Thick autograph with over 600 pages of dense writing in the hand of Rabbi Ya’akov Segal, Av Beit Din of Bodki, author of Toldot Ya’akov . The manuscript is comprised of never-printed (except [few] passages on Tractate Berachot that were printed in Toldot Ya’akov, Bialystock 1806) sharp Talmudic novellae on halachah and aggadah, and novellae on the Torah portions and saying of or Sages.
The author mentions novellae in his manuscript in the names of Lithuanian rabbis, some of whom are unknown from other sources.
He cites his father (430a; 698a and more),
And his grandfather, Mahar”i Segal (refer to pages 515b, 545b, 556a, 620b)
And his son, Rabbi Moshe (430b, 506a)
And other rabbinic leaders of Lithuania such as the GR”A (see below).
The expert rabbi Mordechai of Wisoki (429a)
Rabbi Yehoshua z”l of Mezeritch, who was known as R’ Yehoshua Marewitziker
Rabbi Tz. Kretinge (443a)
The famous expert Rabbi Yosef of Horodna, known as R’ Yossel Tzives (508a)
The expert Rabbi Yisrael of Tiktin (646a)
The rabbi and gaon, the Av Beit Din of Wolkowski (693a) and more
On page 411a, he mentions his work “Yashresh Ya’akov, ” which has not been printed.
The writer’s identity was clarified using many proofs from the body of the manuscript: Several of the novellae on Tractate Berachot here are found in his book mentioned above, for example, on leaf 714, he writes “Refer to my book ד’ (he refers to his books and compilations using letters) where I commented in the name of the gaon, the famous Rabbi Eliyahu z”l of Vilna, ” and according to this, he also interprets a hymn for a yotzer for Rosh HaShanah, and these words are indeed found in the book Toldot Ya’akov Berachot leaf 4. Here he cites novellae from his grandfather, the above-mentioned Mahar”i, and his grandfather, the famous gaon Rabbi Moshe Mendlish (see 429b) and he writes (on page 439b) that he is a scion of the Ta”z. All these details match what is written in his above-mentioned book.
The gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Segal Av Beit Din of Bodki was a son of Rabbi Avraham Av Beit Din of Orle, son of the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Segal, Av Beit Din of Birzhi, Bodki and Pappenheim and so forth. Rabbinic leaders, in their approbation to his book, write wondrous descriptions of him. For example, the gaon Rabbi Eliezer HaLevi, Av Beit Din of Horodno (Grodno) writes about him: “The rabbi, the great light … the son is like his sharp and famous father and grandfather.” The gaon Rabbi Ze’ev Wolf of Chechanowski writes about him “Great man, sanctified and ascetic … the great light.” The gaon Rabbi Meir Margaliot, author of Meor Netivim in his approbation to the above-mentioned book from 1780, calls the author “sharp and honed.” And he is likewise mentioned with praises in the approbations from the other rabbis. More details about his father and grandfather can be found in the title page of his book Toldot Ya’akov and he also cites their Torah thoughts in this manuscript.
Over 600 pages of dense writing, marked 405-732. 22×17 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. The first and last leaves contain tears, the remainder are complete. Aging stains and dog-ears. Not bound (remnants of the original leather binding).
Zera Yitzchak-Toldot Avraham . Rare and interesting manuscript. Novellae by Rabbi Yitzchak Lemgo of Amsterdam and historic notes from his disciple, Rabbi Avraham Printz. Amsterdam, 18th century.
This unprinted manuscript is comprised of several parts.
1. Handwritten novellae by the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak of Lemgo, author of Toldot Yitzchak al HaTosefta (first 28 leaves).
2. Novellae, sermons, eulogies for his descendants and handwritten essays by his disciple Rabbi Avraham Printz.
3. Important transcripts, historic and family memories mohel’s ledger and two wills he wrote for his descendants, in Rabbi Avraham Printz’ script.
Within this bundles of writings, Rabbi Avraham transcribed letters sent from the sages and community leaders of Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias, issues of emissaries, finding the Ten Lost Tribes and more for the Clerks and Administrators organization. It appears these letters have not yet been printed.
Rabbi Yitzchak of Lemgo [1749-1800] was born in Lemgo; he was a childhood friend of Rabbi Ya’akov Lowenstam, Av Beit Din of Amsterdam, and he may have studied under the gaon Rabbi Shaul of Amsterdam. He was one of the leading scholars of Amsterdam and served as a lecturer in the Ashkenazic study hall in Jerusalem. In 1800, he was accepted as the Av Beit Din of Gunningen, but he passed away childless that same year.
