Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 61 - 72 of 134
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $30,000
Including buyer's premium
Tehillim with Rashi and Metzudot commentaries and Yiddish translation, with Seder Maamadot according to the Rebbe of Apta. Warsaw: R. Nathan Schriftgisser, 1864. Separate title page for Seder Maamadot.
This edition was printed for public benefit at the expense of Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (Nesukhoyezhe), as cited on the title page of his book Toldot Yitzchak (Warsaw, 1868). This volume of Tehillim was known for its segula. The book Zichron Yaakov, the biography of Rebbe Yitzchak (p. 49, new edition p. 84), states that Rebbe Yitzchak himself was involved in the sale of the Tehillim, and would bless each purchaser and often kiss each volume of Tehillim before handing it to its new owner.
Regarding the printing, binding and distribution of this Tehillim, Zichron Tov (Regarding His Charity, subparagraph 4) relates that in 1864 the rebbe decided to finance the printing of Tehillim and sell each volume for only half the printing costs, "in order to spread the custom of reciting Tehillim daily, for the public merit, and in honor of his ancestor King David. The Rebbe printed approximately 6000 volumes… and had them bound in leather" (It is noteworthy that although 6000 copies of the Tehillim were printed, very few remain, and they are considered extremely rare). Rebbe Yitzchak originally intended to sell each volume for only two gulden, but after his beit medrash was destroyed by fire, he raised the price to a full ruble in order to finance its rebuilding. "As each volume was sold, the rebbe would take the Tehillim in his hand and bless the recipient, and would often kiss the Tehillim before handing it to the purchaser". It is also told that Rebbe Yitzchak was known for his reticence in public, but changed this custom during the last year of his life, when he would deliver public discourses of his novellae regarding the weekly Torah portion and Tehillim. While delivering his discourses on Tehillim, "the rebbe would hold… a volume of the Tehillim printed in Warsaw, from which he would expound" (ibid, Regarding his Torah Novellae, subparagraph 11).
The first title page and the title page for Seder Maamadot state that the maamadot were arranged by "the great and holy R. Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta" (author of "Ohev Yisrael". The approbation of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkiv, son of the Ohev Yisrael, appears following the title page for Seder Hamaamadot (taken from the Medzhybizh edition, 1827).
Rebbe Yitzchak of Neschitz (1789-1868) was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neschitz. He was a prime disciple of Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, marrying his granddaughter and delivering Torah thoughts in his name. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Baruch of Medzhybizh and the Seer of Lublin. He was appointed rebbe at a young age and held the position for over 60 years. He was renowned for his prayers, the miracles he performed and his Divine revelations. He was revered as a holy man by all streams of Chassidut, and was acknowledged as one who "facilitates the flow of Heavenly bounty to all the Jewish people" (letter from R. Baruch Shapira, an outstanding chassid of Przysucha and Kotzk). His disciples included Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk, R. Yaakov Tzvi of Parysów and others.
[2], 303, [1], 2-29 leaves. Tehillim is complete; two final leaves of Seder Maamadot are missing (leaves 30-31). 20 cm. Condition varies; most pages in good condition, several pages in fair condition. Stains and wear. Repaired tears to the title page and the following page, with minor damage to text or to the border of the title page. Ownership inscriptions. Paper with "Yahtzeit" information attached to the inner front cover. Original leather binding, worn and damaged.
Stefansky Chassidut, no 655.
This edition was printed for public benefit at the expense of Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (Nesukhoyezhe), as cited on the title page of his book Toldot Yitzchak (Warsaw, 1868). This volume of Tehillim was known for its segula. The book Zichron Yaakov, the biography of Rebbe Yitzchak (p. 49, new edition p. 84), states that Rebbe Yitzchak himself was involved in the sale of the Tehillim, and would bless each purchaser and often kiss each volume of Tehillim before handing it to its new owner.
Regarding the printing, binding and distribution of this Tehillim, Zichron Tov (Regarding His Charity, subparagraph 4) relates that in 1864 the rebbe decided to finance the printing of Tehillim and sell each volume for only half the printing costs, "in order to spread the custom of reciting Tehillim daily, for the public merit, and in honor of his ancestor King David. The Rebbe printed approximately 6000 volumes… and had them bound in leather" (It is noteworthy that although 6000 copies of the Tehillim were printed, very few remain, and they are considered extremely rare). Rebbe Yitzchak originally intended to sell each volume for only two gulden, but after his beit medrash was destroyed by fire, he raised the price to a full ruble in order to finance its rebuilding. "As each volume was sold, the rebbe would take the Tehillim in his hand and bless the recipient, and would often kiss the Tehillim before handing it to the purchaser". It is also told that Rebbe Yitzchak was known for his reticence in public, but changed this custom during the last year of his life, when he would deliver public discourses of his novellae regarding the weekly Torah portion and Tehillim. While delivering his discourses on Tehillim, "the rebbe would hold… a volume of the Tehillim printed in Warsaw, from which he would expound" (ibid, Regarding his Torah Novellae, subparagraph 11).
The first title page and the title page for Seder Maamadot state that the maamadot were arranged by "the great and holy R. Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta" (author of "Ohev Yisrael". The approbation of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkiv, son of the Ohev Yisrael, appears following the title page for Seder Hamaamadot (taken from the Medzhybizh edition, 1827).
Rebbe Yitzchak of Neschitz (1789-1868) was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neschitz. He was a prime disciple of Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, marrying his granddaughter and delivering Torah thoughts in his name. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Baruch of Medzhybizh and the Seer of Lublin. He was appointed rebbe at a young age and held the position for over 60 years. He was renowned for his prayers, the miracles he performed and his Divine revelations. He was revered as a holy man by all streams of Chassidut, and was acknowledged as one who "facilitates the flow of Heavenly bounty to all the Jewish people" (letter from R. Baruch Shapira, an outstanding chassid of Przysucha and Kotzk). His disciples included Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk, R. Yaakov Tzvi of Parysów and others.
[2], 303, [1], 2-29 leaves. Tehillim is complete; two final leaves of Seder Maamadot are missing (leaves 30-31). 20 cm. Condition varies; most pages in good condition, several pages in fair condition. Stains and wear. Repaired tears to the title page and the following page, with minor damage to text or to the border of the title page. Ownership inscriptions. Paper with "Yahtzeit" information attached to the inner front cover. Original leather binding, worn and damaged.
Stefansky Chassidut, no 655.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Sefer Minchat Chinuch, "Comprehensive commentary to Sefer HaChinuch, with wonderful depth and proficiency…". Parts I-III. Lviv: R. Uri Zev Wolf Salat, [1869].
The first edition of Minchat Chinuch, which was published anonymously during the lifetime of author, R. Yosef Babad, rabbi of Ternopil. The title page states: "Written by one of the holy Torah geniuses of our times, who omitted his name due to his great humility… published through the efforts of R. Reuven Cohen Rappaport". Only in the second edition (Lviv, 1889), 15 years after the author's death, was his identity revealed by the publisher. Minchat Chinuch eventually became one of the classics of deep Torah study, in Galicia and Poland, Lithuania and Hungary, and indeed in all places of Jewish settlement until today. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of copies have been printed in dozens of editions, as well as dozens of books that expound on its contents.
