Shorshei Emunah , which are the main points of the Torah and its lessons, and the principles of the Jewish religion, composed in questions and answers … for Jewish children … so that they learn … their faith, by Shalom HaCohen. London, 1815.
Specifications: [2], 10, 1 page, 56, [1] leaf, 6 pages, paper. 20 cm.
Shalom HaCohen (Poland 1771 – Hamburg 1845) Hebrew scribe, translator and poet. He was an enlightenment movement personage who was part of the dispersion of the enlightenment to Austria and Galicia. He edited HaMeasef HaChadash . He founded and edited Bikkurei HaIttim . He wrote the drama Amel V’Tirtzeh (1812) and a history book which was popular among the maskilim, Koreh Dorot (1820), the poem Nir David (1834), and more. He translated (into German) Jeremiah (1810), Seder HaAvodah (1820) and Seder HaSelichot (1823). His book Shorshei Emunah , which summarizes the principles of Jewish faith in Hebrew and in English, was subsequently translated into Dutch as well.
Few stains, fine condition.
Regulations of the Knesset Yisrael congregation in Westminster. London, 1833.
Contents: The book discusses community and synagogue issues including laws for the election of community leaders, conduct of the burial society, obligations, duties and privileges of members of the community. As well, charities, marriages, registration with the community, and a wide and detailed range of topics related to running the community.
Specifications: 112 pages. 20 cm.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains and a slight tear in the title page without damage to text. Detached binding.
Sefat Emet . Polemic by Yosef Kohen Tzedek. London, 1879.
Specifications: 64 pages, 21 cm.
Condition: Very fine. Thick, quality paper.
Background: Criticism of “Michael with the voice and his assembly …. slyly written to trick the chassidim and to deceive the maskilim. One should know that it is a two-faced, six-winged creature that leads the voice …” Michael Levi Frumkin Rodkinson was a noted author who debated with the author of this polemic. Each one accused the other of lying in their works.
Rabbi Yosef Kohen Tzedek 1827-1904 was a preacher and author. He had a close relationship with Torah leaders and was a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Kluger. He moved to London and served as a preacher in the Dorshei Torah V’Chochmah congregation.
*Predigten, gehalten in der neuen Israelitischen synagoge zu Berlin, von [Leopold] Zunz. [Sermons delivered in the synagogue in Berlin].Berlin, 1846.
* Suggestions for Alterations and Curtailments in the Jewish Ritual now in use in the United Kingdom, by H. Guedalla. London, 1890. Integrated Hebrew and English. From the right: 32 pages, Hebrew: 10, 30-13. English, 32 pages. From the left: XVI, 20 cm.
* The Jewish Year Book 1954, 5714-15. London, 1954. [8], 478, [9] pages. 18 cm.
* The Jewish Year Book 1959, 5719-20, edited by Hugo Harris. London, 1959. 361, [14] pages. 18 cm.
* The Jewish Year Book 1962, 5722-23, edited by Hugo Harris. London, 1962. X, 344, XI-XIX, [2] pages. 18 cm.
* Patterns of Prejudice, Vol 10 no 2, IJA, London, 03-04, 1976. 32, [1] page. 24 cm.
* Patters of Prejudice, Vol 10, No 3. IJA, London. 05-06 1976. 32, [1] page. 24 cm.
Fine condition.
Chochmat Yehudah . Various Judeo-Christian disputations regarding faith. Collected by David Kahana of Odessa along with a poem … by Rabbeinu Avraham ben Ezra from an Oxford manuscript. Published with supplements by Ephraim Deinard. Newark, 1892. Rare!
Specifications: 56 pages. 17 cm.
Condition: Fine-very fine. Light tears in the margins of the leaves without lack. Paper jacket.
* HaLekach V’HaLevov . Commentary on the Tanya by Rabbi Alexander Sender Yudasin. Only Edition. Sivan, 1968.
* Tomchei Temimim , commentary on Tractates of the Talmud. Authored by Alexander Sender Yudasin. Adar, 1964.