He left a huge commentary on the entire Tosefta, comprised approximately 1500 leaves. After his passing, his family published a leaf of his commentary as a sample so that a generous person would assist in its printing, but this initiative was unsuccessful. [Afterwards, his primary disciple, Rabbi Avraham Printz, printed this leaf at the end of Likkutei Tzvi . Amsterdam 1809.]
At the beginning, he wrote ‘All who came to our city knew the lofty sanctity of the great luminary Rabbi Yitzchak Itzik Segal, ztzh”h son of Zalman Segal of Lemgo, Av Beit Din of Gunningen and Agpia, and his diligent study – he did not leave the tent of Torah from his earliest days, through the days and nights … and he left behind a commentary on the Tosefta … his commentary on the Tosefta Megillah was printed recently by Machon Ofek and his life story and the story of his writings are written up extensively there.
Rabbi Avraham Printz (1768/9-1851) was Rabbi Yitzchak’s primary disciple; he raised him in his home when he became an orphan (this detail is mentioned in the manuscript before us). He was an extraordinary Talmudic scholar, one of the glorious personalities of the Ashkenazic community in Amsterdam, one of the founders of the renowned charity fund Pekidim V’Amrecalim – this manuscript contains fascinating information about the founding of this great enterprise.
88 [2] leaves; 2-147 pp. 15×19.5 cm. Thick, high-quality paper, original red leather binding, embossed in gilt with the book’s name and decorations.
Fine-very fine condition, minimal aging stains.
Over 700 handwritten glosses and novellae on the sheets of the six orders of mishnah, Vienna edition [1808]. Before us is a complete work on six orders of mishnah that have never been printed! Handwritten by one of the rabbinic leaders of Ashkenaz.
Ashkenazic script from the beginning of the 18th century, clear and orderly writing that is easily decipherable. Including deliberations beginning from the words of the mishnah and its primary commentaries through the Biur HaGR”A and Tosafot Rabi Akiva Eiger . The novellae were written over a long period of time and include additions and continuations by the same writer [this can be seen from the style of the writing and the colors of the ink]. An invitation to ritual circumcision [Budapest 1878] is bound in In Tractate Eiruvin – with drawings on the reverse to aid with comprehension of the mishnah’s words. There are also pictures of tables to aid with the comprehension of the difficult mishnahs in Tractate Kinnim.
The writer’s identity is unknown, but the writer does mention Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanzohn, author of Sho’el U’Meishiv in several places (Nashim leaf 89 and Taharot leaf 13). There is another reference to the author’s identity: “Explained by my beloved son Rabbi Rephael in the book Mevo HaYerushalmi (Breslau, 1870) to the honorable sage, the great and famous Rabbi Z. Frankel who wrote there … (Zera’im leaf 13). The author also mentions many of the rabbinic leaders of his generation: “In the book Magen Avot by the Mahar”m Bennet … z”l, ” Rabbi Rephael Feustenthal (disciple od Rabbi Akiva Eiger; author of Evel Yachid ); Rabbi Wolf Heidenheim and many others. The content of the glosses indicates that the author is a venerable Torah scholar.
Shishah Sidrei Mishnah with the commentary by Rabbi Ovadiah of Bartenura, Tosafot Yom Tov, Tosafot Chadashim by Rabbi Shimshon Chassid and Rishon LeTziyon by Rabbi Yeshayah Pik-Berlin. Vienna 1808, Anton Schmidt Press. Six volumes in their original bindings: Zera’im: [4], 134; Moed: [2], 172; Nashim: 159, [1]; Nezikin: [2], 136; Kodshim: 163, [1] Taharot: [2], 223, [1] leaf. 26 cm. Part of the title page is in red ink.
Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains. Worn bindings.
Small compilation of novellae on Tur and Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat and its commentaries, primarily in-depth studies of the Sm”a’s words.
The identity of the writer is unknown to us, yet from the style of the novellae, it is clear that they were composed by a person of stature. The writer does not mention books by the Later Authorities except for the commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch, and is not deterred from disputing the words of the Sm”a.
On page 2b, he refers to his novellae on Tractate Sanhedrin .
12 pages written in autographic script, small and orderly. Erasures and corrections. 21×16 cm.
Fine condition. Aging stains.
