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Lot 320 Lengthy Letter of Torah Thoughts by Rabbi Shimon Oish - Prague, 1847

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $500
Unsold
Lengthy letter handwritten and signed by R. Shimon Oish of Prague, addressed to R. Yehuda Katz Teveles. [Prague], Monday, 20th Menachem [Av] 1847.
Lengthy letter (3 large pages) of Torah thoughts. R. Shimon Oish engages in scholarly pilpul on Talmudic topics pertaining to the law of mourning. He mentions "our great rabbi" (possibly in reference to R. Shmuel Landau Rabbi of Prague who had passed away a decade earlier). The letter concludes: "Peace to you and to all yours… as is the wish of the one who respects you for your great stature, who loves you faithfully, your relative Shimon Oish".
R. Shimon Oish (d. 1867), leading Prague Torah scholar in the 19th century. Son-in-law of R. Wolf Hamburg of Fürth. Several of his responsa and novellae are quoted in the books of the Torah scholars of his time. Responsa Shivat Tzion by R. Shmuel Landau brings two responsa addressed to him, and R. Shmuel Landau terms him: "The exceptional rabbi, who is outstanding in Torah" (see Responsa Shivat Tzion, sections 17, 35). A responsa addressed to him is also presented in Responsa of Maharatz Chayes (section 72). His glosses to the book Hora Gaver by R. Betzalel Regensburg, together with the glosses of his father R. Moshe Wolf Oish, were printed in the new edition of the book (Modiin Illit 2003). Other novellae he produced remain in manuscript.
The recipient of the letter, R. Yehuda Katz Teveles, was also a Prague Torah scholar, from the prominent Katz Teveles family of Prague.
[1] double leaf (3 pages). 35.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Folding marks. Tear to lower corner, affecting several words.
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Letters - Rabbis and Communities
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Lot 321 Letter Handwritten and Signed by Rabbi Eliyahu Guttmacher of Greiditz - Blessings for a Happy Life - 1873

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $700
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz (Grodzisk Wielkopolski). Greiditz, Tevet 1873. Yiddish.
Written on a postcard addressed to R. Refael Eliezer Holzbak. In this letter, R. Guttmacher acknowledges the receipt of donations on behalf of Eretz Israel, expresses his gratitude and extends his blessings (free translation from Yiddish): "I received for the benefit of our rabbis and brethren in the Holy Land… nine thaler, and I hope this great deed will grant you, all those who participated in this donation, a happy life from G-d, together with your families…".
R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz (1796-1875), disciple of R. Akiva Eger, served as rabbi of Pleschen (Pleszew) until ca. 1840, thereafter serving as rabbi of Greiditz. His eldest son, R. Tzvi Hirsh, succeeded him as rabbi of Pleschen. Famed as a holy kabbalist, in his senior years his name spread throughout the Jewish world as a wonder-worker, with amazing stories circulating of the great miracles and salvations attained through the blessings of "der Greiditzer Tzaddik" (the Tzaddik of Greiditz), "from all countries people came to seek his blessings and prayers, each one according to his needs" (Igrot Sofrim, at the foot of letter 29).
R. Eliyahu Guttmacher was very active on behalf of Eretz Israel Jewry, and founded a yeshiva in Jerusalem named Chevrat Sukkat Shalom and Meor Yaakov. This yeshiva was established in the Shenot Eliyahu Beit Midrash which was located in R. Eliyahu Guttmacher’s courtyard in Jerusalem, purchased by his trustee R. Yaakov Mordechai Hirschensohn. R. Eliyahu financed the yeshiva until his final days. In addition, together with R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, he was a leading member of the Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel society, founded in Frankfurt in 1860. The goal of this society was to increase agricultural Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel, by redeeming the land from non-Jews and settling instead Jewish farmers, who would work it, be sustained by it, and perform mitzvot pertaining to it. These two rabbis propagated this idea extensively in their books, writings, letters and sermons. They prove repeatedly in their books that these activities bring the Redemption closer and awaken Heavenly mercy and salvation.
Postcard. 14X9 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postmarks.
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Lot 322 Short Letter Handwritten and Signed by Rabbi Eliyahu Guttmacher of Greiditz - 1872

