Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Mishlei with the Rashi commentary, and with the commentary of R. Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna. Shklow, [1798]. First edition. First published work of the Gaon of Vilna.
This commentary to Mishlei was written and brought to print by the close disciple of the Gaon of Vilna - R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow.
R. Menachem Mendel wrote in his preface that the commentaries following the literal meaning consist of his own wording of his teacher's thoughts, whilst the kabbalistic commentaries are an accurate transcription of his teacher's words: "The kabbalistic teachings in this book are his actual holy words, he dictated and I recorded them in his presence". R. Menachem Mendel relates further in his preface: "I heard from him expressly that he did not offer the literal meaning of any verse without knowing its kabbalistic meaning, which he clothed in the literal interpretation of the verse". The commentary to Mishlei was published within the year of mourning following the passing of the Gaon of Vilna, and it was his first composition to be published, upon his express request "that it be printed first, since it is replete with fear of G-d, and 'the beginning of wisdom is fear of G-d'".
R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow spent the last two years of the life of the Gaon of Vilna beside his teacher, never departing from his presence. Following the passing of his teacher, he arranged and prepared for print part of the Gaon's writings on Halacha and Aggadah. Additionally, he brought to print entire compositions consisting of teachings orally received from his teacher, which he had immediately recorded, such as the commentaries of the Gaon of Vilna to Seder Olam, the Passover Haggadah and this commentary to the Book of Mishlei.
61; 15, [1] leaves. Lacking leaf 8 of first sequence. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, dampstains. Ink stains and dark stains to title page. Tears to inner margins of title page, affecting text, repaired. Worming, repaired with tape in several places. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 88.
This commentary to Mishlei was written and brought to print by the close disciple of the Gaon of Vilna - R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow.
R. Menachem Mendel wrote in his preface that the commentaries following the literal meaning consist of his own wording of his teacher's thoughts, whilst the kabbalistic commentaries are an accurate transcription of his teacher's words: "The kabbalistic teachings in this book are his actual holy words, he dictated and I recorded them in his presence". R. Menachem Mendel relates further in his preface: "I heard from him expressly that he did not offer the literal meaning of any verse without knowing its kabbalistic meaning, which he clothed in the literal interpretation of the verse". The commentary to Mishlei was published within the year of mourning following the passing of the Gaon of Vilna, and it was his first composition to be published, upon his express request "that it be printed first, since it is replete with fear of G-d, and 'the beginning of wisdom is fear of G-d'".
R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow spent the last two years of the life of the Gaon of Vilna beside his teacher, never departing from his presence. Following the passing of his teacher, he arranged and prepared for print part of the Gaon's writings on Halacha and Aggadah. Additionally, he brought to print entire compositions consisting of teachings orally received from his teacher, which he had immediately recorded, such as the commentaries of the Gaon of Vilna to Seder Olam, the Passover Haggadah and this commentary to the Book of Mishlei.
61; 15, [1] leaves. Lacking leaf 8 of first sequence. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, dampstains. Ink stains and dark stains to title page. Tears to inner margins of title page, affecting text, repaired. Worming, repaired with tape in several places. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 88.
Category
Books by the Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Mishlei with the Rashi commentary, and with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. Warsaw: David son of Aryeh Leib Shklover, 1837.
Copy that belonged to Chassidic rebbes:
Copy of Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Otwock. Ownership inscription on the title page: "Belongs to Simcha Bunim son of the Rabbi of Warka". Stamps on the title page and on other leaves: "Simcha Bunim son of Rebbe Mordechai Menachem Mendel of Warka, now in Otwock".
Stamps of the grandson of the Rebbe of Otwock on the title page and on the last leaf: "Simcha Bunim Rayevsky, Białobrzegi".
The Rebbe of Otwock - R. Simcha Bunim son of R. Mordechai Menachem Mendel Kalish (1851-1907, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 827-828), one of the leading tzaddikim of his generation, served as Rebbe in Warka from the age of 17. After his first immigration to the city of Tiberias, he was banished by the Turks and returned to Poland. In 1906, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Tiberias.
Inscribed on the front flyleaf: "Avraham Avish Segal Kanner, here in Iași" - R. Avraham Avish Kanner of Tshkhoiv (Czchów). His father, Rebbe Yaakov Shimshon Kanner founded the Tshkhoiv Chassidic dynasty. R. Avraham Avish was appointed Rebbe in 1929 in the city of Botoşani and later relocated his court to Iași. In the wake of WWII, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and served as Rebbe in the city of Haifa.
