Avodat HaGershoni . Responsa from Rabbi Gershon Ashkenazi. Frankfurt A.M. [1699]. First edition. Stamp of Rabbi Avraham of Chechanov.
The title page bears the stamp: אברהם ב”ר רפאל ז”ל.
Rabbi Avraham Landau was born in 1784. He was an outstanding Torah sage and noted rabbi of Chechanov, and patriarch of the Strikov dynasty. He was a noted adjudicator and one the of the most prominent Torah sages of his generation. His halachic opinion was highly esteemed. The central questions of the generation, the ones that stirred disputes and controversies, were brought before him for his opinion, including: machine matzot, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess fund, decree against mode of dress and shaving beard and peyot, divorces and releasing agunot.
In 1820 he was appointed rabbi of Chechanov and served there for 55 years until his death. Right after his appointment, he established a yeshiva in the city that he headed. Many of his disciples in the yeshiva later became Torah leaders in Poland.
For many years he refused to act as chassidic Admor. It was only in [1866], after the death of the Chidushei HaRim of Gur, that he agreed to accept this role, with the claim that there was a need to fill the void created after the death of the Gerer Rebbe. Though he did start filling some of the customs of an Admor, he did not change two of his behaviors: davening Shachrit with vatikin and reciting the Ashkenazic nusach.
Rabbi Avraham of Chechanov passed away in 1875. Many of his progeny were Admors. His son, the Admor Rabbi Dov Berish of Biale, was the father of the Strikov chassidut.
The author, Rabbi Gershon Askenazi, was the Rabbi of the Viennese community until their expulsion from the city. He then served as Rabbi of Metz. He received questions from all Jewish communities. Includes a lengthy preface with the author’s biography by Rabbi Dovid Oppenhim, who was Rabbi of Nikolsburg at the time.
[4] 94 [4] leaves, 31 cm. Moderate condition. new binding.
Luchot Edut, Kitvei Kodesh HaMetzadedim B’Rabbi Yehonatan Eibeshitz . Warsaw [c. 1900]. Bound with Meoraot Tzvi, Sippur Chalomot Ketz Haflaot, Niklat MiChachamei HaDorot Negged Shabbetai Tzvi . Warsaw [c. 1900]. Both books contain the signature of the Admor Rabbi Meir Yosef Steiner of Kerestir. Both title pages have his handwritten signature, and his personal stamp appears twice on the flyleaf.
The Admor Rabbi Meir Yosef Rubin of Kerestir: Son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham son of Rabbi Yeshayah Steiner of Kerestir [“Rabbi Yeshyaleh Kerestirer”]. After about two years during which the Admor Rabbi Avraham served as successor of his father, the righteous Rabbi Yeshayah of Kerestir, – before his passing, he commanded that his son-in-law Rabbi Meir Yosef Rubin succeed him as Admor of Kerestir. Rabbi Meir Yosef served as Admor of Kerestir for approximately 20 years, from 1924 until he was murdered in Auschwitz in 1944.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Detached, worn binding.
Prayer book for the entire year, per the Sephard custom. Edited by the Admor Chaim Shlomo Perlow of Bulchov. Includes Pirkei Avot, with commentary Ma’aseh Avot, by the Admor. Máramarossziget (Siget), 1907. First edition. Bears signatures and stamps of the Admor Rabbi Yitzchak Leifer of Borsa, nephew of the holy Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna.
Chassidic siddur for the entire year, weekdays, Shabbat, holidays, and high holidays; with a Passover Haggadah, Yotzrot, and Selichot. Includes additions written by the Admor on the Derech HaChaim commentary by Rabbi Yaakov of Lissa; and other essential halachic novellae compiled from many books. The Admor also added Seder Zechirot, with commentary by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, as well as the long vidui text arranged by Rabbi Aharon of Karlin. Likewise, he printed Ma’aseh Avot, a commentary on Pirkei Avot from what he gathered from his holy forefathers. He lists the ’13 tzaddikim’ he references on the title-page. Tractate Avot with the commentary was later printed as a book in its own right. At the beginning of the Siddur, the Admor wrote of his pedigree and lineage at great length.
The Admor Rabbi Yitzchak Leifer of Borsa was son of the Holy Admor Rabbi Yosef of Borsa, the brother of Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna – ‘Kadosh Yomar Lo.’ He was murdered by the Romanians together with his son and daughter in 1941.
[4] 452 leaves. 20.5 cm. Additional signatures and inscriptions by the Admor appear throughout the book’s pages.