Page 37a contains a learned annotation in Ashkenazic handwriting, signed: "Y.Z.C.H.".
All three parts in one volume: [2], 116 leaves; [1], 148 leaves; [2], 105, 4, [3] leaves. Approx. 36.5 cm. Paper quality varies, some high-quality and some brittle. Good condition. Stains. Some leaves are dark. Original leather binding, with gilt embellishments; damages.
The first edition of Minchat Chinuch, which was published anonymously during the lifetime of author, R. Yosef Babad, rabbi of Ternopil. The title page states: "Written by one of the holy Torah geniuses of our times, who omitted his name due to his great humility… published through the efforts of R. Reuven Cohen Rappaport". Only in the second edition (Lviv, 1889), 15 years after the author's death, was his identity revealed by the publisher. Minchat Chinuch eventually became one of the classics of deep Torah study, in Galicia and Poland, Lithuania and Hungary, and indeed in all places of Jewish settlement until today. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of copies have been printed in dozens of editions, as well as dozens of books that expound on its contents.
Page 37a contains a learned annotation in Ashkenazic handwriting, signed: "Y.Z.C.H.".
All three parts in one volume: [2], 116 leaves; [1], 148 leaves; [2], 105, 4, [3] leaves. Approx. 36.5 cm. Paper quality varies, some high-quality and some brittle. Good condition. Stains. Some leaves are dark. Original leather binding, with gilt embellishments; damages.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Large manuscript leaf comprised of approximately eight halachic and Talmudic responsa, handwritten by the Gaon of Radomyśl, signed by him five times. Waitzen (Hungary), 1914-1915.
Torah novellae on various topics. Notes containing responsa and novellae which the Maharash jotted for himself. At the end of five sections, his signature appears with his locale and date of writing: "…Shmuel Engel of Radomysl, now an expatriate here in Waitzen". Apparently, some of the inscriptions are appendices to books he had previously written.
The renowned R. Shmuel Engel, Rabbi of Radomyśl (1853-1935), a leading Galician Torah scholar, primary disciple of the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz and of his son R. Yechezkel Halberstam of Sieniawa. Born in Tarnów (Poland, Western Galicia), he was known from his childhood as a prodigy. At the age of 17, he was ordained for the rabbinate by R. Yosef Shaul Nathanson Rabbi of Lviv and at 18, was appointed Rabbi of Biłgoraj (Poland). In 1879, forced to leave Poland, he resided for a couple of years in Rudnik at the home of his friend R. Baruch Halberstam of Gorlice and together they studied Torah, halacha and kabbalah. In 1881, he was appointed Rabbi of Dukla (Galicia) and in 1888, relocated to the Radomyśl rabbinate (Galicia). Celebrated as a leading Galician Torah scholar, he exchanged halachic and Torah correspondence with many prominent rabbis in his days. All relied on his rulings even on complex issues such as permitting agunot to remarry and others. During WWI, he exiled to the city of Waitzen and became close to the rabbi of the city R. Yeshaya Silverstein, author of Maase L'Melech. In 1918, he wandered further and moved to the city of Košice, was appointed Raavad and remained there until his death. His son R. Chaim Engel succeeded him in the Radomyśl rabbinate. R Shmuel Engel authored the eight-book Maharash Responsa series, Chiddushei Maharash on the Talmud, Siftei Maharash on the Torah and more. His biography is printed in the book Shem M'Shmuel (Mukacheve, 1940).
Some of the teachings in this manuscript have never been printed and some appear in his later works, Siftei Maharash on the Torah (Parshat VaYera), and elsewhere.
[2] closely written pages. 34 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor tears to margins.
Torah novellae on various topics. Notes containing responsa and novellae which the Maharash jotted for himself. At the end of five sections, his signature appears with his locale and date of writing: "…Shmuel Engel of Radomysl, now an expatriate here in Waitzen". Apparently, some of the inscriptions are appendices to books he had previously written.
The renowned R. Shmuel Engel, Rabbi of Radomyśl (1853-1935), a leading Galician Torah scholar, primary disciple of the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz and of his son R. Yechezkel Halberstam of Sieniawa. Born in Tarnów (Poland, Western Galicia), he was known from his childhood as a prodigy. At the age of 17, he was ordained for the rabbinate by R. Yosef Shaul Nathanson Rabbi of Lviv and at 18, was appointed Rabbi of Biłgoraj (Poland). In 1879, forced to leave Poland, he resided for a couple of years in Rudnik at the home of his friend R. Baruch Halberstam of Gorlice and together they studied Torah, halacha and kabbalah. In 1881, he was appointed Rabbi of Dukla (Galicia) and in 1888, relocated to the Radomyśl rabbinate (Galicia). Celebrated as a leading Galician Torah scholar, he exchanged halachic and Torah correspondence with many prominent rabbis in his days. All relied on his rulings even on complex issues such as permitting agunot to remarry and others. During WWI, he exiled to the city of Waitzen and became close to the rabbi of the city R. Yeshaya Silverstein, author of Maase L'Melech. In 1918, he wandered further and moved to the city of Košice, was appointed Raavad and remained there until his death. His son R. Chaim Engel succeeded him in the Radomyśl rabbinate. R Shmuel Engel authored the eight-book Maharash Responsa series, Chiddushei Maharash on the Talmud, Siftei Maharash on the Torah and more. His biography is printed in the book Shem M'Shmuel (Mukacheve, 1940).
Some of the teachings in this manuscript have never been printed and some appear in his later works, Siftei Maharash on the Torah (Parshat VaYera), and elsewhere.
[2] closely written pages. 34 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor tears to margins.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $750
Sold for: $1,125
Including buyer's premium
Long letter (4 pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Nachum Weidenfeld". Dombrowa, [ca. 1920s].
Long halachic responsum on the laws of Shevi'it, sent to R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horwitz, a rabbi from Safed, in response to his pamphlet on the laws of mixtures containing produce of the shemita year [printed in his book Yavo Shilo, St. Louis, 1926, section 1]. A long gloss (in purple ink) in the handwriting of the recipient, R. Yeshaya Horwitz, appears in the margin.
R. Nachum Weidenfeld (1875-1939), a leading Torah scholar and posek in Galicia. Second son of the Hrymayliv Gaon, author of Kochav M'Yaakov. From his youth, he was renowned as a prodigy and at the age of 15, exchanged halachic correspondence with leading Torah scholars of his times who highly regarded his opinion alongside those of prominent rabbis. At the age of 21, he accepted a rabbinical position in the city of Dambrowa (Galicia) succeeding his maternal grandfather, R. Shabtai HaCohen Rappaport. In the first year of this tenure, he was challenged with a complex question regarding an agunah disputed by Galician rabbis. R. Yechezkel of Sieniawa sent this inquiry to the young Dambrowa Rabbi for him to decide, arousing great interest throughout the Galician Torah world. That same year, R. Yitzchak Shmelkish mentions R. Nachum in his book, referring to him as "the great R. Nachum and at present Rabbi of Dambrowa" (Beit Yitzchak responsa, Even HaEzer, Part 2 section 1, a responsum from 1896 to R. Yissachar Dov of Belz). In 1907, he was sent to Eretz Israel on behalf of Kollel Galicia and he regulated the fundamentals of the kollel administration. His extensive study of the laws of Eretz Israel and its special mitzvoth produced his famed pamphlets containing the laws of shemita (Sabbatical year) and his opinion regarding the polemic of "heter mechira" in the 1910 shemita year. Friendship and frequent halachic correspondence existed between R. Wiedenfeld and Galician and Polish rabbis: the author of Avnei Nezer, the Maharsham and the Maharash Engel of Radomyśl, R. Yosef Engel and R. Meir Arik, author of Chelkat Yaakov and R. Meir Dan Plotzky, author of Kli Chemdah. These illustrious Torah authorities often cite their correspondence with R. Nachum.