Next to his stamp is the stamp of his son-in-law, Rebbe Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala-Bnei Brak.
[1], 56 leaves. 23 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains and wear. Traces of past dampness and dampness damage. Worming, affecting text. Paper repairs to title page margins. Stamps. New leather binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 90.
Copy that belonged to Chassidic rebbes:
Copy of Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Otwock. Ownership inscription on the title page: "Belongs to Simcha Bunim son of the Rabbi of Warka". Stamps on the title page and on other leaves: "Simcha Bunim son of Rebbe Mordechai Menachem Mendel of Warka, now in Otwock".
Stamps of the grandson of the Rebbe of Otwock on the title page and on the last leaf: "Simcha Bunim Rayevsky, Białobrzegi".
The Rebbe of Otwock - R. Simcha Bunim son of R. Mordechai Menachem Mendel Kalish (1851-1907, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 827-828), one of the leading tzaddikim of his generation, served as Rebbe in Warka from the age of 17. After his first immigration to the city of Tiberias, he was banished by the Turks and returned to Poland. In 1906, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Tiberias.
Inscribed on the front flyleaf: "Avraham Avish Segal Kanner, here in Iași" - R. Avraham Avish Kanner of Tshkhoiv (Czchów). His father, Rebbe Yaakov Shimshon Kanner founded the Tshkhoiv Chassidic dynasty. R. Avraham Avish was appointed Rebbe in 1929 in the city of Botoşani and later relocated his court to Iași. In the wake of WWII, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and served as Rebbe in the city of Haifa.
Next to his stamp is the stamp of his son-in-law, Rebbe Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala-Bnei Brak.
[1], 56 leaves. 23 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains and wear. Traces of past dampness and dampness damage. Worming, affecting text. Paper repairs to title page margins. Stamps. New leather binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 90.
Category
Books by the Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $600
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Sifra D'Tzeniuta with the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna. [Vilna and Grodno, 1820]. First edition of the commentary of the Gaon of Vilna on Sifra D'Tzeniuta. Copy lacking title page.
Signature of R. "Zundel of Salant" in the heading of leaf 7. A (trimmed) dedication in early handwriting on the first leaf: "Donated by the woman Rachel, in memory of the soul [---] R. Yosef Zundel Salant", and stamps of a synagogue in Petach Tikva.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. He was the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, who cleaved to him in his youth in Salant, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes. As the teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, and the one who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement. R. Zundel studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, and was attached to the yeshiva dean, R. Chaim of Volozhin, who recognized his great stature and admitted him into the circle of his closest disciples, to whom he transmitted all the teachings of his great teacher the Gaon of Vilna, in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. R. Zundel considered R. Chaim as his prime teacher and he refers to him in all his writings as "my master and teacher", whilst he quotes the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi". His writings contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways. Parts of his writings were published in the book HaTzaddik R. Yosef Zundel MiSalant VeRabbotav (Jerusalem, 1927), which includes his biography, his writings and the writings of his teachers R. Chaim of Volozhin and the Gaon of Vilna, of which he was the main transmitter.
This book is indispensable in understanding the Gra's approach to Kabbalah. The Chazon Ish was accustomed to praising the holiness and special segulah of this edition, which was printed by G-d-fearing Jews. He would tell the story of a dybbuk-stricken person that was brought before one of the great tzaddikim of the previous generation. The residents of the town gathered to see the proceedings and the tzaddik told the onlookers: "Let me show you a wondrous thing!". He presented the person with two identical books - the first edition of Sifra D'Tzeniuta printed in the previous generation and the second edition printed in his generation (Vilna, 1882). He handed them both to him, first wrapping them in paper, so that he could not distinguish between them. The dybbuk-stricken person took the second edition of the book and embraced it lovingly; however, he recoiled from the other book saying that he is unable to touch it. The tzaddik revealed the reason: the impure dybbuk could not hold the edition published by G-d-fearing Jews due to its great holiness and was able to hold the second edition since it was printed in a printing press which employed Jews who were lured by the Enlightenment Movement (Maase Ish, V, p. 122, in the name of R. Shemaryahu Greineman who heard the story from the Chazon Ish; Shimush Chachamim, p. 266).
