Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
- (-) Remove teach filter teach
- (-) Remove vilna filter vilna
- gaon (17) Apply gaon filter
- commentari (10) Apply commentari filter
- select (10) Apply select filter
- approb (7) Apply approb filter
- book (7) Apply book filter
- his (7) Apply his filter
- lifetim (7) Apply lifetim filter
- quot (7) Apply quot filter
Displaying 13 - 17 of 17
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Pri Yitzchak, commentary on Sefer Yetzirah, by the kabbalist R. Yitzchak Eizik of Polotsk. Horodna, 1797. First edition.
This copy includes the approbation by R. Saadya of Vilna in the name of his teacher the Gaon of Vilna, printed on a piece of paper and pasted on the verso of the title page. This piece of paper is rare (we know of only one other copy containing it – the NLI copy).
In his approbation, R. Saadya son of R. Natan Nota of Vilna, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, relates that he asked his teacher whether to publish the book, and the Gaon of Vilna approved and blessed it.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizik son of R. Yekutiel Zalman of Polotsk also authored a commentary on Tikunei Zohar, published under the title Be'er Yitzchak (Zhovkva, 1778), in which he brings novellae which he heard from the Gaon of Vilna. This is one of the first books quoting teachings of the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime.
Copy of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. His signature appears at the foot of the title page: "Zundel of Salant, 10 kopecks". Another inscription by R. Zundel, on the endpaper, documents the purchase of the book, in his youth in Vilna (in the lifetime of his father) " I purchased from R. Yosef the bookseller of Vilna in the synagogue courtyard, Yosef Zundel son of R. Beinush of Salant".
A later inscription in his handwriting at the top of the title page: " I found it in the public auction of R. Avraham son of R. Meir, and I recognized it as mine, and I don’t know how it came into his possession, and I bought it for 80 Para (Ottoman currency)". Other inscriptions and signatures.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, and the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant. 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 was the main transmitter of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and R. Chaim of Volozhin. In his writings, which contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways, he refers to R. Chaim of Volozhin as "my master and teacher" and to the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi".
R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement since he was the teacher of the movement's founder, R. Yisrael of Salant. In his youth in Salant, R. Yisrael cleaved to R. Yosef Zundel, who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes.
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. His prominent son-in-law was R. Shmuel Salant, who immigrated after him to Jerusalem and served as its rabbi for close to seventy years.
[7], 36, [1] leaves. Lacking 4 of [11] leaves at beginning. 16.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming, affecting text. Stamps. Original binding. Wear, damage and worming to binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 992.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
This copy includes the approbation by R. Saadya of Vilna in the name of his teacher the Gaon of Vilna, printed on a piece of paper and pasted on the verso of the title page. This piece of paper is rare (we know of only one other copy containing it – the NLI copy).
In his approbation, R. Saadya son of R. Natan Nota of Vilna, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, relates that he asked his teacher whether to publish the book, and the Gaon of Vilna approved and blessed it.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizik son of R. Yekutiel Zalman of Polotsk also authored a commentary on Tikunei Zohar, published under the title Be'er Yitzchak (Zhovkva, 1778), in which he brings novellae which he heard from the Gaon of Vilna. This is one of the first books quoting teachings of the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime.
Copy of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. His signature appears at the foot of the title page: "Zundel of Salant, 10 kopecks". Another inscription by R. Zundel, on the endpaper, documents the purchase of the book, in his youth in Vilna (in the lifetime of his father) " I purchased from R. Yosef the bookseller of Vilna in the synagogue courtyard, Yosef Zundel son of R. Beinush of Salant".
A later inscription in his handwriting at the top of the title page: " I found it in the public auction of R. Avraham son of R. Meir, and I recognized it as mine, and I don’t know how it came into his possession, and I bought it for 80 Para (Ottoman currency)". Other inscriptions and signatures.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, and the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant. 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 was the main transmitter of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and R. Chaim of Volozhin. In his writings, which contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways, he refers to R. Chaim of Volozhin as "my master and teacher" and to the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi".
R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement since he was the teacher of the movement's founder, R. Yisrael of Salant. In his youth in Salant, R. Yisrael cleaved to R. Yosef Zundel, who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes.
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. His prominent son-in-law was R. Shmuel Salant, who immigrated after him to Jerusalem and served as its rabbi for close to seventy years.
[7], 36, [1] leaves. Lacking 4 of [11] leaves at beginning. 16.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming, affecting text. Stamps. Original binding. Wear, damage and worming to binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 992.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $200
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Binyan Shlomo, homiletics on the Torah, by R. Shlomo, rabbi of Zichlin (Żychlin). Shklow, [1789]. Only edition. Mention of the name of the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime.
Part I (part II was never published). Many approbations at the beginning of the book.
The Gaon of Vilna was renowned already in his times, but since he did not allow his works to be published in his lifetime, his teachings were only widely disseminated after his passing. Nevertheless, a few books mention the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime (Vinograd only lists eleven such books in his thesaurus). This is one of those books. The Gaon of Vilna is mentioned here on p. 3b: " And I heard from many people that this was also said by R. Eliyahu Chassid of Vilna…".
