Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
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Shenei Luchot HaBrit (Shelah), by R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz. Amsterdam: Immanuel son of Josef Athias, 1698. Illustrated title page (by Avraham ben Yaakov HaGer).
Shenei Luchot HaBrit contains many halachic novellae, Kabbalistic principles, homiletics and ethics, and incorporates all realms of the Torah. The book was received with awe throughout the Jewish world, and its teachings are quoted in the books of leading poskim and kabbalists. Many renowned Chassidic leaders were extremely devoted to the study of the books of the Shelah.
The Bach – R. Yoel Sirkis, notably acclaimed the author and his works in his approbation to the Shaar HaShamayim siddur: "R. Yeshaya HaLevi… he left behind blessing in his holy compositions, and upon seeing or reading them, we sensed the outpouring of holiness in all our limbs, and this is the sign that his works were composed for the sake of heaven, to elevate future generations…". The Tosafot Yom Tov in his approbation to the siddur writes: "He is a holy, awe-inspiring man… no doubt he was invested with a heavenly spirit".
This edition of the Shelah was printed in Amsterdam in 1698, the year the Baal Shem Tov was born, and Chassidic lore ties these two events. The Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch writes (Igrot, 2853) of the elaborate edition of the book Shelah HaKadosh printed in the year "Nachat" (gratification; the numerical value of 'nachat' corresponds to the Hebrew year 5458, i.e. 1698). He states that "this alludes to the heavenly gratification caused by the revelation of the holy book, and in that year the Baal Shem Tov was born. The Baal Shem Tov was used to saying that he was born in the year of the printing of the Shelah HaKadosh, in order to enlighten the world with G-d's light of Torah and fear of Heaven with service of the heart". The Rebbe Rayatz brings a wondrous tradition from R. Mendel of Vitebsk regarding the first and second editions of the Shelah: "During the printing of the Shelah… this holy book enthused and inspired the hearts of the Jewish people, drawing the Evil Eye, which brought about the infamous Chmielnicki pogroms"; "In the year the Baal Shem Tov was born, the second edition of Shelah was printed in Amsterdam, and then as well there was an accusation in heaven against the Jewish people in Poland, similar to the first accusation upon the initial publication of the Shelah, yet thank G-d, it was a year of serenity" (Likutei Diburim HaMeturgam, I, p. 50).
Early signatures at the top of the title page and on the following leaf.
This copy belonged to R. David Sperber – the Gaon of Brașov (see below). His signature appears on the front endpaper. The book contains many glosses (more than 150) handwritten by him, some long. Some glosses are slightly trimmed.
[4], 422; 44; [12] leaves. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears and damage to title page and to several other leaves. Loss to lower left corner of illustrated title page, affecting the illustration, replaced with photocopy. Stains, dark dampstains. Worming to several leaves. The book is detached into two parts. Old, damaged, detached binding.
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Rabbi Sperber (1877-1962), leading Galician and Romanian rabbi. Born in Zablotov to a family of Kosov-Vizhnitz Chassidim, he was a disciple of R. Meir Arik. He also studied under Rebbe Moshe Hager of Kosov, author of Ezor HaEmunah, and arranged the latter's writings for print. He frequented the courts of the Chakal Yitzchak of Spinka and the Ahavat Yisrael of Vizhnitz. From 1908, he served as dayan and posek in Polien Riskeve (Poienile de sub Munte), and from 1922, as rabbi of Braşov (Kronstadt). He authored Afarkasta D'Anya, Michtam LeDavid, Tehillah LeDavid and other books. He was renowned for the permissions he issued to agunot following the Holocaust. In the winter of 1950, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he became known as "the rabbi of Braşov", and served as a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and Chinuch HaAtzma'i. His grandson is Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber.
Letter of wedding congratulations and blessings for nachat (gratification), handwritten, signed and stamped by Rebbe Chaim Hager Rabbi of Kosov (Kosiv), addressed to R. David Sperber Rabbi of Brașov. [Kosov, ca. 1931].
In his letter, the rebbe blesses: "I hereby extend my congratulations for the wedding of his exceptional son R. Shmuel [Dr. Shmuel Sperber of London, father of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber], may the wedding take place at an auspicious time, with an abundance of gratification; may the marriage be successful and everlasting, and may he merit to see blessed descendants from them".
