
Although the Chatam Sofer was primarily celebrated in his capacity as posek of thousands of responsa and as head of a yeshiva and venerable leader, he was also an acclaimed kabbalist, amazingly proficient in its wisdom. His two illustrious teachers, R. Natan Adler and R. Pinchas HaLevi Horwitz, author of the Hafla'ah were
leading kabbalists and he learned much kabbalah from them. A smattering of his knowledge in this area can be perceived in a number of places in his writings and responsa, in which he mentions kabbalistic thoughts, but he mostly studied this wisdom privately or with selected disciples. The Chatam Sofer owned an important collection of Kabbalistic manuscripts as affirmed by his grandson Rabbi Shlomo Sofer, Rabbi of Bergsaß (Berehove) (Chut HaMeshulash HeChadash, Jerusalem 2000, pp. 55-56). This handwritten leaf joins two other Kabbalistic manuscripts possessed by the Chatam Sofer - see items 47-48.
Leaf, 20 cm. Good condition. Stains, wear to margins.
Enclosed is an expert's report identifying the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer.
Two handwritten lines, identified as the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer: "Sefer Otzrot Chaim by the Ari and at the end notation of Kol HaRamaz".
Evidently this leaf is a flyleaf of the kabbalistic composition Otzrot Chaim about the Arizal's teachings [by R. Chaim Vital], owned by the Chatam Sofer, to which he added a handwritten inscription that served as a title page of the manuscript.
Directly after the handwritten lines of the Chatam Sofer, is the signature of R. Shimon Sofer, Rabbi of Erlau, author of Hitorerut Teshuva, grandson of the Chatam Sofer, who apparently inherited the manuscript from his father and grandfather.
Although the Chatam Sofer was primarily celebrated in his capacity as posek of thousands of responsa and as head of a yeshiva and venerable leader, he was also an acclaimed kabbalist, amazingly proficient in its wisdom. His two illustrious teachers, R. Natan Adler and R. Pinchas HaLevi Horwitz, author of the Hafla'ah were
leading kabbalists and he learned much kabbalah from them. A smattering of his knowledge in this area can be perceived in a number of places in his writings and responsa, in which he mentions kabbalistic thoughts, but he mostly studied this wisdom privately or with selected disciples. The Chatam Sofer owned an important collection of Kabbalistic manuscripts as affirmed by his grandson Rabbi Shlomo Sofer, Rabbi of Bergsaß (Berehove) (Chut HaMeshulash HeChadash, Jerusalem 2000, pp. 55-56). This handwritten leaf joins two other Kabbalistic manuscripts possessed by the Chatam Sofer - see items 47-48.
Leaf, 20 cm. Good condition. Stains, wear to margins.
Enclosed is an expert's report identifying the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $8,000
Sold for: $16,250
Including buyer's premium
A complete and unique manuscript of Siddur Kavanot Ha'Ari, with Kabbalistic commentaries and kavanot, according to the editing of R. M. Poppers. Contains: Prayers for weekdays and Shabbat, for festivals and the High Holidays, study and Tikun Chatzot, kavanot for the Passover Haggadah, Sefirat Ha'Omer and Hakafot. Commentary for Shabbat songs, etc. [Europe (Russia-Poland?), 18th century].
Especially elegant Ashkenazi handwriting. Cursive calligraphic script, with square semi-cursive script. Illustrations of LaMenatze'ach menorahs and various kabbalistic charts.
Many glosses in "windows" inside the text. In several places "Custom of my Teacher Mahariv" [Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin] is mentioned. It seems that the scribe was himself a Mekubal. At the margins of the leaves he added glosses; some of them open with the words "In Mishnat Chassidim he wrote…".
The Arizal did not write his kabbalistic kavanot; the disciples of his disciples arranged the kavanot according to the teachings of the Ari and his disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital. Rabbi Meir Poppers (died in 1662) composed the arrangement of the kavanot which was the basis for the manuscripts of the Siddur Ha'ari which were spread in Ashkenazi countries [according to those handwritten siddurim, Siddur Rabbi Asher and Siddur Ha'Ari-Kol Ya'akov were printed in the 18th century]. This is an early copy of Siddur Kavanot containing additions and revisions which do not appear in other siddurim.
The style of writing (design of the letters) of this siddur is slightly similar to the manuscripts of the Kabbalist Rabbi Shabtai of Raszków, who was among the holy scribes who wrote sifrei Torah, tefillin and mezuzot for the Ba'al Shem Tov and his disciples with transcendent yichudim and kavanot and the Ba'al Shem Tov requested that they copy kabbalistic books for his use. Apparently, this manuscript was written at that time [see Kedem Catalog, Auction 42, Item 20].
1-160 leaves. Approximately 19.5 cm. High-quality paper. Fair condition. Worming and wear, restored with paper filling. Wear and stains. Ancient reconstructed leather binding.
Especially elegant Ashkenazi handwriting. Cursive calligraphic script, with square semi-cursive script. Illustrations of LaMenatze'ach menorahs and various kabbalistic charts.
Many glosses in "windows" inside the text. In several places "Custom of my Teacher Mahariv" [Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin] is mentioned. It seems that the scribe was himself a Mekubal. At the margins of the leaves he added glosses; some of them open with the words "In Mishnat Chassidim he wrote…".
The Arizal did not write his kabbalistic kavanot; the disciples of his disciples arranged the kavanot according to the teachings of the Ari and his disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital. Rabbi Meir Poppers (died in 1662) composed the arrangement of the kavanot which was the basis for the manuscripts of the Siddur Ha'ari which were spread in Ashkenazi countries [according to those handwritten siddurim, Siddur Rabbi Asher and Siddur Ha'Ari-Kol Ya'akov were printed in the 18th century]. This is an early copy of Siddur Kavanot containing additions and revisions which do not appear in other siddurim.
The style of writing (design of the letters) of this siddur is slightly similar to the manuscripts of the Kabbalist Rabbi Shabtai of Raszków, who was among the holy scribes who wrote sifrei Torah, tefillin and mezuzot for the Ba'al Shem Tov and his disciples with transcendent yichudim and kavanot and the Ba'al Shem Tov requested that they copy kabbalistic books for his use. Apparently, this manuscript was written at that time [see Kedem Catalog, Auction 42, Item 20].
1-160 leaves. Approximately 19.5 cm. High-quality paper. Fair condition. Worming and wear, restored with paper filling. Wear and stains. Ancient reconstructed leather binding.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $12,000
Sold for: $21,250
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot Ha'Ari, edited by the kabbalist Rabbi Moshe (Moses ben Mordecai) Zacuto - the Remez. [Livorno, Italy, early 18th century].
"Siddur of prayers with the kavanot from the siddur of the Remez, copied from the siddur of the Mohari Tzemach of Jerusalem… which he copied from the siddur of the G-dly Torah scholar Rabbi Chaim Vital".
Complete manuscript, in semi-cursive Oriental script. Impressive scribal writing. The text of the prayers is written in large letters and the kavanot in smaller letters. On some pages, the text of the prayer is separated from the kavanot with a vertical line. In some places, the text was vowelized by a later writer.
Includes weekday and Shabbat prayers, tikun Rosh Chodesh, kavanot for the Blessing of the New Moon, Chanuka, Purim, bein haMetzarim and Birkat HaMazon.
This manuscript belonged to the researcher Prof. Meir Benayahu who added a [penciled] note on page [86] that he had seen an almost identical manuscript written in Livorno by R. Shlomo son of R. Yitzchak Aluf in 1724 which had been in the possession of the Ancona library (apparently it was purchased by the Chida in Livorno and his son R. Refael Yeshaya brought it to Ancona at the time he served as Rabbi of Livorno). Afterward the manuscript passed on into private hands. Evidently, this manuscript as well was written by R. Shlomo Aluf in Livorno. The Or HaChaim mentions R. Shlomo Aluf in the introduction to his book Pri To'ar, praising him highly and noting his assistance in printing the book. Besides the aforementioned manuscript from 1724, other manuscripts he copied are the siddur with the kavanot of the Ari which he had written in Livorno (in the past the Ancona-Rosenberg manuscript and today in the University of California), and another manuscript titled Megillat Setarim which he wrote in 1710 (Benayahu library).