35 leaves. Lacking final leaf (with an index and additions to the homiletics). 31.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains to several leaves. Worming, affecting text. Trimmed ownership inscription at top of title page: "David son of R. Z. Mezeritch…". Stamps. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 1288.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Part I (part II was never published). Many approbations at the beginning of the book.
The Gaon of Vilna was renowned already in his times, but since he did not allow his works to be published in his lifetime, his teachings were only widely disseminated after his passing. Nevertheless, a few books mention the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime (Vinograd only lists eleven such books in his thesaurus). This is one of those books. The Gaon of Vilna is mentioned here on p. 3b: " And I heard from many people that this was also said by R. Eliyahu Chassid of Vilna…".
35 leaves. Lacking final leaf (with an index and additions to the homiletics). 31.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains to several leaves. Worming, affecting text. Trimmed ownership inscription at top of title page: "David son of R. Z. Mezeritch…". Stamps. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 1288.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $100
Unsold
Ya'ir Kino, two commentaries on Tractate Kinnim, Siach HaSadeh and Lekach Tov, by R. Menachem Eliezer Günstling of Vilna. Vilna, 1861.
This book was declared by the gaon of Vilna as a true interpretation of the Torah. This testimony is brought in Aliyot Eliyahu (comment 107), in the name of R. Eliyahu Ragoler Rabbi of Kalisch, who heard it from R. Chaim of Volozhin. According to the testimony, the author visited the Gaon of Vilna and showed him the book. The Gaon of Vilna requested that he leave it with him, and studied it throughout the night. The next morning, when R. Chaim of Volozhin came to see the Gaon of Vilna, the latter highly lauded the author and the book, stating that it is a true interpretation of the Torah (see quotation of the testimony in Hebrew description).
The author, R. Menachem Eliezer Günstling, a leading Torah scholar in his times, was the son of R. Levi son of R. David of Koden, author of Ateret Rosh, and brother-in-law of R. Menachem Mendel of Lublin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. R. Menachem Eliezer was a disciple of R. Shlomo of Vilkomir, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna (listed second in the list of disciples of the Gaon of Vilna in the foreword by the sons of the Gaon of Vilna to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. He is placed before the brother of R. Chaim of Volozhin – R. Zalman of Volozhin). For further information about R. Menachem Eliezer, see: E. Katzman, R. Menachem Mendel Disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, Yeshurun, IV, 1999, pp. 367-369.
[2], 37 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears and damage to several leaves. Open tear to title page, affecting text. Title page detached. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, detached and broken.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
This book was declared by the gaon of Vilna as a true interpretation of the Torah. This testimony is brought in Aliyot Eliyahu (comment 107), in the name of R. Eliyahu Ragoler Rabbi of Kalisch, who heard it from R. Chaim of Volozhin. According to the testimony, the author visited the Gaon of Vilna and showed him the book. The Gaon of Vilna requested that he leave it with him, and studied it throughout the night. The next morning, when R. Chaim of Volozhin came to see the Gaon of Vilna, the latter highly lauded the author and the book, stating that it is a true interpretation of the Torah (see quotation of the testimony in Hebrew description).
The author, R. Menachem Eliezer Günstling, a leading Torah scholar in his times, was the son of R. Levi son of R. David of Koden, author of Ateret Rosh, and brother-in-law of R. Menachem Mendel of Lublin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. R. Menachem Eliezer was a disciple of R. Shlomo of Vilkomir, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna (listed second in the list of disciples of the Gaon of Vilna in the foreword by the sons of the Gaon of Vilna to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. He is placed before the brother of R. Chaim of Volozhin – R. Zalman of Volozhin). For further information about R. Menachem Eliezer, see: E. Katzman, R. Menachem Mendel Disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, Yeshurun, IV, 1999, pp. 367-369.
[2], 37 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears and damage to several leaves. Open tear to title page, affecting text. Title page detached. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, detached and broken.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $500
Unsold
Yesod Olam, on establishing the months and leap years, and astronomy, by R. Yitzchak HaYisraeli. Berlin, [1777]. First edition, published by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, from a manuscript found in the collection of R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Berlin.
Signature at the top of the title page: " Eli. Vilna". In his inscription on the flyleaf, the son of R. Aharon Chaim Zimmerman (1915-1995) relates to this signature and writes: "my father was in doubt whether the signature in this book… is of the Gaon of Vilna… and I do not know and I didn't ask on what he based [his doubt]" (the wording of the signature does not resemble the way the Gaon of Vilna usually signed, neither is the handwriting similar to established manuscripts of the Gaon of Vilna).
Another inscription in early handwriting: "I acquired this book with Maaser money, for… Jacob –?".
The author, R. Yitzchak son of Yosef HaYisraeli, a Spanish Torah scholar in Toledo in the 14th century, disciple of the Rosh. He wrote his work Yesod Olam upon the request of his teacher the Rosh, as stated on the title page. The book covers various branches of mathematics needed to understand the rules of the Hebrew calendar and astronomy.