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $600
Unsold
Short letter (6 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz (Grodzisk Wielkopolski). Cheshvan 1872. Yiddish.
A note sent to one of the community heads, informing about the acceptance of "Lehmann" as shochet (ritual slaughterer) for a trial period, to replace R. Zalman Spielbach until he resumes shechita. At the end, R. Eliyahu requests that the note be returned to him. At the foot of the note, two lines handwritten by one of the community leaders, who writes that he is returning the note.
R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz (1796-1875), disciple of R. Akiva Eger, served as rabbi of Pleschen (Pleszew) until ca. 1840, thereafter moving to serve in the Greiditz rabbinate. His eldest son, R. Tzvi Hirsh, succeeded him as rabbi of Pleschen. Famed as a holy kabbalist, in his senior years his name spread throughout the Jewish world as a wonder-worker, with amazing stories circulating of the great miracles and salvations attained through the blessings of "der Greiditzer Tzaddik" (the Tzaddik of Greiditz), "from all countries people came to seek his blessings and prayers, each one according to his needs" (Igrot Sofrim, at the foot of letter 29).
After his eldest son, R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Pleschen, died in his lifetime childless (in 1871), he published his son’s books Nachalat Zvi and Ken Meforeshet (Lviv, 1873). In the introduction to Ken Meforeshet, R. Eliyahu promises: "If someone seeks deliverance from G-d… he should study a Mishnah with the Rav (Bartenura), Tosafot Yom Tov and my son’s commentary and then stand and pray in any language… detailing his request so he will be answered…".
[1] leaf. 9X12.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and minor tears. Adhesive tape on margin.
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Lot 323 Letter from Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer to Rabbi Eliyahu Guttmacher, Regarding Rabbi Natan Friedland and Activities in Support of the Settlement of Eretz Israel

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
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Letter handwritten and signed by R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, addressed to his friend R. Eliyahu Guttmacher - "The Tzaddik of Greiditz", regarding the activities of their friend, R. Natan Friedland, on behalf of Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel (The Society for the Settlement of Eretz Israel). Torun (Poland), 1870.
R. Tzvi Hirsch writes to his friend R. Eliyahu Guttmacher that their mutual friend, R. Natan Friedland, partner to their cause of settling Eretz Israel, seeks to acquire subscribers to their society (Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel, founded in 1860) and that he is on his way to visit him. R. Tzvi Hirsch also writes that he sent two letters with R. Natan, addressed to the German rabbis R. Ezriel Hildesheimer and R. Bamberger of Würzburg, and proposes that they sign a joint proclamation, at the beginning of R. Natan’s notebook, supporting the cause.
R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer (1795-1875), a prominent Torah scholar, disciple of R. Akiva Eger, of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Lissa, author of Netivot HaMishpat, and of his uncle, R. Yehuda Leib Kalischer, head of the Lissa Beit Din. He served as rabbi of Torun without receiving a salary. Author of Moznayim LaMishpat on Choshen Mishpat (Krotoszyn, 1855), Tzvi LaTzaddik - glosses on the Mishnah and Shulchan Aruch, Even Bochan, Emuna Yeshara and more.
He was one of the first activists and advocates of Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel, writing the books Derishat Tzion (Torun, 1866) and Shelom Yerushalayim (Torun, 1868) on this subject. His book Derishat Tzion was reprinted in several editions after the founding of the Chovevei Zion movement, he is considered the spiritual fathers of Chibat Zion and many streets in Israel are named after him.
He worked hand in hand with R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz, "The Tzaddik of Greiditz", promoting the settlement of Eretz Israel. They exchanged a prolific correspondence and together initiated various activities strengthening the settlement in the Holy Land, including the founding of Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel in Frankfurt an der Oder (in 1860). R. Tzvi Kalischer and R. Eliyahu Guttmacher were the heads of Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel and together signed its proclamations. One of the main activists promoting the society’s cause was R. Natan Friedland (1808-1883), disciple of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. R. Natan was active in promoting the settlement of Eretz Israel even before he met R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, believing that the Redemption must happen naturally (following the view of the Vilna Gaon’s disciples). He travelled to many towns and villages, spreading his ideas. During his travels, he met R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, and found in him a friend and partner to his ideas, working with him from then on. R. Natan acted as the envoy of R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer and R. Eliyahu Guttmacher, recruiting supporters to Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel by sending letters to various communities, campaigning and more.
[1] leaf. Approx. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and folding marks. Tear to bottom of leaf, affecting several letters and damaging the end of the signature, repaired with tape.
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Lot 324 Letter of Recommendation by Rabbi Shmuel Rosenberg, Author of Beer Shmuel - Unsdorf, 1888