The watermarks on the leaves of this manuscript can be found on manuscripts which were written in the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century. The Remez died in 1697 and apparently this manuscript was copied a short while after his death, in the beginning of the 18th century.
As far as we know, this manuscript is one of the few which contain the full version of the kavanot edited by R. Moshe Zacuto and it has never been printed. Usually, manuscripts have a number of leaves with Kitzur (abridged) Kavanot HaRemez, but not the full version. Another siddur edited "according to the Remez" by his disciple R. Binyamin Cohen Margio (the Rabach) differs from this version.
On the leaves are long marginalia in cursive Oriental script from the 19th century with various kavanot and additions, evidently written by a scholar who was erudite in kabbalistic wisdom. He and other scholars added various compilations of prayers, kavanot, hashba'ot and segulot from kabbalistic, Chassidic, Sephardi and Ashkenazi sources on the blank leaves at the beginning and end of the manuscript. These inscriptions include a section of prayer from Likutei Tefillot by Rabbi Nachman of Breslev "to truly yearn and long for Eretz Israel", a hashba'ah against ayin hara by the Pele Yo'etz; "My teacher every day used to say a version of a prayer based on the subject of reincarnation… and I will copy it here"; Jewish-Arabic list, ending with "manuscript of Hillel Yosef Avraham" (on a piece of paper pasted on the leaf); other sections.
[354] pages (including 60 blank pages). 16 cm. Good condition. Stains. Few leaves in fair condition, with tears to margins. New leather binding, housed in a matching leather case.
Enclosed is a report by Prof. Shlomo Zucker, an expert on Hebrew manuscripts, regarding the importance and distinctiveness of this manuscript.
"Siddur of prayers with the kavanot from the siddur of the Remez, copied from the siddur of the Mohari Tzemach of Jerusalem… which he copied from the siddur of the G-dly Torah scholar Rabbi Chaim Vital".
Complete manuscript, in semi-cursive Oriental script. Impressive scribal writing. The text of the prayers is written in large letters and the kavanot in smaller letters. On some pages, the text of the prayer is separated from the kavanot with a vertical line. In some places, the text was vowelized by a later writer.
Includes weekday and Shabbat prayers, tikun Rosh Chodesh, kavanot for the Blessing of the New Moon, Chanuka, Purim, bein haMetzarim and Birkat HaMazon.
This manuscript belonged to the researcher Prof. Meir Benayahu who added a [penciled] note on page [86] that he had seen an almost identical manuscript written in Livorno by R. Shlomo son of R. Yitzchak Aluf in 1724 which had been in the possession of the Ancona library (apparently it was purchased by the Chida in Livorno and his son R. Refael Yeshaya brought it to Ancona at the time he served as Rabbi of Livorno). Afterward the manuscript passed on into private hands. Evidently, this manuscript as well was written by R. Shlomo Aluf in Livorno. The Or HaChaim mentions R. Shlomo Aluf in the introduction to his book Pri To'ar, praising him highly and noting his assistance in printing the book. Besides the aforementioned manuscript from 1724, other manuscripts he copied are the siddur with the kavanot of the Ari which he had written in Livorno (in the past the Ancona-Rosenberg manuscript and today in the University of California), and another manuscript titled Megillat Setarim which he wrote in 1710 (Benayahu library).
The watermarks on the leaves of this manuscript can be found on manuscripts which were written in the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century. The Remez died in 1697 and apparently this manuscript was copied a short while after his death, in the beginning of the 18th century.
As far as we know, this manuscript is one of the few which contain the full version of the kavanot edited by R. Moshe Zacuto and it has never been printed. Usually, manuscripts have a number of leaves with Kitzur (abridged) Kavanot HaRemez, but not the full version. Another siddur edited "according to the Remez" by his disciple R. Binyamin Cohen Margio (the Rabach) differs from this version.
On the leaves are long marginalia in cursive Oriental script from the 19th century with various kavanot and additions, evidently written by a scholar who was erudite in kabbalistic wisdom. He and other scholars added various compilations of prayers, kavanot, hashba'ot and segulot from kabbalistic, Chassidic, Sephardi and Ashkenazi sources on the blank leaves at the beginning and end of the manuscript. These inscriptions include a section of prayer from Likutei Tefillot by Rabbi Nachman of Breslev "to truly yearn and long for Eretz Israel", a hashba'ah against ayin hara by the Pele Yo'etz; "My teacher every day used to say a version of a prayer based on the subject of reincarnation… and I will copy it here"; Jewish-Arabic list, ending with "manuscript of Hillel Yosef Avraham" (on a piece of paper pasted on the leaf); other sections.
[354] pages (including 60 blank pages). 16 cm. Good condition. Stains. Few leaves in fair condition, with tears to margins. New leather binding, housed in a matching leather case.
Enclosed is a report by Prof. Shlomo Zucker, an expert on Hebrew manuscripts, regarding the importance and distinctiveness of this manuscript.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $4,000
Unsold
Manuscript, Sha'ar Ma'amarei HaZohar, "copied from the manuscript of Rabbi Chaim Vital letter by letter". [Algiers, 1762].
Especially charming scribal handwriting, with marginalia in another handwriting (most correcting omissions. On page 145/a is a gloss (which was not printed), signed "Moshe Shapira". At the end are articles on Midrashei Chazal. On page 148/a is an ownership colophon: "This book Sha'ar Ma'amarei HaZohar... Belongs to R. Aharon son of the learned clever R. Avraham Muati", and on the next page (148/b) is the scribe's colophon: "I, the young man Ya'akov son of the learned clever R. Shalom Basis", dated Shevat 1762. Ownership inscription signed by "David Muati", signed "I.Y.T.N." and an inscription of lending the book by its owner, R. Moshe Sheldira.
R. Aharon son of R. Avraham Muati (1736-1772), Algerian sage, Dayan and Kabbalist. Author of Korban Aharon printed in Livorno in 1773 after his untimely death at the age of 36. In his introduction to the book, the author R. Aharon Muati is described as "a perfect sage, excellent Dayan, pious and humble, G-d fearing R. Aharon…Muati…". (See Malchei Yeshurun, pp. 158-160).
R. Aharon Muati had a library of Kabbalistic manuscripts. In addition to the manuscript offered here, two other manuscripts from this library are known; both copies from from Shmona She'arim of R. Chaim Vital. In the book Malchei Yeshurun on the history of Algerian sages (p. 158), is a picture of a title page in his handwriting of the book Sha'ar Ta'amei HaMitzvot, and In the Lubavitch library (Manuscript no. 1497) is a manuscript of the book Sha'ar Kavanot written in Tunis in 1759 by R. Yosef Busha'ara "by the behest of R. Aharon Muati". A listing of that manuscript appears in the book M'Beit HaGenazim (Brooklyn, 2010, p. 229).
On the last leaf before the back cover is an interesting shtar from 1795, handwritten and signed by Rabbi "Yitzchak Abulachir", Rabbi of Algiers, who attests to the terms of distribution of the manuscripts from the rabbi's library: "I attest that at the time the rabbi's books were divided between R. David Muati and R. Shalom Portuguese, an explicit condition was stipulated between both that each one would be able to copy any book owned by the other and each would be obligated to give the other to copy, without any refusal or delay…".
R. Yitzchak son of Yosef Abulachir, Rabbi of Algiers, was murdered by the authorities in 1815 following slander and the interests of the ruler in the war of rights among the rich Algerian Jews (see: A. Morgenstein, HaShiva L'Yerushalayim, Jerusalem, 2007, pp. 264-265; see Malchei Yeshurun, p. 20).
148 leaves + blank leaves [one with the abovementioned Shtar signed by R. Yitzchak Abulachir]. 23.5 cm. Attractive calligraphic writing, with wide margins. High-quality paper. Fair condition, worming affecting text. Stains and wear. Ancient leather binding, slightly damaged.