Moderate condition. Tear in a number of isolated leaves with damage to text. Original binding, blemished.
Mizrachi , elucidation on Rashi’s commentary on the Torah [and other commentators]. Warsaw, 1825. Copy belonging to Rabbi Yisrael of Husiatyn, the title-page bears his owner’s stamp. Throughout the book’s pages are scholarly glosses. 3 of them most likely in his handwriting, some lengthy. (2 volumes).
Volume 1, Bereshit – Shemot; Volume 2, Vayikra – Devarim. The title pages bear the stamp, “[Belonging to the] library of Yisrael Friedman of Husiatyn.”
The Admor Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Husiatyn [1857-1948] was the elder of the Admors of the Ruzhin dynasty, and the last grandson of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. He was born in 1858 to his father, Rabbi Mordechai Feivush of Husiatyn. He succeeded his father as Admor of Husiatyn in 1894, and was Admor to thousands of chassidim. He was known for his truthfulness, and consequently his uncle – the Admor Rabbi David Moshe of Chortkov, stated about him: “He is the truth.” During the First World War he moved to Vienna where he established his court, along with the other Admors of Ruzhin.
He expended tremendous effort towards the settlement of the Land of Israel, and in 1937, he himself immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Tel Aviv. With the rise of the Nazis, he repeatedly begged his followers to escape from burning Europe and would say: “Anyone who has sense should run away now, even in slippers.” To the chassidim who came to wish him farewell at the train station he said: “Those who can sell – sell, and those who cannot sell – should leave everything and escape from here with only a satchel on his shoulder.” During the Holocaust he prayed at the grave of the Or HaChaim in an assembly of leading kabbalists [when danger of annihilation was posed to the Land of Israel’s inhabitants with the advance of the Nazi army towards Egypt under Rommel’s command]. His statement during the assembly that: “The oppressor will not rule the Land of Israel,” became well-known. He passed away at the ripe age of 91, in Chanukah of 1948. Surprisingly, in his will (written in 1939), he requested to be buried in Jerusalem, but “… if Jerusalem is not a possibility,” then in Safed or Tiberias. And since after his passing the road to the Mount of Olives was blocked off, he was buried in Tiberias.
Volume 1: [4] 127 leaves, [2] 86 leaves, [2]. Volume 2: 98 leaves, 61 leaves, 51 leaves. 30 cm.
Very fine condition. Beautiful original binding. Few stains on first and last pages.
Sha’arei Tzion , prayers and tikkunim. Lemberg, 1867. The title-page bears the stamps of two Admors [grandfather and grandson]: Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Berdichev, and Rabbi Elazar HaLevi Yerushalmski.
Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Berdichev grew up in the lap of his grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel of Kaminka, a disciple of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and the Ohev Yisrael [the stamp before us also makes mention of the family connection], and was the son-in-law of Rabbi Elazar Shapira of Polonne. He was the Admor of Polonne and Berditchev, and passed away in 1901. Refer to: Alfasi, Encyclopedia L’Chassidut , A, 94.
His grandson, the Admor Rabbi Elazar HaLevi Yerushalmski of Koretz, was son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Brezen of the Zlatshov dynasty, son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Berditchev. He served as Admor in Koretz from 1917 until his murder in the Holocaust on the eve of Shavuot 1942, with all members of his community. Refer to: Alfasi, Encyclopedia L’Chassidut , A, 281.
Moderate-fine condition. Stains. Original binding, worn.
Four books stamped by the Admor Rabbi Yaakov of Yazov, son of Rabbi Avraham of Chechnov.
* Aderet Eliyahu , elucidation on Shas, responsa and thoughts by Rabbi Emmanuel Chai Ricci. Livorno, 1742. Two parts. Sketches. First edition, printed by the noted kabbalist in his lifetime.
Stamp of Yaakov, son of the gaon Rabbi A. Landau, on the title page.
* Yair Keno . With two commentaries on tractate Kinnim, Siach HaSedeh and Lekach Tov, by Rabbi Menachem Eliezer of Vilna. Vilna, 1861. First edition.
Stamp of Yaakov, son of the gaon Rabbi A. Landau, on the title page.
* Kedushat Levi al HaTorah . Lemberg 1850. Several blemished pages at the end. Bound with: Likkutim Yekarim , by the four disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. Lemberg, 1850.
Stamp of Yaakov, son of the gaon Rabbi A. Landau, on the title page of Kedushat Levi .