At the outbreak of WWII, he fled his city via Kolvsov and upon reaching the border between Galicia and Russia was caught by German border guards who reputedly threw his holy tefillin to the ground. R. Nachum, without showing any trepidation, bent down, lifted the tefillin and kissed them. The guards grabbed the tefillin from his hands and brutally threw them down again threatening him with a gun no to lift them again. R. Nachum's pure heart could not bear the desecration of his holy tefillin. He fled eastward and had a fatal stroke on the outskirts of the city of Sieniawa and was buried near the gravesite of the Sieniawa Rebbe. Not one of his large progeny, sons and daughters and their spouses or any grandchildren survived the Holocaust.
The first part of his book Chazon Nachum was printed in Biłgoraj in the summer of 1939. Most of that edition was lost and burnt during the Holocaust, however, several copies did survive. R. Nachum's younger brother, the Tchebiner Rabbi reprinted the book from one of these copies in 1951. In the introduction, R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld writes of the great stature of his elder brother, "the outstanding Torah notable". He writes in the preface to that edition that only two or three copies of the book remain and that the rest of his many manuscripts (novellae on the Babylonian and on the Yerushalmi Talmud, homilies for Festivals and for Shabbat, Aggadic novellae, Mahadura Batra of his book of responsa, etc.) were sent to his son-in-law in Kolbuszowa for safekeeping and were lost during the Holocaust. Part 2 of his book was printed in a new edition in Jerusalem in 1993 with dozens of responsa compiled from other sources. This responsum was also printed there in section 64.
The recipient R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz (1883-1978, Otzar HaRabbanim 11697), born in Safed, direct descendant of Rabbi Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz, author of the Shelah HaKadosh. From 1908, served as rabbi of the Safed Chabad community and in 1909, was appointed member of the Beit Din of his teacher and mentor the Ridbaz [Rabbi Yaakov David Wilovsky]. After undergoing great affliction during the travails of World War I, he immigrated to the USA where he served as rabbi of the New York Chabad community. He began his tenure as rabbi of Winnipeg in 1923 and filled the position of Chief Rabbi of Western Canada for many years. In his senior years he returned to the Holy Land. He authored Yavo Shilo, Pardes Haaretz and Eden Zion.
Official stationery, [4] written pages, 22.5 cm. Good-fair condition, wear and minor tears to folding marks.
Long halachic responsum on the laws of Shevi'it, sent to R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horwitz, a rabbi from Safed, in response to his pamphlet on the laws of mixtures containing produce of the shemita year [printed in his book Yavo Shilo, St. Louis, 1926, section 1]. A long gloss (in purple ink) in the handwriting of the recipient, R. Yeshaya Horwitz, appears in the margin.
R. Nachum Weidenfeld (1875-1939), a leading Torah scholar and posek in Galicia. Second son of the Hrymayliv Gaon, author of Kochav M'Yaakov. From his youth, he was renowned as a prodigy and at the age of 15, exchanged halachic correspondence with leading Torah scholars of his times who highly regarded his opinion alongside those of prominent rabbis. At the age of 21, he accepted a rabbinical position in the city of Dambrowa (Galicia) succeeding his maternal grandfather, R. Shabtai HaCohen Rappaport. In the first year of this tenure, he was challenged with a complex question regarding an agunah disputed by Galician rabbis. R. Yechezkel of Sieniawa sent this inquiry to the young Dambrowa Rabbi for him to decide, arousing great interest throughout the Galician Torah world. That same year, R. Yitzchak Shmelkish mentions R. Nachum in his book, referring to him as "the great R. Nachum and at present Rabbi of Dambrowa" (Beit Yitzchak responsa, Even HaEzer, Part 2 section 1, a responsum from 1896 to R. Yissachar Dov of Belz). In 1907, he was sent to Eretz Israel on behalf of Kollel Galicia and he regulated the fundamentals of the kollel administration. His extensive study of the laws of Eretz Israel and its special mitzvoth produced his famed pamphlets containing the laws of shemita (Sabbatical year) and his opinion regarding the polemic of "heter mechira" in the 1910 shemita year. Friendship and frequent halachic correspondence existed between R. Wiedenfeld and Galician and Polish rabbis: the author of Avnei Nezer, the Maharsham and the Maharash Engel of Radomyśl, R. Yosef Engel and R. Meir Arik, author of Chelkat Yaakov and R. Meir Dan Plotzky, author of Kli Chemdah. These illustrious Torah authorities often cite their correspondence with R. Nachum.
At the outbreak of WWII, he fled his city via Kolvsov and upon reaching the border between Galicia and Russia was caught by German border guards who reputedly threw his holy tefillin to the ground. R. Nachum, without showing any trepidation, bent down, lifted the tefillin and kissed them. The guards grabbed the tefillin from his hands and brutally threw them down again threatening him with a gun no to lift them again. R. Nachum's pure heart could not bear the desecration of his holy tefillin. He fled eastward and had a fatal stroke on the outskirts of the city of Sieniawa and was buried near the gravesite of the Sieniawa Rebbe. Not one of his large progeny, sons and daughters and their spouses or any grandchildren survived the Holocaust.
The first part of his book Chazon Nachum was printed in Biłgoraj in the summer of 1939. Most of that edition was lost and burnt during the Holocaust, however, several copies did survive. R. Nachum's younger brother, the Tchebiner Rabbi reprinted the book from one of these copies in 1951. In the introduction, R. Dov Berish Weidenfeld writes of the great stature of his elder brother, "the outstanding Torah notable". He writes in the preface to that edition that only two or three copies of the book remain and that the rest of his many manuscripts (novellae on the Babylonian and on the Yerushalmi Talmud, homilies for Festivals and for Shabbat, Aggadic novellae, Mahadura Batra of his book of responsa, etc.) were sent to his son-in-law in Kolbuszowa for safekeeping and were lost during the Holocaust. Part 2 of his book was printed in a new edition in Jerusalem in 1993 with dozens of responsa compiled from other sources. This responsum was also printed there in section 64.
The recipient R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz (1883-1978, Otzar HaRabbanim 11697), born in Safed, direct descendant of Rabbi Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz, author of the Shelah HaKadosh. From 1908, served as rabbi of the Safed Chabad community and in 1909, was appointed member of the Beit Din of his teacher and mentor the Ridbaz [Rabbi Yaakov David Wilovsky]. After undergoing great affliction during the travails of World War I, he immigrated to the USA where he served as rabbi of the New York Chabad community. He began his tenure as rabbi of Winnipeg in 1923 and filled the position of Chief Rabbi of Western Canada for many years. In his senior years he returned to the Holy Land. He authored Yavo Shilo, Pardes Haaretz and Eden Zion.