Especially charming scribal handwriting, with marginalia in another handwriting (most correcting omissions. On page 145/a is a gloss (which was not printed), signed "Moshe Shapira". At the end are articles on Midrashei Chazal. On page 148/a is an ownership colophon: "This book Sha'ar Ma'amarei HaZohar... Belongs to R. Aharon son of the learned clever R. Avraham Muati", and on the next page (148/b) is the scribe's colophon: "I, the young man Ya'akov son of the learned clever R. Shalom Basis", dated Shevat 1762. Ownership inscription signed by "David Muati", signed "I.Y.T.N." and an inscription of lending the book by its owner, R. Moshe Sheldira.
R. Aharon son of R. Avraham Muati (1736-1772), Algerian sage, Dayan and Kabbalist. Author of Korban Aharon printed in Livorno in 1773 after his untimely death at the age of 36. In his introduction to the book, the author R. Aharon Muati is described as "a perfect sage, excellent Dayan, pious and humble, G-d fearing R. Aharon…Muati…". (See Malchei Yeshurun, pp. 158-160).
R. Aharon Muati had a library of Kabbalistic manuscripts. In addition to the manuscript offered here, two other manuscripts from this library are known; both copies from from Shmona She'arim of R. Chaim Vital. In the book Malchei Yeshurun on the history of Algerian sages (p. 158), is a picture of a title page in his handwriting of the book Sha'ar Ta'amei HaMitzvot, and In the Lubavitch library (Manuscript no. 1497) is a manuscript of the book Sha'ar Kavanot written in Tunis in 1759 by R. Yosef Busha'ara "by the behest of R. Aharon Muati". A listing of that manuscript appears in the book M'Beit HaGenazim (Brooklyn, 2010, p. 229).
On the last leaf before the back cover is an interesting shtar from 1795, handwritten and signed by Rabbi "Yitzchak Abulachir", Rabbi of Algiers, who attests to the terms of distribution of the manuscripts from the rabbi's library: "I attest that at the time the rabbi's books were divided between R. David Muati and R. Shalom Portuguese, an explicit condition was stipulated between both that each one would be able to copy any book owned by the other and each would be obligated to give the other to copy, without any refusal or delay…".
R. Yitzchak son of Yosef Abulachir, Rabbi of Algiers, was murdered by the authorities in 1815 following slander and the interests of the ruler in the war of rights among the rich Algerian Jews (see: A. Morgenstein, HaShiva L'Yerushalayim, Jerusalem, 2007, pp. 264-265; see Malchei Yeshurun, p. 20).
148 leaves + blank leaves [one with the abovementioned Shtar signed by R. Yitzchak Abulachir]. 23.5 cm. Attractive calligraphic writing, with wide margins. High-quality paper. Fair condition, worming affecting text. Stains and wear. Ancient leather binding, slightly damaged.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
Sermons in the handwriting of R. Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi, Jerusalem, 1744.
A pamphlet, handwritten by the author, R. Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi. Contains four sermons [the first short], with titles: "And you will return to G-d your L-d and heed…", "I have delivered this to a large audience in Jerusalem on Shabbat Nachamu 1744", "Sermon for Shabbat Nachamu", "Eulogy for the Rebbetzin widow of R. Binyamin Ma'ali HaCohen Rosh Chodesh Elul 1744", "P. Tavo for a woman of valor mazal tov 1744".
These sermons have not been printed. Various similar versions are printed in his books: The sermon for Shabbat Nachamu from 1744 has been printed, in an entirely different version but containing several passages of similar content, in the book She'erit Ya'akov [Drush Parshat Va'etchanan]. Likewise, in the book Shema Ya'akov [Drush Parshat Re'eh], the eulogy has been printed but its content is different from the version in this manuscript [apparently this sermon was delivered at the erection of the tombstone].
The kabbalist Rabbi Yisrael Ya'akov Algazi (1680-1757, Otzar HaRabbanim 12226) was born in Izmir to Rabbi Yom Tov. He moved to Jerusalem before 1737 and was an eminent Dayan and teacher, one of the head of the kabbalist Beit El Yeshiva in the days of R. Gedalya Chayun and the Rashash. From 1755, he served as Rishon L'Zion and Rabbi of Jerusalem. He authored Shalmei Tzibur, Shema Ya'akov, Ar'a D'Rabbanan, etc. and published the book Chemdat Yamim signing the title page with "Tola'at Ya'akov son of R' Yom Tov Algazi". The Chida was his disciple as was R. Algazi's renowned son the Maharit Algazi.
Pamphlet, [18] pages. 16 cm. Good condition. Stains.
A pamphlet, handwritten by the author, R. Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi. Contains four sermons [the first short], with titles: "And you will return to G-d your L-d and heed…", "I have delivered this to a large audience in Jerusalem on Shabbat Nachamu 1744", "Sermon for Shabbat Nachamu", "Eulogy for the Rebbetzin widow of R. Binyamin Ma'ali HaCohen Rosh Chodesh Elul 1744", "P. Tavo for a woman of valor mazal tov 1744".
These sermons have not been printed. Various similar versions are printed in his books: The sermon for Shabbat Nachamu from 1744 has been printed, in an entirely different version but containing several passages of similar content, in the book She'erit Ya'akov [Drush Parshat Va'etchanan]. Likewise, in the book Shema Ya'akov [Drush Parshat Re'eh], the eulogy has been printed but its content is different from the version in this manuscript [apparently this sermon was delivered at the erection of the tombstone].
The kabbalist Rabbi Yisrael Ya'akov Algazi (1680-1757, Otzar HaRabbanim 12226) was born in Izmir to Rabbi Yom Tov. He moved to Jerusalem before 1737 and was an eminent Dayan and teacher, one of the head of the kabbalist Beit El Yeshiva in the days of R. Gedalya Chayun and the Rashash. From 1755, he served as Rishon L'Zion and Rabbi of Jerusalem. He authored Shalmei Tzibur, Shema Ya'akov, Ar'a D'Rabbanan, etc. and published the book Chemdat Yamim signing the title page with "Tola'at Ya'akov son of R' Yom Tov Algazi". The Chida was his disciple as was R. Algazi's renowned son the Maharit Algazi.
Pamphlet, [18] pages. 16 cm. Good condition. Stains.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $8,000
Unsold
Large volume in the handwriting of Rabbi Mordechai Michael Jaffe. Novellae on Tractates Shabbat, Pesachim, Gittin, Kiddushin and Nidah. Copies of letters of responsa. Novellae on the Rambam, laws of Yom Kippur and Shulchan Aruch, laws of mikva'ot. Novellae of Talmudic treatises which include a large work on "En issur chal al issur". [Hamburg, ca. 1850-1860].
Handwritten by R. Jaffe, with his erasures and additions. In some places, he notes as sources other books he authored which were already printed. He cites teachings of Rabbi Akiva Eger, things he heard and several things from Teshuvot Rabbi Akiva Eger. He also extensively cites the Torah of R. Ya'akov of Lissa in his books Chavat Da'at, Mekor Chaim, etc, the Ketzot HaChoshen and Shev Shemat'ta and Petach HaBayit by Rabbi Avraham Tiktin.
R. Mordechai Michael Jaffe (1803-1868, Otzar HaRabbanim 14219), was a prominent disciple of R. Akiva Eger. Born in Krotoszyn in the Posen district, he studied eight years in the yeshiva of Rabbi Akiva Eger. He became so dear to his teacher that he became known as the "Rebbe's Bachur".
After his marriage with the daughter of R. David of Krotoszyn, he toiled in Torah study and G-d's service and adamantly refused to receive a rabbinical position until all his possessions were burned in the large fire which broke out in 1827 in his native city of Krotoszyn. He then accepted the position of rabbi of Zduny (near Krotoszyn) and later in Schneidemühl in the Posen district. In 1849, he abandoned the rabbinate in favor of studying Torah in the renowned Hamburg Kloiz and thereafter taught Torah for 18 years. He exchanged a prolific halachic correspondence with R. Akiva Eger and with his son R. Shlomo Eiger, see Teshuvot Chadashot L'Rabbi Akiva Eger (Jerusalem, 1978 Even HaEzer, Siman 1) - responsa from Rabbi Akiva Eger to his disciple Rabbi M.M. Jaffe, in which he is amazed that R. Jaffe adds honorifics to his name besides the honorific Rabbi.