Novellae on Torah portions and midrashim, and various notations written in Hanover, Poznań and possibly also Frankfurt, between 1728 and 1739. The writer is an unknown scholar who studied at the home of the officer Rabbi Seligman bar Cohen in Hanover. Beautiful script.
There is a notation at the beginning of the booklet about his arrival at the officer’s home in 1713. The leaf after it bears a note about the purchase of the “buch” in Hanover in 1713.
On page 53b: That which I have been privileged to innovate on Tractate Avodah Zarah in Hamburg during the summer semester of 1708 – apparently later copied to this booklet.
On page 3a: That which I heard from the gaon, the Av Beit Din, Rabbi Ya’akov, that he delivered in 1714 during the week of Toldot, in the first sermon he delivered after being accepted as Av Beit Din in his community. [He may be referring to the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Katz Poppers, author of Shev Ya’akov , and it should be: 1718.]
On page 15a: That which I have been privileged to deliver in Poznań, at the cemetery on Sukkot 1739.
At the beginning and end of the booklet, there is a table of contents and various notations, such as the deposit of a pledge in Frankfurt on 1739 with the widow of the dayan Rabbi Avraham Geiger, dayan of the Frankfurt am Main community.
114 pages, of which 59 are written. 15×20 cm. Thick, high-quality paper. Fine condition. Aging stains. Wear in the corners of the first leaves without damage to text. Blemishes in the margins of the first two pages with damage to several words. Professional restoration to the final leaf. New binding.
51 missives and Torah letters from correspondence of the author, the gaon Rabbi Avraham Segal Pollack, dayan and moreh tzedek of Bonyhád, with rabbis of Hungary and beyond. To the best of our examination, this manuscript has never been published. The responsa are dated 1900 onward.
Written and arranged by his disciple, Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz, dayan and moreh tzedek of Machzikei Torah in Grosswardein, whose name is mentioned in dozens of books of responsa, from his correspondence with rabbinic leaders of the generation in the framework of the Torah journal VaYilaket Yosef . The manuscript contains, as mentioned, 51 responsa. The author of VaYilaket Yosef had started to compose indices for the book, but did not complete them.
The gaon Rabbi Avraham Segal Pollack [1870-1944] was a dayan and moreh tzedek of Bonyhád. He was a tremendous gaon and huge expert, very well-known in the generation before the Holocaust. Before the age of 19, he was already asked to become Av Beit Din. He, his father, and grandfather were three generations who studied at the Pressburg yeshivah, and he heard much from them about the Chata”m Sofer and his disciples. His father was the gaon Rabbi Moshe Segal, Av Beit Din of Bonyhád and author of VaYedaber Moshe and Tikkun Moshe , a disciple of the Ktav Sofer, and the son of Rabbi Yitzchak Zekkel HaLevi Pollack ztz”l, primary disciple of Rabbeinu, the Chata”m Sofer. Rabbi Avraham Segal Pollack himself also studied at the yeshivah of the author of Shevet Sofer , alongside studying with his father and grandfather. His was martyred in Auschwitz. His novellae were printed in his father’s books and in the VaYilaket Yosef anthology.
The gaon Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz [1875-1944] was a son of the author of Beit Naftali and a grandson of the author of Kol Aryeh . He was rabbinically ordained by the author of Arugat HaBosem and by the Maharsha”m of of Berzhan. He served as a dayan in Bonyhád. Beginning in 1924, he served as rabbi of the ‘Machzikei Torah’ community in Grosswardein. He authored many books of in-depth studies and halachah. Most of his literary work was in the famous Torah journal, VaYilaket Yosef , which was published in Hungary over the course of 20 years.
Approximately 70 pages. 15×25 cm. Fine condition. Not bound.
Complete handwritten work on chamishah chumshei Torah, including thousands of wonderful abbreviations and “vorts.”
The author indicates and integrates midrashim and various topics using abbreviations in biblical verses. On the word ‘בראשית’ alone, the author wrote dozens of kinds of abbreviations. The author’s identity and the location the book was written are unknown to us.
47 leaves, written on both sides. 14×20 cm. Ashkenazic script.
Fine condition. Creases and tiny tears in the margins of the first and last leaves with blemishes to individual words. Not bound.
Talmudic novellae and in-depth studies in Ashkenazic script. The writer mentions much in the name of ‘my teacher and rabbi.’ On a leaf that is attached to the manuscript, it is noted that the writer is a disciple of the author of Shev Ya’akov – could he have seen this in the body of the work?
