Online Auction 44 - Chabad
A Special Chabad Auction on the Occasion of "Yom HaBahir", Yud (the 10th of) Shevat – Day of Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, and Day of the Ascendancy to Leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe"
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She'erit Yehuda, laws of Melichah (salting meat) from Shulchan Aruch (sections 69-74), with commentary and responsa on all four parts of Shulchan Aruch, by R. Yehuda Leib, Posek and Maggid in Janowitz, brother and close disciple of Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi – Baal HaTanya. Vilna: Menachem Mann and Simcha Zimmel, 1841. First edition (on blue paper).
Brought to print by R. Ze'ev Wolf, son of the Maharil of Janowitz.
On title page, stamps of R. Chim Shimon Rudelson, Rabbi of Borisov, Minsk Governorate (ca. 1840-1902).
[1], 49 ff. 22 cm. Bluish paper. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Marginal browning to most leaves. Wear (significant wear to title page). Worming to most leaves, with minor damage to text. Minor tears. Inscriptions and stamps to title page. New leather binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
This edition is based on the 1807-1810 Slavita edition. Title page of part I printed in red and black. Printed on blue paper.
Approbation by R. Yehuda Leib, the Maharil of Janowitz, brother and close disciple of Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya and Shulchan Aruch.
Two parts in two volumes:
* Part I (on Tractates Berakhot, Shabbat and Eruvin – 1818): [3]. 52; 17; 100; 46 ff. Handwritten inscriptions and signatures on title page.
* Part II (on Tractates Pesahim, Ta'anit, Beitza, Rosh Hashanah, Yoma, Sukkah, Megillah, Mo'ed Katan and Halachot Ketanot – 1820): 214 ff. Stamps.
Approx. 34-35 cm. Blue paper. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains and dampstains (large dampstains in part II). Creases and minor wear. Worming, affecting text. Leaves trimmed unevenly. Stamps. Censorship inscription. Old bindings (with new spines), worn. Significant worming to binding of part II.
Responsa Bigdei Yesha, by Shmuel ben Yosef HaLevi Segal of Urla, Dayan in Białystok (d. 1845). Vilna: Menachem Mann and Simcha Zimmel, 1844. Only edition.
17 Approbation Letters from prominent Rabbis and Posekim of that generation.
In leaf [2/2], among the letters of Approbation, is a letter on behalf of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, by his son Rebbe Chaim Shneur Zalman of Liadi. In his letter, the Tzemach Tzedek apologizes for not granting an approbation to the present book (in fact, the Tzemach Tzedek did not grant any approbations, except for one, given to "Sefer Or HaGanuz"; see: "Beis Rabbi", 1902, p. 63, footnote IV).
Signature on title page.
[3], 33; 24 ff. Approx. 36.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Wear. Tears and worming, slightly affecting text. Small open tear to title page, not affecting text. Censorship expurgation. Inscriptions. Stamp. New binding.
The first six parts comprise essays printed from Rebbe Shlomo Zalman Schneersohn's manuscripts. Part VII is composed of sermons, taken down by the author's disciples ("Shomeim Muvhakim"), edited and corrected by him.
Seven parts in seven volumes.
* Part I (Bereshit): [4], 48 ff.
* Part II (Shemot): [2], 57 ff.
* Part III (Vayikra): [2], 50 ff.
* Part IV (BaMidbar): [2], 80 ff.
* Part V (Devarim): [2], 105, [1] ff.
* Part VI (Shir HaShirim, selections and wedding homilies): [2], 49 ff. Lacking 2 final leaves (list of abbreviations).
* Part VII (essays recorded by the author's listeners and index): [2], 74, [1]; 15 ff.
Approx. 30-32 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Tears and worming to parts V and VII (significant worming to final leaves of part VII, affecting text). Open tears to title pages of parts I and IV; Large tears to title page and few leaves of part V. New matching bindings.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Sefer Kav Naki, on "Sidrei Gittin" and "Hilchot Gittin", by Rabbi Avraham David Lavut. Warsaw: Nathan Schriftgiesser, 1868. First edition. Two parts in one volume; two title pages to part I; separated title page to part II.