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $600
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Rosenberg, Rabbi of Unsdorf, to R. Binyamin Rabbi of Liptovský Mikuláš. Unsdorf, [16th Av] 1888.
The letter concerns the arrangement of a divorce at the request of the Rabbi of Liptovský Mikuláš. R. Shmuel writes that the couple missed the scheduled date for the divorce and requests to inform them of his next availability.
Rabbi Shmuel Rosenberg, author of Be’er Shmuel (1842-1919), foremost Hungarian rabbi and yeshiva dean. He was a leading disciple of the Ketav Sofer. From 1873, he served as rabbi of Tshaba (Hejőcsaba), and in 1883, he was appointed rabbi of Unsdorf, where he founded a large yeshiva, of the most prominent in Hungary and the region. He was renowned for his exceptional devotion to his disciples, and indeed, many of them became the leaders of the next generation (R. Shmuel David Ungar Rabbi of Nitra, and others). He was reputed for his remarkable holiness, and rebbes of the Munkacs dynasty acclaimed him often for his Divine Inspiration. Many turned to him in quest of his blessings or prayers for various matters. He would conduct himself like a rebbe in his yeshiva, leading Tish and distributing shirayim. He fought to preserve faithful Jewry, and stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in its battles against the leaders of Reform.
Postcard. 8.5X14 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postmarks.
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Lot 325 Letter from Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer - Berlin, 1888

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Azriel Hildesheimer. [Berlin, Nisan 1888].
Addressed to R. Binyamin Posen of Amsterdam. R. Azriel Hildesheimer writes to him: "…so I received… the precious gift he kindly sent to me, and that is the second and third supplement to the book Or Zarua on Nezikin, please accept my thanks… for honoring me with this beautiful gift. And my prayer is that G-d strengthen and fortify him, his dear brother and all his associates, to raise and increase the prestige of Torah and fear of G-d… His friend, who honors and esteems him… Azriel Hildesheimer".
The books Or Zarua by R. Yitzchak of Vienna were first published based on manuscripts between 1862 and 1890, in four parts. Part III and IV on Order Nezikin were printed in Jerusalem in 1887-1890 by R. Binyamin Posen of Frankfurt am Main and Amsterdam. At the beginning of Part III (on Tractates Bava Kama, Bava Metzia and Bava Batra, printed in 1887-1888), he printed the approbation of R. Azriel, and at the beginning of Part IV (on tractates Sanhedrin and Avoda Zara), printed in 1890, he included a magnificent dedication to R. Azriel on the occasion of his seventieth birthday that year (this dedication was included in some copies only, on the page following the title page).
R. Azriel Hildesheimer (1820-1899), rabbi, posek and leader. A foremost rabbi in his times, he stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in Germany. He was a close disciple of R. Yaakov Ettlinger - the Aruch LaNer in Altona (who refers to him in Responsa Binyan Tzion as "my son"), and studied under Chacham Bernays (R. Yitzchak Bernays) of Hamburg. In 1848, he founded a yeshiva in Halberstadt, and in 1851, he was appointed rabbi of Eisenstadt, where he also served as yeshiva dean and established a unique educational system. In 1869, he began serving as rabbi of the Adath Israel Orthodox community in Berlin, where he founded a yeshiva. In 1874, he opened the Rabbinical seminary, which edified generations of rabbis, educators and community leaders. Just like his teacher the Aruch LaNer, he was titled "Nesi Eretz Israel". He was renowned for his wide-ranging efforts on behalf of German Jewry, and for his extensive activities on behalf of Russian Jewry. He authored many novellae and halachic responsa, which were published in the books Responsa of R. Azriel (2 volumes), Chiddushei R. Azriel - on the Talmud (3 volumes) and others.
Postcard. 14X9 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postmark from Berlin.
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Lot 326 Three Letters - Ashkenazi Rabbis