Noted on the last leaf: Written and completed on Friday, the eve of Shabbat Beshalach, 1744.
[28] pp. 22×17 cm. Written densely, generally legible.
Moderate-fine condition. The ink is faded in several places. Wear in the margins, water stains, not bound.
“The great, the wondrous and the sharp Rabbi Leib Fishles …” ( Noda BiYehudah , second edition, Orach Chaim 108)
Compilation of novellae on Tractate Shabbat ‘from the Adm”o’ the gaon Mahara”l Bumsela …” written by one of his students.
Noted on the second-to-last leaf: “In the name of the gaon Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch, Av Beit Din and leader of the Furth community” – this is none other than the gaon Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Yanov, and we have dated this letter accordingly, as being from before 1786 – the year Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch passed away.
Refer to the Hebrew text for a brief biography of the gaon Rabbi Leib Fishles Bumsela .
[15] pp. 17×21 cm.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Tiny tear and restoration to the last leaf.
The novellae are on the laws of ‘Pogemet Ketubah, ‘ ‘Tovat Hana’ah’ and other writings, by one of his disciples, who signs his name: ‘The youth, Mordechai, son of Moshe, of Chust.’
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon and tzaddik
Rabbi Shaul Ehrenfeld, Av Beit Din of Sixau .
[25] pp. 21×17 cm. Moderate condition, wear and tear in some of the leaves with minimal damage to text. Not bound.
Compilation of novellae and elucidations on the Torah portions and more, in the hand of Rabbi Avraham Yehudah Segal Kellner, disciple of the Shevet Sofer. Pressburg [1894-1895]
In his novellae, he cites the Mahar”i Assad, the Mahara”m Schick and other rabbinic leaders of Hungary. He also quotes sayings in the names of his teachers: The Shevet Sofer; Rabbi David Neiman, Ra”avad of Pressburg and Rabbi Yisrael Yosef Deutch, Av Beit Din of Yarmut, son of the gaon, the author of Goren David . At the end of the compilation, there is a eulogy for a youth from the Pressburg yeshivah who passed away in 1895.
Rabbi Avraham Yehudah Segal Kellner was born in 1870 in Pressburg. After his marriage, he ascended to Jerusalem and served there as head of Shomrei HaChomot. [ HeChata”m Sofer V’Talmidav p. 555].
There is a leaf written on both sides included. It was written in Jerusalem in 1879 on the subject of the great controversy in Jerusalem regarding the ruling of a convert who underwent a ritual circumcision but not a ritual immersion. One of the Jerusalem sages ordered him to perform melachah on Shabbat so that he would not become a gentile who observed Shabbat, which is a capital offense. At the beginning, the writer notes, “and the next day, the whole city was roiling about this, as written in Divrei Yosef by the gaon Rabbi Yosef Schwartz ztz”l, and I wrote to him about the aforementioned topic in 1864, and I added some words just now.”
[31] pp. 21×17 cm.
Not bound, fine condition.
Thick, handwritten volume that shall be called ‘Birkei Yosef’ – sermons on the weekly Torah portions of Sefer Bereishit and some on Shemot. It opens with a lengthy introduction. Autograph.
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman writes on page 58b: In order to express my appreciation, my mind has inspired me to compose some sermons on the weekly Torah portions in honor of my mother, my teacher, the true tzaddeket, ztz”l, and to call it ‘Birkei Yosef.’ [He apparently later changed his mind and called the eulogy for his father Birkei Yosef – refer to Toar Pnei Shlomo , p. 25.]
Also contains a lengthy eulogy for his mother, Mrs. Gittel, in which he writes of her praises at great length. [In Toar Pnei Shlomo , p. 28, he wrote that he called the eulogy for his mother Gil-Tal ].
Page 32b details his family tree from his mother’s side: ‘Moledet Beit Califera.’
Refer to the Hebrew text for a brief biography of the gaon and tzaddik, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Landsberg ztz”l .
[114] leaves 17×21 cm. The vast majority is in fine condition; the last leaves are worn. New binding.
Engagement contract handwritten and signed in Poznań in 1815. With the signature of the attendant at Rabbi Akiva Eiger’s synagogue.
