Auction 89 - Rare and Important Items
Ateret Tzvi – Beit Lechem Yehuda – Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah, with the Beit Lechem Yehuda commentary and Shaar Efraim, by R. Tzvi Hirsch Rabbi of Olik (Olyka), son of R. Azriel of Vilna. Fürth: Tzvi Hirsch son of Chaim, [1747]. Second edition.
Important ownership – signatures, various ownership inscriptions and stamps.
In the center and margin of the title page, several ownership inscriptions handwritten and signed by the Shemen Roke'ach: "Elazar, rabbi of Piltz"; "I acquired this, Elazar Rabbi of Piltz".
Other ownership inscriptions: "I received this as a gift from my relative Yaakov Speyer of Fürth, may G-d grant me the merit of studying it, Shmuel ----"; "G-d granted this to me, Yehuda Leib son of R. Y. ---"; and other inscriptions.
Stamp of R. Yehuda Segal Rosner Rabbi of Sekelhid and the region.
R. Yehuda Segal Rosner (1879-1944), a leading Hungarian rabbi. He served for 39 years as rabbi of Sekelhid (Székelyhíd, Săcueni) and dean of the local yeshiva, one of the largest and most prominent Hungarian yeshivot. He was affiliated with the rebbes of Satmar. He authored Imrei Yehuda – responsa and novellae on the Torah. He perished in the Holocaust together with his family.
[1], 2-64, 62-71, [2], 78-103, 102-103, 106-109, 130-132, 104-107, 117-120, 119-120, [8] leaves. 32 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and some tears. Leaves trimmed with damage to text of title page and other leaves. Worming to first leaves. New leather binding.
R. Elazar Löw (1758-1837) was a renowned and outstanding Torah scholar. He served for most of his life as rabbi in several prominent communities throughout Europe. In 1778, he was appointed rabbi of Piltz (Pilica; near Kraków). In 1801, he went to serve as rabbi of Trieschet (Třešť), Bohemia, and later served in other cities in Moravia and Hungary. He served as yeshiva dean for most of his life, and taught more than 1000 disciples, including many future Torah leaders. His son was the famed R. Binyamin Wolf Löw, author of Shaarei Torah. R. Elazar was a prolific writer and was famous for 13 works which he authored (12 were printed in his lifetime). A large part of his writings deal with Talmudic methodology. He pondered Torah even in his sleep and many of his novellae would appear to him in his dreams. Reputedly, his diligence and holiness were so profound that he would not break his fast on the night after Yom Kippur, studying the entire night, and every year on that night, he would merit the revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi (Zichron Elazar). His biographers extol the effectiveness of his prayers. In 1833, he was hit by lightning and became blind. Nevertheless, he continued studying from memory until his last days. At that time, his exceptional memory and proficiency in the entire Torah was apparent. The Chatam Sofer mentioned this in his eulogy: "He was blind for several years, yet this did not impair his amazing erudition and sharpness". The Chatam Sofer cites his books in several places, although he was his contemporary. R. Mordechai Banet stated in awe that his book "Shaarei Chochmah – Shev Shemateta" was "not composed by a human but rather by an angel, and the world has never seen anything like it". Although R. Elazar considered printing his books a G-dly mission, he never went into debt to print them: "He would not allow himself to print too much at once, fearing that he will not be able to pay the expenses... Therefore, he would print his novellae one part at a time… using the profits from the sale of each part to continue printing, for his sole aim was to magnify and strengthen the Torah" (Beit Asher Ohel Sarah, p. 103, at the beginning of Menuchat Asher, Brooklyn, 1963). In his testament, he requested that the names of all his books be inscribed on his tombstone.
Copy of R. Akiva Eger. Ownership inscription in the center of the title page (somewhat indistinct and trimmed), handwritten and signed by R. Avraham Eger, eldest son of R. Akiva Eger: " Belongs to my father, the great luminary R. Aki[va Eger] of Eisenstadt, presently rabbi of Märkisch Friedland, signed by his son… Avraham… Erev Shabbat 26th day of the Omer, 17[98]".
