Auction 92 Part 2 Rare and Important Manuscripts and Items of the Gross Family Collection
Manuscript, Sefer HaBrit, including order to be recited on the night preceding the Brit, with selections on the topic of Brit Milah from halachic works and books on Jewish thought, by the mohel R. Moshe David Gallichi. [Siena (Italy), 1740].
Ornate, gilt-decorated reddish leather binding. Emblem of the Gallichi family on front and back boards, with the inscription: "Sefer HaBrit, belonging to me, Moshe David son of R. Avraham Gallichi 5500; Moise David Gallichi 1740".
Italian script on high-quality paper. The manuscript opens with verses to be recited on the night preceding the Brit, according the rite of Siena, Italy, followed by a compilation of sources on Brit Milah. A piece of paper at the beginning of the manuscript lists the verses found in the body of the manuscript, with the heading: "Order of verses customarily recited on the night before the Brit in the Siena community…".
The first part of the manuscript (ff. 1-11) contains the aforementioned verses in vocalized, square script. These are followed by various texts, mostly in cursive Italian script. The compilation includes selections from the sages, poskim and commentators on the topic of Brit Milah: passages of Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash and Zohar pertaining to Brit Milah; chapters from the book Menorat HaMaor; Nefesh Yehuda commentary to the above chapters; laws of Milah from Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah with the commentaries of the Taz and Shach at the end of each section; responsum of the Radvaz on section 282 (with passages of the Magen Avraham, Minchat Kohen and Knesset HaGedolah on this topic); responsa by R. Sh. Aboab on the topic of Milah; Leket HaKemach laws of Milah; Panim Chadashot laws of Milah; commentary of R. Gur Aryeh HaLevi on laws of Milah.
Some of the Gallichi family members served as mohalim in Siena (see circumcision ledger of the Gallichi family, Ms NY JTS 3830). Not much is known about R. Moshe David son of R. Avraham Gallichi, owner of the present manuscript (apart from the fact that his signature appears on a ketubah signed in Nissan 1739 in Siena; Siena State Archive, no. 11). The elaborate binding of the present manuscript reflects the wealth and status of the Gallichi family in Siena. The Gallichi family is known to have sponsored the building of a new synagogue in Siena, which began in 1756; the synagogue was inaugurated in 1786 (see Kedem auction 16, item 352).
92 written leaves (and many more blank leaves) + [1] folded leaf. 22 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Tiny marginal tears to two leaves, one repaired with tape. Decorated, gilt edges. Ornate, original leather binding, with many gilt ornaments. Decorated metal clasps (minor blemishes to binding). Placed in a clamshell box.
See: Index of Jewish Art, Gross Family Collection, Jerusalem, Centre of Jewish Art, 1985, Part One: Objects, pp. 283-285.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, IT.011.004.
Illustrated manuscript, Pinkas of the Ner Tamid society – shoemakers' synagogue. [Eastern Europe, 1829/1830].
Ink and paint on thick, high-quality paper, with many illustrations.
The title page states: "This Pinkas belongs to the Ner Tamid society in the shoemakers' synagogue, in this merit they shall be worthy of lighting candles in the Temple, speedily in our times" (chronogram indicating the year 5530 – 1829/1830).
Leaves 2-3 were set aside for inscribing the names of the society members. The first two pages indeed contain a handwritten list of names (in a different hand to that of the scribe).
The following leaves contain the society's regulations – a poetic, partially rhyming text. The rest of the Pinkas is mostly empty.
The manuscript includes ornaments and decorative borders, some of which are colored in red, green, brown and yellow. Four pages are framed in architectural borders (leaves 1 and 6), one page features a medallion in a rectangular ornamented border (p. 2a) and another seven pages are framed with rectangular borders in various patterns (pp. 2b-5b). The architectural borders depict an arch resting on a pair of pillars, surmounted by a pair of lions, langued (in the first two borders) and a pair of unicorns (in the last two borders); surrounded by foliate and floral designs. On p. 1b, a large oil jug is seen between the pillars, with a seven-branched candelabra decorated with knobs and flowers.
The purpose of the Ner Tamid society was to provide oil for lighting up the synagogue. One of its customs was to arrange a special meal every year for all its members. Four times a year, on the Shabbatot where lights are mentioned in the Torah reading (Shabbat Chanukah, and Parashiot Tetzaveh, Emor and Behaalotecha), the honors for the Torah reading were reserved for the members of the society. Such societies were established in various communities in Europe, as stated on the final leaf: "The mitzvah of Ner Tamid is a very great mitzvah… the dividends of which a person enjoys in this world, while the principle reward is saved for him for the World to Come. Hence, Ner Tamid societies were established in Jewish communities…".