The Author - R. Avraham David Lavut (1815-1890; forefather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe), Rabbi of Nikolayev and a prominent Chabad Rabbi. He was a close disciple of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch and his son, the Rebbe Maharash.
With approbation by Rabbi Baruch Shalom Schneerson, eldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek and great-great-grandfather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Approbation by Rabbi Yosef Tumarkin (1813-1874), of the “lions” among the Tzemach Tzedek’s disciples, Rabbi of Soran and Kremenchuk.
Handwritten glosses in several leaves; Lengthy gloss on page 30/2. Gloss in leaf 29/2 refers to the saying by the Tzemach Tzedek.
Signatures and ownership inscriptions to endpaper and title page.
* Part I: 27, [1], 27-59 ff. Leaves 4-7 of first sequence bound out of order (after leaf 27). * Part II: 39, [1] ff. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming, affecting text. Inscriptions, glosses and stamps. New binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Beit Aharon VeHosafot, references for the Talmud, Chazal, books of Kabbalah and Chabad Chassidut, following the order of the verses of the Bible, by R. Avraham David Lavut (1815-1890), Rabbi of Nikolayev. Vilna: Yehuda Leib Mac, 1880. Only edition.
Signature and stamp of the author, and approbation of rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch, on leaf [2\1].
[3], 2-180 ff. 33 cm. Good condition. Dark stains. Browning. Minor marginal tears to several leaves (marginal open tears to title page and final leaf, not affecting text). Some short glosses. Inscriptions and stamps. New binding.
R. Avraham David Lavut (1815-1890; forefather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe), Rabbi of Nikolayev and a prominent Chabad Rabbi; a close disciple of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch and his son, the Rebbe Maharash.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Noam Elimelech, Chassidic essays on the Torah, by R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. New York: Shulsinger Bros., [1942]. Title page printed in red and black.
Following the title page is a facsimile of a letter of approbation given by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, to the publisher rabbi Osias Wagschal (9th Shevat 1941; printed on a full page): "Regarding the printing of the holy book Noam Elimelech, it is certainly a very noble thing and surely the number of buyers will increase, and it will bring them protection and success… It is appropriate to make an elegant introduction" (Hebrew; printed in Igrot HaKodesh by the Rayatz, V, Letter 1367) [There are other copies of the book, in which this approbation was printed in a reduced size, on the upper-right side of the page].
Noam Elimelech is one of the first Chassidic books, and is considered until this day to be one of the fundamental works of Chassidut. The book contains essential parts of the doctrine of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk on Chassidut, purity of thought and attachment to G-d. A tradition attributed to the Baal HaTanya, holds the Tanya to be a "book of the Beinoni'im", and the Noam Elimelech a "book of Tzadikim" (see: Sefer Or Yekarot, I, Jerusalem 1998, p. 250).
Since its publishing, the book was deemed sacred to all, and it was reprinted in numerous editions (until 1982, it had been printed in over 50 editions, and since then in dozens more). Many keep the book as a segulah, and some special miniature format editions were published to serve as amulets for protection and success. Many put it at the head of an ill person as a segulah and protection, for a speedy recovery and to be saved from any misfortune. The book is known also to be a segulah for women experiencing difficult labor.
[7] ff., 231 pp. 28 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor wear. Minor tears to margins of final leaves, reinforced with tape. Stamps. New, elegant leather binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Luach HaYom Yom, "Or Zarua Yearbook for Chabad Chasidim" – 19th Kislev 1943-1944, compiled and arranged by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (future Lubavitcher Rebbe). First edition. Pocket format.
‘First-fruit’ of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's work.
A yearbook for the year 5703, from Chag HaGeulah Yud-Tes (19th) Kislev 1943, to 18 Kislev of the following year, 1944. The yearbook sets the daily portion of study in Chumash, Tehillim and Tanya, and contains customs, stories, and Chassidic saying and aphorisms, from Torat HaChasidut and from the talks and letters of the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. The calendar opens with a sort of introduction by the publisher, followed by a biographical overview of the seven Chabad Rebbes, named "Shalshelet HaYachas".
