Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
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On the front endpaper, ownership inscriptions indicating that the book belonged to R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, the Chafetz Chaim: "This book belongs to the preeminent scholar R. Yisrael Meir son of R. Aryeh Zev HaKohen of Radin, Vilna province, author of Chafetz Chaim"; "This book belongs to R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, who acquired it from a person who wishes to remain unnamed. So says his friend who seeks his wellbeing, Yitzchak Koshoner".
This book came from the inheritance of R. Tzvi Yehuda Eidelstein, son of R. Yerachmiel Gershon Eidelstein Rabbi of Shumyachi and author of Chiddushei Ben Aryeh (1862-1919), who received it from the Chafetz Chaim himself. This transpired during WWI, when the Chafetz Chaim fled together with the Radin Yeshiva to Shumyachi, Minsk province, where they remained for some two and a half years. During that period, the rabbi of the town, R. Yerachmiel Gershon, became very close to the Chafetz Chaim. In his book Chiddushei Ben Aryeh Part II, several responsa appear concerning Mikvaot and Agunah, questions posed to the Chafetz Chaim who requested from R. Yerachmiel Gershon to respond to them with the applicable Halacha (the Chafetz Chaim also reputedly said about him that he was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk not only in Torah but also in his righteousness).
[1], 2-116, [1] leaves. 32.5 cm. Dry paper. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and mold stains. Wear and tears. Tears to endpaper containing ownership inscriptions, professionally restored with paper. Worming, affecting text. Elaborate leather binding.
An authentication letter by R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss is enclosed, confirming that "this book comes from the library of R. Yaakov Eidelstein, son of R. Tzvi Yehuda Rabbi of Shumyachi in whose home the Chafetz Chaim stayed during WWI, leaving the book there when the war ended".
Lot 68 Letter of Blessings and Acknowledgement from Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz – Kamenitz, Iyar 1936
Letter in Yiddish addressed to the Feigin family of Philadelphia, United States. R. Baruch Ber showers them in the letter with blessings and thanks for their generous support of the yeshiva, and mentions that the yeshiva marked the yahrzeit of R. Tzvi son of R. Mordechai.
The letter, which is typewritten for the most part, concludes with six lines of warm, heartfelt blessings, handwritten and signed by the yeshiva dean, R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz: " …I wish to bless you and your wife, the righteous lady, may she live for many long, good years, with all the blessings, success, longevity and good years… in the merit of your support of Torah, may you merit the Redemption and to hear the footsteps of Mashiach, Amen. One who blesses him, Baruch Dov Leibovitz, dean of the Beit Yitzchak yeshiva".
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1940), author of Birkat Shmuel, leading Torah disseminator in his times. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva, and the son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman Rabbi of Hlusk. After his father-in-law went to serve as rabbi of Kremenchuk, he succeeded him in Hlusk and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During WWI, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, finally settling in Kamenitz. He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His writings are classic works of in-depth yeshiva Torah study.
[2] leaves, official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor marginal tears. Folding lines. Typewritten text slightly faded.
Copy of the Mashgiach, R. Yechezkel Levenstein – many of his stamps on the title page and front endpaper: "Yechezkel Levenstein – Yeshivat Mir – Menahel Ruchani"; "Yechezkel Levenstein – Yeshivat Ponovezh – Menahel Ruchani".
R. Yechezkel Levenstein (1885-1974) was a leader of the mussar movement, product of the Kelm Talmud Torah. He was the Menahel Ruchani (spiritual administrator) of the Mir Yeshiva in Poland, Shanghai and Jerusalem. After R. Dessler's passing, he was appointed mashgiach of the Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei-Brak. A holy, pious man, he was known for his connection to G-d and his abstention from earthly pleasures (he was never seen leaning back in his chair, and other exceptional conducts). The effectiveness of his blessings and prayers was well known and many were saved through his blessings. During the Holocaust, while the Mir Yeshiva escaped to Vilna and the Far-East, his disciples saw clearly that his decisions and blessings were supernatural, directed by heavenly revelations. Though R. Yechezkel was very well-versed in kabbalah, his discourses always only contained words of reproach and faith, to the extent many thought that he had no knowledge of kabbalah. Or Yechezkel, Imrei Yechezkel, Avodat Yechezkel and more were published based on his discourses.
[33] leaves. 25 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears and worming, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Old binding, worn and damaged.