In 1834, R. Jaffe published his first book, Beit Menachem (Krotoszyn, 1834). In 1852, he printed in Hamburg his second composition, Maharam Jaffe responsa with rulings and halachic deliberations which he conducted with rabbis of his times including his eminent teacher Rabbi Akiva Eger and his son Rabbi Shlomo Eiger. Together with his companion in the kloiz R. Elyakim Getschlik Schlesinger (Rabbi Getz HaKadosh), he edited the responsa of the Maharach (Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Ashkenazi) Or Zaru'ah from an ancient manuscript (printed in Leipzig, 1860) and added sources and notes. He published few of his novellae in the periodical Shomer Zion HaNe'eman which was published in Altona by the author of the Aruch LaNer. Four responsa of the Aruch LaNer to R. M. M. Jaffe were printed in the Binyan Zion responsa in 1860.
His novellae and glosses on various books were printed in various places: His glosses on the Chacham Zvi responsa were printed in the book Likutei Ha'arot of the Dovev Mesharim edition (Jerusalem, 1998) and in the Moriah anthology - Sefer HaZikaron L'Rabbi Moshe Swift (Jerusalem, 1986); his glosses on the book Mor U'Ketzi'a were printed in the Machon Yerushalayim edition (Jerusalem, 1996); his glosses on the Panim Me'irot responsa were published in the Moriah anthology (Issues 277-278, Tamuz, 2001); etc.
The novellae in this manuscript have not been printed and reveal more of the luminous teachings of the illustrious Torah scholar, Rabbi M. M. Jaffe and the teachings of R. Akiva Eger.
[209] leaves, (about 400 pages, written in close, neat, script). 20-21 cm. Overall good condition. Mostly, thin high-quality paper leaves. Wear and stains. Small tears. New fabric binding.
Handwritten by R. Jaffe, with his erasures and additions. In some places, he notes as sources other books he authored which were already printed. He cites teachings of Rabbi Akiva Eger, things he heard and several things from Teshuvot Rabbi Akiva Eger. He also extensively cites the Torah of R. Ya'akov of Lissa in his books Chavat Da'at, Mekor Chaim, etc, the Ketzot HaChoshen and Shev Shemat'ta and Petach HaBayit by Rabbi Avraham Tiktin.
R. Mordechai Michael Jaffe (1803-1868, Otzar HaRabbanim 14219), was a prominent disciple of R. Akiva Eger. Born in Krotoszyn in the Posen district, he studied eight years in the yeshiva of Rabbi Akiva Eger. He became so dear to his teacher that he became known as the "Rebbe's Bachur".
After his marriage with the daughter of R. David of Krotoszyn, he toiled in Torah study and G-d's service and adamantly refused to receive a rabbinical position until all his possessions were burned in the large fire which broke out in 1827 in his native city of Krotoszyn. He then accepted the position of rabbi of Zduny (near Krotoszyn) and later in Schneidemühl in the Posen district. In 1849, he abandoned the rabbinate in favor of studying Torah in the renowned Hamburg Kloiz and thereafter taught Torah for 18 years. He exchanged a prolific halachic correspondence with R. Akiva Eger and with his son R. Shlomo Eiger, see Teshuvot Chadashot L'Rabbi Akiva Eger (Jerusalem, 1978 Even HaEzer, Siman 1) - responsa from Rabbi Akiva Eger to his disciple Rabbi M.M. Jaffe, in which he is amazed that R. Jaffe adds honorifics to his name besides the honorific Rabbi.
In 1834, R. Jaffe published his first book, Beit Menachem (Krotoszyn, 1834). In 1852, he printed in Hamburg his second composition, Maharam Jaffe responsa with rulings and halachic deliberations which he conducted with rabbis of his times including his eminent teacher Rabbi Akiva Eger and his son Rabbi Shlomo Eiger. Together with his companion in the kloiz R. Elyakim Getschlik Schlesinger (Rabbi Getz HaKadosh), he edited the responsa of the Maharach (Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Ashkenazi) Or Zaru'ah from an ancient manuscript (printed in Leipzig, 1860) and added sources and notes. He published few of his novellae in the periodical Shomer Zion HaNe'eman which was published in Altona by the author of the Aruch LaNer. Four responsa of the Aruch LaNer to R. M. M. Jaffe were printed in the Binyan Zion responsa in 1860.
His novellae and glosses on various books were printed in various places: His glosses on the Chacham Zvi responsa were printed in the book Likutei Ha'arot of the Dovev Mesharim edition (Jerusalem, 1998) and in the Moriah anthology - Sefer HaZikaron L'Rabbi Moshe Swift (Jerusalem, 1986); his glosses on the book Mor U'Ketzi'a were printed in the Machon Yerushalayim edition (Jerusalem, 1996); his glosses on the Panim Me'irot responsa were published in the Moriah anthology (Issues 277-278, Tamuz, 2001); etc.
The novellae in this manuscript have not been printed and reveal more of the luminous teachings of the illustrious Torah scholar, Rabbi M. M. Jaffe and the teachings of R. Akiva Eger.
[209] leaves, (about 400 pages, written in close, neat, script). 20-21 cm. Overall good condition. Mostly, thin high-quality paper leaves. Wear and stains. Small tears. New fabric binding.
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Lot 55 Complete Handwritten Pamphlet of Torah Novellae by the Netziv of Volozhin, with his Signature
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Complete pamphlet, handwritten by R. Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin - the Netziv of Volozhin. An extensive halachic research on the topic of the kashrut of vellum produced from an animal's firstborn, used for writing a sefer Torah, and other matters. [Volozhin, c. 1840s-1850s].
Handwritten by the Netziv of Volozhin, in a handwriting similar to manuscripts he wrote in his youth, with erasures and additions between the lines. 32 written pages. Most of the pamphlet was written in his youth but he added sections at a later time [1860s-1880s].
On Leaves 1-9, the Netziv writes a responsum on the subject of the kashrut of vellum made from an animal's firstborn, used for writing a sefer Torah. On page 9/b, the Netziv signed: "Naftali Zvi Yehuda son of R. Ya'akov Berlin". Following this signature is a long "omission" – "What has been omitted on the matter of a person prohibiting something which is not his". Afterward, more "omissions" were added at a later date. On page 11/a is another section written in response to someone who questioned his words: "Regarding the question you asked on Bechorot…".
At the beginning of the pamphlet, the Netziv writes: "Please, G-d, guide me on the true path and prevent my feet from stumbling and only words of truth should be emitted from my mouth". On page 11/1, he writes: "Also here G-d should guide me along the straight path…".
Part of the content has been printed with many variations in the Meshiv Davar responsa, Yoreh Deah, Siman 74.
On the last leaf is an inscription in the handwriting of R. Chaim Berlin, the Netziv's son, listing his father's writings which R. Chaim received from his brothers: "Record of the things I have received from my brothers on Wednesday, the 11th of Elul 1893 in Warsaw of the novellae of my father…".
R. Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin – the Netziv of Volozhin (1817-1893), one of the outstanding Torah leaders of his times, son-in-law of R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and his successor as head of the yeshiva. His father, R. Ya'akov Berlin of Mir (1794-1868) moved to Jerusalem in 1854 and was one of the leaders of the Perushim community in Jerusalem.
Known for his great diligence and brilliance, he led the Volozhin Yeshiva with devotion and love for many years. This yeshiva produced eminent Torah scholars who glorified the Lithuanian, Russian and Polish Jewish communities. His noble personality and deep thorough knowledge yielded generations of exceptional Torah scholars, heads of yeshivas, dayanim and rabbis. He was also very involved in public leadership and his opinion was conclusive on community matters in Russia and Lithuania. He responded to many halachic queries by rabbis who turned to him for his decisions. For many years he was accustomed to signing his letters: "He who is laden with work". This pamphlet contains early writings, written in his youth before yeshiva and communal matters weighed on him.