6 leaves (12 written and decorated pages), and some 45 more blank leaves. 27 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Original leather binding, with embossed decorations, damaged.
Exhibition: La Menorà, culto, storia e mito (curators: A. Di Castro, F. Leone, A. Nesselrath), Vatican Museum, 2017. See exhibition catalog, p. 274.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EE.011.029.
Illustrated manuscript, Pinkas Chevra Kadisha (burial society register) of the Körmend community (Körmend, Hungary), ca. 1807-1912.
Large, thick manuscript volume, with colorful illustrations and ornaments, bound in an elegant binding with a silver ornament in the center. The title page states the date of completion of the Pinkas – 1812. The following leaves contain a poem and the society's regulations, dated 1807. The Pinkas was in use in the Körmend community until ca. 1912, and includes various entries in Hebrew, Yiddish, German and Hungarian.
The first five pages of the Pinkas are written in calligraphic script, with colorful illustrations and ornaments. The first page – the title page – depicts Moses and Aaron with the Tablets of the Law above them. Scribed at the center of the title page: "Belongs to the Chevra Kadisha Gemilut Chassadim of the Körmend community, written and completed in 1812". A verse mentioning Moses and Aaron surrounds the illustration, and at the foot of the page, verses and part of a piyyut regarding the death of Moses and Aaron.
A fine micrography composed of text from Shir HaShirim occupies the center of the second page. It depicts King Solomon holding a scepter, sitting by a table with the scroll of Kohelet. A draped canopy surrounds the micrography. At the foot of the page, poem forming the acrostic "Leib Sofer", concluding with the date 1807. The poem is surrounded with verses from Mishlei and Kohelet regarding death.
In the center of the third page, note by the scribe Yehuda Leib son of R. Moshe, within frames consisting of text – verses and sayings regarding preparation for death.
The fourth page features six medallions on a colorful, floral background, with quotations pertaining to the different stages in a person's life – birth, childhood, youth, adulthood, old age and death; from the Talmud, Chovot HaLevavot and Sefer HaBrit.
The fifth leaf contains a memorial inscription for the young man Yosef son of R. Feish… who took care of his four brothers, and passed away on 27th Elul 1806. Beneath the inscription, colorful illustration of four trees, with a tree fallen to the ground near them.
The decorated leaves are followed by a list of 50 regulations dated Tuesday, 15th Adar I 1807. This list was copied when the Pinkas was made; two additional regulations were added later. A list of decision from 1874 was added before the regulations. The regulations are followed by a document in German dated October 1852, signed by the community leaders, with the wax seal of the Körmend community.
The Pinkas then contains various entries in Yiddish, German and Hungarian – decisions reached at Chevra Kadisha meetings, documentation of donations received by the society from relatives of the deceased. The records include the names of the donors and the sum donated, mostly with a commitment to mention the deceased in the Yizkor prayers (the names of some of the donors appear in the list of men and women on pp. 68-76; see below). Other entries contain protocols, summaries of meetings, and various decisions of the directors of the Chevra Kadisha.
On pp. 68-76, list of names (men and women) to be mentioned in the Yizkor prayers, opening with an architecural title page.
The list is followed by a colorful leaf, inscribed: "His majesty Prince Fülöp Batthyány, honorary member of the society" (Yiddish); topped with a crown. Prince Fülöp Batthyány was declared honorary member of the Chevra Kadisha of Körmend in 1869, after he granted the community a large plot of land for establishing a new cemetery (see Pinkas HaKehillot, Hungary, p. 494).
This is followed by over two hundred leaves with names of members of the society (Hebrew; one name per leaf, mostly without any other details).
The Pinkas is bound in an elaborate, leather covered, gilt-decorated binding. Fine metal corners. Silver, heart-shaped plaque in center of front board, with engraved inscription "Serve G-d with kindness and truth" [chronogram indicating the year 1838].
[272] leaves (including several blank leaves). Most pages numbered (various paginations, some original, some added later in pencil). 44.5 cm. Gilt edges. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Closed and open tears, mostly not affecting text. Large tears to a few leaves; two leaves torn down the length (lacking approx. half of each leaf). Several leaves torn out and lacking. Abrasions and blemishes to binding. Clasp remnants.
Provenance:
1. Perry's, Judaica, Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art, Tel-Aviv, 22 January 1986, lot 282.
2. The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, HU.011.002.
Pinkas Chevra Kadisha (burial society register). Halas (Kiskunhalas, Hungary), 1833.