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Three letters:
• Letter sent "by instruction of the leaders and administrators of the Etz Chaim Beit Midrash of the Ashkenazim" in Amsterdam, handwritten and signed by R. "Moshe Shmuel Hilsum" (=Hilsheim), beadle of the community. Addressed to a Jew named R. Leib, regarding the passing of his father-in-law, a member of the above community. Amsterdam, 1839. Yiddish.
• Letter of Torah thoughts, handwritten by R. Yisrael Meir Freimann, son-in-law of the Aruch LaNer, rabbi of Filehne and Ostrowo, publisher of the book VeHizhir. Ostrowa (Ostrów Wielkopolski), 1878.
• Appeal (unsigned), requesting financial assistance for the publication of the book Nivat Nachum by R. Menachem Nachum of Plotzk and Friedeburg; presumably handwritten by his grandson R. Yisrael Yosef Price, who published the book in London, 1886.
3 letters. Size varies, overall good-fair condition.
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Lot 327 Letter of Rabbinic Ordination for Rabbi Shlomo Fisher - From R. Mordechai Amram Hirsch Rabbi of Hamburg - Hamburg, 1890

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Letter handwritten, stamped and signed by R. Mordechai Amram Hirsch. Hamburg, Adar 1890.
Rabbinic ordination for R. Shlomo Fischer of Eisenstadt, a Torah scholar of the renowned Hamburg Kloiz. R. Mordechai Amram writes that since his arrival in Hamburg in the summer, he has made acquaintance with R. Shlomo and discussed much Torah and Halacha with him. He praises him profusely, stating that great people like him, who are perfect in their attributes and character traits, are few and far between. He writes further: "…eminent rabbi... is worthy to be a rabbi and posek in a large and celebrated community…".
R. Mordechai Amram Hirsch (1833-1909, Otzar HaRabbanim 14232), a leading rabbi of his times, amongst the most prominent leaders of Hungarian, Moravian and German Jewry. Born in Tiszabő, Hungary, he began serving as rabbi in various cities in Hungary: Karcag, Tiszabő and Budapest, at the young age of 23. He was one of the leading Orthodox rabbis to support the Status Quo communities. In 1880, he was appointed rabbi of Prague, and in 1889, he went to serve as rabbi of Hamburg, a position he held for twenty years. He was the teacher and father-in-law of R. Chanoch HaKohen Ehrentreu Rabbi of Munich (1854-1927, Otzar HaRabbanim 6626).
The recipient of the ordination, R. Shlomo Fischer Rabbi of Karlsburg (Alba Iulia; 1852-1932, Otzar HaRabbanim 18576), author of Korbani Lachmi, was a prominent and leading rabbi of his times. He was the son of R. Aharon Fischer of Eisenstadt (1825-1889), disciple of the Chatam Sofer. In his youth, he studied under the Ketav Sofer, R. Azriel Hildesheimer and R. Yitzchak Dov Bamberger - the Wurzburger Rav. In 1892, he was appointed rabbi of Karlsburg and the surroundings. His son R. Aharon Fischer immigrated to Jerusalem and was one of the founders of the Eida HaCharedit community in Jerusalem, father of R. Yisrael Yaakov Fischer and R. Shlomo Fischer in Jerusalem.
[1] leaf. Approx. 34 cm. Fair condition. Tears to folds (repaired), and marginal tears.
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Lot 328 Responsa Manuscript of Rabbi Shmuel Engel - Radomyshl, 1901