Rebbe Rayatz worte about this yearbook: "It is a book in small format—just as a Chossid must be in his self-estimation— yet it is overflowing with pearls and precious stones of the best and greatest quality… G-d blessed my son-in-law, R. Menachem Mendel… and gave him great powers, which allowed for the building and the founding of a resplendent Chassidic mansion, which contains 383 rooms, in a way which ‘yom yom yabia omer, ’ each day ‘says something'" (letter 2024; Yiddish).
[1] printed front wrapper, 10, 118 pp., [1] printed back wrapper. 13 cm. Good Condition. Few stains. Leaves trimmed, with small marginal damage to text. New binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Ten early publications of letters originating from the "Kherson Genizah" – an archive of letters and ceremonial objects, attributed to the holy founders of the Chassidut movement: the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe Baal HaTanya, and their disciples:
1. Sefer Beis Tzadikim, by Rebbe Meir Yehuda Leibush Langermann (1830-1886), a disciple of Rebbe Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn, and his son, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura. Pressburg (Bratislava): Alkalay, 1918. Lacking four final pages.
2. "Michtavim Kedoshim… by Maran the Baal Shem Tov… and… Rabbi Dov Ber… of Mezeritch…", 36 letters of the Kherson Genizah. Czernowitz: Hornik and Birnbaum, [1921].
3. "Sefer Chemda Genuzah, sayings… of R. Moshe Leib of Sassov…". [Vienna: Wagner, 1921].
4. "Letters from the Baal Shem Tov z"l and his Disciples", nine letters of the "Kherson Genizah". Lviv: Dawid Fränkel, 1923.
5. "Assortment of Original Letters by the Baal Shem Tov z"l and His Disciples", 17 letters by the Baal Shem Tov, and 29 letters by his disciples. Vienna-Berlin: Menorah, [1923].
6. "Sefer Chachmei Yisrael Besht, holy scriptures from all of our Rabbis…". New York: Ner Tamid Press, 1924. Includes letters from Rebbe Rashab and Rebbe Rayatz.
Rebbe Rayatz famously objected to the publication of materials from the controversial "Kherson Genizah", going so far as to send a letter to the publisher, R. David Shifrin of New York, advising him not to publish the current work. The letter, however, arrived to its destination only after the work was already published).
7. "Sefer Ginzey Nistarot…", letters by the Baal Shem Tov, Maggid of Mezeritch and the Alter Rebbe. Jerusalem: Zion Press, owned by the brothers Rohld, [1924].
8. "Sefer Chemda Genuzah, Assortment of Letters… by the Besht, and His Holy Companions". [Brooklyn, 1925].
9. Sefer Gevurat Ari, with Michtavei Kodesh, by Reuven Margulies. Lviv: R. Margulies, [1930].
10. "Igrot Kodesh, a Group of Letters of Our Rabbi… the Great Maggid of Mezeritch and His Disciples…", by R. Yoel Diskin. Jerusalem, Chaim Zukermann, 1933.
Enclosed: "Igrot Baal HaTanya", a chapter of which is dedicated to the question of credibility of the "Kherson Genizah", by Rabbi David Zvi Hillman. Jerusalem: HaMesorah, 1953.
10 books + "Igrot Baal HaTanya". Size and condition varies. Overall good condition. Some inscriptions and stamps. New bindings.
The Kherson Genizah
The "Kherson Genizah" ("Genizah", a repository for holy Jewish texts) was discovered in the latter part of WWI. It was claimed that the letters contained in it, reportedly written by the Baal Shem Tov and his disciples, were previously owned by Rebbe Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn – who inherited them from his great-grandfather, the Maggid of Mezeritch – and then confiscated by the Tsarist secret police, while Rebbe Israel was arrested in Russia in 1838; these letters were then allegedly held in the archives of the secret police in Kherson (south Ukraine), until they were looted during the October Revolution.
Following the discovery of the Genizah, a considerable part of the letters was purchased by the affluent Chabad Chassid, R. Shmuel Gurary of Kremenchuk, who presented them to Rabbi Shalom Dover Schneerson, Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch. Despite various challenges to the letters' authenticity, Rebbe Rashab declared them to be genuine. As a result of the Rebbe's conclusion, which was based on his thorough examination of the letters, efforts were made to acquire the rest of the material of the Genizah.