Rebbe Chaim Hager Rabbi of Kosov (1900?-1942, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 539-540; Meorei Galicia, II, pp. 34-36), son of Rebbe Moshe of Kosov – author of Leket Ani and Ezor HaEmunah. He was rabbinically ordained by R. Avraham Menachem Steinberg Rabbi of Brody – author of Machazeh Avraham. Following his father's passing in 1925, he was appointed rebbe and rabbi of Kosov. He served as rebbe to thousands of Chassidim, the most prominent of them being R. David Sperber Rabbi of Brașov (recipient of this letter). In 1935, he visited Eretz Israel together with R. David Sperber. He authored three books on Halacha and Aggada, yet he did not have the opportunity to publish them. He perished in the Holocaust.
The recipient of the letter, R. David Sperber (1877-1962), was a leading Galician and Romanian rabbi (see below).
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Good condition. Open tear to bottom-right corner, not affecting text. Stains. Minor worming. Fold lines.
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Rabbi Sperber (1877-1962), leading Galician and Romanian rabbi. Born in Zablotov to a family of Kosov-Vizhnitz Chassidim, he was a disciple of R. Meir Arik. He also studied under Rebbe Moshe Hager of Kosov, author of Ezor HaEmunah, and arranged the latter's writings for print. He frequented the courts of the Chakal Yitzchak of Spinka and the Ahavat Yisrael of Vizhnitz. From 1908, he served as dayan and posek in Polien Riskeve (Poienile de sub Munte), and from 1922, as rabbi of Braşov (Kronstadt). He authored Afarkasta D'Anya, Michtam LeDavid, Tehillah LeDavid and other books. He was renowned for the permissions he issued to agunot following the Holocaust. In the winter of 1950, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he became known as "the rabbi of Braşov", and served as a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and Chinuch HaAtzma'i. His grandson is Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber.
Special copy, presumably prepared upon request of the author, with a dedication embossed on the front board of the leather-covered wooden binding: " Gift for the one whose home is open to all, my master and relative, the distinguished rabbi… exceptional dayan and dean… R. Kosman Segal". The recipient of the book was presumably R. Moshe Kosman Essen son of R. Yehuda Lima HaLevi, dayan in Nikolsburg, who signed two approbations together with other Nikolsburg dayanim in 1712 and 1715. It must be noted that the author's father was also named R. Moshe Kosman of Essen (as printed on the title page and at the end of the preface: "Yosef… son of the pious rabbi, R. Moshe Kosman Segal of Essen"). We were unable to determine how the author's father and R. Moshe Kosman Segal, dayan in Nikolsburg, were related.
Signature on the title page: "Kosman Abeles" (possibly a descendant of the original recipient of the book). Ownership inscription on the back endpaper: "This book belongs to the distinguished and renowned chief… R. Wolf Abeles of Alt-Ofen".
[3], 89, [2] leaves. Approx. 20 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Small marginal tears to title page and to several other leaves. Minor worming. Original leather-covered wooden binding, with clasp remnants. Tears and damage to binding.
[2] leaves at the end of the book contain Tzon HaNachalot. A controversy arose following the printing of the book, regarding several customs and laws mentioned in it. These two leaves, which were added to the book after printing, were composed by the author's father-in-law, R. Yehuda Mehler of Bingen, who reviewed the book and corrected the customs which aroused a controversy. These leaves were included in only some of the copies.
Bilingual edition, translation facing the original, of the book "Chacham Lev" (Furth, 1693) by R. Yehuda Leib son of R. Hillel, listing the 613 commandments according to Maimonides. Translated by the Swedish orientalist Carl Schultén (1677-1730), rector of the Lund University.
[8] leaves, 184 pages, [10] leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. Minor damage. Inscriptions on endpapers and title page. Fine leather binding, slightly damaged. Gilt edges.
Not in NLI.
Many stamps of "Chavura Mishnayot VeKinyan Sefarim of the Kosov Kloiz, Sighet".
Signatures, stamps and handwritten inscriptions on title pages and several other leaves.