Large volume in original leather binding. The manuscript opens with a colorful, illustrated title page, stating: "This Pinkas belongs to the members of the Chevra Kadisha and Gemilut Chasadim (benevolence) society of Halas, 1833". The title page illustration depicts a funeral: figures accompanying pallbearers carrying a stretcher; the head of the society greets them at the cemetery gates, raising a sign stating "HaTzur…" (verses recited by the members of the Chevra Kadisha at the funeral).
Additional title page on p. [2], also decorated in color. The title page contains an introduction in Yiddish, explaining why a second Pinkas was created. The introduction from the previous Pinkas, dated 15th Shevat 1827, was copied on the following page, including 16 signatures copied from the original Pinkas. The next page contains an index of the 29 regulations of the society, followed by the regulations in Yiddish and Hebrew (on facing pages). Additional regulations were subsequently added (in later script; some of these regulations are dated 1866), numbered 30-40.
The next section of the Pinkas contains a register of the members of the society. The name of each member is written on a separate page, in red ink. In some cases, the date of passing and the place of burial is noted. P. 123a: "Index of people who joined the Chevra Kadisha". Map of the cemetery on p. 125a, followed by a list of those buried (leaf 126), including the location of their gravesite.
Kiskunhalas is a city in southern Hungary (some 55 km from Szeged). Jews settled there already in the early 18th century, however the community was only established in the 1820s, and officially recognized in 1857. During the schism of Hungarian Jewry (1869), the community defined itself as Orthodox, though many members of the community later moved over to the Neolog faction. In 1856-1886, the rabbi was R. Eliezer Sussman Sofer of Pressburg (author of Yalkut Eliezer and Sefer HaMikneh), who established a large yeshiva there, generously supported by the members of the community. R. Sussman-Sofer later went to serve as rabbi of Paks, and was succeeded by R. Binyamin Ze'ev Krausz, a disciple of the Ketav Sofer (according to Spitzer, Kehillot Hungaria, Jerusalem 2009, p. 381).
[6], 133 leaves (leaves 41-122, 127-133 blank). 38 cm. Thick, bluish paper. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Marginal tears and tiny open tears, not affecting text. Red edges. Old leather binding, with blemishes. Lettered on spine: "Di Gebrüderschaft" [The Brotherhood].
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, CZ.011.008; HU.011.004.
Neat scribal script, with title pages and leaves illustrated and ornamented in color. The Pinkas contains the regulations of the Chevra Kadisha, words of ethics by R. Naftali Katz author of Semichat Chachamim, copyings of letters from rabbis of Iași dated 1878-1879 (R. Yaakov Taubes, a rabbi of Iași; and his nephew R. Uri Shraga Feivel Taubes Rabbi of Iași), a copying of the sales deed of the burial plot near the gravesite of Rebbe Menachem Nachum of Shtefanesht, and more.
The manuscript opens with a colorful title page, depicting various animals (heraldic lions, langued; gazelles; birds and more), leaves and flowers. Chronogram indicating the year 1875 at the center of the title page.
Leaves 1-3 contain a copying of words of ethics and reproof from R. Naftali Katz (author of Semichat Chachamim) on the importance of preparing for death, and the necessity for the Chevra Kadisha to also take care of the needs of ill people (printed in his book Beit Rachel, Ahavat Shalom edition, Jerusalem 2001, II, pp. 235-238; 36 regulations he wrote there were not copied in the present Pinkas).
On leaf 4, additional colorful architectural title page. On leaf 5, headpiece for a table of contents, depicting an eagle carrying a key, standing on a medallion. The table of contents was eventually not included, resulting in two blank leaves.
33 regulations of the society occupy leaves 14-31, inscribed in color, ornamented circular frames. Three additional regulations on leaf 32.
The regulations are preceded by two introductions – one beginning with a decorated leaf containing a poem forming the acrostic "Yaakov Shlomo son of Mordechai" and a chronogram indicating the year 1875. The second introduction explains the necessity for instituting regulations.
Additional architectural title page on leaf 38, introducing several leaves listing the names of the society members. This part of the Pinkas is lacking several leaves (apparent from the pagination; the leaves may have been blank).
On p. 40a, copying of an essay titled Te'udah BeYisrael by R. Uri Shraga Feivel Taubes Rabbi of Iași, dated 1879. On p. 40b, copying of a letter by R. Yaakov Taubes, a rabbi of Iași, dated 1878.