* Sefer Zikaron V’Sefer Biur HaTanya by Rabbi Chaim Shaul Bruk, a Chabad rabbi. The Biur contained what he heard from Rabbi Shmuel Gronem of Lubavitch. 1971. Rare!
* Biur HaRN”G al HaTanya . Compiled from the lectures and writings of Rabbi Nachum Goldschmidt. 1977.
* Bitaon Chabad, issues 1-19. Tel Aviv, [1952-1959].
* HaMashpia, biography of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin, integrated with Chabad history. Jerusalem, 1982.
* Recommendation letter handwritten by Rabbi Alexander Sender Yudasin. 1971.
“I saw the book Zichronotai [My Memoir] and it is hail and blazing fire about Rabbi ShY”R, and in anguish I read it: This is Torah and this its its reward? …” (from the introduction).
Rabbi Isaac Hirsch Weiss, one of the greatest early Talmudic scholars, celebrated his 80th birthday in 1895. In honor of the event, he published a book called Zichronotai in which he writes the story of his life, and includes extensive coverage of his friends’ lives, including ShY”R and RN”K, and not necessarily from the most complimentary perspective. This book’s author, Nechemiah Shmuel Leibowitz, decided to publish a book of response to protect ShY”R’s memory. The book is written in a rather aggressive tone, and Leibowitz did not refrain from scorning his opponent when he saw it as necessary.
ShY”R, R’ Shlomo Yehudah Rapoport, was an enlightenment-movement personality in Galicia, and one of the founders of Chochmat Yisrael – the “Jewish Science” movement. He was the Ketzot HaChoshen’s son-in-law, and also a Torah scholar in his own right.
Nechmiah Shmuel Leibowitz was a diamond merchant in New York who also spent much time in Jewish research, wrote approximately 40 works, some of which were published in only 100 copies. He also edited many books, and he was known for his aggressive language.
This book was published in three editions. The first was published in the monthly Ner HaMaaravi 1896. The second, in New York – 1897. And the third, in Jerusalem 1929. Before us are two copies: The second edition (16 pages, 22 cm) and the third edition (31 pages, 25 cm).
Condition: Fine – very fine.
Background: Comprehensive work about the international date line and the laws of Kiddush HaChodesh, written in the wake of the halachic debate regarding the international date line that raged in the 1950s. [Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukatchinsky and the Chazon Ish published many articles on the subject.] Rabbi Chaim Aharon Zimmerman composed his work Agan HaSahar on this topic. He believed that only a few people would be able to comprehend his writing and composition, so he printed a limited edition of just a few hundred copies, hence the rarity and significance of this work.
Rabbi Aharon Chaim Zimmerman (1914-1995) was born in Konotop, Ukraine. His father, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Zimmerman, was a brother-in-law of Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz’s. He was a child prodigy and, as a young man, studied under his uncle in the Kaminetz yeshivah. He moved to the United States and received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Moshe Soloveitchik. He was Rosh Yeshivah in Skokie near Chicago until 1964. He then moved to Jerusalem, where he passed away in 1995.
Specifications: [20] 90 [10] pages. 28 cm. Not found in the National Library.
Condition: Very fine.
First edition of Sefer HaYetzirah , regarding kabbalah, published in English. The original binding has Sepher Yezirah embossed in gold. It is bound together with A Sketch of the Talmud . New York, 1877. Rare!
Specifications: 45, 48 pages. 19 cm. Hebrew-English.
Condition: Very fine. High-quality pages, gilt page cuts.
English t ranslation of the Tanakh for Jews serving in the US Army. Includes the United States president’s speech to the military, in praise of religious faith and studying the Holy Scriptures, which contain words of wisdom, advice and inspiration, and constitute a source of spiritual self-transcendence. At the end of the speech, praise is given to the army clergy, under the heading “Do you know your Chaplain?” Washington, 1942. Description: 512 pages. 13 cm. English. Condition: Fine. Stains, taped tears on the title page. Original binding.