Three volumes. Vol. I: [4], 252, 2-17 leaves. Vol. II: [1], 278 leaves. Vol. III: 3-115, [1], 117-299 leaves. Lacking leaves 1-2 and 300-309 of vol. III. High-quality, bluish paper. 19.5-20 cm. Condition varies. First two volumes overall in good-fair condition. Stains, dampstains. Worming, mostly not affecting text significantly. Vol. III in fair to fair-poor condition. Stains, some dark. Worming to many leaves, occasionally significant, extensively affecting text. Detached gatherings. Censors' stamps and inscriptions on title pages. Old bindings with leather spines. Damage and worming to all three bindings.
Various inscriptions on front flyleaf, including inscriptions handwritten by Rebbe Menachem Monish Safrin of Felshtin (Skelivka), son of the Damesek Eliezer of Komarno. Ownership inscription in his handwriting: "Monish Safrin from Ko[marno?]", and kvitel inscription in his handwriting: "Menachem Monish son of Chana Sara for a good inscription and sealing in the book of righteous" (this book may have been gifted to one of the Tzaddikim of that time, so that the latter should pray for him).
Another inscription at the top of the same page: "This Tikunim belongs to R. Yisrael Yosef" – presumably R. Yosef Labin of Ziditchov (grandson of R. Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov), father-in-law of R. Menachem Monish.
Rebbe Menachem Monish Safrin of Felshtin and Dobromil, son of Rebbe Eliezer Tzvi Safrin the Damesek Eliezer of Komarno. He published his father's book Ben Beti. He passed away in Sambir in Tevet 1912. His son, R. Zeida Moshe Eliyahu Safrin succeeded him as rebbe of Felshtin, and set up his court in nearby Dobromil. He perished in the Holocaust together with his family.
[1], 171 leaves. 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Original leather binding, with wear, damage and worming.
Handwritten by the author, with many emendations, glosses, additions and deletions.
This manuscript contains novellae on Tractate Shabbat and other tractates, and on many and varied topics in Halacha and Aggada. Includes homilies and correspondence with leading Polish Torah scholars of the author's times.
The front endpaper states: "Kevod Elim, Part I" - "Michael Dov son of R. Yissachar". The same page also contains an index arranged in the order of the Talmudic tractates and parts of the Shulchan Aruch, with reference to the leaves of the manuscript containing novellae on that tractate or part of Shulchan Aruch. On verso of this leaf, a section of the preface to the book, opening with the words: "So says the author". The preface is not complete.
Large parts of this composition were never published. Some sections serve as a preliminary version of the author's novellae published in his book Agudot Ezov Midbari (Piotrków 1879), mostly concentrated in the first 26 leaves of this manuscript, which comprise a preliminary version of the novellae pertaining to Tractate Shabbat, ff. 130-136 (on the topic of circumcision on Shabbat).
The manuscript contains many novellae which the author heard from leading Polish Torah scholars of that time, including R. Eliyahu Ragoler Rabbi of Kalish; R. Meir Auerbach Rabbi of Koil, author of Imrei Bina and later one of the leading rabbis of Jerusalem; R. Yosef Yoske Shapiro Rabbi of Lesla; R. Moshe Yehuda Leib Silberberg Rabbi of Lask and Kutno, author of Zayit Raanan; R. Shlomo Leib Morgenstern Rabbi of Lunshitz, author of Minchat HaBoker; and others.
In many instances, the author quotes novellae from his father R. Yissachar Weingott Rabbi of Częstochowa, author of Pitchei She'arim. His father is sometimes mentioned with the blessing for the living, and sometimes as having passed away. R. Yissachar passed away in Elul 1852.
R. Michael Dov Weingott (1819-1887), a leading Polish Torah scholar in his times, from a distinguished rabbinic family in Poland, son of R. Yissachar Weingott author of Pitchei She'arim. He was the close disciple of R. Eliyahu Ragoler Rabbi of Kalish. He served as rabbi of Piotrków Kujawski, Dobrzyń and Łowicz. He authored Agudot Ezov Midbari (Piotrków 1879) – responsa on all four parts of Shulchan Aruch, and novellae on Tractates Shabbat and Eruvin. He corresponded extensively with the leading Torah scholars of his generation, including his colleague R. Meir Auerbach, author of Imrei Bina. He copied some of this correspondence in this manuscript. In his preface to Agudot Ezov Midbari, he mentions this composition: "I chose responsum novellae and halachic analyses following the order of the parts of Shulchan Aruch, and novellae on Tractate Shabbat, Chapter R. Eliezer DeMila, which G-d granted me when studying in 1845 and 1846, following the urging of my late father, and I organized them in 1850…". As mentioned, some of this manuscript is a preliminary version of the printed edition.