R. Yaakov Taubes (ca. 1818-1890), fourth son of R. Aharon Moshe Taubes Rabbi of Iași (author of Karnei Re'em), and son-in-law of R. Yehuda Tzvi Eichenstein of Rozdil (author of Amud HaTorah, son-in-law of Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov). A prominent Torah scholar, one of the leading Chassidic rabbis in his times. He first served as rabbi of Zidichov, and in 1868, he moved to Iași to serve on the rabbinate (together with R. Yeshaya Schor author of Kelil Tiferet, and his brother R. Shmuel Shmelke Taubes Rabbi of the city; the latter was succeeded by his son R. Uri Shraga Feivel Taubes). R. Yaakov Taubes was one of the dayanim in the city, and the rabbi of the Podu Roș neighborhood. He exchanged halachic correspondence with the leading rabbis of his times: R. Shlomo Kluger of Brody, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, the Beit Yitzchak of Lviv, and others. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz, in a letter published in Kol Yaakov (Czernowitz, 1872 – regarding the dispute over the Buchach rabbinate), writes that "one must obey my mechutan", in reference to R. Yaakov Taubes.
R. Uri Shraga Taubes (1840-1908), son of R. Shmuel Shmelke Taubes, a leading Torah scholar in his times. He served as rabbi of Iași in place of his father and grandfather, for over forty years. He authored Responsa Ori VeYish'i (Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galitzia, III, pp. 53-54).
A deed, dated 1870, recording the sale of the plot of land east of the gravesite of R. Menachem Nachum of Shtefanesht to R. Yaakov Neuschotz, was copied on pp. 77b-78a. Stamped "Chesed Shel Emet society, founded in Iași in 1875".
A homily regarding Chesed shel Emet was inscribed in decorative frames on leaves 179-180.
[1], 3, 5-15, 17-38, 40-43, 77-78, 178-180 leaves (some blank leaves). 39.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Inscriptions. New, ornamented leather binding.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EE.011.013.
Elegant volume, with a colorful illustrated title pages and colorful illustrations on most leaves. Original leather binding, gilt-decorated and inscribed: "This Pinkas belongs to the Chevrat Shas of Kopitchinitz, 1885". As stated in various places in the Pinkas, the society was founded on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 1880. The Pinkas was completed in Shevat 1881, as stated in the writer's colophon on the final page of the Pinkas (before the endpapers): "Work completed on Motzaei Shabbat Parashat Yitro, 23rd Shevat 1881, here in Chortkov, Yitzchak Eizik son of the late R. Rafael Edelsberg, beadle of the rebbe's Chevrat Shas in Chortkov" – the scribe, R. Yitzchak Eizik Edelsberg of Chortkov, was the beadle of the Chevrat Shas in the Beit Midrash of Rebbe David Moshe of Chortkov [eldest brother of Rebbe Mordechai Shraga of Husiatyn – rabbi of the Husiatyn Chassidim in Kopitchinitz, for whom the Pinkas was prepared]. The elegant binding of the Pinkas was prepared in 1885, some four years after the Pinkas was scribed (as indicated by the inscription on the front board). Stamps of the society in several places: "Chevrat Shas of the Husiatyn Kloiz in Kopitchinitz".
The manuscript includes four colorful illustrated title pages (see below), and many other illustrated leaves – one for each member of the society, with a table to be filled-in with the member's study plans for the next 18 years and the sum of money he pledges to the society. Each page is decorated with an architectural border, with a different color illustration in the center (lions and gazelles, various birds, plants, buildings, and more).
Contents of the Pinkas:
The manuscript opens with two illustrated title pages showing pillars, floral ornaments, gazelles and birds. A building is depicted on top of the second title page (possibly the building of the Husiatyn Kloiz in Kopitchinitz). The first title page states: "Pinkas of the Chevrat Shas", and is dated Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 1880, Kopitchinitz.
The title pages are followed by an introduction and a list of regulations of the society (with ornamented, calligraphic headings). Eighteen regulations are listed (the 18th regulation was added in later script, as an addendum to the 4th regulation).