The Netziv wrote many books: Ha'amek She'ela, novellae on the She'iltot; Ha'amek Davar on the Torah; Meshiv Davar responsa, novellae on the Talmud and commentaries on Midreshei Halacha – Mechilta, Sifrei and Sifra.
His illustrious son, R. Chaim Berlin was Rabbi of Moscow and later moved to Jerusalem (1832-1913), and his eminent son-in-law was R. Refael Shapira, his successor as head of the Volozhin Yeshiva and father-in-law of R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik of Brisk. After the death of his first wife, the Netziv wed his niece, daughter of R. Yechiel Michel Epstein, author of Aruch HaShulchan who bore him sons in his senior years: R. Ya'akov Berlin and R. Meir Bar-Ilan (1880-1949).
[1], 10, [1], 11-13, [2] leaves. Total of 32 handwritten pages. Approximately 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains and tears. Unbound.
Enclosed is a letter by one of his descendants who was involved in printing his manuscripts and attests that the pamphlet is handwritten by the Netziv.
Handwritten by the Netziv of Volozhin, in a handwriting similar to manuscripts he wrote in his youth, with erasures and additions between the lines. 32 written pages. Most of the pamphlet was written in his youth but he added sections at a later time [1860s-1880s].
On Leaves 1-9, the Netziv writes a responsum on the subject of the kashrut of vellum made from an animal's firstborn, used for writing a sefer Torah. On page 9/b, the Netziv signed: "Naftali Zvi Yehuda son of R. Ya'akov Berlin". Following this signature is a long "omission" – "What has been omitted on the matter of a person prohibiting something which is not his". Afterward, more "omissions" were added at a later date. On page 11/a is another section written in response to someone who questioned his words: "Regarding the question you asked on Bechorot…".
At the beginning of the pamphlet, the Netziv writes: "Please, G-d, guide me on the true path and prevent my feet from stumbling and only words of truth should be emitted from my mouth". On page 11/1, he writes: "Also here G-d should guide me along the straight path…".
Part of the content has been printed with many variations in the Meshiv Davar responsa, Yoreh Deah, Siman 74.
On the last leaf is an inscription in the handwriting of R. Chaim Berlin, the Netziv's son, listing his father's writings which R. Chaim received from his brothers: "Record of the things I have received from my brothers on Wednesday, the 11th of Elul 1893 in Warsaw of the novellae of my father…".
R. Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin – the Netziv of Volozhin (1817-1893), one of the outstanding Torah leaders of his times, son-in-law of R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and his successor as head of the yeshiva. His father, R. Ya'akov Berlin of Mir (1794-1868) moved to Jerusalem in 1854 and was one of the leaders of the Perushim community in Jerusalem.
Known for his great diligence and brilliance, he led the Volozhin Yeshiva with devotion and love for many years. This yeshiva produced eminent Torah scholars who glorified the Lithuanian, Russian and Polish Jewish communities. His noble personality and deep thorough knowledge yielded generations of exceptional Torah scholars, heads of yeshivas, dayanim and rabbis. He was also very involved in public leadership and his opinion was conclusive on community matters in Russia and Lithuania. He responded to many halachic queries by rabbis who turned to him for his decisions. For many years he was accustomed to signing his letters: "He who is laden with work". This pamphlet contains early writings, written in his youth before yeshiva and communal matters weighed on him.
The Netziv wrote many books: Ha'amek She'ela, novellae on the She'iltot; Ha'amek Davar on the Torah; Meshiv Davar responsa, novellae on the Talmud and commentaries on Midreshei Halacha – Mechilta, Sifrei and Sifra.
His illustrious son, R. Chaim Berlin was Rabbi of Moscow and later moved to Jerusalem (1832-1913), and his eminent son-in-law was R. Refael Shapira, his successor as head of the Volozhin Yeshiva and father-in-law of R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik of Brisk. After the death of his first wife, the Netziv wed his niece, daughter of R. Yechiel Michel Epstein, author of Aruch HaShulchan who bore him sons in his senior years: R. Ya'akov Berlin and R. Meir Bar-Ilan (1880-1949).
[1], 10, [1], 11-13, [2] leaves. Total of 32 handwritten pages. Approximately 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains and tears. Unbound.
Enclosed is a letter by one of his descendants who was involved in printing his manuscripts and attests that the pamphlet is handwritten by the Netziv.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $8,750
Including buyer's premium
Two large volumes - notebooks of responsa, by R. Yosef HaLevi, with additions and signatures of other members of the Beit Din, and copies of responsa of Fez sages and other Moroccan rabbis. Meknes (Morocco), 1850-1857.
Manuscript, handwritten by the author, with many signatures of the author and of the Beit Din members. Names of rabbis, with their signatures on various places in the manuscript: R. Matityahu (son of R. Yitzchak) Birdugo, R. Avraham Amar (1811-1871), R. Yehuda Toledano, R. Shlomo Eliyahu Ben-Tzur, R. Refael Ibn Tzur (died 1991), R. Machluf Buzaglo, R. Shlomo Chalva'a, etc. Contains copies of letters of responsa by Fez and Moroccan sages: R. Yedidya Monsoneigo (1800-1968), R. Videl HaTzorfati (1797-1857), etc.
These responsa were written by three or four people: Some are handwritten by the author and signed by Rabbi Yosef HaLevi himself. Some were written by the Dayan Rabbi Yehuda Toledano and some by a third scribe [perhaps, R. Shlomo Chalva'a]. Almost all the responsa are signed by R. Yosef HaLevi, with many additions on the margins and between the lines in his handwriting. Many of the responsa are queries or approval of the rulings and signatures, in the handwriting of the aforementioned Beit Din members.
This is a complete hitherto unprinted composition, a halachic book of responsa by an eminent Meknes Dayan from the mid-19th century.
Two volumes, approximately 21 cm. About 200 written pages + many blank pages. Thin high-quality paper. Overall good condition. Few leaves with ink-erosion damages affecting the text and paper. Some of the glosses and additions of Rabbi Yosef HaLevi on the margins are slightly cutoff. New bindings.
Manuscript, handwritten by the author, with many signatures of the author and of the Beit Din members. Names of rabbis, with their signatures on various places in the manuscript: R. Matityahu (son of R. Yitzchak) Birdugo, R. Avraham Amar (1811-1871), R. Yehuda Toledano, R. Shlomo Eliyahu Ben-Tzur, R. Refael Ibn Tzur (died 1991), R. Machluf Buzaglo, R. Shlomo Chalva'a, etc. Contains copies of letters of responsa by Fez and Moroccan sages: R. Yedidya Monsoneigo (1800-1968), R. Videl HaTzorfati (1797-1857), etc.
These responsa were written by three or four people: Some are handwritten by the author and signed by Rabbi Yosef HaLevi himself. Some were written by the Dayan Rabbi Yehuda Toledano and some by a third scribe [perhaps, R. Shlomo Chalva'a]. Almost all the responsa are signed by R. Yosef HaLevi, with many additions on the margins and between the lines in his handwriting. Many of the responsa are queries or approval of the rulings and signatures, in the handwriting of the aforementioned Beit Din members.
This is a complete hitherto unprinted composition, a halachic book of responsa by an eminent Meknes Dayan from the mid-19th century.
Two volumes, approximately 21 cm. About 200 written pages + many blank pages. Thin high-quality paper. Overall good condition. Few leaves with ink-erosion damages affecting the text and paper. Some of the glosses and additions of Rabbi Yosef HaLevi on the margins are slightly cutoff. New bindings.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Notebook of Torah novellae by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. [Jerusalem, ca. 1940].
Novellae on the Rambam, Hilchot Trumot, Yerushalmi Ma'aser Sheni, and treatises of Tractate Kiddushin in the handwriting of R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Over the years, corrections, variations, erasures and additions were added by him to the original novellae. On one page is a draft of a letter to R. Zelig Reuven Bengis (comments to his book LeFlagot Reuven, Part Six - Jerusalem 1940).