Standing at the bride’s side is the gaon Rabbi Yisrael Moshe, Av Beit Din of Kornik, author of Shu”t Rishmei She’elah (Warsaw 1811, with an approbation by Rabbi Akiva Eiger). The witnesses signed on the contract are: The youth Moshe son of the belated Rabbi Itzik, head attendant of the old synagogue, and R’ Yechiel Michel b”r Eliyahu Levi, head attendant of the new synagogue.
Rabbi Moshe was the head attendant of the synagogue in which Rabbi Akiva Eiger prayed, and he is mentioned several times in the book Psakim V’Takanot by Rabbi Akiva Eiger (see pp. 55, 65 – photocopies included).
[1] double leaf paper. 20×33 cm. Thick paper.
Very fine condition. Minimal aging stains and fold marks.
Collection of selichot for Purim ‘per the custom of Ashkenaz and Poland’ that primarily speak of the virtues of wine and water gardens, by Chananel Farges, sent to his father as mishloach manot for Purim. C. 1860.
The poetess Rachel Morfogro praises Farges’ poetic phraseology in her writings about him in 1953. Refer to her book Agav Rachel pp. 27, 78.
[9] pp, 10×17 cm. Beautiful script of pure eloquence. A letter in German is at the end.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Tiny tears without damage to text. The leaves are detached. Unbound.
Passage from a handwritten Sefer Bereishit on parchment. Ashkenaz, 14th-15th centuries.
The passage before us includes Chapter 47 of Sefer Bereishit, verses 15-30 – the end of the portion Vayigash and the beginning of the portion VaYechi. With vowelization and cantillation, and Targum Onkelos in the margins in tiny script.
[1] leaf. 23×19 cm. Written on both sides of the leaf. Block Ashkenazic script. Moderate condition. Worming perforations and restored tears with damage to the text in several places. The Targum Onkelos is faded.
The manuscript before us includes an anthology of letters and Torah novellae by the writer, and by leading Later Authorities.
Letters: At the beginning and end of the manuscript, there are about fifteen letters signed: “Itzik Leib Lichtenstein.” There is also a letter from 1832 to his rabbi, “My teacher Rabbi Shimon HaLevi.” Apparently this is Rabbi Shimon Segal, Av Beit Din of Fordon and Rogzon, author of Sha’ar Shimon, brother-in-law and disciple of Rabbi Akiva Eiger.
Novellae: The manuscript includes the writer’s novellae, as well as novellae by other rabbis: “Topic: Tevach Chiluk, by the Av Beit Din of Lissa” [possibly referring to the author of Netivot HaMishpat ?] “from the gaon, my teacher Rabbi Yonantan” [Eibenschutz?]; song of praise and blessing for his rabbi “Rabbi Gershon [Asch] son of the great gaon Rabbi Tuviah [Av Beit Din of Zempelburg, author of Et U’Barzel with glosses called “HaTzur Leveno, ” as above] for his 40th birthday.
[22] pp. 16×19 cm. Thick paper; fine condition. Aging stains. New binding.
Four ordination letters from the following rabbis: Rabbi Yechiel Michel Ze’ev Horowitz, Rabbi Ben Tziyon Meir Chai Uziel, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi HaLevi, and Rabbi Shlomo HaKohen Aharonson. Including letters bestowing rabbinical ordination upon Rabbi Yitzchak Rudnik, who studied for approximately five years in a yeshivah in Jaffa, and later served as rabbi in London; he authored Sdeh Yitzchak .
The rabbinical letters describe Rabbi Yitzchak Rudnik as “sharp and knowledgeable in the realms of Torah, analytical logic and understanding; he delves into the depths of halachah, and excels in straightforward, sharp thinking … a Torah great, a prominent rabbi of our times.” It additionally notes that he is worthy of contributing to halachic deliberations and offering rabbinic decisions.
[4] paper leaves. Various sizes. All were handwritten, signed and stamped by the rabbis bestowing the ordination. Pasted onto canvas. Overall moderate-fine condition.
Composition on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, synopsis of the laws of the Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries, and in-depth studies by the Later Authorities. Including ritual slaughter, treifot, limbs from live animals, blood, salting, prohibited mixtures, and more, as well as the laws of niddah.
Lengthy and orderly manuscript in beautiful script with supplements. At the end of the halachic summary, there is an appendix for each subject with citations from the Later Authorities. In the laws of forbidden mixtures, page 70a, the writer mentions his teacher, the gaon Rabbi Yehudah Assad.
To the best of our knowledge, this has apparently not been printed.
99 leaves. 12×19 cm. Clear and legible script.