* Teshuvot HaRambam V’Iggrotav also including responsa from the Ri”f, the R”I MiGash and various letters. Leipzig, 1859.
Stamp of Yaakov, son of the gaon Rabbi A. Landau, on the title page. Signature of Rabbi Menachem Yosef Lipski.
The Admor Rabbi Yaakov Landau was born in 1834 to his great father Rabbi Avraham of Chechnov. He was among the leading Chassidim of Kotzk, then with the author of Chiddushei HaRi”m . He assisted his father in the Chechnov rabbinate, and after his father’s passing, he accepted the leadership of his brother Rabbi Zeev Wolf of Strikov. After his brother’s passing, he was one of his principle successors as Admor. He resided in Yazov, near Lodz, hence he was known as the Admor of Yazov. After his brother’s passing, he began to serve as Admor of Yazov (next to Lodz). He passed away in 1896 leaving behind many manuscripts; some of his in-depth studies were printed in his father’s Ahavat Chessed .
Moderate condition. New bindings.
Gevurat Anashim . Halachic elucidation on the laws in Shulchan Aruch – Even HaEzer, by Rabbi Shabbtai HaCohen – the Sha”ch. Dessau, 1697. First edition. Copy belonging to the Admor Rabbi Shlomo Friedman of Chortkov.
First edition of this important book, a fundamental book on these laws, written by the author of the Sha”ch , brought to print by the Sha”ch’s grandson, with a foreword by him. “Rabbi Shlomo Friedman of Chortkov”‘s owner’s stamp appears on the approbation leaf. Additional rabbinic owner’s notations and signatures appear on the title page, on the back of the title page, and on leaf 1.
The Admor Rabbi Shlomo [Shlome’nyu] Friedman of Chortkov [1894-1959] was born to his father, the Admor Rabbi Nachum Mordechai, son-in-law of his uncle, the Admor Rabbi Yisrael of Sadigura. Beginning in 1946, he served as the Admor of Chortkov in Tel Aviv. His Torah thoughts are in the book Divrei Shlomo .
[2] 38 leaves, 18.5 cm. Fine condition. Aging stains. New binding.
Tikkunei HaZohar with the Mikdash Melech commentary [Lemberg 1864?]. Includes the signature of the Admorim, grandsons of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk – the Admor Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak of Staszow I, and his son Rabbi Elimelech of Staszow. Throughout the book’s pages, there are a number of glosses in their hands. Incomplete, damaged copy.
* The Admor Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weissblum of Staszow the first [who signature appears as “Avraham Staszower” on the binding’s lining] was son of Rabbi Naftali of Lizhensk, son of Rabbi Elazar of Lizhensk, the son of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. His mother was the daughter of Rabbi Yosef Baruch, the “Yehudi HaTov” of Neustadt, son of ‘HaMa’or V’Shemesh.’ He served as Admor in Lizhensk to thousands of Chassidim. All the illustrious leaders of his generation, precedented by Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, recognized his greatness. He served as Admor until his passing in 1919. His grandson, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weissblum of Staszow the second, was renowned in Williamsburg as a miracle worker, and thousands sought him out and were saved through his blessings.
* The Admor Rabbi Elimelech Weissblum of Staszów [a number of whose handwritten signatures appear at the beginning and end of the book as ‘הק’ אלימלך בהרה”ק רא”י וויסבלום’] was son of (the aforementioned) Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weissblum, and son-in-law of Rabbi Shmuel Aharon Rubin of Krotoschin. He was known as “the Rebbe of Staszow,” and had the holy practice of sitting adorned with a prayer shawl and phylacteries all day long. He perished in the Lodz ghetto on the 29th of Sivan 5702 [1942].
It is a customary for Chassidic masters to study Tikkunei HaZohar daily throughout the month of Elul.
Imrei Yosef . Chassidut on the Torah Portions and more, by the Admor Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss of Spinka. Maramureş-Sighet-Munkatch- Szécsény , 1910-1927. First edition. Complete set. Some of the volumes contain the Admor’s sons’ stamps.
The book was published after the author’s passing by his son, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Spinka. With a lengthy foreword from the son, which includes ten articles on the biography, stories, talks and conduct of the author.
[A] Bereshit : 23, 270 leaves. [B] Shemot : [5] 189 [3] leaves. [C] Vayikra – Bamidbar : [4], 96, 101, [3] leaves. [D] Devarim : [4], 3-110 leaves. There are copies with an additional four pages at the end, probably corrections. About 25 cm.
Leaves in very fine condition. Worn and damaged bindings.