The world-renowned R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995) was head of the Kol Torah Yeshiva and a leading Posek. Born in Jerusalem to R. Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach, the head of the Sha'ar Hashamayim Yeshiva for kabbalists, he was a close disciple of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer who esteemed his greatly and quoted him in his book Even HaEzel. In 1935, at the age of 24, he published his first book, Me'orei Esh, on the subject of use of electricity on Shabbat. This book earned the approbations of the leading Torah scholars of his times, including an approbation by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, another from his teacher R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and an approbation by Rabbi Kook.
In his youth, he maintained contact with R. Zalman Reuven Bengis, who served as Chief Rabbi of the Eda Charedit of Jerusalem. In the draft of the letter which appears in the notebook, the elderly R. Bengis' regard for R. Shlomo Zalman is apparent. At that time, R. Shlomo Zalman was a young man, about 30 years old and R. Bengis requested that he express his opinion on the content of his book. R. Shlomo Zalman writes: "And now, I am fulfilling your pure wish and responding as you requested with several thoughts on the first topic in your honored book…".
Eventually, R. Shlomo Zalman became one of the leading Poskim and a top authority in a number of halachic areas such as matters related to medicine and halacha. His pleasant traits and gentle sensitivity won him reverence in all circles of Orthodox Jewry, apparent at his funeral which was attended by 300,000 people.
Notebook, with nearly 40 written pages. 22X16 cm. Very good condition. Original cover, detached from notebook.
Novellae on the Rambam, Hilchot Trumot, Yerushalmi Ma'aser Sheni, and treatises of Tractate Kiddushin in the handwriting of R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Over the years, corrections, variations, erasures and additions were added by him to the original novellae. On one page is a draft of a letter to R. Zelig Reuven Bengis (comments to his book LeFlagot Reuven, Part Six - Jerusalem 1940).
The world-renowned R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995) was head of the Kol Torah Yeshiva and a leading Posek. Born in Jerusalem to R. Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach, the head of the Sha'ar Hashamayim Yeshiva for kabbalists, he was a close disciple of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer who esteemed his greatly and quoted him in his book Even HaEzel. In 1935, at the age of 24, he published his first book, Me'orei Esh, on the subject of use of electricity on Shabbat. This book earned the approbations of the leading Torah scholars of his times, including an approbation by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, another from his teacher R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and an approbation by Rabbi Kook.
In his youth, he maintained contact with R. Zalman Reuven Bengis, who served as Chief Rabbi of the Eda Charedit of Jerusalem. In the draft of the letter which appears in the notebook, the elderly R. Bengis' regard for R. Shlomo Zalman is apparent. At that time, R. Shlomo Zalman was a young man, about 30 years old and R. Bengis requested that he express his opinion on the content of his book. R. Shlomo Zalman writes: "And now, I am fulfilling your pure wish and responding as you requested with several thoughts on the first topic in your honored book…".
Eventually, R. Shlomo Zalman became one of the leading Poskim and a top authority in a number of halachic areas such as matters related to medicine and halacha. His pleasant traits and gentle sensitivity won him reverence in all circles of Orthodox Jewry, apparent at his funeral which was attended by 300,000 people.
Notebook, with nearly 40 written pages. 22X16 cm. Very good condition. Original cover, detached from notebook.
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, the Conciliador by Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel, translated into Hebrew, on the Five Books of the Torah. [Frankfurt am Main, second half of 19th century].
The Conciliador was an eminent work by Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel (1604-1657). Partly written in Latin and partly in Spanish, the objective of the composition was to reconcile Biblical verses which appear to contradict one another. It is composed of "queries" presenting two "contradictory" verses followed by the reply of the conciliator - a long explanation resolving both verses. The book was intended for a Christian readership aiming to enable them to understand genuine Judaism and at the same time was meant to reinforce faith and the tenets of Judaism in the midst of the Anusim (forced converts to Christianity). The book was a pronounced success, has been translated into various languages and has greatly spread the name of Menasseh Ben Israel in the circle of non-Jewish respected scholars.
The Conciliador was never printed in Hebrew. This is a Hebrew translation of the Five Books of the Torah [incomplete], written by Raphael Kirchheim from Frankfurt am Main. It remains ambiguous if he himself translated the work or if he copied it from an existing translation (In his introduction to the periodical Bikurei Ha'Itim HaChadashim, Vienna 1846, page 3/a in a note, Isaac Samuel Reggio of Gorizia writes that the sage Rabbi Mordechai Luzzatto of Trieste translated the composition into Hebrew, but that translation remains unknown to this day).
This manuscript contains Queries 5-43 of Bereshit, Queries 13-50 of Shemot, Queries 1-9 of Vayikra, 1-15 of Bamidbar and 1-6 of Devarim.
Raphael Kirchheim (1840-1889) was an author, researcher and editor of manuscripts, affiliated with the Reform movement. Born in Frankfurt, he first served as a shochet in the Charedi community of R. Shimshon Refael Hirsh but after Avraham Geiger relocated to Frankfurt, Kirchheim became a radical reformist and was dismissed from his job as shochet.
On the last leaf of this manuscript are family inscriptions of Kirchheim: Dates of the deaths of his parents, his first and second wife and records of the births of his son and daughter.
[34] leaves. 36 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears to several leaves and to margins. The last leaf is glued to the old binding (apparently on its verso is a list of books). New leather binding.
Enclosed is an expert's report (photocopy).
The Conciliador was an eminent work by Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel (1604-1657). Partly written in Latin and partly in Spanish, the objective of the composition was to reconcile Biblical verses which appear to contradict one another. It is composed of "queries" presenting two "contradictory" verses followed by the reply of the conciliator - a long explanation resolving both verses. The book was intended for a Christian readership aiming to enable them to understand genuine Judaism and at the same time was meant to reinforce faith and the tenets of Judaism in the midst of the Anusim (forced converts to Christianity). The book was a pronounced success, has been translated into various languages and has greatly spread the name of Menasseh Ben Israel in the circle of non-Jewish respected scholars.
The Conciliador was never printed in Hebrew. This is a Hebrew translation of the Five Books of the Torah [incomplete], written by Raphael Kirchheim from Frankfurt am Main. It remains ambiguous if he himself translated the work or if he copied it from an existing translation (In his introduction to the periodical Bikurei Ha'Itim HaChadashim, Vienna 1846, page 3/a in a note, Isaac Samuel Reggio of Gorizia writes that the sage Rabbi Mordechai Luzzatto of Trieste translated the composition into Hebrew, but that translation remains unknown to this day).
This manuscript contains Queries 5-43 of Bereshit, Queries 13-50 of Shemot, Queries 1-9 of Vayikra, 1-15 of Bamidbar and 1-6 of Devarim.
Raphael Kirchheim (1840-1889) was an author, researcher and editor of manuscripts, affiliated with the Reform movement. Born in Frankfurt, he first served as a shochet in the Charedi community of R. Shimshon Refael Hirsh but after Avraham Geiger relocated to Frankfurt, Kirchheim became a radical reformist and was dismissed from his job as shochet.
On the last leaf of this manuscript are family inscriptions of Kirchheim: Dates of the deaths of his parents, his first and second wife and records of the births of his son and daughter.
[34] leaves. 36 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears to several leaves and to margins. The last leaf is glued to the old binding (apparently on its verso is a list of books). New leather binding.
Enclosed is an expert's report (photocopy).
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Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $37,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, notebook handwritten by the kabbalist Rabbi, R. Zekil Loeb Wormser - the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt. [1831-1841].
Novellae on the Torah and on Nevi'im and Ketuvim in the handwriting of the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt. Four segments on three pages: on the verse "from there he went up to Beersheba" (Bereshit, 26, 23), on the verse "Seek G-d while he may be found" (Yeshayahu 55, 6), on Psalm 19 and the beginning of the passage "Midrash VeZot HaBeracha" [which he crossed out]. Further in the notebook are several Yiddish homilies by another writer [unidentified].
