Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
Manuscript Torah Sermons - Russia-Poland, 1789 - Unprinted Work from an Unidentified Author - Quotations from the Works of Chassidic and Kabbalistic Masters in the 18th Century
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $20,000
Including buyer's premium
Large manuscript of Torah sermons, with Kabbalistic and homiletic content [Russia-Poland?], 1789.
Large-format manuscript, calligraphic Ashkenazic script.
Autographic writing of an unidentified author, with many additions and glosses added by the author himself at different times (up to 1806 and possibly even later). It is evident from the content of the manuscript that the author was a renowned orator who was well-versed in halachic and kabbalistic sources. The manuscript is comprised of public sermons delivered by the author. At the beginning of most sermons he writes that the content is abridged (usually a hint towards kabbalistic matters). The style of the content and the handwriting are characteristic of rabbinical and oratorical figures in Russia-Poland during this time period (which parallels the emergence of the earliest Chassidic masters and the spread of Kabbalistic study).
Most of the sermons contain the author's original Torah thoughts and interpretations of verses and sayings of the Talmudic masters (chazal). In a number of places he quotes (with acronyms) various other works, and elsewhere he quotes thoughts that he heard from other rabbis, evidently from contemporary early Chassidic masters. See, e.g., Parashat Chukat [page 61a], he quotes an interpretation from the Maggid of Mezrich: "I heard in the name of the renowned chassid R. Berish… this is the extent of what I heard". (This Torah thought is found in Sefer "Kedushat Levi", Parashat Yisro, regarding the verse: "in order to test you". Many of the other Torah thoughts that the author quotes as "I have heard" can be found in similar format in the works of contemporary early Chassidic masters (R. Yechiel Michel of Zolochiv, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, and R. Pinchas Halevi Horowitz, author of the "Hafla'ah").
The title on the first page states: "Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of Your Torah - this is my notebook, beginning with Parashat Vayigash, 1789". On the same page, the author mentions a previous notebook of his Torah thoughts: "I have already elaborated (on this subject) in my notebook that begins from Parashat Shmini, 1788, in the section of Parashat Vayishlach, 1789". Within this manuscript the author often references thoughts written "in this notebook" and in other "notebooks" from previous years (see page [34a] where the author references a previous notebook: "see my previous notebook, Parashat Beha'alotcha, 1783"). In several places he mentions thoughts written "In my papers", evidently unbound notes. At the end of the sermon for Parashat Emor, page [46b]), there is an addition dated "I said this on 13 Iyar, 1806. I did not elaborate… but said these words on that day."
[91] leaves + [5] detached leaves [evidently from a different manuscript from the same author]. Approx. 35.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor damage to the margins. Stains. Acidic adhesive paper strips on the margins of the first pages. New elaborate vellum binding.
Large-format manuscript, calligraphic Ashkenazic script.
Autographic writing of an unidentified author, with many additions and glosses added by the author himself at different times (up to 1806 and possibly even later). It is evident from the content of the manuscript that the author was a renowned orator who was well-versed in halachic and kabbalistic sources. The manuscript is comprised of public sermons delivered by the author. At the beginning of most sermons he writes that the content is abridged (usually a hint towards kabbalistic matters). The style of the content and the handwriting are characteristic of rabbinical and oratorical figures in Russia-Poland during this time period (which parallels the emergence of the earliest Chassidic masters and the spread of Kabbalistic study).
Most of the sermons contain the author's original Torah thoughts and interpretations of verses and sayings of the Talmudic masters (chazal). In a number of places he quotes (with acronyms) various other works, and elsewhere he quotes thoughts that he heard from other rabbis, evidently from contemporary early Chassidic masters. See, e.g., Parashat Chukat [page 61a], he quotes an interpretation from the Maggid of Mezrich: "I heard in the name of the renowned chassid R. Berish… this is the extent of what I heard". (This Torah thought is found in Sefer "Kedushat Levi", Parashat Yisro, regarding the verse: "in order to test you". Many of the other Torah thoughts that the author quotes as "I have heard" can be found in similar format in the works of contemporary early Chassidic masters (R. Yechiel Michel of Zolochiv, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, and R. Pinchas Halevi Horowitz, author of the "Hafla'ah").
The title on the first page states: "Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of Your Torah - this is my notebook, beginning with Parashat Vayigash, 1789". On the same page, the author mentions a previous notebook of his Torah thoughts: "I have already elaborated (on this subject) in my notebook that begins from Parashat Shmini, 1788, in the section of Parashat Vayishlach, 1789". Within this manuscript the author often references thoughts written "in this notebook" and in other "notebooks" from previous years (see page [34a] where the author references a previous notebook: "see my previous notebook, Parashat Beha'alotcha, 1783"). In several places he mentions thoughts written "In my papers", evidently unbound notes. At the end of the sermon for Parashat Emor, page [46b]), there is an addition dated "I said this on 13 Iyar, 1806. I did not elaborate… but said these words on that day."
[91] leaves + [5] detached leaves [evidently from a different manuscript from the same author]. Approx. 35.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and minor damage to the margins. Stains. Acidic adhesive paper strips on the margins of the first pages. New elaborate vellum binding.