A similar story was told by R. Shmuel David HaKohen Munk (rabbi of the Charedi community of Haifa), in the name of a Sephardic Jerusalem kabbalist. A person with a dybbuk was brought before the kabbalist, who placed a second edition volume of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Sifra D'Tzeniuta on the man to no avail. Then he used a first edition and the man was cured (Zechor LeDavid, II, p. 159). R. Munk also quotes R. Eliezer Gordon of Telz, who reported that when a volume of the first edition was placed in the hands of a dybbuk, he shook and screamed in terror: "The Vilner! The Vilner!", but did not show the same agitation upon similar exposure to a second edition (ibid).
Copy lacking title page and first two leaves: [3], 59, [3] leaves (originally: [6], 59, [3] leaves). 20.5 cm. High-quality, thick, light-colored paper. Wide margins. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming to inner margins of several leaves. Library stamps. New leather binding.
The order of the forewords in this copy concurs with the variant listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, no. 177999, in which the foreword of R. Chaim of Volozhin precedes the foreword of R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim, the Vilna Gaon's grandson.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 696; Stefansky Classics, no. 334.
Signature of R. "Zundel of Salant" in the heading of leaf 7. A (trimmed) dedication in early handwriting on the first leaf: "Donated by the woman Rachel, in memory of the soul [---] R. Yosef Zundel Salant", and stamps of a synagogue in Petach Tikva.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. He was the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, who cleaved to him in his youth in Salant, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes. As the teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, and the one who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement. R. Zundel studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, and was attached to the yeshiva dean, R. Chaim of Volozhin, who recognized his great stature and admitted him into the circle of his closest disciples, to whom he transmitted all the teachings of his great teacher the Gaon of Vilna, in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. R. Zundel considered R. Chaim as his prime teacher and he refers to him in all his writings as "my master and teacher", whilst he quotes the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi". His writings contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways. Parts of his writings were published in the book HaTzaddik R. Yosef Zundel MiSalant VeRabbotav (Jerusalem, 1927), which includes his biography, his writings and the writings of his teachers R. Chaim of Volozhin and the Gaon of Vilna, of which he was the main transmitter.
This book is indispensable in understanding the Gra's approach to Kabbalah. The Chazon Ish was accustomed to praising the holiness and special segulah of this edition, which was printed by G-d-fearing Jews. He would tell the story of a dybbuk-stricken person that was brought before one of the great tzaddikim of the previous generation. The residents of the town gathered to see the proceedings and the tzaddik told the onlookers: "Let me show you a wondrous thing!". He presented the person with two identical books - the first edition of Sifra D'Tzeniuta printed in the previous generation and the second edition printed in his generation (Vilna, 1882). He handed them both to him, first wrapping them in paper, so that he could not distinguish between them. The dybbuk-stricken person took the second edition of the book and embraced it lovingly; however, he recoiled from the other book saying that he is unable to touch it. The tzaddik revealed the reason: the impure dybbuk could not hold the edition published by G-d-fearing Jews due to its great holiness and was able to hold the second edition since it was printed in a printing press which employed Jews who were lured by the Enlightenment Movement (Maase Ish, V, p. 122, in the name of R. Shemaryahu Greineman who heard the story from the Chazon Ish; Shimush Chachamim, p. 266).
A similar story was told by R. Shmuel David HaKohen Munk (rabbi of the Charedi community of Haifa), in the name of a Sephardic Jerusalem kabbalist. A person with a dybbuk was brought before the kabbalist, who placed a second edition volume of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Sifra D'Tzeniuta on the man to no avail. Then he used a first edition and the man was cured (Zechor LeDavid, II, p. 159). R. Munk also quotes R. Eliezer Gordon of Telz, who reported that when a volume of the first edition was placed in the hands of a dybbuk, he shook and screamed in terror: "The Vilner! The Vilner!", but did not show the same agitation upon similar exposure to a second edition (ibid).
Copy lacking title page and first two leaves: [3], 59, [3] leaves (originally: [6], 59, [3] leaves). 20.5 cm. High-quality, thick, light-colored paper. Wide margins. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming to inner margins of several leaves. Library stamps. New leather binding.
The order of the forewords in this copy concurs with the variant listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, no. 177999, in which the foreword of R. Chaim of Volozhin precedes the foreword of R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim, the Vilna Gaon's grandson.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 696; Stefansky Classics, no. 334.