Signed by the witnesses: "Aharon son of R. Reuven Katz" (R. Aharon Katz, son of R. Reuven Katz Rabbi and dean of the Petach Tikva yeshiva, where the groom was studying); "Yitzchak son of R. Pinchas Baruchson" (R. Yitzchak Baruchson, mashgiach of the Lomza yeshiva in Petach Tikva, previously a dean of the Or Yisrael yeshiva in Slabodka-Kovno). The guarantor on behalf of the groom was his uncle R. Meir Karelitz, while the guarantor on behalf of the bride was her uncle R. Shmuel Aharon Yudelevitz.
The match between R. Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022) and Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky (1932-2012), eldest daughter of R. Elyashiv, was concluded upon the advice of the groom's uncle – the Chazon Ish, who attested that as a daughter of a veritable Torah scholar, she was truly suited for him.
R. Elyashiv later retold that when he consulted the Chazon Ish about the match, the latter praised the prospective groom profusely, even predicting that R. Chaim would one day be an outstanding Torah scholar renowned for his breadth of knowledge, just like the Rogatchover. When R. Elyashiv related this decades later, he added that at the time, it seemed to him that the Chazon Ish was overstating, as is customary for matchmaking, but in truth the prediction of the Chazon Ish was realized in full. The Steipler, father of R. Chaim Kanievsky, held his mechutan R. Elyashiv in high regard, and would refer to him halachic questions and names to be mentioned in prayer and for blessings. He even sent people to be blessed by his daughter-in-law Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky, as a woman of holy lineage. Over the years, her great abilities were publicized, and many experienced salvations as a result of her prayers and blessings. Thousands of women flocked to Rebbetzin Batsheva, seeking her heartfelt encouragement and wise counsel.
[1] leaf. 32.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
Collection of dozens of rare proclamations containing much information, most of which is not known from other sources, on the Jewish communities and Kashrut agencies in Toronto and Canada, and on the polemic surrounding the kashrut of meat, which involved the rabbis of Toronto and various institutions in the city.
Most the proclamations are from the 1920s-1940s, and relate to the polemic regarding the shechitah of meat and the kashrut agencies. Many are polemic proclamations issued during the battle between the various kashrut agencies and rabbinic organizations in Toronto, as they competed with each other. The city boasted two kashrut agencies: Kehilla of Toronto (an organization established in 1923 to oversee the kashrut of meat in the city) and Vaad HoIr (established in the early 1930s, usually signed its proclamations as "The Committee", "The Committee of the City", or "Vaad HaKashrut"). It appears from the proclamations that there were also several rabbinic committees in the city, who signed the proclamations using various names: "Vaad HaRabbanim Toronto" or "Vaad HaRabbanim and the community of Toronto"; "Knesset HaRabbanim – Toronto"; "Rabbanim of Toronto"; "Rabbinical Office". One of the proclamations in favor of the kashrut supervision of Knesset HaRabbanim is signed by "Agudath Kehillot Yisrael Toronto" (presumably connected to the Kehilla of Toronto agency).
The collection includes:
• Many proclamations on kashrut matters: invitations to conferences on these matters, prices and taxes of shechitah and meat products, denunciation of sellers of non-kosher meat, and more. • Proclamations calling to strengthen Torah observance and Halachah. • Appeal to employ Jews over non-Jews. • Proclamation against the book Zikaron by R. Y.L. Graubart, claiming that the book slanders Polish Jewry. • Printed letter by R. Shalom Eliezer Rogosin, against the Central Relief committee. [Brooklyn, ca. 1920s]. • Appeal to help Polish orphans. • Two large folded leaves, containing lists of Jewish institutions in Toronto and the names of their representative, for the purpose of electing the heads of the Kehilla of Toronto corporations. One of the lists is from 1932, and the other from a different election, ca. 1930s. • Leaflet from Agudas Shomrei HaDas, no. 10 (Nissan 1951), with various updates on kashrut matters. • "Yizkor" – 8th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (1951). • Other proclamations on various topics.
88 paper items. Size and condition vary. Mostly printed on dry, brittle paper. Some are damaged, with tears and open tears.
Manuscript on parchment. Square scribal script, followed by the signatures of dozens of community members, some of them signing on behalf of various Jewish institutions and organizations in the city. The signatories are headed by the leaders and prominent members of the community, including: R. Moshe son of R. Shneur Zalman Zingarevich, Yaakov Tzvi Geiger, Yaakov Schneidman, and others.
Also signed on the scroll is R. Eliyahu Meir Bloch dean of the Telshe yeshiva in Cleveland, Ohio (U.S.), who was presumably visiting Brazil at the time.
The scroll is placed in an ornamented cylindrical metal case, inscribed "Igeret Bracha".
R. Mordechai Tzikinovski (1899-1990), rabbi in Bessarabia, Brazil and Eretz Israel. He served as rabbi of Rio de Janeiro for 23 years, and upon immigrating to Eretz Israel, was appointed rabbi of the moshav Meron.
Parchment leaf, folded and rolled up as a scroll. Height: 79 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, creases and wear. Height of case: approx. 34 cm.
• Enclosed: a JNF Golden Book certificate in the name of R. Mordechai Tzikinovski.
Manuscript, machzor comprising the Amidah prayers for Rosh Chodesh, the three festivals and High Holidays, selected piyyutim for these days and the Passover Haggadah, according to Italian rite. Illustrated miniature manuscript on a single sheet of parchment cut into roundels. [Italy, late 15th or early 16th century].
Miniature manuscript, Italian semi-cursive script on both sides of a sheet of parchment cut into roundels. The roundels are arranged in seven rows of seven roundels each; diameter of each roundel approx. 5.5 cm; altogether 49 conjoined roundels (98 written "pages").
This unique format allows for dynamic use of the manuscript, enabling the reader to fold the various roundels into different configurations in order to expose the appropriate prayer segments. Upon completion of the prayers, the entire manuscript can be folded to the diameter of a single roundel, and be easily stored and carried. Due to its limited size, the manuscript does not include the full prayer texts, rather an abridged version comprising selected sections (the Haggadah appears in full).
Ornamental initial word panels with foliate designs – delicate leaves and branches in green, pink and burgundy. The illustrations include an angel blowing a shofar next to a trumpet bearing figure (at the beginning of the Kol Nidrei prayer), the four sons from the Passover Haggadah, Rabban Gamliel, other figures in contemporary dress (a figure holding a wine goblet near the blessing over the second cup, figures wielding matzah and maror, and more), and animals (leopard, rabbit, and more). Although generally the artist confined his illustrations to the individual roundels, he occasionally overstepped the boundaries of the design. The wicked son is shown in the roundel above that containing the simple son and appears to be stepping down through the two spaces, his sword poised, as the simple son, cowering below, looks up to him. In other depictions, the figures are placed halfway between two roundels, the fold between the two units occurring at the waist of the figure.
There are only a few Christian and Muslim manuscripts that bear some similarity to this manuscript; the best-known of them is the Codex Rotundus, a "book of hours" (Christian devotional) manuscript scribed and illuminated in Bruges during the 15th century, known as the Rotundus due to its circular shape. Likewise, several manuscripts of the Quran cut into miniature octagons were produced in Iran and Turkey in the 16th and 17th centuries (though written on paper rather than on parchment).
None of these manuscripts, however, include the most striking and unique features of the manuscript offered here – namely, its miniature dimensions, it being written on a single sheet of parchment that can be folded to pocket size, and it being written in Hebrew. These three features make this manuscript an extremely rare and exceptionally unique item.
There are only two known Hebrew equivalents of the present manuscript:
1. In April 2018, a similar manuscript from the 15th century, without illustrations, was sold in Kedem; comprised of 76 roundels and containing the year-round machzor – High Holidays, three festivals and Rosh Chodesh (lacking title page roundel). See Kedem Auction 61, item 3.
2. A similar manuscript is held in the Skirball museum, Los Angeles (the Sally Kirschstein collection). It comprises 64 roundels – written on one side only, with the Passover Haggadah, and features only two illustrations – matzah and maror.
Another item which must be mentioned in this context (despite the obvious differences) is a small medal-shaped box holding 19 hand-colored conjoined roundels (4.2 cm in diameter) showing scenes from the life of Joseph Siskind Oppenheimer ("Jew Süss"), printed in Württemberg in 1738.
See Hebrew description for a list of the piyyutim included in this manuscript
[98] pages. Parchment sheet: approx. 40X40 cm. Diameter of roundels: approx. 5.5 cm. Overall good condition. Minor damage and tears. Stains (dark stains to some roundels). Ink and paint faded in some places. Placed in silver case.
Provenance:
1. Private collection.
2. Private collection (since 1984). Acquired by the present owner at Sotheby's NY, February 1 1984.
This item will be available for viewing at University Archives, Wilton, Connecticut, by appointment through Kedem
Ink and tempera on parchment, gilt.
Oval-shaped illuminated plaque of the cleansing society in Rome, a society which delt in the ritual cleansing and shrouding of the dead, and joining the prayers in the mourners' home during the seven days of mourning. Large illustration at the bottom, depicting thirteen men and one woman dressed in the finest early-19th century fashion, surrounding a shrouded dead, next to washing jugs and a casket.
Decorative illuminated geometric border; at the top – an illuminated baroque cartouche decorated with flowers and ribbons, stating: "These are the names of the men responsible for the washstand and its base for washing, the Cleansing Chevra Kaddisha... as elected on the 17th of Nissan 1816... renewed now in the days of the elder R. Shmuel Corcos... R. Yitzchak Di Cori and R. Avraham Yitzchak Tedesco in 1816".
Beneath the cartouche is an illuminated table listing the members of the society: Rabbi Leon [R. Yehuda Leon Rabbi of Rome], R. Shmuel Corcos, R. Gershon Yitzchak Ascarelli, R. Manoah (Tranquillo) son of David Voltera, R. Shmuel Yehuda Di Castro, R. Shabtai son of R. Chizkiyah Ambron, R. Yitzchak Berechiah Barrafaele, R. Shabtai Menachem Chaim Alatri, R. Shabtai Chaim Modigliani, R. Chananiah Esdra, R. Yitzchak Di Cori, R. Avraham son of Yechiel Tivoli, R. Shlomo Refael Tedesco, Manoah Corcos, R. David Velletri, R. Avraham Yitzchak Tedesco, R. Mordechai Ascarelli, R. Aharon Efrati, R. Mordechai Yosef Del Monte and R. Menachem Modigliani.
The fashionable dress of the figures in the illustration – breeches, tailcoats, waistcoats, stiff collars and elegant top hats – reflects the attitude of Italian Jewry to Italian culture, and its readiness to integrate financially, politically and culturally into the society and adopt its ways, ranging from art to leisure activities. This visual testimony to the material culture of Italian Jewry, in particular in regard to their dress, joins a drawing by Hieronymus Hess (1799-1850) from ca. 1823 depicting a synagogue in Rome during prayer time, where the Jews are portrayed dressed in a very similar fashion to those in the present plaque (though in a somewhat antisemitic and derisive vein).
In the period when this plaque was written, the cleasing society was one of the oldest and most established societies in Rome. Its leaders were wealthy merchants and prominent figures in the community – Manoah (Tranquillo) Voltera, Yitzchak Barrafaele who was the wealthiest person in the ghetto (Milano, 261), and members of the Ascarelli family; the society itself had considerable capital in form of real estate. The members of the society were split into two groups who exchanged tasks – one group worked on the ritual cleansing of the deceased, while the other prayed with the mourners.
A similar plaque documenting the cleansing society in Rome in 1801, bearing a mostly identical illustration, is held in the Israel Museum (L-B85.0056). The Israel Museum collection also includes another plaque, from Florence, 1776, listing the names of the members of the Metaharei Metim society, with an illustration depicting the cleansing of the deceased (B90.0108).
The present plaque is photographed in the book "The Life Cycle" by Shalom Sabar, p. 284.
Approx. 35.5X27 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes to paint. Minor stains. Penciled inscriptions and pieces of paper pasted on verso.
Literature:
1. Attilio Milano, The Ghetto of Rome. Tel Aviv: Sifriat Maariv, 1992.
2. Hermann Vogelstein, Paul Rieger, Geschichte der Juden in Rom, II. Berlin: Mayer & Müller, 1895.
3. Shalom Sabar, The Life Cycle. Jerusalem: Ministry of Education and Ben Tzvi Institute, 2006.
Provenance: Private collection. Acquired by the present owner in Sotheby's, 17 May 1985.
Square and semi-cursive (Rashi) Ashkenazic script. Title page within illustrated border depicting the figures of Moses and Aaron, lions and eagles. Inscription in same hand as title, dated 1772, attesting that the book belongs to Menli son of R. Yaakov R.H. of Aszód. Four initial words decorated with floral designs, in color.