Fine condition, A few of the leaves are coming apart. Back binding only.
“… what was will be, and there is nothing new under the sun …”
Handwritten notebook with transcriptions of several interesting compositions, including the compilation Atzeirat HaMageifah , as well as a list of symptoms of the disease and treatment methods. The instructions and rules are authorized by the signatures (copies) of the Jewish doctors in Berlin. Rare and interesting manuscript.
Included among the instructions, as if written for our times: An important arrangement in a person’s home, and a great safeguard, is to open the windows every morning and push the air outside … certainly in places where there are many people, such as synagogues, study halls and schools.
The manuscript includes five rare and interesting compilations, following is the manuscript’s content, in order:
1) Sefer Ben Sira , leaves 1-19.
2) Ma’aseh Torah – attributed to Rabbeinu HaKadosh, leaves 20-25.
3) Orchot Chaim by Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol, leaves 25-28
4) Kuntress Atzirat HaMageifah leaves 29-32, with a colophon at the end.
5) Teshuvah Nitzchit Neget HaMagzim al Odot Hadam – compilation against spreading blood libels. Leaves: 33-39. The author is ‘the officer of Torah, wondrous and exalted general in Torah and Chassidut and state advocate … Rabbi Zanvil Meinich, ztz”l, copied by his grandson Mordechai ben Michael Meinich in 1779 in the state of Bamberg.
Approximately [80] pp. 10×16 cm, beautiful script.
Fine condition. Minimal aging stains. Tear in the dedication page, without blemish to text. New binding.
Manuscript of elucidations on Torah portions, sermons and various transcriptions, with beautiful illustrated title pages. Ashkenaz, 1722-1730. Including the rare composition Nishmat Chaim by Mahar”i Abuhav di Ponsikah.
The manuscript is comprised of three parts:
* Novellae and elucidations on the Torah portions, hadran and various sermons – this part is the mainstay of the manuscript. It was written in Ashkenaz and bears the dates 1722 (13a) and 1730 (39b). The writer was a sermonizer and possibly also a rabbi in his community, and at the beginnings of several sermons, a ‘permission’ [‘רשות’] is written lyrically and in beautiful rhyme as is the way of the rabbis (see leaves 12, 19, 38). Many matters were written by the author in the name of his father, the officer and supporter of the state, Rabbi Aharon, who was clearly an exalted gaon in Torah.
* Nishmat Chaim by Rabbi Yitzchak Abuhav di Ponsikah of Amsterdam. Beautifully illustrated title page. [4 leaves]. Incomplete compilation.
The background to writing this compilation was a sermon delivered by Rabbi Shaul HaLevi Mortira in Amsterdam in 1635, in which he states that souls have eternal punishment forever. Rabbi Yitzchak Abuhav does not accept this, and in the middle of the sermon he raises his objections. This aroused a great controversy in the community of forced converts [אנוסים] who lived in Amsterdam, as it besmirched the souls of their ancestors, and such is the topic of this compilation.
This rare compilation, whose copies are very uncommon, was first published only in 1973. See extensive coverage in Kitvei Rabbi Yitzchak Abuhav – Machon Yerushalayim edition, and in the introduction there.
* Dimayon HaRefu’ot by the great Dr. Avraham Wallach. The title page (from the Frankfurt 1700 edition) bears a decorative border, an approbation from the rabbi of Frankfurt and a short introduction. It was not printed again. [2] leaves.
[77] leaves, of which 40 are written. 10×16 cm. Fine condition. Isolated worming perforations in the white margins. Minimal aging stains. Original leather binding, worn.
Complete manuscript on Chamishah Chumshei Torah and festivals handwritten by Rabbi Avraham Schmeltzer of Pertrowaslau, disciple of the leading Hungarian rabbis, including matters heard from the Chata”m Sofer, Mahar”i Assad, the author of Yismach Moshe and more. The date 1882 is mentioned at the end of the manuscript.
The writer was a disciple of the gaon Rabbi Aharon Shmuel Assad, Av Beit Din of Szerdahely and Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer, Av Beit Din Holas and Paks, author of Yalkut Eliezer and Sefer HaMikneh .
He mentions novellae from his teacher Maharo”sh Assad and his teacher Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer, Av Beit Din of Holas.