* Irin Kadishin . Torah thoughts by Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and his son Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura. Warsaw, 1885. 11, 13-65 leaves. Two title pages. Owner’s stamps.
* Kedushat Aharon . Chassidic articles on the Torah by the Admor Rabbi Aharon Friedman of Sadigura. Warsaw, 1913. First edition. With his son’s stamp – the Admor Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Shalom of Sadigura. 158, 6-14 pages, 27 cm. The book was given as a gift from the Admor Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Shalom of Sadigura to the mayor of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Yitzchak Gerstenkorn. With his son’s, Rabbi Yisrael Aryeh Gerstenkorn’s stamps.
* Pe’er L’Yesharim . Two books opening with Torah thoughts by Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and Rabbi Rephael of Bershad. Jerusalem 1921.
* Kovetz Ktavim Mekoriim M’HaBesht z”l V’Talmidav [ Collection of Original Letters by the Besh”t z”l and his Disciples ], via Chaim Bloch. Vienna-Berlin [1923]. 111 pages. With pictures and facsimiles. Letters from the Genizah HaCharsonit, including the negotiation between the Kaiser’s court in Vienna and the head of state, with respect to the Admor Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. Also a short letter from the Mahara”l about creating the golem.
Bound with: * Knesset Mordechai . Holy words of the Admor Rabbi Mordechai Shalom Yosef of Sadigura. Premishlan, printed in Lublin, 1938. With foreign-language title page. [1] 16 leaves, 24 cm. Jacket cover. Rare booklet. With the Admor of Sadigura’s stamp. Handwritten gloss, apparently by the Admor.
* Zeh Yenachamenu . Holy words from the Admor Menachem Nachum ztz”l of Chernowitz, of Boyan. [Chernowitz, 1937]. Printed shortly after his passing. This copy has 32 pages, as listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book. The book was not completed at the press, and there are copies with additional leaves.
* Rabbi Dov M’Leovah, Chayav, Peulotav VeTorato , by Rabbi Matityahu Yechezkel Guttman. Tel Aviv, 1952.
Various sizes and conditions, overall fine-very fine.
Chumash VaYikra with Rashi’s commentary and with translations, and with the Ohr HaChaim commentary and Be’er Mayim Chaim . Chernowitz, 1851. The Admor Rabbi Chaim Mordechai of Nadvorna’s copy.
Chassidic chumash. The chassidim in Eastern Europe studied from this chumash, which was printed with the Ohr HaChaim commentary and Be’er Mayim Chaim around the chumash text.
The Admor Rabbi Chaim Mordechai of Nadvorna’s signature is on the flyleaf.
Rabbi Chaim Mordechi Rosenbaum was born in 1903 to Rabbi Ittamar Rosenbaum, the elder Admor of Nadvorna. He resided in Sighet and then in Seret, Rumania. He served as Admor during his father’s lifetime, and after his father’s passing, he succeeded him. During the Holocaust, his family was deported from one town to another under harsh conditions. While he was in the Dzhurin ghetto, he served in a special Beit Din for releasing agunahs. He immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1947 and settled in Jerusalem. He later moved to Jaffa. In 1960 he moved to Bnei Brak and established a yeshivah there. He passed away in 1978, and is known by the name of his book, Devar Chaim .
[2] 154, 20 leaves, 26 cm. Blue paper. Moderate condition. Worming holes. Old leather binding.
Shu”t Divrei Chaim by Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. Bilgoray, [1929].
The endpaper bears an inscription written by the sons of Rabbi Pinchas Chaim of Razleh, noting that the book belonged to their father: “This book belonged to our righteous father, our teacher Rabbi Pinchas Taub, shlit”a. He purchased it for ten zlotys on Sunday of the week VaYeshev is read, 1934.” The title page and endpaper bear owner stamps of his sons, the Admors of Rodzil/Razleh – grandsons of Admor Yitzchak Isaac of Kaliv.
The owner of this book, Rabbi Pinchas Chaim of Razleh [1867-1936], was the son-in-law of Admor Avraham Chaim Horowitz of Linsk. In 1887, he started serving as rabbi of Rozdil. He was outstanding in his generation with his knowledge of kabbalah and authored Torat Chessed on the Torah, Ohel Moed and more.
At the back of the flyleaf, his sons noted the responsa that the Divrei Chaim answered to the father-in-law of Rabbi Pinchas Chaim – Admor Avraham Chaim of Linsk.