Letters of the Genizah were first printed in the book "Beis Tzadikim" (Pressburg, 1918), "Chemda Genuzah" (Vienna, 1921), and a few other works (some of which are included in the present lot). Additional letters were published by R. Chaim Eliezer Bichovsky, a Chassid of Chabd-Kopust, in his 1924 book, "Ginzei Nistarot". The largest assortment of letters, based on manuscripts held by the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, was printed in the journal "HaTamim", published in Warsaw (1935-1938). It comprised some 300 letters of the Genizah, in chronological order.
The discovery of the "Kherson Genizah" led to a heated discussion in academic and Chassidic circles. Many studies were conducted in the subject of the authenticity of the Genizah, the consensus in academia being that the letters are forged, i.e., were not written by the Baal Shem Tov, nor by any of his immediate disciples (see enclosed volume by Rabbi Hillman).
However, Rebbe Rayatz and the Lubavitcher Rebbe denied this claim. They argued that the letters contained in the Genizah are, indeed, not authentic autographs, but reliable copies of letters written by our holy Rebbes, founders of the Chassidut movement.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
34, [1] pp. Original wrappers (detached). 13.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. New leather binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Two calendars printed in Riga:
* Luach HaChaim calendar for the Year 1933/1934. Picture of Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, on the front cover. Riga: L. Remigolski, [1933]. Yiddish.
[36] pp. (including front and back covers). 14 cm. Overall good condition. Leaves trimmed, with damage to margins of text. Filing hole through the entire volume, affecting text. New binding.
* Luach HaMazkir Calendar for the Year 1934/1935. With a picture of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, on the front cover. Riga: B. Shershevski, [1934]. Yiddish.
[36] pp. (includes front and back covers). 14 cm. Overall good condition. Leaves trimmed close to text. Small open tears to cover margins, with slight damage to borders. Tape repairs. New binding.
Publications from the first years of the establishment of the Chabad Hasidic movement in the USA. Yiddish and English.
"Finef Yorgang fun HaKriah VeHaKedusha". Brooklyn, New York: Kehot / Agudas Chassidei Chabad, 1940-1945. Yiddish and some English. 54 Issues (issues 1-6, 8-9, 11-14, 16-19, 21-35, 37-43, 46-58, 60-61). Main title page and index at the beginning of the volume.
HaKriah VeHaKedusha, a monthly periodical published from 1940 through 1945 by Agudat Chassidei Chabad. Title at the beginning of the first booklet: "Under the supervision and with the participation of the Lubavitch Rebbe", but from the second booklet, the wording was changed to "with the approval and blessing of the Lubavitch Rebbe"; this title was printed on all following issues. Pasted to the top of the first issue of this volume is a strip of paper printed with the revised version.
The periodical regularly published articles and discourses by the Rayatz, including four famous proclamations in which the Rebbe announced the “L’Altar L’Teshuva L’Altar L’Geula” movement. The mystical column Otiot Porchot appeared in the periodical, comprised incomprehensible words, apparently written by the Rayatz. According to Chabad Chassidim, Heavenly secrets are hidden in these inscriptions; some have been deciphered as foretelling the global events which occurred later, such as the invasion of the Allied Forces of Europe during World War II.
"Shmuessen Mit Kinder Un Yugend" ("Talks and Tales"), Yiddish monthly for children and youth. New York: Kehot / Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, 1942-1951. Yiddish and English.
124 issues in five volumes: 99 issues of the monthly in its Yiddish version (Shmuessen Mit Kinder Un Yugend), Tevet 1943 – Kislev 1944, Tevet 1946 – Cheshvan 1951 (13 double issues: Tevet 1947 -Kislev 1948), as well as 25 issues of the monthly's English version (Talks and Tales), Tevet 1946 -Kislev 1948.
"Sefer HaZichronot", by Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. Vol. I. Brooklyn, New York: Kehot, 1947. Yiddish. First Edition.
The book, translated from Hebrew to Yiddish by author and journalist, R. David Leib Mekler, was brought to print by the son-in-law of the Rebbe Rayatz, director and editor-in-chief of the Kehot Publication Society, Menachem Mendel Schneerson – the future Lubavitcher Rebbe. Included in the volume are a foreword and some endnotes by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Size and condition vary. Overall good condition.