R. Akiva Eger (1761-1837), an eminent Torah scholar in his times. Born in Eisenstadt to R. Moshe Güns and the daughter of the first R. Akiva Eger (rabbi of Pressburg, author of Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva). Before he reached bar-mitzvah age, he already studied in the Breslau Yeshiva under the tutelage of his uncle and teacher R. Binyamin Wolf Eger and at fifteen, began delivering Torah discourses. After his marriage in 1778, he moved to Lissa to the home of his father-in-law R. Itzik Margolies. In spite of his young age, he was regarded as one of the leading scholars of the city which was the hub of Torah study at that time.
In 1792, he was appointed rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec) and established a yeshiva in the city. In 1815, he began his 23-year tenure as rabbi of Posen until his death in 1837. In Posen, he founded a yeshiva and taught many disciples. He cherished teaching his disciples and this pursuit took precedence over writing Torah novellae and responsa to the thousands of queries which reached him daily from all corners of the world. A holy person with Divine inspiration, although supremely humble and gracious, he insisted upon the honor due to the Torah and the rabbinate. He used his authority to lead the communities in the Posen district (Northern Poland and Prussia) and fiercely and successfully fought the Reform movement and those who attempted to tear down the walls of Torah observance. He issued many regulations and established many public institutes. (In the realm of his rabbinical duties, he was accustomed to visiting every ill person who resided in the communities. After his strength waned in his senior years, he appointed special emissaries to visit the ill in his stead and requested to receive their names so he could pray for them).
His descendants were also leading Torah scholars: His eldest son R. Avraham Eger (1781-1853) from the city of Rawicz, who edited his father's writings (with his own additions signed "A.A.B.H.H." – Amar Avraham Ben HaRav HaMehaber, Avraham, son of the author said); R. Shlomo Eger (1786-1852), one of Warsaw's most influential Jews and his father's successor in the Posen rabbinate, author of Gilyon Maharsha and other books; his renowned son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer who after the death of his first wife, wed the daughter of R. Akiva Eger (Rebbetzin Sorel, mother of R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Wolf, author of the Ktav Sofer and R. Shimon Sofer, rabbi of Krakow).
[1], 2-38, [2] leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Open tear to title page, affecting printed text and ownership inscription (with old paper repair). New binding.
Copy of the Ktav Sofer – the title page is inscribed by the author, dedicating the book to the Ktav Sofer who had recently been appointed as rabbi of Pressburg: " …sent to the great luminary, rabbi of Pressburg, son of R. Moshe Sofer, from the author".
The elderly 70-year-old Torah scholar sent his book to his young colleague, who had been selected to succeed his father, the Chatam Sofer, as rabbi of Pressburg and dean of the yeshiva. It is interesting to note that in Responsa Ktav Sofer (Yoreh De'ah part, responsum 7), there is a responsum from the Ktav Sofer to R. Wolf Hamburg, in which he thanks him for the book and discusses one of the responsa found in the present book.
R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin (Wolf) Sofer (1815-1871), eldest son of the Chatam Sofer and his successor as rabbi of Pressburg and dean of the Pressburg Yeshiva. A Torah leader of his generation. His disciples were prominent rabbis in Hungary and the region. His works of responsa, Talmudic and Torah novellae were titled Ktav Sofer. Even before his birth, his illustrious father the Chatam Sofer foresaw that the soul of a tzaddik was to descend to the world and indeed, his holiness and devotion to Torah were evident already in his youth. At the young age of 17-18, he exchanged halachic correspondence with his father's leading disciples. He at first concealed his tremendous diligence and his vast Torah knowledge from his father, but with time, his father discerned his Torah stature and designated him as his successor in delivering discourses in the yeshiva and in responding to the halachic queries received from various rabbis throughout the world. His illustrious father guided him down the path to greatness in revealed Torah and kabbalah, and sent him kabbalistic works to peruse. After his father's sudden death in 1839, he succeeded him as rabbi and yeshiva dean at the young age of 24 and he gained recognition as a Torah leader of his times. He stood at the helm of the battles against the Neolog movement in Hungary and instructed the Hungarian communities to secede and form independent Orthodox communities. His halachic authority was widely accepted even by the elder Torah leaders of his times. The Pressburg yeshiva which he headed was the most prominent Hungarian yeshiva – during the Ktav Sofer's tenure, 300-400 students attended the yeshiva, most of them the elite products of other Hungarian yeshivot. A substantial percentage of the rabbis serving in Hungary and central-Europe were alumni of the Pressburg yeshiva.
