Auction 85 - Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Amarot Tehorot on Tehillim, by R. Eliezer HaLevi Horowitz, rabbi of Tarnogród. Warsaw, 1838. The first Chassidic commentary printed on Tehillim.
R. Eliezer HaLevi Horowitz Rabbi of Tarnogród (d. 1806), a holy and eminent Torah scholar. Descendant of the Shelah, disciple of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, and disciple-colleague of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Maggid of Kozhnitz. He died and was buried in Kozhnitz, after visiting the city and stating: "This city is fit for burial".
[2], 67; 59 leaves. 22.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Traces of past dampness, with mold stains. Worming, affecting text. Minor marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves. Open tear to one leaf, slightly affecting text. Strips of tape to margins of several leaves for reinforcement. Stamp. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 597.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Ahavat Shalom, Chassidic discourses on the Torah portions, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov – founder of the Vizhnitz and Kosov Chassidic dynasties. Lviv, [1833]. First edition.
Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager (1768-1826) was the son of R. Yaakov Koppel Chassid, cantor in the Beit Midrash of the Baal Shem Tov and member of his inner circle of disciples. He was the disciple of the early Chassidic masters R. Elimelech of Lizhensk and R. Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna. In 1802, after the passing of R. Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna, he began leading his own court.
Handwritten inscriptions on second leaf.
[4], 131 leaves. 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large, dark stains and dampstains. Wear. Open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting text, mostly repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text. Stamps and many handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
False imprint on title page.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 18.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Sova Semachot, Part I, novellae on the Torah and the holidays, sermons and eulogies, by R. Menachem Mendel Lezer Rabbi of Strizov (Strzyżów). Zhovkva, [ca. 1842-1847]. First edition.
The author, R. Menachem Mendel Lezer (1788-1831) was a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov and the Maggid of Kozhnitz.
[1], 41; 26 leaves. Lacking leaf [2] (approbations and additions). 22.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and wax stains. Worming. Signature on title page. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 557.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Birkat David, Chassidic explanations on the Five Books of the Torah, by Rebbe Avraham David Wahrman of Buchach. Lviv, [1845]. First edition
False imprint: 5565 (=1805) and 1800, Jihdas Rosanis. The actual year of printing – 1845, is hinted to in the closing note of the publisher, at the end of the book. This type of forgery was common in Chassidic books printed in Galicia at that time, due to censorship prohibitions and the persecution of Chassidim by the Haskalah movement.
Rebbe Avraham David Wahrman, the "Gaon of Buchach" (1770-1840), a leading Torah scholar and Chassidic figure, and prominent posek in his times. Served as rabbi of Yazlovets, and later of Buchach. He authored many compositions; his halachic works became classics cited thousands of times in halachic literature.
Ownership inscription on verso of last leaf: "Belongs to the wealthy… R. Yosef Feuerstein of Chortkov".
[2], 182 leaves. 22 cm. Printed on thick, high-quality, (mostly) bluish paper. Good condition. Some stains. Minor worming in a few places. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 100.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Bat Ayin on the Torah, by Rebbe Avraham Dov of Ovruch. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, [1847]. First edition.
This book is a classic text of Chassidic thought and contains the holiness of Eretz Israel. It was written by the disciples of the author, but it was carefully edited by Rebbe Avraham Dov after Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl instructed him to print it. The first edition of the book was printed specifically in Eretz Israel and not in the Diaspora, following the instructions of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin.
In his approbation to the 1869 edition, Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl blesses anyone who buys the book at full price with success in all their dealings.
Signature on final leaf of Shlomo of Letichev (near his name in list of donors).
[2], 125, [1] leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dark stain to final leaf. Worming affecting text (extensive worming to first and final leaves), repaired in part with paper. Tears, including marginal open tear to one leaf, repaired with paper. Several places reinforced with paper. Leaves trimmed with damage to text in one place. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
Including final leaf with list of subscribers from Eretz Israel, not present in some copies. This leaf serves as historical documentation of the members of the Chassidic settlement in Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias and Hebron in the mid-19th century.
Sh. HaLevi, no. 38; Stefansky Chassidut, no. 103.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Pri Kodesh Hilulim, introduction and commentary to the book Pri Etz Chaim on the prayer kavanot, by Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov – "Sar Beit HaZohar". Lviv, [1833]. False imprint: Jides [Yehudit] Rosanes, 1802.