Official stationery, [4] written pages, 22.5 cm. Good-fair condition, wear and minor tears to folding marks.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Kerem Chemed, novellae on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch and Talmudic novellae. Handwritten by the author, R. Yosef son of R. Eliezer Lipman. [Lithuania-Poland, 19th century].
The manuscript contains an introductory leaf signed by the author, followed by novellae on the Shulchan Aruch and Talmudic novellae.
The Talmudic novellae were never printed and they are composed of novellae on Tractate Berachot and on the entire Seder Moed. The novellae on the Shulchan Aruch were printed in the El HaMekorot edition of the Shulchan Aruch (Jerusalem, 1954). This printing was initiated by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and by R. Zvi Pesach Frank. In the introduction by the person who brought the book to print [R. David Finkel whose wife was a great-granddaughter of the author], he writes: "The author was exceptional for his days and greatly venerated for his Torah knowledge, fear [of G-d], piety and modesty. He studied in the Volozhin Yeshiva and was a disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin and all his life never ceased to study. He left this manuscript and it was kept for a long time by his son R. Yitzchak David Magen, who devotedly guarded the manuscript during times of emergency and war with the intent of bringing it to print and we now have the merit of publishing it".
In the author's interesting introduction, he writes that his teachings were written after deliberation and not "whatever come to mind at first glance… because this is not that which G-d chooses… All my teachings were weighed and I deliberated 'lest' and 'perhaps' until I have produced a clean edition…".
On the inner side of the binding there are ownership stamps of the author's son, R. "David Magen - Rabbi of Kolonja Synajska".
The author, R. Yosef (Meir) Magen (Applebaum) was a prominent student at the Volozhin Yeshiva (apparently, during the days of R. Itzele of Volozhin). In 1870, his son, the kabbalist R. David Yitzchak Magen (1870-1940), was born in the city of Lomza. He later became Rabbi of Synajska (near Derechin) and moved to Jerusalem in his senior years. R. David Yitzchak was father-in-law of R. Hillel Vitkind and of R. Aharon Weinstein, both founders of the Novardak Yeshiva in Tel Aviv and predecessors of well-known dynasties of heads of yeshivas and Torah teachers of the past generation.
[1], 104, [2] leaves. 32 cm. Approximately 175 written pages, including approximately 62 pages which have never been printed. Thick high-quality paper. Good-fair condition. Worming affecting text. Wear and stains. Worn contemporary binding, with leather spine. Various inscriptions on inner side of binding.
The manuscript contains an introductory leaf signed by the author, followed by novellae on the Shulchan Aruch and Talmudic novellae.
The Talmudic novellae were never printed and they are composed of novellae on Tractate Berachot and on the entire Seder Moed. The novellae on the Shulchan Aruch were printed in the El HaMekorot edition of the Shulchan Aruch (Jerusalem, 1954). This printing was initiated by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and by R. Zvi Pesach Frank. In the introduction by the person who brought the book to print [R. David Finkel whose wife was a great-granddaughter of the author], he writes: "The author was exceptional for his days and greatly venerated for his Torah knowledge, fear [of G-d], piety and modesty. He studied in the Volozhin Yeshiva and was a disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin and all his life never ceased to study. He left this manuscript and it was kept for a long time by his son R. Yitzchak David Magen, who devotedly guarded the manuscript during times of emergency and war with the intent of bringing it to print and we now have the merit of publishing it".
In the author's interesting introduction, he writes that his teachings were written after deliberation and not "whatever come to mind at first glance… because this is not that which G-d chooses… All my teachings were weighed and I deliberated 'lest' and 'perhaps' until I have produced a clean edition…".
On the inner side of the binding there are ownership stamps of the author's son, R. "David Magen - Rabbi of Kolonja Synajska".
The author, R. Yosef (Meir) Magen (Applebaum) was a prominent student at the Volozhin Yeshiva (apparently, during the days of R. Itzele of Volozhin). In 1870, his son, the kabbalist R. David Yitzchak Magen (1870-1940), was born in the city of Lomza. He later became Rabbi of Synajska (near Derechin) and moved to Jerusalem in his senior years. R. David Yitzchak was father-in-law of R. Hillel Vitkind and of R. Aharon Weinstein, both founders of the Novardak Yeshiva in Tel Aviv and predecessors of well-known dynasties of heads of yeshivas and Torah teachers of the past generation.
[1], 104, [2] leaves. 32 cm. Approximately 175 written pages, including approximately 62 pages which have never been printed. Thick high-quality paper. Good-fair condition. Worming affecting text. Wear and stains. Worn contemporary binding, with leather spine. Various inscriptions on inner side of binding.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,800
Sold for: $2,250
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript pamphlet - "Dikdukei Sofrim" - glosses, emendations and commentary to Sefer "Braisa Maaseh Torah" by the Gra, handwritten by the Aderet - R. Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim. [After 1885]. Unprinted composition.
Original composition by the Aderet containing emendations, glosses and additions to Sefer Braisa Maaseh Torah.
The first page contains the following in place of a title page: "Kuntres Dikdukei Sofrim - on Braisa D' Maaseh Torah attributed to R. Yehuda Hanasi, with additions by the great R. Eliyahu of Vilna, published by R. Noach Chaim of Kobryn". The Aderet continues with a short introduction describing his choice of title "Dikdukei Sofrim", in which he explains that "[the information contained in] the Braisa Maaseh Torah already existed during the times of Moses…".
The book Braisa Maaseh Torah was published in its entirety by R. Noach Chaim Levin of Kobryn in Warsaw, 1885. The basis of the work is an ancient braisa called "Maaseh Torah", attributed to R. Yehuda Hanasi, compiler of the Mishna, which lists all the sayings of the Talmudic scholars (chazal) that include numbers or listings. The Vilna Gaon expanded the work by including hundreds of paragraphs from the Talmud and Tosefta; his son R. Avraham completed the work with quotations from the medrash. In the composition "Dikdukei Sofrim" the Aderet emends, corrects, and adds references and commentary. For example, regarding the addition made by R. Avraham, Section 6 (page 87), "the continuing existence of this world is acquired by six things… the continued existence of the world to come is acquired by six things…", the Aderet adds: "I will add further essentials of Torah that I have seen attributed to the Gra: Faith in G-d, [performing the] will of G-d, love, silence, fear and Torah. These attributes are implied in the first words of the Torah 'In the beginning'."
R. Eliyahu David Rabinowitz Te'omim - the Aderet (1845-1905), was the rabbi of Panevėžys (Ponevezh), Mir and Jerusalem. He was renowned from his childhood for his diligent Torah study, and was known as an exceptionally erudite scholar in all aspects of the Torah from a young age, as well as for his brilliant Torah novellae. He was appointed rabbi of Panevėžys at a young age, and held the post for twenty years, after which he became rabbi of Mir. In 1902, he accepted the summons of R. Shmuel Salant, the aged rabbi of Jerusalem, to assist and succeed him as rabbi of Jerusalem. In 1905, approximately two and a half years after immigrating to Jerusalem, the Aderet passed away at the age of 60, during the lifetime of R. Shmuel Salant [who passed away in 1909 aged almost 100]. He left behind more than 100 manuscripts, most of which were never printed. His son-in-law was R. Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Eretz Israel.