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,600
Unsold
Two large leaves handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Engel. Radomyshl, [Av / Chanukah 1901].
Double leaf from R. Shmuel Engel’s responsa notebook. The first leaf contains the first two pages of a responsum regarding the erasing of a Holy name (lacking end of responsum). The second leaf features the conclusion of a responsum regarding agunot, with his signature: "I hereby affix my signature, Monday, 4th day of Chanukah 1901, Radomyshl, Shmuel Engel, rabbi of this community". The first responsum was addressed to R. Elisha Brander dayan and posek of Beitsch, and was printed in Responsa of R. Shmuel Engel, part I, section 89 (dated Av 1901). At the top of this manuscript, the following inscription: "I will copy here what I responded to the sharp and erudite rabbi… R. Elisha, posek of…".
The renowned R. Shmuel Engel, rabbi of Radomyshl (1853-1935), a leading Galician Torah scholar and foremost halachic authority of his generation. A close disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and of his son R. Yechezkel Halberstam of Shinova. At the young age of 18, he was appointed rabbi of Biłgoraj (Poland). In 1879, he was compelled to leave Poland, and resided for a couple of years in Rudnik (Galicia) at the home of his friend R. Baruch Halberstam of Gorlitz and together they studied Torah, Halacha and Kabbalah. In 1881, he was appointed Rabbi of Dukla (Galicia) and in ca. 1887, of Radomyshl (Galicia). During WWI, he exiled to Waitzen (Vác, Hungary) and in 1918, he wandered further and settled in Kashoi (Košice), were he was appointed head of the Beit Din, remaining there until his passing. His son R. Chaim Engel succeeded him in the Radomyshl rabbinate. R Shmuel Engel authored the eight-book Responsa Maharash series, Chiddushei Maharash on the Talmud, Siftei Maharash on the Torah and more. His biography is printed in the book Shem MiShmuel (Munkacs, 1940).
[2] joined leaves (two and a half pages of closely written script). 33 cm. Good-fair condition. Minor wear and tears. Stains.
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Lot 329 Letter by Rabbi Akiva Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg - Good Wishes upon the Engagement of the Daughter of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld - Pressburg, 1912

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
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Letter handwritten and signed by R. Akiva Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg, author of Daat Sofer. Pressburg, [1912].
Sent to Jerusalem to his friend R. Mordechai Friedman, with good wishes upon the engagement of his son with the daughter of R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. His signature appears at the end of the letter: "Akiva son of R. S.B.S.". At the foot of the letter, following his signature, he sends regards to Rav Sonnenfeld.
The Gaon of Pressburg - R. Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), author of Daat Sofer, son of R. Simcha Bunim author of Shevet Sofer, who was the son of the Ketav Sofer. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg since the passing of his father in 1907. Following the Holocaust, he reestablished his yeshiva and community in Jerusalem. He was one of the heads of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Mordechai Friedman (d. Elul 1944), immigrated to Eretz Israel from Hungary in 1908 and was one of the prominent members of the Hungarian Kollel in Jerusalem. His son, R. Menachem Mendel (1896-1958) was a leading disciple of the author of Maasai LaMelech in the Waitzen Yeshiva. In 1912, he became engaged to Rachel Breindel, daughter of R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, and together they raised a distinguished family in Jerusalem.
Postcard. 9X14 cm. Good condition. Postage stamp and postmarks.
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Lot 330 Two Interesting Letters from Rabbi Shlomo Alexandri Sofer - Regarding the Biography of his Grandfather the Chatam Sofer - Sereth, 1914