The actual year of printing is hinted to in the closing note of the publisher at the end of the book, where two chronograms each indicate the year 5593 (=1833). This type of falsification was common in Chassidic books printed in Galicia at that time, due to censorship restrictions and the persecution of Chassidim by the Haskalah movement (A. Yaari lists 16 books with similar false imprints).
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Eichenstein, the Ateret Tzvi of Zidichov (1763-1831), was known by the name "Sar Beit HaZohar" due to his exceptional knowledge of kabbalah. From a young age, he was renowned as an outstanding genius whose knowledge encompassed all facets of the Torah.
[1], 21; 15, [1] leaves. Approx. 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains (including dark stains; wax stains to one leaf, slightly affecting text). Tears and worming to several leaves, affecting text. Slight damage to text on some leaves, due to binding. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 483.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Ateret Tzvi, commentary on the Zohar, by Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov – the "Sar Beit HaZohar". Part I on Bereshit and Part II on Shemot. [Lviv, 1834-1841?]. First edition.
Two parts in Two volumes.
Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Eichenstein, the Ateret Tzvi of Zidichov (1763-1831), was known as the "Sar Beit HaZohar" due to his exceptional knowledge of kabbalah. A glimpse of his profound kabbalistic knowledge is revealed in his book Ateret Tzvi on the Zohar.
Two volumes. Vol. I (Bereshit): [1], 75, 78-83, 85-86, 89-90, 93-152 leaves. Lacking 6 leaves (76-77, 87-88, 91-92). Vol. II (Shemot): [1], 54 leaves. Approx. 23 cm. Vol. II printed on greenish paper. Overall fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains (significant dampstains in vol. II). Traces of past dampness and mold stains in vol. I. Worming to vol. I, affecting text. Abrasions on title page of vol. I. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 460.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Daat Kedoshim, Kabbalah and Chassidut, by Rebbe Yehuda Zvi [Eichenstein] rabbi of Rozdil. Lviv, 1848. First edition.
On title page, ownership inscription signed by Rebbe Avraham Mordechai Safrin of Boryslav-Komarno. Ownership inscriptions on many leaves: "Belongs to the Beit Midrash of Redem [Radymno]".
Dozens of long kabbalistic glosses. The writer mentions leading Chassidic masters, including "Mohariak" (probably R. Yitzchak Eizik of Komarno). The glosses may have been written by R. Chaim Yaakov Dominitz of Redem, rabbi of Neustadt (near Przemyśl), one of the primary disciples of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz.
The author, Rebbe Yehuda Tzvi Eichenstein (1791-1847) was a prominent rebbe of the Zidichov dynasty. The book was published by Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Shinova, son-in-law of the author.
Rebbe Avraham Mordechai Safrin of Boryslav (1859-1942; perished in the Holocaust), son of Rebbe Eliezer Tzvi Safrin of Komarno and son-in-law of R. Chaim Yaakov Dominitz of Redem. Served as rebbe from 1898.
[2], 77 leaves. 25 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Wear and creases. Worming (extensive in several places), affecting text and glosses. Abrasion to final leaf, affecting text, with loss. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 133.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Midrash Rabba, with the Matnot Kehunah commentary and Perush Maharya – a kabbalistic and Chassidic commentary by Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Eichenstein of Zidichov. Lviv, 1874-1875. First edition. Four volumes.
The sons of the author write in their foreword that although publishing the author's commentary on the Torah portions would appear to take precedence, they are first publishing his commentary on the Midrash, in accordance with his will.
Copy of Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh Shapiro, the Darchei Teshuvah of Munkacs (1845-1914), with his stamps on the title pages and other leaves.
Four volumes. Vol. I: [3], 136 leaves. Lacking leaf [4] with continuation of foreword. Vol. II: [2], 67; 54, [1] leaves. Vol. III: [1], 91; 26 leaves. Lacking first title page (not listed in Bibliography of Hebrew Book; appears in some copies). Vol. IV: [2], 136 leaves. 33.5 cm. Overall good-fair condition. Stains. Open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper. Worming affecting text, repaired with paper. Leaves trimmed close to text, with damage to headings and text. New bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 336.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Torat Kohanim with the Asirit HaEifah commentary, by Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin, rabbi of Zidichov (Zhydachiv) and Komarno, author of Heichal HaBerachah. Lviv, 1848. First edition.
Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin Rabbi of Zidichov and Komarno (1806-1874), a G-dly kabbalist and leading transmitter of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. His books, in particular the Heichal HaBerachah commentary, are considered classic Chassidic works cherished by prominent Chassidic leaders.
[2], 158 leaves [i.e. 157; misfoliated]. Leaf 54 appears twice; one copy with printing error (text on one side from a different part of the book). 37 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Stamps. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 656.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Set of Five Books of the Torah, with Targum Onkelos and various commentaries, and with the Heichal HaBerachah and Otzar HaChaim commentaries, by Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin, rabbi of Zidichov and Komarno. Lviv: Pessel Balaban, [1864-1874]. First edition printed in the lifetime of the author, over the course of approximately ten years. Five volumes.
This book contains two original works by the author: The Heichal HaBerachah commentary – commentary based on Kabbalistic and Chassidic teachings regarding Masorah, exact spelling of words and spacing between sections; and the Otzar HaChaim commentary on the 613 mitzvot as found in the Torah portions, Kabbalistic and Chassidic commentary explaining which mitzvah is alluded to in each letter of the Ten Commandments. Both compositions are based on the principles of the Arizal and Baal Shem Tov.
The Heichal HaBerachah chumashim by R. Yitzchak Eizik of Komarno are classic works of Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought, favored by rebbes of all circles.
The author describes in a letter the segulah qualities of the book, promising "…I am confident that anyone who has our Chumash in his home will be spared from any misfortune and harm, illness and want, and his home will be filled with G-d's blessing and all good, success, wealth and longevity for him and his offspring… children, life and sustenance, benevolence and mercy, favorable judgement, for a long life".
Incomplete copies (apart from Vayikra vol.). Five volumes. Bereshit: 12-283, [7] leaves. Lacking first 13 leaves, and two leaves (leaves [7]-[8]) of [9] final leaves. Leaves 171-174 bound out of sequence. Shemot vol. (with Megillat Esther): 4-320, [39] leaves. Lacking first five leaves and [7] leaves preceding final leaf of Megillat Esther. Vayikra vol. (with Shir HaShirim): [2], 300, [11]; [4], 15-62 leaves. Bamidbar vol. (with Megillat Ruth): [1], 225, [15] leaves. [1] leaf at beginning of vol. comprises author's preface and approbation by R. Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov. Lacking first three leaves. Devarim vol. (with Kohelet and Eichah): 211, [1], 26 leaves. Lacking first four leaves. Approx. 26-27 cm. Condition varies, good-fair to fair. Stains, including dampstains. Minor wear to some leaves. Worming affecting text (extensive worming to vol. V). Tears, including open tears affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Title page of Vayikra vol. and other leaves reinforced with paper. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 218.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Six Orders of the Mishnah, with the commentaries of R. Ovadia of Bartenura and Tosafot Yom Tov, and with the Maaseh Oreg, Pnei Zaken and Atzei Eden commentaries, by Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin, rabbi of Zidichov and Komarno. Lviv, 1862. First edition, second issue. Special title page for order Kodashim, printed in black, gold and copper-red.
The author, Rebbe Yitzchak Eizik Yehuda Yechiel Safrin Rabbi of Zidichov and Komarno (1806-1874), a G-dly kabbalist and leading transmitter of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. His books, in particular the Heichal HaBerachah commentary, are considered classic Chassidic works cherished by prominent Chassidic leaders.
Ownership inscription of R. Yichye Sa'id HaLevi on verso of title page of order Nashim. Handwritten dedication on title page of order Nezikin.
6 volumes. Zera'im: [5], 97, 26, 92 [1] leaves; Mo'ed: [1], 59, 61-142, [1] leaves. Nashim: [1], 129, [1] leaves. Nezikin: [1], 4, 7-14, 17-184 leaves. Kodashim: [1], 94, 43 leaves. Taharot: [1], 296 leaves. 26.5-28.5 cm. Overall fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and wax stains; many stains to some leaves. Mildew to the final leaves of Moed. Worming affecting text. Open tears to many leaves, including most of the title pages, affecting the borders and the text, some repaired with paper. Open tears to (approx.) first 15 leaves of vol. Kodashim, affecting text. Many tears to first and final leaves of vol. Moed (large open tear to final leaf). Some leaves trimmed with damage to headings and text. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 367.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.