[10] leaves (20 written pages, numbered: 193-[204], 207-[214] pp. - it is unclear whether the page before page 207 is missing, or whether the pagination is incorrect. It is also possible that the final leaf of the manuscript is missing). 21.5 cm. Brittle, fragile paper. Good-fair condition. Tears and wear with slight damage to the text. Stains. Detached pages. Without binding.
Original composition by the Aderet containing emendations, glosses and additions to Sefer Braisa Maaseh Torah.
The first page contains the following in place of a title page: "Kuntres Dikdukei Sofrim - on Braisa D' Maaseh Torah attributed to R. Yehuda Hanasi, with additions by the great R. Eliyahu of Vilna, published by R. Noach Chaim of Kobryn". The Aderet continues with a short introduction describing his choice of title "Dikdukei Sofrim", in which he explains that "[the information contained in] the Braisa Maaseh Torah already existed during the times of Moses…".
The book Braisa Maaseh Torah was published in its entirety by R. Noach Chaim Levin of Kobryn in Warsaw, 1885. The basis of the work is an ancient braisa called "Maaseh Torah", attributed to R. Yehuda Hanasi, compiler of the Mishna, which lists all the sayings of the Talmudic scholars (chazal) that include numbers or listings. The Vilna Gaon expanded the work by including hundreds of paragraphs from the Talmud and Tosefta; his son R. Avraham completed the work with quotations from the medrash. In the composition "Dikdukei Sofrim" the Aderet emends, corrects, and adds references and commentary. For example, regarding the addition made by R. Avraham, Section 6 (page 87), "the continuing existence of this world is acquired by six things… the continued existence of the world to come is acquired by six things…", the Aderet adds: "I will add further essentials of Torah that I have seen attributed to the Gra: Faith in G-d, [performing the] will of G-d, love, silence, fear and Torah. These attributes are implied in the first words of the Torah 'In the beginning'."
R. Eliyahu David Rabinowitz Te'omim - the Aderet (1845-1905), was the rabbi of Panevėžys (Ponevezh), Mir and Jerusalem. He was renowned from his childhood for his diligent Torah study, and was known as an exceptionally erudite scholar in all aspects of the Torah from a young age, as well as for his brilliant Torah novellae. He was appointed rabbi of Panevėžys at a young age, and held the post for twenty years, after which he became rabbi of Mir. In 1902, he accepted the summons of R. Shmuel Salant, the aged rabbi of Jerusalem, to assist and succeed him as rabbi of Jerusalem. In 1905, approximately two and a half years after immigrating to Jerusalem, the Aderet passed away at the age of 60, during the lifetime of R. Shmuel Salant [who passed away in 1909 aged almost 100]. He left behind more than 100 manuscripts, most of which were never printed. His son-in-law was R. Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Eretz Israel.
[10] leaves (20 written pages, numbered: 193-[204], 207-[214] pp. - it is unclear whether the page before page 207 is missing, or whether the pagination is incorrect. It is also possible that the final leaf of the manuscript is missing). 21.5 cm. Brittle, fragile paper. Good-fair condition. Tears and wear with slight damage to the text. Stains. Detached pages. Without binding.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $3,000
Unsold
Torah responsum letter (approximately 16 lines), handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Rosen, the Rogatchover Gaon. Dvinsk (Daugavpils), Iyyar 1929.
The letter was sent to "the wise young man Shimon". The letter is written in the Rogatchover's characteristic style, with hints and references that would only be understood by one well versed in the matter at hand.
An elucidation and the background of this letter were published in the Tzofnat Pane'ach Responsa, Part 1 (Jerusalem, 1965), Section 100. According to this source, the letter was sent to Shimon Kasher [of Warsaw] - see enclosed material.
The famous Torah genius R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936), known as the Rogatchover Gaon (after his birthplace Rahachow, Belarus), was a Chabad-Kopust chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi, and studied together with his son, R. Chaim of Brisk. As of 1889, for close to fifty years, he served as rabbi of the Chabad community of Daugavpils (Dvinsk), Latvia, alongside the city's rabbi, R. Meir Simcha, author of Or Sameach. He was a remarkable prodigy, proficient in all areas of the Torah, known for his sharpness, deep comprehension and original study methods. Many stories are told about his outstanding brilliance and amazing diligence. His brilliance was also highly regarded by the general public, and Bialik was reputed to have said that "two Einsteins could be assembled from the mind of the Rogatchover". He corresponded extensively with the great rabbis of Warsaw and Poland, and many of his Torah letters are addressed to them.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Slight creasing; folding marks.
The letter was sent to "the wise young man Shimon". The letter is written in the Rogatchover's characteristic style, with hints and references that would only be understood by one well versed in the matter at hand.
An elucidation and the background of this letter were published in the Tzofnat Pane'ach Responsa, Part 1 (Jerusalem, 1965), Section 100. According to this source, the letter was sent to Shimon Kasher [of Warsaw] - see enclosed material.
The famous Torah genius R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936), known as the Rogatchover Gaon (after his birthplace Rahachow, Belarus), was a Chabad-Kopust chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi, and studied together with his son, R. Chaim of Brisk. As of 1889, for close to fifty years, he served as rabbi of the Chabad community of Daugavpils (Dvinsk), Latvia, alongside the city's rabbi, R. Meir Simcha, author of Or Sameach. He was a remarkable prodigy, proficient in all areas of the Torah, known for his sharpness, deep comprehension and original study methods. Many stories are told about his outstanding brilliance and amazing diligence. His brilliance was also highly regarded by the general public, and Bialik was reputed to have said that "two Einsteins could be assembled from the mind of the Rogatchover". He corresponded extensively with the great rabbis of Warsaw and Poland, and many of his Torah letters are addressed to them.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Slight creasing; folding marks.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,250
Including buyer's premium
Shaarei Yosher, Halachic novellae and research by R. Shimon Yehuda Hacohen Shkop. Parts I-II. Warsaw (Pietrkow), 1928. First edition.
The title page bears an interesting dedication handwritten and signed by the author: I hereby give my book to my relative who assisted me in Yeshivat Telshe, R. Chaim ben Shmuel Yitzchak Kruger, as a memento. Shimon Yehuda Hacohen Shkop, the author".
Shaarei Yosher contains seven sections, "Halachic research regarding ownership and witnesses". It is the first work authored by R. Shimon Shkop, whose unique methodology created a new system of intensive Talmudic study in yeshivot. Shaarei Yosher was enthusiastically accepted among yeshiva students immediately upon publication. The story is told that several months after publication, R. Shimon was invited to a yeshiva where he delivered a lecture to the students. Upon the completion of the lecture, the students approached him with a unique gift: a copy of his own work, already worn and torn from extensive use. R. Shimon emotionally accepted the gift, which demonstrated the great esteem and affection in which his work was held in the yeshiva world.