Category
Books by the Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Nefesh HaChaim, by R. Chaim Rabbi of Volozhin (Valozhyn). Vilna and Grodno, 1824. First edition. Forewords by his sons R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and R. Yosef of Chorzów. Approbations by the rabbis of Vilna, R. Shaul Katzenelbogen and R. Avraham Abele Poswoler.
A classic book of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (many parts of the book were written in response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the path and opinion of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples). The author, R. Chaim of Volozhin, cherished this book more that all his many halachic writings, and before his passing, he ordered his sons to expedite its publishing. The book was edited and brought to print by his son R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and by his nephew, the kabbalist R. Avraham Simcha of Amtchislav (Mstsislaw), who both served as heads of the Volozhin Yeshiva.
[6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 17; 4 leaves (leaves 1-4, which belong before section 4, were bound at the end of the book). 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Significant tears to title page margins and several other leaves. Dark stains and scribbles in several places. Ownership and familial inscriptions on flyleaves. New leather binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 478.
A classic book of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (many parts of the book were written in response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the path and opinion of the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples). The author, R. Chaim of Volozhin, cherished this book more that all his many halachic writings, and before his passing, he ordered his sons to expedite its publishing. The book was edited and brought to print by his son R. Yitzchak of Volozhin and by his nephew, the kabbalist R. Avraham Simcha of Amtchislav (Mstsislaw), who both served as heads of the Volozhin Yeshiva.
[6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 17; 4 leaves (leaves 1-4, which belong before section 4, were bound at the end of the book). 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Significant tears to title page margins and several other leaves. Dark stains and scribbles in several places. Ownership and familial inscriptions on flyleaves. New leather binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 478.
Category
Books by the Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,125
Including buyer's premium
Sefer HaGilgulim, the Arizal's kabbalistic teachings, by R. Chaim Vital. [Johannisburg (Prussia, present day: Pisz), 1859].
Inscriptions on title page handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (Salantai): "Zundel of Salant"; "Donated by R. Akiva son of R. Gershon of Vilna"; "To Zundel of Salant"; "2 1/2 grush for binding". On the front endpaper: "Donated by Rachel, in the memory of R. Yosef Zundel" and the stamp of a synagogue in Petach Tikva.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. He was the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, who cleaved to him in his youth in Salant, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes. As the teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, and the one who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement. R. Zundel studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, and was attached to the yeshiva dean, R. Chaim of Volozhin, who recognized his great stature and admitted him into the circle of his closest disciples, to whom he transmitted all the teachings of his great teacher the Gaon of Vilna, in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. R. Zundel considered R. Chaim as his prime teacher and he refers to him in all his writings as "my master and teacher", whilst he quotes the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi". His writings contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways. Parts of his writings were published in the book HaTzaddik R. Yosef Zundel MiSalant VeRabbotav (Jerusalem, 1927), which includes his biography, his writings and the writings of his teachers R. Chaim of Volozhin and the Gaon of Vilna, of which he was the main transmitter.
[1], 1-64, 64-82 leaves. 18.5 cm. Darkened leaves. Good condition. Stains. New leather binding.
Inscriptions on title page handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (Salantai): "Zundel of Salant"; "Donated by R. Akiva son of R. Gershon of Vilna"; "To Zundel of Salant"; "2 1/2 grush for binding". On the front endpaper: "Donated by Rachel, in the memory of R. Yosef Zundel" and the stamp of a synagogue in Petach Tikva.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. He was the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, who cleaved to him in his youth in Salant, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes. As the teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant, and the one who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement. R. Zundel studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, and was attached to the yeshiva dean, R. Chaim of Volozhin, who recognized his great stature and admitted him into the circle of his closest disciples, to whom he transmitted all the teachings of his great teacher the Gaon of Vilna, in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. R. Zundel considered R. Chaim as his prime teacher and he refers to him in all his writings as "my master and teacher", whilst he quotes the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi". His writings contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways. Parts of his writings were published in the book HaTzaddik R. Yosef Zundel MiSalant VeRabbotav (Jerusalem, 1927), which includes his biography, his writings and the writings of his teachers R. Chaim of Volozhin and the Gaon of Vilna, of which he was the main transmitter.
[1], 1-64, 64-82 leaves. 18.5 cm. Darkened leaves. Good condition. Stains. New leather binding.
Category
Books by the Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples
Catalogue