Kabbalist Rabbi Zekil Loeb (Yitzchak Aryeh) Wormser (1768-1848) - the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt. Scion of the Luria family, descended from the Maharshal and from Rashi and from Rabbi Eliyahu (Elijah) Loans, known as the Ba'al Shem of Worms. In his youth, he studied by R. Natan Adler in Frankfurt and later returned to his hometown, Michelstadt. Upon his return, he established his Beit Midrash and served as Rabbi of the city and its district and established a yeshiva which drew many students. He was especially renowned as a tsaddik who worked wonders which earned him the appellation "Ba'al Shem". People from various countries seeking salvation and remedies flocked to his court and many were delivered by his blessings, segulot and amulets.
He was celebrated by Jews and non-Jews alike. Reputedly, German soldiers who prayed at his gravesite during WWI all returned from the battlefield healthy and well. The Michelstadt municipality placed a memorial plaque on the house in which he lived, describing him "a friend of the people". His novellae and writings appear in the book "Ba'al Shem M'Michelstadt (Machon Yerushalayim, 2006).
Notebook, 20.5 cm. Approximately [3] pages in the handwriting of the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt + [14] pages of homilies in Yiddish from another writer. Good condition, dark paper, several stains. Contemporary binding, with damages and wear.
Novellae on the Torah and on Nevi'im and Ketuvim in the handwriting of the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt. Four segments on three pages: on the verse "from there he went up to Beersheba" (Bereshit, 26, 23), on the verse "Seek G-d while he may be found" (Yeshayahu 55, 6), on Psalm 19 and the beginning of the passage "Midrash VeZot HaBeracha" [which he crossed out]. Further in the notebook are several Yiddish homilies by another writer [unidentified].
Kabbalist Rabbi Zekil Loeb (Yitzchak Aryeh) Wormser (1768-1848) - the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt. Scion of the Luria family, descended from the Maharshal and from Rashi and from Rabbi Eliyahu (Elijah) Loans, known as the Ba'al Shem of Worms. In his youth, he studied by R. Natan Adler in Frankfurt and later returned to his hometown, Michelstadt. Upon his return, he established his Beit Midrash and served as Rabbi of the city and its district and established a yeshiva which drew many students. He was especially renowned as a tsaddik who worked wonders which earned him the appellation "Ba'al Shem". People from various countries seeking salvation and remedies flocked to his court and many were delivered by his blessings, segulot and amulets.
He was celebrated by Jews and non-Jews alike. Reputedly, German soldiers who prayed at his gravesite during WWI all returned from the battlefield healthy and well. The Michelstadt municipality placed a memorial plaque on the house in which he lived, describing him "a friend of the people". His novellae and writings appear in the book "Ba'al Shem M'Michelstadt (Machon Yerushalayim, 2006).
Notebook, 20.5 cm. Approximately [3] pages in the handwriting of the Ba'al Shem of Michelstadt + [14] pages of homilies in Yiddish from another writer. Good condition, dark paper, several stains. Contemporary binding, with damages and wear.
Category
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Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $40,000
Sold for: $87,500
Including buyer's premium
A volume of handwritten halachic responsa, including original letters by various writers. Among them are letters in the handwriting of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek, letters in the handwriting of his great-uncle Rebbe Yehuda Leib [Maharil] of Janavičy [brother of the Ba'al HaTanya], and letters by other Rabbis of their times. [Lubavitch and its surroundings, c. 1820-1860].
This volume was in the possession of R. Yissachar Ber Horwitz, rabbi and posek in the city of Lubavitch who had a close relationship with the rebbe author of Tzemach Tzedek. During the time he held this position, he accumulated many letters and manuscripts which he bound into this volume. He even added index leaves at the beginning.
This volume contains: · Autograph letters of responsa by the Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek and his handwritten additions to some of the other leaves. · Autograph letters signed by R. Yehuda Leib [Maharil] of Janavičy, author of She'erit Yehuda, who was the brother of the Admor HaZaken, Ba'al (author of) HaTanya. · Letters and responsa by Torah scholars and rabbis of his region, Chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek. Some letters were sent to the Tzemach Tzedek himself and some to R. Yissachar Ber, including several halachic responsa which reached R. Yissachar Ber and were bound in this volume. · Copies of numerous responsa of the author of the Tzemach Tzedek and several responsa of the Ba'al HaTanya, in the handwriting of R. Yissachar Ber and other writers. · Letters and manuscripts written by R. Yissachar Ber on various halachic topics. · Several unidentified autographs.
An authentic and historical item which provides a glimpse into the vast sphere of the activities of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek, in his capacity of one of the leading poskim of his times as well as an indication of the involvement of Rabbi Yissachar Ber Horwitz, the Rebbe's close assistant in editing his writings.
Partial description of the contents:
· At the beginning of the volume are two autograph halachic letters signed by the Maharil of Janavičy to the Tzemach Tzedek [one letter is addressed to "Lubavitch…the famous Rabbi Mendel S…of Janavičy"]. The letter has marginalia, apparently in the handwriting of the Tzemach Tzedek. · On page 29/1 is another autograph letter with halachic content signed by the Maharil of Janavičy, sent to R. Yitzchak Isaac Epstein of Homyel. · Copies of more letters of the Maharil in the handwriting of R. Yissachar Ber.
· Approximately seven pages handwritten by the Tzemach Tzedek, and three pages with marginalia in his own handwriting; another approximately 17 pages in a handwriting very similar to that of the Tzemach Tzedek, possibly his own handwriting. Two more places with marginalia in a handwriting similar to that of the Tzemach Tzedek which may be in his own handwriting.
· Letters of responsa by the following rabbis: R. Yosef Isaac Lifshitz Rabbi of Orsha, R. Shlomo Zalman son of R. Hillel Papirin Rabbi in Wieliż (Veližas), R. Shimon son of R. Naftali Rabbi of Liozna, R. Shlomo son of R. Yosef of Dubroŭna, R. Ya'akov son of R. Moshe Lifshitz orator and Rabbi in Mscislaŭ, R. Yehoshua son of R. Zvi Rabbi of Chocimsk, Rabbi Yissachar Ber son of R. Aryeh Leib of Liozna, R. Avraham son of R. Avigdor Katz, and others. Some letters are about polemics and disputes on matters of kashrut and shechita in the surrounding communities. For example, three letters deal with the polemic concerning the validity of the Shochet and Bodek in Krupki [see responsum in the Tzemach Tzedek responsa, Yoreh Deah, Siman 246]: Long letter on this issue by R. Yehuda Leib of Bobr to the Tzemach Tzedek; responsum by Rebbe Yissachar Ber of Lubavitch discussing the same topic and another long responsum in a handwriting similar to that of the Tzemach Tzedek.
· Many leaves handwritten by R. Yissachar Ber, most copies of responsa of the Tzemach Tzedek. · Lists of R. Baruch Ber cataloging the manuscripts of the Tzemach Tzedek ["Indexes of the Manuscripts of the Rebbe"].
The initial examination of this volume reveals that some of the responsa of the Tzemach Tzedek therein have not yet seen print or were printed with variations, such as omissions of the beginning and end of the letter, etc.
R. Yissachar Ber Horwitz (see: R. Shalom Duber Levin, M'Beit HaGenazim, pp. 127-130), was a disciple of the Maharil of Janavičy and of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek. After his marriage, he settled in Janavičy and became a disciple of the Maharil. Even after he left Janavičy, he continued halachic correspondence with his teacher the Maharil. Later, he served a posek in several communities. First in Bichov-Chodosh [Novyy Pikov] in 1827, and later during 1833-1842 in Lubavitch alongside the Rebbe, author of Tzemech Tzedek. Afterward, he was appointed posek in Konotop (which endowed him with the title "the Rabbi of Konotop"). In all these places, he dealt in halachic rulings and arrangement of gittin and he held a constant correspondence with the Tzemach Tzedek on these topics bequeathing future generations with prolific halachic correspondence with the Tzemach Tzedek and other eminent scholars of his times. While serving as posek in Lubavitch, he frequently discussed halachic issues with the Tzemach Tzedek, and rabbis from other towns in the area regularly consulted him concerning halachic rulings and at times requested that he present their queries to the Tzemach Tzedek and write them his halachic decision. Since he was used to conferring with the Maharil and with the Tzemach Tzedek, many manuscripts written to him or to others, both by the Maharil and by the Tzemach Tzedek remained in his possession. These he bound into several volumes together with his copies of the letters of the Tzemach Tzedek and by his own halachich novellae and notations - this item is one of those volumes.