R. Shimon Yehudah HaCohen Shkop (1860-1940) was a disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin Yeshiva, who guided him in the intricate and deep methodologies of Torah study. At the age of 24 R. Shimon became Rosh Mesivta in the Telshe Yeshiva [established by his uncle, R. Eliezer Gordon], where he began teaching his innovative Talmudic methodology, an approach which has captivated the entire Torah world until this day. R. Elchanan Wasserman was among his prominent disciples during that period. In 1920, he was requested to lead Yeshivat Shaar HaTorah in Gorodno. His works include Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei Rabbi Shimon Yehudah HaCohen.
Two parts in one volume: [3], 2-4, [1], 4-342, [2] leaves; [3], 4-112, 114-306, [1], [5], leaves. 30 cm. Brittle, fragile paper. Fair condition. Detached leaves and gatherings. Wear and tears to several pages. The first title page had damage to the margins, with damage to the text of the dedication. Original binding, worn and detached, without spine.
The end of the second part contains the following addition: [5] leaves of errata which are not list in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book no. 000171723.
The title page bears an interesting dedication handwritten and signed by the author: I hereby give my book to my relative who assisted me in Yeshivat Telshe, R. Chaim ben Shmuel Yitzchak Kruger, as a memento. Shimon Yehuda Hacohen Shkop, the author".
Shaarei Yosher contains seven sections, "Halachic research regarding ownership and witnesses". It is the first work authored by R. Shimon Shkop, whose unique methodology created a new system of intensive Talmudic study in yeshivot. Shaarei Yosher was enthusiastically accepted among yeshiva students immediately upon publication. The story is told that several months after publication, R. Shimon was invited to a yeshiva where he delivered a lecture to the students. Upon the completion of the lecture, the students approached him with a unique gift: a copy of his own work, already worn and torn from extensive use. R. Shimon emotionally accepted the gift, which demonstrated the great esteem and affection in which his work was held in the yeshiva world.
R. Shimon Yehudah HaCohen Shkop (1860-1940) was a disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin Yeshiva, who guided him in the intricate and deep methodologies of Torah study. At the age of 24 R. Shimon became Rosh Mesivta in the Telshe Yeshiva [established by his uncle, R. Eliezer Gordon], where he began teaching his innovative Talmudic methodology, an approach which has captivated the entire Torah world until this day. R. Elchanan Wasserman was among his prominent disciples during that period. In 1920, he was requested to lead Yeshivat Shaar HaTorah in Gorodno. His works include Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei Rabbi Shimon Yehudah HaCohen.
Two parts in one volume: [3], 2-4, [1], 4-342, [2] leaves; [3], 4-112, 114-306, [1], [5], leaves. 30 cm. Brittle, fragile paper. Fair condition. Detached leaves and gatherings. Wear and tears to several pages. The first title page had damage to the margins, with damage to the text of the dedication. Original binding, worn and detached, without spine.
The end of the second part contains the following addition: [5] leaves of errata which are not list in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book no. 000171723.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter (11 lines) handwritten and signed by R. "Elchanan Bunim Wasserman", head of the Baranovichy Yeshiva. Baranavichy, Tevet [1925].
The letter was sent to R Leib Chasman, rabbi of Stuchin (Szczuczyn), who at the time was an active leader of "Vaad Hayeshivot". R. Elchanan opens the letter by asking R. Leib to arrange a meeting in Vilna on behalf of Vaad Hayeshivot. The letter continues with a request that R. Leib send a telegram to "R. S." (R. Shimon Shkop, Rosh Yehsivat Grodno) requesting that he also attend the above mentioned meeting in Vilna.
R. Elchanan Wasserman (1875-1941) was a disciple of R. Shimon Shkop in the Telshe Yeshiva and a leading disciple of the Chafetz Chaim. He served as lecturer and head of the Brisk Yeshiva as well as other positions. After WWI, he established the Ohel Torah Yeshiva in the city of Baranovichy, and was one of the foremost Torah leaders in Lithuania. He served as emissary of the Chafetz Chaim and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudat Yisrael. R. Elchanan wrote many articles espousing Torah hashkafah, which later formed his book Ikveta D'Meshicha. This volume expressed the Torah stance of his teacher, the Chafetz Chaim, on Zionist nationalism and on the spiritual state of the Jewish people. During the Holocaust, he was deported to the Kovno Ghetto and later killed in the Ninth Fort while studying the laws of Kiddush Hashem. His Torah teachings and discourses were published in the books: Kovetz Shi'urim, Kovetz He'arot, Kovetz Inyanim, Kovetz Igrot HaGaon Rav Elchanan, and others. His methodology and books are still used today as the basis of intensive yeshiva study throughout the Torah world.
R. Yehuda Leib Chasman (1869-1935) was a leading Torah scholar in interwar Europe. He was a native of Iwye where he was a study partner and childhood companion of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. He was a disciple of the Beit HaTalmud in Kelm, and served as mashgiach of the Telshe Yeshivah while R. Shimon Shkop served as rosh yeshiva. From 1909, he served as rabbi of Szczuczyn, where he established a Yeshiva Gedola which closed at the outbreak of WWI. After the war, with the ensuing destruction of Torah institutes and communities, he dedicated himself to the activities of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. He was a confidant of the heads of the Vaad: R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, the Chafetz Chaim and R. Shimon Shkop. In 1927, he was invited by the Alter of Slabodka (who referred to him as "a genius of ethics") to serve as mashgiach and spiritual guide of his yeshiva in Hebron, a position he held until his death in 1935.
Postcard, 14X9 cm. Good condition. Postal stamp from Szczuczyn, January 1925.
The letter was sent to R Leib Chasman, rabbi of Stuchin (Szczuczyn), who at the time was an active leader of "Vaad Hayeshivot". R. Elchanan opens the letter by asking R. Leib to arrange a meeting in Vilna on behalf of Vaad Hayeshivot. The letter continues with a request that R. Leib send a telegram to "R. S." (R. Shimon Shkop, Rosh Yehsivat Grodno) requesting that he also attend the above mentioned meeting in Vilna.
R. Elchanan Wasserman (1875-1941) was a disciple of R. Shimon Shkop in the Telshe Yeshiva and a leading disciple of the Chafetz Chaim. He served as lecturer and head of the Brisk Yeshiva as well as other positions. After WWI, he established the Ohel Torah Yeshiva in the city of Baranovichy, and was one of the foremost Torah leaders in Lithuania. He served as emissary of the Chafetz Chaim and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudat Yisrael. R. Elchanan wrote many articles espousing Torah hashkafah, which later formed his book Ikveta D'Meshicha. This volume expressed the Torah stance of his teacher, the Chafetz Chaim, on Zionist nationalism and on the spiritual state of the Jewish people. During the Holocaust, he was deported to the Kovno Ghetto and later killed in the Ninth Fort while studying the laws of Kiddush Hashem. His Torah teachings and discourses were published in the books: Kovetz Shi'urim, Kovetz He'arot, Kovetz Inyanim, Kovetz Igrot HaGaon Rav Elchanan, and others. His methodology and books are still used today as the basis of intensive yeshiva study throughout the Torah world.