R. Avraham Binyamin Zev Wolf Hamburg (1770-1850) was a leading German rabbi in his generation. A close disciple of R. Meshulam Zalman HaKohen, author of Bigdei Kehuna, and his successor as rabbi and yeshiva dean of Fürth. An outstanding Torah scholar and leader of German Jewry, he was also a wealthy figure. He authored Shaar HaZekenim (two parts), Simlat Binyamin and other works. He battled against the Reform movement, and during his tenure, the yeshiva was shut down due to his refusal to introduce secular subjects and transform it into a modern seminary for rabbinical training. He expended almost all his wealth on this battle. He edified many disciples, including R. Yaakov Yukev Ettlinger, the Aruch LaNer. The Chatam Sofer in his letters to him addresses him as "The outstanding and renowned Torah scholar… a double-edged sword… first to speak up in every place…". The Ktav Sofer eulogized him: "The prominent Torah scholar, erudite and sharp… who served as yeshiva dean for many years in Fürth, he was the leading Torah scholar of the generation and a righteous man, pillar of the world, stood in the breach to stave off destructive forces, he gave up his life for Torah and fulfilled the commandment of loving G-d with all one's being and possessions – even if He takes one's life and wealth" (see: Kinstlicher, Ishim UTeshuvot Chatam Sofer, pp. 39-40; see Hamburger, HaYeshiva HaRama BeFiurda, vol. III, pp. 35-144 for a detailed biography of R. Wolf Hamburg).
[5], 2-176 leaves; [2], 134, [3] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text in several places. Stamps. New leather binding.
The title page mentions three parts, though the third part, Shaar Binyamin, was ultimately not printed. See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
Copy of the Rashash of Vilna, with his signature on the title page: "Shmuel Strashun". Inscription in square script at the end of the foreword: "Shmuel Strashuner". Two brief glosses in his handwriting.
R. Shmuel Strashun – the Rashash (1793-1872) was a leading Vilna Torah scholar. Disciple of R. Avraham Danzig, author of Chayei Adam. Son of R. Yosef of Zaskevich and son-in-law of the wealthy R. David from the village of Strashun, who moved with his family to Vilna and became one of the leaders of the Vilna community. His glosses on the Talmud were printed in the Vilna editions of the Talmud under the title Hagahot HaRashash, and they cover the entire Talmud (with the exception of only 8 pages – Gedolei HaDorot, II, p. 683). Hagahot HaRashash is a classic work on the Talmud, widely discussed in the books of the Acharonim and in discourses of yeshiva deans. His glosses to the Mishnah, Midrash Raba and the Rambam were also printed.
[2], 24, 24-29; 9; 9 leaves. 31 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming, affecting text. New binding.
Important ownership. On the title page, ownership inscriptions of R. Hillel Lichtenstein of Kolomyia and his son-in-law R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger; stamps of R. Akiva Yosef (depicting the Western Wall); signature and stamp of R. Yechezkel Roth (later Karlsburger Rav, United States – Meron). Early, trimmed signature at the top of the title page.
R. Hillel Lichtenstein (1815-1891), prominent disciple of the Chatam Sofer. Born in Vécs to the dayan R. Baruch Bendit. He was renowned from a young age for his fear of G-d and attachment to his Creator, and when he studied in the Pressburg yeshiva, he was a cherished disciple of the Chatam Sofer, who held him in high regard for his pure fear of G-d. He served as rabbi of Marghita (Hungary, present day: Romania) and Szikszó, Hungary, and in 1867 was appointed rabbi of Kolomyia, Galicia (present day: Ukraine). A famous preacher, he battled to preserve faithful Judaism, and reproved his generation for breaches made to Torah observance. He was held in high esteem by the leading rabbis of his generation, and the Divrei Chaim Rebbe of Sanz praised him profusely. His responsa were published in Teshuvot Beit Hillel (Satmar 1908) and his sermons were published in the four parts of his book Maskil El Dal, Et Laasot, and more.