R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, author of Tzemach Tzedek (1789-1866) was the third Chabad Rebbe and an illustrious scholar and Chassid. A close disciple of his grandfather, author of the Tanya, he became rebbe after the death of his father-in-law and uncle the "Middle Rebbe" Dov Ber in 1828. A prominent leader of Russian Jewry, he was very active in reinforcing religious adherence. He was a leading posek of his times and responded to halachic queries which reached him from all corners of the Russian Empire. His many responsa are concentrated in the eight volumes of his book Tzemach Tzedek, whose title became his cognomen.
R. Yehuda Leib of Janavičy - the Maharil (c. 1750-1826), an exceptional Torah sage, brother and close assistant of the Admor HaZaken Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi "Ba'al HaTanya", was editor of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and responsible for writing the teachings of the Ba'al HaTanya. His own teachings were printed in the She'erit Yehuda responsa. He had a close relationship with the Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek and their correspondence was printed in the Tzemach Tzedek responsa.
[108] leaves. Leaf size varies. Approximately 23 cm. Condition varies among leaves - fair-good. Stains, wear and tears. Damaged, worn binding.
Enclosed in an expert's report regarding the identification of the handwriting of the author of Tzemach Tzedek.
This volume was in the possession of R. Yissachar Ber Horwitz, rabbi and posek in the city of Lubavitch who had a close relationship with the rebbe author of Tzemach Tzedek. During the time he held this position, he accumulated many letters and manuscripts which he bound into this volume. He even added index leaves at the beginning.
This volume contains: · Autograph letters of responsa by the Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek and his handwritten additions to some of the other leaves. · Autograph letters signed by R. Yehuda Leib [Maharil] of Janavičy, author of She'erit Yehuda, who was the brother of the Admor HaZaken, Ba'al (author of) HaTanya. · Letters and responsa by Torah scholars and rabbis of his region, Chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek. Some letters were sent to the Tzemach Tzedek himself and some to R. Yissachar Ber, including several halachic responsa which reached R. Yissachar Ber and were bound in this volume. · Copies of numerous responsa of the author of the Tzemach Tzedek and several responsa of the Ba'al HaTanya, in the handwriting of R. Yissachar Ber and other writers. · Letters and manuscripts written by R. Yissachar Ber on various halachic topics. · Several unidentified autographs.
An authentic and historical item which provides a glimpse into the vast sphere of the activities of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek, in his capacity of one of the leading poskim of his times as well as an indication of the involvement of Rabbi Yissachar Ber Horwitz, the Rebbe's close assistant in editing his writings.
Partial description of the contents:
· At the beginning of the volume are two autograph halachic letters signed by the Maharil of Janavičy to the Tzemach Tzedek [one letter is addressed to "Lubavitch…the famous Rabbi Mendel S…of Janavičy"]. The letter has marginalia, apparently in the handwriting of the Tzemach Tzedek. · On page 29/1 is another autograph letter with halachic content signed by the Maharil of Janavičy, sent to R. Yitzchak Isaac Epstein of Homyel. · Copies of more letters of the Maharil in the handwriting of R. Yissachar Ber.
· Approximately seven pages handwritten by the Tzemach Tzedek, and three pages with marginalia in his own handwriting; another approximately 17 pages in a handwriting very similar to that of the Tzemach Tzedek, possibly his own handwriting. Two more places with marginalia in a handwriting similar to that of the Tzemach Tzedek which may be in his own handwriting.
· Letters of responsa by the following rabbis: R. Yosef Isaac Lifshitz Rabbi of Orsha, R. Shlomo Zalman son of R. Hillel Papirin Rabbi in Wieliż (Veližas), R. Shimon son of R. Naftali Rabbi of Liozna, R. Shlomo son of R. Yosef of Dubroŭna, R. Ya'akov son of R. Moshe Lifshitz orator and Rabbi in Mscislaŭ, R. Yehoshua son of R. Zvi Rabbi of Chocimsk, Rabbi Yissachar Ber son of R. Aryeh Leib of Liozna, R. Avraham son of R. Avigdor Katz, and others. Some letters are about polemics and disputes on matters of kashrut and shechita in the surrounding communities. For example, three letters deal with the polemic concerning the validity of the Shochet and Bodek in Krupki [see responsum in the Tzemach Tzedek responsa, Yoreh Deah, Siman 246]: Long letter on this issue by R. Yehuda Leib of Bobr to the Tzemach Tzedek; responsum by Rebbe Yissachar Ber of Lubavitch discussing the same topic and another long responsum in a handwriting similar to that of the Tzemach Tzedek.
· Many leaves handwritten by R. Yissachar Ber, most copies of responsa of the Tzemach Tzedek. · Lists of R. Baruch Ber cataloging the manuscripts of the Tzemach Tzedek ["Indexes of the Manuscripts of the Rebbe"].
The initial examination of this volume reveals that some of the responsa of the Tzemach Tzedek therein have not yet seen print or were printed with variations, such as omissions of the beginning and end of the letter, etc.
R. Yissachar Ber Horwitz (see: R. Shalom Duber Levin, M'Beit HaGenazim, pp. 127-130), was a disciple of the Maharil of Janavičy and of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek. After his marriage, he settled in Janavičy and became a disciple of the Maharil. Even after he left Janavičy, he continued halachic correspondence with his teacher the Maharil. Later, he served a posek in several communities. First in Bichov-Chodosh [Novyy Pikov] in 1827, and later during 1833-1842 in Lubavitch alongside the Rebbe, author of Tzemech Tzedek. Afterward, he was appointed posek in Konotop (which endowed him with the title "the Rabbi of Konotop"). In all these places, he dealt in halachic rulings and arrangement of gittin and he held a constant correspondence with the Tzemach Tzedek on these topics bequeathing future generations with prolific halachic correspondence with the Tzemach Tzedek and other eminent scholars of his times. While serving as posek in Lubavitch, he frequently discussed halachic issues with the Tzemach Tzedek, and rabbis from other towns in the area regularly consulted him concerning halachic rulings and at times requested that he present their queries to the Tzemach Tzedek and write them his halachic decision. Since he was used to conferring with the Maharil and with the Tzemach Tzedek, many manuscripts written to him or to others, both by the Maharil and by the Tzemach Tzedek remained in his possession. These he bound into several volumes together with his copies of the letters of the Tzemach Tzedek and by his own halachich novellae and notations - this item is one of those volumes.
R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, author of Tzemach Tzedek (1789-1866) was the third Chabad Rebbe and an illustrious scholar and Chassid. A close disciple of his grandfather, author of the Tanya, he became rebbe after the death of his father-in-law and uncle the "Middle Rebbe" Dov Ber in 1828. A prominent leader of Russian Jewry, he was very active in reinforcing religious adherence. He was a leading posek of his times and responded to halachic queries which reached him from all corners of the Russian Empire. His many responsa are concentrated in the eight volumes of his book Tzemach Tzedek, whose title became his cognomen.
R. Yehuda Leib of Janavičy - the Maharil (c. 1750-1826), an exceptional Torah sage, brother and close assistant of the Admor HaZaken Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi "Ba'al HaTanya", was editor of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and responsible for writing the teachings of the Ba'al HaTanya. His own teachings were printed in the She'erit Yehuda responsa. He had a close relationship with the Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek and their correspondence was printed in the Tzemach Tzedek responsa.
[108] leaves. Leaf size varies. Approximately 23 cm. Condition varies among leaves - fair-good. Stains, wear and tears. Damaged, worn binding.
Enclosed in an expert's report regarding the identification of the handwriting of the author of Tzemach Tzedek.
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