R. Yehuda Leib Chasman (1869-1935) was a leading Torah scholar in interwar Europe. He was a native of Iwye where he was a study partner and childhood companion of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. He was a disciple of the Beit HaTalmud in Kelm, and served as mashgiach of the Telshe Yeshivah while R. Shimon Shkop served as rosh yeshiva. From 1909, he served as rabbi of Szczuczyn, where he established a Yeshiva Gedola which closed at the outbreak of WWI. After the war, with the ensuing destruction of Torah institutes and communities, he dedicated himself to the activities of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. He was a confidant of the heads of the Vaad: R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, the Chafetz Chaim and R. Shimon Shkop. In 1927, he was invited by the Alter of Slabodka (who referred to him as "a genius of ethics") to serve as mashgiach and spiritual guide of his yeshiva in Hebron, a position he held until his death in 1935.
Postcard, 14X9 cm. Good condition. Postal stamp from Szczuczyn, January 1925.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Manuscript, novellae on treatises in Tractate Bava Kama, handwritten by R. Moshe Finkel. [Slobodka? / Hebron? circa 1920s].
Large handwritten volume. Consecutive neat handwriting of concise scholarly novellae following the order of the tractate and long arrangements of discussions regarding the treatises. The size of the script is not uniform. On some pages, the last lines are very closely written. Apparently, the author added these additions to the previous passage after he had already begun writing on the next page.
R. Moshe Finkel, one of the heads of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva in Slabodka and Hebron (1884-1925), son of the "Saba of Slabodka", R. Natan Zvi Finkel and son-in-law of the head of the yeshiva, R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein. Renowned for his prodigious Torah knowledge, he was dubbed "genius above all geniuses". R. Chaim HaLevi of Brisk profusely praised his Torah knowledge and profundity. R. Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk was amazed at his acute Torah proficiency and foresaw that he would be a future Torah luminary, the "Ketzot HaChoshen" of the next generation. In 1813, he began delivering discourses in the Slabodka Yeshiva. In Adar 1925, he moved to Eretz Israel and joined the heads of the Knesset Yisrael - Slabodka Yeshiva in Hebron. He died at the early age of 42 on Chol HaMo'ed Sukkot 1886 during the lifetime of his illustrious father [The Saba of Slabodka was reputed for his amazing control of his emotions and for his ability to cope with the heavy mourning during the Festival]. A tradition in the Finkel family exists that besides R. Moshe's exceptional genius in the revealed Torah, he also studied kabbalah and had contact with the author of the Leshem. His son was the eminent R. David Finkel (close disciple of R. Y. Z. of Brisk and to R. E. Z. Meltzer) and his daughter was Rebbetzin Miriam Broide, wife of R. Simcha Zissel Broide head of the Hebron Yeshiva and member of Mo'etzet Gedolei HaTorah.
His Torah novellae were not printed in an orderly fashion, with the exception of few articles which were printed in Torah anthologies and in books written by his relatives. To the best of our knowledge, these novellae have never been printed.
Many pages bear inscriptions and various editing comments with [apparently, in the handwriting of R. David Finkel (1920-1957), who died at a young age and did not conclude the task of publishing his father's writings].
167 leaves (more than 320 written pages). Approximately 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Detached leaves and gatherings (signatures). Wear and light tears. Worn, loose and detached binding.
Large handwritten volume. Consecutive neat handwriting of concise scholarly novellae following the order of the tractate and long arrangements of discussions regarding the treatises. The size of the script is not uniform. On some pages, the last lines are very closely written. Apparently, the author added these additions to the previous passage after he had already begun writing on the next page.
R. Moshe Finkel, one of the heads of the Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva in Slabodka and Hebron (1884-1925), son of the "Saba of Slabodka", R. Natan Zvi Finkel and son-in-law of the head of the yeshiva, R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein. Renowned for his prodigious Torah knowledge, he was dubbed "genius above all geniuses". R. Chaim HaLevi of Brisk profusely praised his Torah knowledge and profundity. R. Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk was amazed at his acute Torah proficiency and foresaw that he would be a future Torah luminary, the "Ketzot HaChoshen" of the next generation. In 1813, he began delivering discourses in the Slabodka Yeshiva. In Adar 1925, he moved to Eretz Israel and joined the heads of the Knesset Yisrael - Slabodka Yeshiva in Hebron. He died at the early age of 42 on Chol HaMo'ed Sukkot 1886 during the lifetime of his illustrious father [The Saba of Slabodka was reputed for his amazing control of his emotions and for his ability to cope with the heavy mourning during the Festival]. A tradition in the Finkel family exists that besides R. Moshe's exceptional genius in the revealed Torah, he also studied kabbalah and had contact with the author of the Leshem. His son was the eminent R. David Finkel (close disciple of R. Y. Z. of Brisk and to R. E. Z. Meltzer) and his daughter was Rebbetzin Miriam Broide, wife of R. Simcha Zissel Broide head of the Hebron Yeshiva and member of Mo'etzet Gedolei HaTorah.
His Torah novellae were not printed in an orderly fashion, with the exception of few articles which were printed in Torah anthologies and in books written by his relatives. To the best of our knowledge, these novellae have never been printed.
Many pages bear inscriptions and various editing comments with [apparently, in the handwriting of R. David Finkel (1920-1957), who died at a young age and did not conclude the task of publishing his father's writings].
167 leaves (more than 320 written pages). Approximately 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Detached leaves and gatherings (signatures). Wear and light tears. Worn, loose and detached binding.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
Collection of handwritten letters - a long letter handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, a long letter handwritten and signed by Rabbi Gershon Lapidot and other letters of R. Gershon Lapidot handwritten by the copier. Jerusalem, ca. 1939.
Interesting correspondence of Torah teachings between the prominent Jerusalem Torah scholar R. Gershon Lapidot and the young Torah prodigy R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Torah novellae on various halachic topics (laws of terumot and maasrot, Sukkah, Festivals, etc.).
The collection includes:
· Long letter (8 large pages), handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Jerusalem, Kislev 1939.
· Long letter (4 large pages) handwritten and signed by R. Gerson Lapidot, containing New Year wishes and responses to inquiries by R. S. Z. Auerbach regarding R. Gershon's writings. Jerusalem, 28th of Elul [1939].
· Three copies (in the handwriting of a copier) of letters of Torah novellae of R. Gershon Lapidot sent to R. S. Z. Auerbach (with the former's request that R. Auerbach return his letter or their copies: "…Since writing is difficult for me and I do not own another copy of my writings, I request that you do me a favor and return my writings or a copy of them").
These letters clearly portray the great modesty and passion for Torah of the elder Jerusalem Torah scholar R. Gershon Lapidot, who begged to receive responses to his letters and eagerly awaited the novellae and observations of the young Torah student R. Shlomo Zalman. In one letter, R. Gershon writes: "…I thank you kindly for corresponding with me because my skills have worn and you surely will honor me with your response if you find any errors… and if you could also please send me a copy of that which I have sent you…".