Rabbi Yehudah Yechiel Taub of Razleh [1887-1939] was the son of Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Taub of the Kaliv dynasty. He settled in Margarethen and served as Admor. He wrote a number of works that were lost before being printed. He republished the complete Lev Sameach . His son is the present Admor of Kaliv shlit”a.
Rabbi Moshe Ezra Taub Admor of Razleh [1895-1944] was the son of Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Taub of the Kaliv dynasty. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Baruch Rubin of Brzozdowce. He moved to Samashvar-Gherla [Transylvania] where he served as Admor. He was killed in Auschwitz.
Fine condition. Missing title page. Aging stains. Simple binding.
Chozeh Tziyon . Psalms with commentary by Rabbi Rephael Emanuel Chai Ricchi. Leghorn, [1742-1743]. First edition.
Expansive commentary on Psalms, including kabbalistic ideas, written by noted kabbalist Rabbi Rephael Emanuel Chai Ricchi.
Rabbi Rephael Emanuel Chai Ricchi was born in Italy in [1688]. In his youth, he wandered through Italy, earning his keep as a tutor. At the age of 30, he immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Safed. There he studied kabbalah and the writings of the Ariza”l. About two years later, he returned to Italy and settled in Leghorn. Many years later, he returned to the Land of Israel. He then returned to Leghorn again, in order to print the rest of his books and to raise money to establish his yeshivah in Jerusalem. On his journey home, in 1743, as he was printing the book, he was martyred in sanctification of G-d’s name. The title page refers to him with terms alluding to the fact that he was alive; the last leaves bear a description by his son, Rabbi Shmuel Ricchi, of his father’s martyrdom. He also copied a manuscript in which his father writes that he dreamed that he would be killed in sanctification of G-d’s name. Large family seal of the Ricchi family on the title page. The author includes his biography in his introduction.
The title page bears the stamp of Rabbi Nachum Dovber Friedman of Sadigura and the stamp “Kinyan Kaspi” [קנין כספי]. Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov of Sadigura [1843-1883] owned an extensive library and stamped his books to mark how they reached his hands. The “Kinyan Kaspi” stamp indicates that he purchased the book so that he could study it. The printer’s device is surrounded by a note, apparently in his holy hand: קנין כספי נחום דובער פרידמאן.
138 [2] leaves, 31 cm. Fine condition, other than a restored tear on the title page. Simple binding.
Sefer HaZohar on the Chamishah Chumshei Torah, with Derech Emet, annotations from Rabbi Chaim Vital, the Chid”a, the GR”A, and more. Vilna, 1882.
The flyleaf, title page, and inner pages bear numerous owner’s stamps of Rabbi Naftali Teitelbaum of Nyirtass.
The righteous Rabbi Naftali Teitelbaum [1867-1938] was son of Rabbi Yisrael Yukel Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Volové, and grandson of the author of Yitev Lev of Siget. He served as rabbi of Nyirtass for 40 years, and became well-known as one of the Hungarian rabbical leaders, and a head of the Orthodox Bureau in Budapest. He was revered by many illustrious Admorim. He passed away in 1938.
Three volumes. Complete set. Winograd, Sifrei HaGR”A 676.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Worn, original semi-leather bindings.
“Open the gates and the righteous nation will come, guardian of faith – read not ‘guardian of faith,’ rather ‘those who respond amen.'”
Shomer Emunim by Admor Rabbi Aharon Roth, written to strengthen hearts in faith, sections 1-2. Concludes with the Ahavat HaBorei and Ani Ma’amin compilations and poems of joy and connection to the Creator. Jerusalem, 1942. First edition published anonymously, glosses in his hand.
Three title pages. A number of glosses are scattered throughout the book [primarily corrections] in the holy hand of the author. The last page bears the note “proofread,” in his hand.
Admor Aharon Roth (1894-1947) studied in the yeshivah of Rabbi Yeshaya Zilberstein of Waitzen. He was a follower of Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Blazowa and Admor Yissacher Dov Rokeach of Belz. He established study groups to work on serving G-d with self sacrifice in Budapest and Satmar, and called them “Shomer Emunim.” In 1925, he moved to Jerusalem and established a group of chassidim and disciples whom he guided in spiritual service and chassidut. This holy group continues to embody his teachings in various chassidic communities, such as “Toldot Aharon,” “Shomrei Emunim,” “Toldot Avraham Yitzchak,” “Mivakshei Emunah” and more.
[1], 7, [1], 10-37, 125, 10, [8], 55, 34, [1], 43, [4] leaves.
Fine condition. Original, illustrated cardboard binding with gilt. Detached binding.