The other sages mentioned are: The Chata”m Sofer; the Ktav Sofer; the author of Michtav Sofer; the gaon Rabbi Yehudah Assad; Rabbi Ezra Tzoref, Ra”avad of Szerdahely; the author of Yismach Moshe; Rabbi Tzvi Charif; Rabbi Koppel Charif; the Av Beit Din of Verba; the author of Shemen Rokeah ; the gaon the Av Beit Din of Tiszafüred [possibly Rabbi Moshe Sofer] and the Mahara”sh of Ostropol.
The gaon Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer [1828-1903] was one of the rabbinic leaders of Hungary. He was a disciple of the Chata”m Sofer; the latter’s son, the Ktav Sofer; and the Mahara”m Schick. He was rabbi of Holas, where he began to become renowned as one of the main voices of Chareidi Jewish leadership in Hungary. Simultaneously, he served as rabbi of Feledyhaz, Szóvát-Selish and Paks. He is known for his books: Yalkut Eliezer , HaMakneh and Et Sofer .
The gaon Rabbi Aharon Shmuel Assad [1830-1905] was the rabbi of Szerdahely in Slovakia for 36 years. He was Rabbi Yehudah Assad’s son and a disciple of his father’s and of the Ktav Sofer. He was rabbinically ordained by Rabbi Shlomo Kluger, Rabbi Avraham Sha’ag-Zwebner. His books are: Chiddushei Rashbi”d Esh Dat and Shu”t She’ilat Shmuel and Pirkei Machshavah – Esh Dat .
68 leaves, few blank leaves. 12×19 cm.
Fine condition. Minimal aging stains. Lacking leaf 21. Simple binding.
Two large pages [approximately 600 words!] handwritten by Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of Chatam Sofer – novellae on Tractate Gittin.
The novellae before us deal with a topic in gittin known as ‘יאוש קונה’ and they were printed in
Chiddushei HeChatam Sofer al HaShas in their place (Gittin 55a, beginning with “והנה”). The leaf before us is numbered 2 – it is known that the Chatam Sofer would write his novellae on each topic separately, in an orderly manner. The title “בעזה”י, יאוש קונה” (also in his hand) appears at the top of the page, and the leaf beings with the words “סמכו חז”ל לתקן.”
We will indicate an additional important and interesting point. The novellae that appear before us in the Chatam Sofer’s hand were printed as they appear here in the early editions of Chiddushei HeChatam Sofer . However, in recent years, a new “revised” edition of Chatam Sofer has been released (Werner edition, 2008). This edition, as it were, has “corrected” mistakes that occurred in earlier editions. Yet, close examination of this manuscript reveals that the “mistakes” are actually precisely the text as written by the Chatam Sofer in his own hand. For example, in the manuscript before us, (page 1, line 16) the words “תקנת הגזלנים” appear, and this is what appears in the early print, but the new edition “emends” it, and instead of writing “תקנת הגזלנים” it substitutes “תקנת השבים” because the editors reasoned that this was an error of earlier printers, yet in fact, in this manuscript before us, revealed here for the first time, we see that it is actually this (first) expression that is used by the Chatam Sofer. We counted approximately seven or eight changes in just these two leaves, usually minor differences that do not change the content of the novellae, yet they are still a distortion of the Chatam Sofer’s words. This leaves us no choice but to cite the Chatam Sofer’s ruling: “The new is prohibited by the Torah” [“חדש אסור מן התורה”] …
Another discovery revealed here is that an entire line from the Chatam Sofer’s manuscript was completely omitted in the printed editions! In the manuscript (p. 2, lines 1 and 2), the words “היינו היכי שהגזלן רוצה ליתן לו דמי עצים” appear – yet these words do not appear in the early edition nor in the new edition!
There is a famous segulah of viewing the Chatam Sofer’s script. The introduction to the Chatam Sofer’s sermons indicates the importance of viewing the Chatam Sofer’s handwriting the name of the Mahara”m Bennett: “And (the Mahara”m Bennett) responded to them … I gaze at the writing (of the Chatam Sofer) as this is a segulah for fear of Heaven.” Rabbi Yoelish of Satmar also said to his Chassidim that it is accepted that reading the Chatam Sofer’s script is a segulah for fear of Heaven. It is also known regarding the Chatam Sofer’s son, the gaon Rabbi Shimon Sofer, Av Beit Din of Krakow, that when he had to appear before government authorities regarding fateful issues for the Jewish people, he would take his father’s writings from his pocket and look into them. In light of this, the Chatam Sofer’s descendants as well as leaders of the Jewish people sought to possess manuscripts of the Chatam Sofer’s as a segulah for fear of Heaven, protection from all damage, and good luck.