R. Gershon Lapidot (1878-1956) was a leading Jerusalem Torah scholar, born in Romania to a Chassidic family whose children were connected to the Shtefanesht-Ruzhin Rebbes. At the age of 3, he immigrated with his parents to Jerusalem and with time became known for his diligence and scholarly genius. A prominent student at the Torat Chaim Yeshiva, he was close to the Lelov Rebbes who held him in high esteem. Every year, he completed the study of both the Babylonian and the Yerushalmi Talmud. He would go to sleep with the open volume of the Talmud in his hands and would continue studying until he fell asleep. He was accustomed to saying that "his only wish for the World to Come is to be in Gan Eden with a volume of the Talmud and a lectern…". He served as a Rosh Metivta in the Chayei Olam Yeshiva and as a posek in the Beit Yisrael neighborhood. Some of his novellae were printed in the book Mishnat Rabbi Gershon (Jerusalem, 1991) and his biography was printed in the book HaMatmid HaYerushalmi (Jerusalem, 2010).
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, head of the Shaar Hashamayim Yeshiva for kabbalists, he was a close disciple of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer who highly respected him and quoted him in his book Even HaEzel. In 1935, at the age of 24, he published his first book, Me'orei Esh about the use of electricity on Shabbat. This book earned the approbations of leading Torah scholars of his times, including approbations by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, by his teacher R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and another approbation by Rabbi Kook.
In his youth, R. Shlomo Zalman was close to R. Zelig Reuven Bengis who served as Chief Rabbi of the Eda Charedit of Jerusalem. Although Rabbi Bengis was a senior Lithuanian Torah scholar, he greatly revered the young R. Auerbach. In the former's home, R. Auerbach became acquainted with R. Y. S. Elyashiv who also cherished R. Bengis and with other Jerusalem elderly rabbis as well, such as R. Gershon Lapidot and the Teplik Rabbi.
Eventually, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman became one of the leading poskim and the 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, as was apparent at his funeral which was attended by 300,000 people.
5 items, 14 leaves (27 written pages). 28-33 cm. Condition varies. Wear and minor tears. Stains. Dampstains and stains to copies of letters.
Interesting correspondence of Torah teachings between the prominent Jerusalem Torah scholar R. Gershon Lapidot and the young Torah prodigy R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Torah novellae on various halachic topics (laws of terumot and maasrot, Sukkah, Festivals, etc.).
The collection includes:
· Long letter (8 large pages), handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Jerusalem, Kislev 1939.
· Long letter (4 large pages) handwritten and signed by R. Gerson Lapidot, containing New Year wishes and responses to inquiries by R. S. Z. Auerbach regarding R. Gershon's writings. Jerusalem, 28th of Elul [1939].
· Three copies (in the handwriting of a copier) of letters of Torah novellae of R. Gershon Lapidot sent to R. S. Z. Auerbach (with the former's request that R. Auerbach return his letter or their copies: "…Since writing is difficult for me and I do not own another copy of my writings, I request that you do me a favor and return my writings or a copy of them").
These letters clearly portray the great modesty and passion for Torah of the elder Jerusalem Torah scholar R. Gershon Lapidot, who begged to receive responses to his letters and eagerly awaited the novellae and observations of the young Torah student R. Shlomo Zalman. In one letter, R. Gershon writes: "…I thank you kindly for corresponding with me because my skills have worn and you surely will honor me with your response if you find any errors… and if you could also please send me a copy of that which I have sent you…".
R. Gershon Lapidot (1878-1956) was a leading Jerusalem Torah scholar, born in Romania to a Chassidic family whose children were connected to the Shtefanesht-Ruzhin Rebbes. At the age of 3, he immigrated with his parents to Jerusalem and with time became known for his diligence and scholarly genius. A prominent student at the Torat Chaim Yeshiva, he was close to the Lelov Rebbes who held him in high esteem. Every year, he completed the study of both the Babylonian and the Yerushalmi Talmud. He would go to sleep with the open volume of the Talmud in his hands and would continue studying until he fell asleep. He was accustomed to saying that "his only wish for the World to Come is to be in Gan Eden with a volume of the Talmud and a lectern…". He served as a Rosh Metivta in the Chayei Olam Yeshiva and as a posek in the Beit Yisrael neighborhood. Some of his novellae were printed in the book Mishnat Rabbi Gershon (Jerusalem, 1991) and his biography was printed in the book HaMatmid HaYerushalmi (Jerusalem, 2010).
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, head of the Shaar Hashamayim Yeshiva for kabbalists, he was a close disciple of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer who highly respected him and quoted him in his book Even HaEzel. In 1935, at the age of 24, he published his first book, Me'orei Esh about the use of electricity on Shabbat. This book earned the approbations of leading Torah scholars of his times, including approbations by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, by his teacher R. Isser Zalman Meltzer and another approbation by Rabbi Kook.
In his youth, R. Shlomo Zalman was close to R. Zelig Reuven Bengis who served as Chief Rabbi of the Eda Charedit of Jerusalem. Although Rabbi Bengis was a senior Lithuanian Torah scholar, he greatly revered the young R. Auerbach. In the former's home, R. Auerbach became acquainted with R. Y. S. Elyashiv who also cherished R. Bengis and with other Jerusalem elderly rabbis as well, such as R. Gershon Lapidot and the Teplik Rabbi.
Eventually, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman became one of the leading poskim and the 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, as was apparent at his funeral which was attended by 300,000 people.
5 items, 14 leaves (27 written pages). 28-33 cm. Condition varies. Wear and minor tears. Stains. Dampstains and stains to copies of letters.
Catalogue
Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
April 24, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
Letter (approximately five lines), handwritten and signed by R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, who signs: "Ish". [No date or location. Seemingly Bnei Brak, ca. 1940s].
"I received your message regarding… who is ill; I wish him a speedy recovery together with all infirm Jews. I take this opportunity to bless you with a Gmar Chatima Tova for the new year, and may we merit a year of redemption and salvation soon… Ish".
R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, author of Chazon Ish (1879-1953), was a preeminent Torah scholar as well as a "hidden tzaddik". In 1911, he anonymously printed his first book of the Chazon Ish series, and from that time he became known by that title. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1933, where he was recognized as the foremost Torah scholar, and stood behind the rejuvenation of Torah and Chassidism in our times. He wrote and published numerous volumes of his work, Chazon Ish, which were written with laborious study and diligence, and cover almost all Talmudic topics.
[1] leaf. Approx. 10X6 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and tears (not affecting text).
"I received your message regarding… who is ill; I wish him a speedy recovery together with all infirm Jews. I take this opportunity to bless you with a Gmar Chatima Tova for the new year, and may we merit a year of redemption and salvation soon… Ish".
R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, author of Chazon Ish (1879-1953), was a preeminent Torah scholar as well as a "hidden tzaddik". In 1911, he anonymously printed his first book of the Chazon Ish series, and from that time he became known by that title. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1933, where he was recognized as the foremost Torah scholar, and stood behind the rejuvenation of Torah and Chassidism in our times. He wrote and published numerous volumes of his work, Chazon Ish, which were written with laborious study and diligence, and cover almost all Talmudic topics.
[1] leaf. Approx. 10X6 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and tears (not affecting text).
Catalogue