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Two letters handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Sofer, son of R. Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Kraków, author of Michtav Sofer. Sereth, Adar-Sivan 1914.
Addressed to the historian R. Dr. Yehuda Leib (Louis) Lewin Rabbi of Kempen (Kępno), the letters contain various inquiries about the biography of his grandfather the Chatam Sofer, and his great-grandfather R. Akiva Eger, as well as questions regarding the family’s genealogy.
R. Shlomo Alexandri Sofer (Tishrei 1856-Nissan 1924), son of R. Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Kraków, and grandson of the Chatam Sofer. Son-in-law of the philanthropist R. Moshe Wachs from Sereth (Bukovina; father-in-law of the Harei Besamim and of R. Shlomo Ladier son of the Torat Chessed). An outstanding Torah scholar, he devoted his entire life to Torah study and worship of G-d, without acquiring an official position, thanks to his father-in-law’s wealth. He served as Rabbi of Sereth for short periods of time, only as an interim rabbi. A respected figure, he was amongst the prominent Jewish leaders in his country, entertaining friendly ties with members of the royal court, who held him in high esteem. Even more so was he esteemed by all ranks of Jewish society, be it rabbis and activists, maskilim or the masses. He possessed many manuscripts of his father, the Michtav Sofer, and of his grandfather the Chatam Sofer, and published them together with his son-in-law R. Yosef Naftali Stern, who toiled devotedly throughout his life to arrange and publish the writings of the Chatam Sofer and the Michtav Sofer. R. Shlomo Alexandri was also a veritable trove of numerous teachings heard from the Chatam Sofer and leading scholars of his generation (there is a well-known tradition recounting the reaction of the Chatam Sofer to the words of the Yismach Moshe, who explained the difference between the root of his soul and that of the Chatam Sofer - see Otzrot HaSofer, issue 18, p. 181).
2 postcards. 14 cm. Closely written. Good condition. Stains to one postcard.
One of these letters was printed in the book Meoran shel Yisrael - Biography of R. Akiva Eger (Brooklyn, 2011, p. 443). Several other letters from R. Shlomo Alexandri, sent to R. Dr. Yehuda Leib Lewin at that time, are printed in Meoran shel Yisrael (pp. 442-448) and in the Otzrot HaSofer anthology (issue 14, p. 37). They contain further information on the subject of these two letters.
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Letters - Rabbis and Communities
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Lot 331 Manuscript - Leaves from the Ledger of the Shaar HaTorah Ashkenaz Society in Satmar, 1923 - With the Signature of R. Eliezer David Grünwald Rabbi of Satmar, Author of Keren LeDavid - Illustrated Title Page

Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Manuscript - title page and two other leaves from the ledger of the Shaar HaTorah Ashkenaz society. Satmar (Satu Mare), 1923. Yiddish, with some Hebrew.
The present item comprises a colorful illustrated title page, with two subsequent leaves delineating the society’s regulations. The regulations are signed by the society’s leading members, headed by the rabbi of Satmar - R. Eliezer David Grünwald, author of Keren LeDavid.
The title page depicts a gateway with a curtain covering the entrance, surmounted by a dome bearing the Tablets of the Law and topped with a Star of David finial. Signature at the foot of the illustration: "Produced by Yitzchak Yonatan Singer of Satmar, 1923".
The second leaf opens with the heading (in Yiddish): "Regulations of the Shaar HaTorah Ashkenaz society, Satmar". The heading is followed by the various clauses of the regulations, in Yiddish. The objective of the society is also defined: to maintain Orthodox boys’ schools, which would teach Hebrew, Chumash with the Rashi commentary, the Bible and Talmud with the Tosafot commentary. It states that the society aspires to provide the children of destitute families with free education. The regulations emphasize repeatedly that the society would be run according to the Ashkenazic way, and commits to employ specifically Ashkenazi teachers rather than Sefardi ones - members of the Chassidic community.
The regulations also specify that the society would operate under the direct supervision of the Orthodox chief rabbi of Satmar, and would be subordinate to the Orthodox community in the city.
On the final page, signatures of ten leading members of the society, and of the rabbi of Satmar - R. Eliezer David Grünwald.
R. Eliezer David Grünwald (ca. 1866-1928), foremost Torah scholar and yeshiva dean in Hungary and Transylvania in the pre-war years. He was the brother of R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem, and his close disciple. He studied for a short time under R. Shmuel Ehrenfeld, the Chatan Sofer. He served as rabbi and dayan of prominent communities, including Bardiov (Bardejov), Dunaszerdahely (Dunajská Streda), Tzeilem (Deutschkreutz) and Oyber-Visheve (Vișeu de Sus). In each of these cities, he established and headed a large yeshiva, edifying countless disciples, including dozens who later served as rabbis and poskim. His yeshiva in Oyber-Visheve numbered hundreds of students. He was ultimately appointed rabbi of Satmar, where he headed the largest yeshiva in Transylvania, and one of the most prominent in Hungary. Following his passing, his disciples began publishing his novellae in the books: Responsa Keren LeDavid on Orach Chaim (Satmar, 1929; other parts of his responsa were lost during the Holocaust), Keren LeDavid on the Torah (Satmar, 1930-1939), Keren LeDavid - homily (Satmar, 1934), and others.
[3] leaves. Approx. 40 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Title page damaged and rubbed. Detached leaves.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
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