With affection for the sanctified, as we find ourselves at the threshold of the high holidays – the days of repentance and judgement, we will point out that in this manuscript before us, in the hand of the Chatam Sofer, who was known to have supernatural powers, these segulah words of repentance and atonement appear: “לעשות תשובה” “, לשוב בתשובה” “, דליהוי ליה כפרה.”
[2] pp, 23×19 cm. Ink on high-quality paper, Approximately 600 words in the Chatam Sofer’s hand.Very fine condition. Minimal aging stains. Signed confirmation by handwriting expert Rabbi Yitzchak Yeshayah Weiss, rabbi and Av Beit Din of Neve Achiezer, Bnei Brak.
Volume of Talmudic novellae handwritten by the gaon Rabbi Shmuel Gross of Unsdorf, author of Kitvei Maharshi”g and Chiddushei Maharshi”g , primary disciple of the gaon, the author of Baruch Ta’am (father-in-law of the Admo”r, the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz). Unsdorf, 1850. Signed autograph.
Beautiful manuscript, clear and orderly, written densely and comprising almost an entire book. In the manuscript, Rabbi Shmuel also wrote down two sermons he heard from his rabbi, the great gaon Rabbi Baruch Frankel-Teomim, Av Beit Din of Leipnik, author of Baruch Ta’am , and also transcribed a responsum of his: “Sermon delivered to us by our master, our teacher, the gaon, on the 7th day of Pesach, 1824” (page 59b); a lengthy responsum from his rabbi, the author of Baruch Ta’am , was printed in Shu”t Ateret Chachamim section 31, without the name of the addressee mentioned here (we did not compare the printed version to the manuscript).
The final leaf bears a topic index and the author’s signature.
Leaf 60a bears the signature of the gaon Rabbi Aharon Ehrlich of Nadasch, Av Beit Din of Yankevich, son of the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Ehrlich, Av Beit Din of Nadasch, disciple of the Chata”m Sofer.
The gaon Rabbi Shmuel Gross of Unsdorf [c. 1808-1895] studied for seventy[!] years, as attested by the gaon Rabbi Shmuel Rosenberg, Av Beit Din of Unsdorf. He hid away for his entire life, refusing to serve in the rabbinate, preferring to support himself through the toil of his hands. Most of his writings were burned in the fire that broke out in Unsdorf. Some were printed in the books Kitvei Maharshi”g (Waitzen 1903) and Chiddushei Maharshi”g (Turná 1939).
[166] pp. The manuscript starts on leaf 12. 18×23 cm. Slight blemishes in the margins of the first and last leaves. New binding. Extremely important manuscript.
[2] large pages in the hand of the gaon Rabbi Moshe Schick – Mahra”m Schick. The novellae are on Tractate Nedarim; it is unknown whether they were printed in Chiddushei Mahara”m Schick .
Among the novellae on this leaf, the Mahara”m Schick discusses one who is praying for a patient who is at his side, as to whether the person who is praying has to mention the patient’s name. He cites proof from Moshe who prayed for his sister Miriam in her presence and did not mention her name, only “Please, Hashem, please heal her” [“א-ל נא רפא נא לה”]. The Mahara”m Schick adds that not only is there no need to mention the patient’s name in his presence, but it may even cause damage and ruin the prayer.
Aside from the deep novellae, there is segulah value as well to these Torah novellae before us, with the phrases “א-ל נא רפא נא לה” and “מבקש עליו רחמים שיחיה” and other words of healing in the very hand of one of the giants of the Later Authorities.
Rabbi Moshe Schick – Mahara”m Schick (1807-1879) was the Av Beit Din of Yergen and Chust and the rosh yeshivah there. He was the most prominent disciple of the Chatam Sofer, who referred to him as “My bookcase.” At the age of 20, he married Gittel, cousin of the naggid Peretz Frankel, and moved to Helitsh. In 1837, when he was just 29 years old, Rabbi Schick was appointed rabbi of Yergen, near Pressburg, with the recommendation of the Chatam Sofer. After his passing, he was eulogized “From Moshe (the Chatam Sofer) to Moshe (the Mahara”m Schick), no one arose like Moshe.” His books include responsa and novellae that maintain one of the most glorious positions in Torah literature of all time.
[2] pp. 19×23 cm.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Tiny perforation. Faded writing at the margins and slight damage to the margins.