His son-in-law, R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger (1838-1922), author of Lev HaIvri. Born in Pressburg, he was circumcised by the Chatam Sofer. He studied under leading Hungarian rabbis, and was extremely zealous in fighting the Reform and Haskalah movements, continuing this struggle after immigrating to Jerusalem in 1870. He was active in support of Jewish settlement and agriculture in Eretz Israel, and also came into conflict with members of the Old Yishuv over his opposition to the methods of the Chaluka (distribution of funds), and over other affairs. The Bnei Ayish settlement was named after him.
R. Yechezkel Roth, the Karlsburger Rav (1935-2021), grandson of R. Moshe Roth Rabbi of Homorod, a descendant of Rebbe Yechezkel Paneth Rabbi of Karlsburg. He immigrated to Eretz Israel after the Holocaust and studied in the Beit Yosef Tzvi and Yitav Lev yeshivot in Jerusalem, under R. Moshe Aryeh Freund. After his marriage, he served as posek of the Edah HaCharedit and rabbi of the Satmar community in Katamon. In 1972, he was summoned by the rebbe of Satmar to serve as rabbi of the Satmar community in Boro Park, U.S., where he founded his Beit Midrash – K'hal Yir'ei Hashem – Karlsburg. In 1983, he built a house and Beit Midrash in Meron, and in his later years, he would spend many months a year in Meron. He authored many works: Emek HaTeshuvah, Emek Shemateta, Chazon Yechezkel, Keren HaTorah, and more.
[1], 2-98 leaves. 32.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. New leather binding.
Ownership inscription handwritten and signed by the Malbim at the top of the title page: " I acquired this book… Meir Leibush Malbim author of Artzot HaChaim VehaShalom, rabbi of Wreschen". A different signature on leaf [2]: "Nathan of Lissa". On the final leaf, stamp of R. Chaim Berlin, who later owned a large part of the Malbim's library.
R. Meir Leibush Malbim (=Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michel; 1809-1879), a Biblical commentator and leading rabbi of his generation, well versed in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (his teacher for Kabbalah was R. Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov). In his youth, he authored the book Artzot HaChaim on Shulchan Aruch, which earned the effusive approbation of the Chatam Sofer and gained him renown as an exceptional Torah scholar.
Wherever he served as rabbi or visited (he served as rabbi of Wreschen, Kempen, Bucharest, Kherson, Łęczyca, Mogilev and Königsberg), he was renowned for the uncompromising battle he waged against modernism, Haskalah and Reform, which elicited much harassment. During his tenure in Bucharest, he fought the Maskilim, who retaliated by contriving a blood libel. This resulted in him being imprisoned and sentenced to death, and only thanks to the intervention of Sir Moses Montefiore was his punishment reduced to expulsion from Romania.
The spread of Haskalah drove him to devote his time and skills to composing a systematic commentary to the Bible, with the goal of clarifying the depth of wisdom which lies in the words of the sages, and proving the veracity of Oral law. Thus came to be his famous commentary to the Bible, which was well-received throughout the Jewish world and reprinted in hundreds of editions.
The signature in this book is from the time the Malbim served as rabbi of Wreschen (Września, Poznań County), between 1837-1841, and mentions the first books he printed: Artzot HaChaim on the Shulchan Aruch (printed in Breslau, 1837), and Artzot HaShalom, homilies (printed in Krotoszyn, 1839).
[2], 24, 27-33 leaves (originally: [1], 33 leaves; lacking leaves 25-26). Approx. 31 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear, open tears and extensive worming, affecting text. Marginal paper repairs to most leaves. New cloth binding.
This copy includes an additional leaf (leaf [2] – approbations), which is not found in all copies. It is printed on one side only (the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book lists a copy in which this leaf was pasted on the verso of the title page, over the proofreader's foreword).
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