Two large notebooks of Torah novellae handwritten by R. Binyamin David Levin, Rabbi of Kolno. Halachic responsa, Bible and Talmudic novellae, homilies, genealogies and other writings.
* Enclosed: Shemen Sasson responsa, by R. Binyamin David Levin. Warsaw, 1904. First edition. Bound with Imrei No'am on Talmudic tractates by R. Binyamin David Levin. Warsaw, 1904. First edition. Handwritten corrections.
Handwritten by the author, with additions, erasures and notations. The first volume contains an assortment of topics in random order, halachic responsa and homilies, novellae on the Talmud and on the Bible, sections of a genealogy and biographic information, versions of loyalty oaths to the monarchy [oath to the Emperor in 1881].
The second volume contains well-ordered novellae on Tractate Berachot and on other tractates as well. Apparently, these manuscripts were written in preparation of the printing of the author's three books: Tzuf D'vash (sermons), Warsaw, 1898; Shemen Sasson (responsa); and Imrei No'am (novellae), Warsaw, 1904. Both manuscripts contain many sections which have not yet been printed and articles with text that differs from that found in his printed books.
Among the topics in the manuscripts: A sermon for Motzei Shabbat Parshat Ki Tetze, [Elul] 1880, homily for the Shmita year or for the Festival of Shavu'ot, introduction to his book Tzuf D'vash [apparently, never printed], Hadran for Tractate Megillah, the author's genealogy, versions for taking an oath of loyalty to the monarchy [the Emperor in 1881].
The author, R. Binyamin David HaLevi Levin (c. 1825-1906), was born in the town of Byaroza (Bereza Kartuska, Minsk region), son of R. Shimshon Refael HaLevi, a community dignitary, direct descendant of R. Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi author of Chiddushei Maharsha, and a descendant of R. Yehuda HaChassid, author of Sefer Chassidim. A close disciple of R. Ya'akov Meir Pado in the city of Pinsk and in Brisk. In 1845, he was chosen to serve as rabbi in his native town of Byaroza (succeeding R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor who moved to serve in the Nyas'vizh rabbinate). From there, R. Binyamin David moved to serve in the Kopyl rabbinate (Minsk district) and in 1869 was appointed Rabbi of Kolno, a position he held for 37 years until his death in 1906. He exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Yosef of Slutsk (see this manuscript, Tractate Berachot, page 13/a), with R. Eliezer Simcha Rabinowitz and with R. Yitzchak Elchanan who calls him: "My bosom friend, the famed Torah prodigy" (see the Shemen Sasson response, Siman 28 and Siman 32). He was very active in teaching Torah and in the education system in Kolno and assisted in establishing the local yeshiva as a branch of the Łomża Yeshiva of R. Eliezer Shulevitz. Many Kolno children, born the year R. Binyamin David died were name after their highly-esteemed rabbi.
2 handwritten volumes and one printed book.
* Vol. 1: Approximately 32.5 cm. About 190 written pages. Fair condition. Detached leaves, wear and tear. Stains, torn binding.
* Vol. 2: 31 cm. More than 40 written pages in two framed columns. Many blank leaves. Good condition. Contemporary binding.
* Shemen Sasson and Imrei No'am: [3], 4-86 pages; [2], 3-42 pages; 87-92 pages. 31.5 cm. Condition varies. Brittle paper with tears and damages to several leaves. The rest of the leaves are in good condition. Contemporary worn binding.