This is followed by another title page, introducing the section with the names of the society members – one page per member. Each page is decorated with an architectural border with the name of the member inscribed at the top, and includes a table to be filled-in over 18 years, with the member's study program and the payments he undertook. A different colorful illustration appears at the center of each page. The illustrations include: sheep grazing, a raven and three trees, gazelles, lions, eagles and other birds, a cityscape with buildings, vases of flowers, a well with a pump, the Tablets of the Law over Mt. Sinai, a Torah scroll, and more (it appears that some of the illustrations are related to the member's name or profession). A rectangular frame at the foot of each page contains the text of a commitment which the member was supposed to sign on (only seven members actually signed this commitment). The first page contains the name of the rabbi of the city, R. Yaakov Shimon. On some pages, there is a note near the member's name, regarding his exit from the society due to his passing or move to a different city. The details are filled in differently for each member. For instance, the study program of the rabbi of the city is completed for 11 years, from 1881 until 1891. The pages of some members only feature a few years of study plans. Certain members are only listed from 1887, when additional members joined the society.
In Hasidic Art and the Kabbalah (see below), Batsheva Goldman Ida mentions an illustration from this Pinkas – a lion about to ascend an empty throne – as being a singular Jewish depiction of the motif of the empty chair of the Messiah or R. Nahman's chair.
The fourth title page introduces a list of young students who wished to join the society. They were considered sons of members until their wedding, when they would officially be recorded in the Pinkas as full members. The list, written on one page, is headed by "Shalom son of R. Yaakov Shimon, rabbi of the city" (he was born to his father in his old age through the blessing of Rebbe Chaim of Kosov, after he had been childless for many years. See: Ohalei Tzaddikim, Czernowitz 1936, p. 65).
The final leaves of the Pinkas contain long notes pertaining to the Chevrat Shas: protocol of the society's foundation in 1880 and names of its heads; list of books donated by the members of the society to the Kloiz library, protocols of meetings to elect the society's directorship and acceptance of new members until 1890; memoirs of siyum feasts in 1883-1889; and more.
The city of Kopitchinitz (present day: Kopyczyńce, Ternopil Oblast, western Ukraine), was a large center of Chassidim of Rebbe Mordechai Shraga Friedman of Husiatyn (1834-1894) – youngest son of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin. Kopitchinitz was close to Husiatyn on one side (21 km), and to Chortkov on the other (16 km). Rebbe Yitzchak Meir Heshel (1861-1935), son-in-law of Rebbe Mordechai Shraga of Husiatyn, served as rabbi and rebbe of Kopitchinitz from 1894. There is an interesting anecdote regarding his appointment as rabbi of Kopitchinitz. R. Yitzchak Meir refused to succeed his father Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Mezhibuzh-Zinkov who passed away in 1881, and remained in Husiatyn near his father-in-law the rebbe for another 13 years. In 1894, after the passing of his father-in-law R. Mordechai Shraga of Husiatyn, he was approached by representatives of various towns, who wished to appoint him as their rabbi. The residents of Kopitchinitz (including many Husiatyn Chassidim) also wished to appoint him as their leader. R. Yitzchak Meir travelled with the various delegations to his elderly uncle R. David Moshe Friedman in Chortkov, to request his help in reaching a decision. After hearing all the sides, the rebbe of Chortkov decided to cast lots, and cards were prepared with the names of the various towns. Rebbe David Moshe himself drew the winning card, which stated "Kopitchinitz", and announced: "Mazal Tov, rebbe of Kopitchinitz!". This is how R. Yitzchak Meir Heshel was appointed rebbe of Kopitchinitz by the rebbe of Chortkov (see: Stern, Ner Yisrael Ruzhin, VI, p. 107; A. Bakenrot, HaNe'edar BaKedoshim, p. 297).
[55] leaves (and 30 more blank leaves). Approx. 24 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor wear. Worming, slightly affecting ornaments on title pages and other leaves. Inscriptions. Original gilt-decorated binding, with blemishes and worming.
Reference: Batsheva Goldman Ida, Hasidic Art and the Kabbalah, Leiden-Boston: Brill, 2018, pp. 372-374.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EE.011.010.
Title page illustrated in color, stating: "Pinkas of the Chevrat Tehillim of the Ohave Sholom Congregation of Marijampolė, 1883, here Chicago".
Written on leaves from a printed ledger. Only the first leaves of the Pinkas are present. The Pinkas features a table of contents, a foreword in Hebrew, the society's regulations in Yiddish, and the names of the society's founders. These are followed by names of the society's members, with mention of their place of origin in Lithuania and the vicinity. Some of the names were added at a later point, and some of them are dated in the 1900s.
The Ohave Sholom congregation was founded in 1870 by immigrants from Marijampole (Lithuania). Over the years, several other communities merged with it, and today it is known as the Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation. This community is considered today the oldest Orthodox congregation in Chicago.
[9] leaves (including 2 blank leaves). 31 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears and wear. Marginal open tears, slightly affecting text. New, gilt-decorated leather binding.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, US.011.011