The places of writing mentioned in the manuscript are Częstochowa and Piotrków. On p. 12a, he writes: "When I came here to Częstochowa, I saw that the mohelim practice…", and p. 46a contains a transcript of a responsum sent to him, in which he is addressed as rabbi of Piotrków.
The dates mentioned in the manuscript are 1848 (p. 68a), 1849 (p. 46a) and 1856 (p. 91a). A marginal note on p. 50a reads: "That which I innovated in 1838 from mid-Sivan, until the summer of 1839".
Two additional leaves handwritten by the author were found between the pages of the manuscript.
[1], 111 leaves (approx. 220 written pages). 30.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Worming. Wax stains on p. 32a. Original binding.
Two title pages within decorative borders; one at the beginning of the manuscript, and the second at the beginning of the Azharot section. The piyyutim follow the rite of Moroccan Jewry. Azharot by R. David Ben Hassin, whose grandson scribed this manuscript. Both title pages contain the scribe's signature: "Yehoshua Ben Hassin, grandson of the author, and the copying was completed in Sivan… [1906], here in Meknes"; "Written by Yehoshua Ben Hassin, grandson of the author, in Nissan… [1906]".
[2], 1-17, 25-42; 8 leaves (lacking leaves 18-24). 17 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Worming to several leaves. Several tears to first title page, slightly affecting border. Tear to inner margin of second title page. New binding.
1. Die hebräischen Handschriften der Nationalbibliothek
in Wien [The Hebrew Manuscripts of the National Library in Vienna]. Vienna, Prague and Leipzig: Strache, 1925.
Accompanied by nine facsimile prints, two of them in color (mounted on plates).
XX, 272 pp, [2] leaves + IX plates, approx. 40 cm.
2. Die hebräischen Handschriften in Österreich, ausserhalb der Nationalbibliothek in Wien, Teil I: Bibel-Kabbala [The Hebrew Manuscripts of Austria, Except those in the National Library of Vienna, Part I (of four): Bibles and Kabbalah]. Leipzig: Karl W. Hiersemann, 1931.
VII, [1], 209, [2] pp, 39 cm.
The endpapers of both books are inscribed by the author (signed inscriptions from the years of printing).
Overall good condition. Minor blemishes. Library copies, marked accordingly. Stains to first catalog and tears to two prints. Bindings slightly worn and scuffed.
Square, vowelized script. Numerous passages are formatted to resemble a poem. Several titles and initials written in red ink. English notations on margins – translations of words and phrases.
A bookplate to inside front board, reading "Ex Libris A. L. Sadler Coll Di. Jo. Bapt. Oxon.", presumably indicating that the manuscript was the property of Arthur Lindsay Sadler, a professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Sydney between 1922 and 1948, while studying at St. John's College, Oxford. Possibly, the manuscript was used by Sadler to study Hebrew or was written by him.
[92] leaves, 28.5 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Handwritten title to back board ("the Book of Yeshayahu" [Hebrew]). Bookplate to inside front board, slightly faded ownership inscription to front endpaper ("ex libris A. L. Sadler"). Stains and minor blemishes to boards. Small tears to spine.
Small scroll. Small script, 36 lines per column. Script typical of Poland or Lithuania, ca. 19th century. On two wooden rollers.
Parchment height: 17.5 cm. Height of rollers: Approx. 23 cm. Good condition. Stains. Chip to one handle.
Neat Ashkenazic script, on treated parchment. 42 lines per column. On wooden rollers, with matching mantle.
Parchment height: Approx. 54 cm. Height of rollers: Approx. 86 cm. Overall good condition. First membrane replaced (original membrane enclosed).