The book was published by R. Baruch Schick of Berlin, based on a manuscript found in the collection of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin Rabbi of Berlin and with his support (R. Tzvi Hirsh even wrote an approbation to the book). In his foreword, R. Baruch explains at length the importance of studying science and his aspiration to translate books from all disciplines into Hebrew. R. Baruch wrote similarly in his foreword to the Book of Euclid, which he published in The Hague in 1780, where he added that the Gaon of Vilna was the one who commanded him to translate as many scientific works as possible to Hebrew (see next item).
The list of subscribers, printed after the foreword by R. Baruch, includes "the renowned scholar Moshe Dessau" – Moses Mendelssohn. A poem in honor of the book and publisher, by Naftali (Hartwig) Wessely, was printed after the list of subscribers (in those times, Mendelssohn and his group were still regarded with moderation, and R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin entertained friendly ties with Mendelssohn. The battle of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin against the Haskalah movement only began at a later point. See: Yisrael A. Shapiro, Diverging Views on the Question of Torah and Sciences in the School of the Gaon of Vilna, Badad, issue 13, 2003, pp. 12-15).
[1], 93, [7] leaves. Without [2] folded plates at end of book. 19 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Some tears and worming. Lower margins of some leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text. Handwritten inscriptions. New binding. Placed in an elegant matching slipcase.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Signature at the top of the title page: " Eli. Vilna". In his inscription on the flyleaf, the son of R. Aharon Chaim Zimmerman (1915-1995) relates to this signature and writes: "my father was in doubt whether the signature in this book… is of the Gaon of Vilna… and I do not know and I didn't ask on what he based [his doubt]" (the wording of the signature does not resemble the way the Gaon of Vilna usually signed, neither is the handwriting similar to established manuscripts of the Gaon of Vilna).
Another inscription in early handwriting: "I acquired this book with Maaser money, for… Jacob –?".
The author, R. Yitzchak son of Yosef HaYisraeli, a Spanish Torah scholar in Toledo in the 14th century, disciple of the Rosh. He wrote his work Yesod Olam upon the request of his teacher the Rosh, as stated on the title page. The book covers various branches of mathematics needed to understand the rules of the Hebrew calendar and astronomy.
The book was published by R. Baruch Schick of Berlin, based on a manuscript found in the collection of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin Rabbi of Berlin and with his support (R. Tzvi Hirsh even wrote an approbation to the book). In his foreword, R. Baruch explains at length the importance of studying science and his aspiration to translate books from all disciplines into Hebrew. R. Baruch wrote similarly in his foreword to the Book of Euclid, which he published in The Hague in 1780, where he added that the Gaon of Vilna was the one who commanded him to translate as many scientific works as possible to Hebrew (see next item).
The list of subscribers, printed after the foreword by R. Baruch, includes "the renowned scholar Moshe Dessau" – Moses Mendelssohn. A poem in honor of the book and publisher, by Naftali (Hartwig) Wessely, was printed after the list of subscribers (in those times, Mendelssohn and his group were still regarded with moderation, and R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin entertained friendly ties with Mendelssohn. The battle of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin against the Haskalah movement only began at a later point. See: Yisrael A. Shapiro, Diverging Views on the Question of Torah and Sciences in the School of the Gaon of Vilna, Badad, issue 13, 2003, pp. 12-15).
[1], 93, [7] leaves. Without [2] folded plates at end of book. 19 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Some tears and worming. Lower margins of some leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text. Handwritten inscriptions. New binding. Placed in an elegant matching slipcase.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $400
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
The Book of Euclid, fundamentals of geometry, by the Greek mathematician Euclid, translated to Hebrew by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. The Hague, [1780]. First edition.
The Book of Euclid was translated to Hebrew by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow, upon the instruction of the Gaon of Vilna. In his foreword, R. Baruch Schick relates that when he was by the Gaon of Vilna in Tevet 1778, the latter stated that when a person lacks knowledge in sciences, he will lack a hundred times more in his knowledge of Torah, since Torah and sciences are inextricably linked. The Gaon of Vilna therefore asked him to translate scientific works into the Holy Tongue (see a different version of this foreword in a manuscript, item 59).
[4], 51, [1] leaves, [3] folded plates with geometric diagrams. 20 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Overall good condition. Stains. A few tears. Minor marginal worming, not affecting text. Censorship signature and stamp. Old binding. Wear and significant damage to binding. Bookplate.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 861.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
The Book of Euclid was translated to Hebrew by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow, upon the instruction of the Gaon of Vilna. In his foreword, R. Baruch Schick relates that when he was by the Gaon of Vilna in Tevet 1778, the latter stated that when a person lacks knowledge in sciences, he will lack a hundred times more in his knowledge of Torah, since Torah and sciences are inextricably linked. The Gaon of Vilna therefore asked him to translate scientific works into the Holy Tongue (see a different version of this foreword in a manuscript, item 59).
[4], 51, [1] leaves, [3] folded plates with geometric diagrams. 20 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Overall good condition. Stains. A few tears. Minor marginal worming, not affecting text. Censorship signature and stamp. Old binding. Wear and significant damage to binding. Bookplate.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 861.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue