Auction 88 - Part I - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Yismach Moshe on the Torah – Chassidic and Kabbalistic homiletics, following the order of the weekly Torah portions, by R. Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Parts I-V, on the Books of Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. Lviv, 1848-1861. Set in four volumes. First edition of all five parts, with a separate title page for each part (Devarim part bound with Bamidbar and lacking title page).
The Yismach Moshe series was prepared for print by the author's grandson and close disciple, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev, and his glosses and additions, introduced with the words "so said the editor", are included in several places. A brief foreword by the Yitav Lev was printed at the beginning of the Bereshit volume.
The author, R. Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841), was the progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar dynasties, as well as other prominent Chassidic dynasties.
Stamps on the title page of the first volume: "Yechezkel Banet Rabbi of Varahl" (R. Yechezkel Banet [1861-1913], grandson of R. Shlomo Ganzfried author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, served as rabbi of Szinyérváralja, where he established a prominent yeshiva).
Set in four volumes. Bereshit: [1], 117 leaves. Leaf 103 bound after leaf 104. Shemot: 90 leaves. Leaf 73 bound after leaf 74. Vayikra: 42 leaves. Lacking leaves 21-22, extra copies of leaves 19-20 bound instead. Bamidbar and Devarim: [1], 49; 2-72, [1] leaves. Lacking leaf 1 of second sequence – title page and approbations of Devarim. Size varies: approx. 21.5-24.5 cm. First volume in good condition, other volumes in fair condition. Stains, including dampstains (dark ink stains to several leaves of vol. I). Tear to title page of vol. I, repaired with tape. Worming to other volumes, affecting text (significant damage in some places), repaired in part with tape. Marginal open tears to vol. II, not affecting text. Open tears to title page and other leaves of vol. IV, affecting text in one place, repaired in part with tape. Leaves trimmed close to text in several places. Inscriptions and stamps. New, matching leather bindings.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Or HaGanuz, novellae on the Torah according to allegoric, kabbalistic and Chassidic approaches, with a second part – VeZot LiYehuda, novellae on Mishnayot "according to allegoric and kabbalistic approaches, lofty secrets", by R. Yehuda Leib HaKohen of Anipoli (Hannopil). Lviv, [1866]. First edition. Divisional title page for part II.
The book bears approbations of great Chassidic leaders, including the only approbation to a book ever issued by the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch. Another approbation, by R. Mordechai of Chernobyl (the Maggid of Chernobyl), extols the segulah and protective qualities of the book: "Every person should purchase this holy book for merit and excellent protection for himself and his descendants". His holy sons – R. Aharon of Chernobyl, R. Avraham of Trisk (Turiisk) and R. David of Tolna – also mention in their approbations the segulah for protection that their father described. In the publisher's foreword, the author's grandson likewise cites the protective qualities of the book.
[1], 12; 84; 33 leaves. 23.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. Stamps. New binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Beit Aharon, "on Torah and worship of G-d", by Rebbe Aharon Perlow of Karlin. Brody, 1875. First edition.
Two title pages.
The book begins with Azharot Kodesh, and records of Chassidic practices from the rebbes of the Karlin-Stolin dynasty. The renowned Shabbat song – Kah Echsof Noam Shabbat by R. Aharon HaGadol of Karlin is printed on leaf 6 (p. 11).
[6], 316, [5] pages. 26 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Large open tears to first title page, affecting border, repaired with paper (lacking parts of border provided in photocopy). Minor marginal tears to several leaves. Stamp. New leather binding.
Some corrections were made to this first edition during the course of the printing, resulting in variations between the different copies.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Toldot Yitzchak, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions, the Jewish Holidays and on Tehillim, by Rebbe Yitzchak Shapiro of Neshchiz (Niesuchojeże). Warsaw: Nathan Schriftgiesser, 1868. First edition. Two title pages. Author's name printed in gold ink on first title page.
Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk writes in his approbation of the segulah in possessing this book: "It is fitting for every Jewish person to bring this book into his home so as to procure enduring blessing".
The author, Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (1789-1868), was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neshchiz and close disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Throughout his lifetime, Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz rarely lectured in public. However, in the last year of his life, he delivered lectures on the Torah and on Tehillim almost daily, which were recorded and published in the present book.
[4], 32; 30; 22; 32 leaves. Leaf 24 of first sequence erroneously bound after leaf 26. 25 cm. Wide margins. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Many stains to title page and other leaves. Tears in several places, repaired in part with tape (including title page). Stamps. Many inscriptions. New leather binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Divrei Chaim, two parts, on laws of Gittin (divorce documents) and Mikvaot (ritual baths). Zhovkva, 1864. First edition.
Two parts in one volume. Divisional title page for part II.
This is the first work of the Divrei Chaim to be published, albeit anonymously. (Responsa Divrei Chaim was published 11 years later, in 1875).
Signatures of members of the Chaimov family on the title pages of both parts: R. Yonah and his sons R. Chizkiyah, R. Refael and R. Yedidia.
Two parts in one volume. [3], 34, [1], 33-44; 27; [1], 23, [1] leaves. Leaf 13 of first sequence erroneously bound after leaf 14. 34.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. A few tears, not affecting text. New binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Responsa Divrei Chaim, responsa on the four parts of Shulchan Aruch. Lviv, 1875. First edition. Two parts in two volumes.
Many of the responsa printed in Responsa Divrei Chaim pertain to questions of agunot. It is reported about the Divrei Chaim that "when he needed to sign a responsum regarding an agunah… he practiced much asceticism and immersions before affixing his signature to the permit". This was his practice when writing responsa to questions he received, and also in his final years, when he began arranging his responsa for print.
On the title page of part I, stamp of R. Benzion Wesel Rabbi of Turda. Several glosses in both volumes, presumably in his handwriting.
R. Benzion Wesel Rabbi of Turda (1864-1938), leading rabbi in his times, head of the Orthodox Bureau of Transylvanian rabbis. Served as rabbi of Brașov and Turda.
Two volumes. Part I: [2], 134 leaves. Part II: [4], 120 leaves. 37.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears to title page of vol. I and to margins of other leaves in both volumes, not affecting text, repaired in part with paper. New bindings.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Collection of items related to the Sanz-Sadigura polemic:
• Yalkut HaRo'im, sharp letters from the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and other rabbis, against Rebbe Dov Ber of Leova and his brother R. Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, sons of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin. With the Shever Posh'im essay on the same topic.
80 pages. 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Tears and wear. Title page detached. Without binding.
• Two issues of the HaMaggid newspaper. No. 8, 13th Adar 1869; no. 27, 6th Av 1869.
Two issues in which letters from Rebbe Dov Ber of Leova and other letters related to the Sanz-Sadigura polemic were published.
[2] issues of [10] pages each. Approx. 35 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Marginal tears. Folding marks.
• Der Sanzer Tzadik – R. Chaim Halberstam, by Yehoshua Roker. Vienna, 1927.
Biography of Rebbe Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, and account of the Sanz-Sadigura controversy.
[4] leaves; 225, [1] pages. 19.5 cm. Dry paper. Good condition. Stains. Marginal tears to first and final leaves. Front endpaper detached. Original binding, torn and partially detached.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.