Blank (paper) leaves were bound at the beginning and end of the manuscript, to be used as circumcision ledger. Familial inscriptions (marriage and birth records) from the city of Petzel (Pécel, Hungary), dated 1842-1846 were inscribed in later years on these leaves in Hebrew and German.
[10] parchment leaves + [19] paper leaves bound at beginning and end of volume. Coated parchment. Approx. 11 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Inscriptions. Original decorated leather binding. Wormhole to binding.
Title page in large calligraphic script, featuring the name of the writer – Kalman son of R. Yitzchak Itzek, and the year – 5584 (1824). The year refers to the date the Pinkas was prepared; inscriptions were subsequently added, the final inscription being from 1891.
The title page also states that the Pinkas was prepared at the behest of the community leaders: R. Lieberman son of R. Moshe Nasch (possibly son of R. Moshe Nasch Rabbi of Zwolle, mentioned in the memorial section), and R. Yehuda Leib son of R. Moshe Levi, Gabbai Tzedakah.
The Pinkas begins with various prayers recited at the Bimah in the synagogue (Birkat HaChodesh, Av HaRachamim, Mi Sheberach for a donor, Mi Sheberach for a woman experiencing a difficult labor); as well as the Ramban's text of Pidyon Nefesh (printed in several books, such as Shem Tov Katan and Amtachat Binyamin).
The prayers are followed by Hazkarat Neshamot (memorial) records. This section opens with the names of two rabbis of the Netherlands (the writer did not know the exact year of their passing, and therefore left a space): R. Moshe son of R. Yoel Nasch Rabbi of Zwolle (Overijssel; d. 1807) and R. Yaakov Moshe son of R. Shaul Lowenstam Rabbi of Amsterdam (d. 1815). Listed next are the rabbis of Leeuwarden (Friesland), under whose jurisdiction the Bolsward community presumably fell: R. Nachman son of R. Yaakov Segal (d. 1769); R. Katriel son of R. Yehuda Lifschitz (d. 1792, his Torah novellae were published in the Tel Talpiot anthology); R. Yechiel Aryeh Leib son of R. Yaakov Moshe Lowenstam (d. 1807, in his father's lifetime); R. Avraham son of R. Yitzchak Tiktin (d. 1821, of Copenhagen); R. Chaim son of R. Aryeh Leib Lowenstam (d. 1836, son of R. Aryeh Leib Breslau Rabbi of Rotterdam). Includes other records of men and women from the community and the surroundings.
[5] parchment leaves (8 written pages). 31.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. New binding.
Neat handwriting, with calligraphic script. Two decorated title pages, in English and Hebrew, which state that the manuscript was presented by Shaul Tzvi Lorie in memory of his father, mother and wife (with the dates of their passing): "Brighton Hebrew Congregation – In affectionate remembrance of Mr. S.H. Lorie and his beloved and lamented parents and wife...", "From me, Shaul Tzvi Lorie". Additional dedication at the foot of the final page.
The manuscript includes: text of Hazkarat Neshamot, Mi Sheberach, HaGomel blessing, prayer for Monday and Thursday, text for calling up Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit, blessings of the Haftarah, Yekum Purkan, prayer for the monarch in Hebrew and English (for King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, and the royal family), Yizkor, and more.
The Hebrew title page and the dedication on final page are dated 5664, later corrected to 5665. The English title page reads 5666, 1905.
Several paper leaves are bound at the beginning of the booklet. One of them contains two additional Mi Sheberach texts, signed "Moshe Heilperin, Beit Din scribe and proofreader". The manuscript is bound in leather binding with a gilt design.
[9] paper leaves (one written), [11] parchment leaves. 29.5 cm. Good condition. Stains to parchment leaves. Tears and stains to paper leaves. Binding loose. Tears and damage to binding. Spine restored.
Red, gold and silver ink on parchment; cursive Sephardic script, the word Chai is enlarged. Witnesses' signatures deleted.
Such ketubot were usually printed on paper, while the present ketubah was printed on parchment. The ketubah is decorated with stamped illustrations of holy sites and gravesites of Tzaddikim, foliate designs, a pair of lions, and verses.
58X46 cm. Fair condition. Creases, damage and tears (one repaired with tape). Minor stains, some caused by smudging of red ink.