Chiddushei HaRashba on seven tractates, the Warsaw Edition, 1886. The private copy of Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian from when he was a rabbi in the Kelm Yeshiva.
On the book’s title page is his handwritten signature with the addition of the words “Teacher in the Etz Chaim Yeshiva of London and previously in Kelm, ” as well as earlier signatures of his and a round signature, “Directors of the Kelm Yeshiva.” Also bears the signature of his son-in-law Rabbi Kalman Zelig Pinsky, the
mashgiach of the Knesset Chizkiyahu Yeshiva alongside his father-in-law.
The great mashgiach Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian (1876-1970) was known as one of the foundations of
mussar of the previous generations and one of the dominant figures of the Kelm Yeshiva. He served as a lecturer in Kelm and later in London. In 1950 he immigrated to Israel and began to deliver
mussar lectures in various yeshivot and institutions.
Original faded cover. 2 loose pages. Moderate to fine condition.
* Divrei David . Responsa and piskei dinim by Rabbi David Meldola. Amsterdam, [1753]. First editon. Additonal rabbinic signatures. Rare.
[3] 2-24, 240 leaves. 18.5 cm. Part of the book discusses the polemic relating to the Torah reading on the Shabbat of a wedding according to the Sephardic custom. The debate was stirred by an incident in the Pisa community in 1736, and caused a stormy halachic polemic that spread to a number of countries. With a lengthy dedication in Portuguese, with all the leaves of approbations and many poems.
This book belonged to Rabbi Aharon David Deutsch, Rabbi of Balassa-Gyarmath and author of
Goren David , a disciple of the Chatam Sofer.
Refer to HaChatam Sofer V’Talmidav (p. 49), which mentions that the Chatam Sofer said that he relies on his prayers and testified that he was worthy of life in the World to Come. Written on the endpaper [in Hebrew]: belongs to ……Ahron David Deutsch.” Signatures of Rabbi Yosef Yisrael Deutsch, son of Rabbi Aharon David, rabbi of Balassa-Gyarmath and author of
Ben Geroni .
New binding. Aging stains. Fine condition.
The book
Lachmei Todah: Halachic and Aggadic novellae and sermons for the Shabbatot of the year from Rabbi Zvi Hirsch HaLevi Horowitz,
av”d of Frankfurt am Main. At the top of the title page is a self-dedication ”
A gift given to me by my master, my grandfather, the author, Meir HaLevi Man of Horowitz.” Offenbach, 1816. First edition.
10, 258 pages. 33 cm.
Rabbi Meir HaLevi Horowitz , the son of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke, son of Rabbi Zv Hirsch, author of
Machane Levi and
Lachmei Todah and the great-grandson of Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz,
av”d of Frankfurt am Main and author of the
Hafla’ah and
Panim Yafot . He served in his youth as the
av”d of Lubartow. He published the books of his great-grandfather, the “Hafla’ah, ” with the approbation of the Chatam Sofer, who refers to him as “one of the wonderful ones of the people.” He corresponded with his relative Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot, and several responsas in the
Responsa Beit Ephraim are addressed to him.
Original dismantled cover. A few aging stains. The pages of the book are in very fine condition.
The order of Selichot for the month of Elul according to the Polish custom, Lemberg [1839]. With the seal of Rebbe Aharon Brandwein of Felshtin.
77 leaves, 19 cm.
The Admor Rebbe Aharon Brandwein, was the son the Admor Tzvi Aryeh of Felshtin of the Alik dynasty. He was the son-in-law of Rebbe Avraham of Strettin and adopted his family name. He was raised in the home of his mother’s uncle — Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin, who notified him that he was chosen as the next Admor by giving him a
kvittel. He moved to Tzfat and was beloved by the chassidim of the city. He died in 1907 and was buried in the tomb of Rabbi Chaim of Tchernovitz, where his father was also buried.
Flaws on the first leaves. Stains from use and moth holes. Moderate condition.
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim , with commentaries. Slavita, the printing press of Rabbi Moshe Shapira, 1820. The copy of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Tiktinsky Rosh Yeshiva of Mir.
[4] 191 [1] 106 pages. 23 cm. Ownership signatures on the title page.
A
Shulchan Aruch which was printed on the printing press of Rabbi Moshe Shapira, with an approbation from the author of the
Ahavat Yisrael . With a copy of the document of sale which was given to Rabbi Moshe Shapira from the printer of Sudilkov.
The book belonged to Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Leib Tiktinsky (1824-1899), the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir for decades (material about him is enclosed).
Old loose leather cover. Moth holes. Moderate condition.
Shaagat Aryeh . Responsa by Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Metz. Brunn, 1797. Signature of Rabbi Yechezkel Panet, author of Mareh Yechezkel and signature of his son Rabbi Chaim Bezalel Panet, rabbi of Tashnad.
[1], 78 [should be 79] pages, 34.5 cm.
On the title page is the signature of Rabbi Yechezkel Panet, who wrote at length from whom he received the book and signed his name. After him his son Rabbi Chaim Bezalel wrote that he received the book as an inheritance from his father, “the genius the genuine righteous man…, ” and signed his name with his stamp.
The Rebbe Rabbi Yechezkel Panet (1783-1845), the founder of the Deyzh Chassidut, learned Chassidut from the Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Kozhnitz and his primary teacher Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov. Rabbi Yechezkel even wrote down the words of Torah that his rabbi said, and from them the book
Darchei Zion was published. He was the rabbi of Karlsberg and the area, and the primary teacher of Chassidut in Transylvania. He is known as the “Mareh Yechezkel” after the name of his series of works.
His eldest son Rabbi Chaim Bezalel Panet (1803-1874) learned in his youth from the Chatam Sofer who was very fond of him, and would occasionally invite him to his room when preparing his lessons and learn with him in order to hear his insightful comments. He was the rabbi of Tashnad and the surrounding district for 40 years, author of
Derech Yivchar,
Otzar Chaim and more.
Impressive leather cover. The book has undergone professional restoration and is in fine condition.
* Seder HaYom by Rabbi Moshe ben Machir. Lublin, 1914[!].
* Medrash Shmuel on Tractate Avot. Warsaw [1920?]. Bound with
Kol Eliyahu L’Gr”a , arranged by Rabbi Chanoch Henoch Erzon. Piotrkow, 1904. First edition.Stamps on the title pages of both books: David Twersky, grandson of the Admor of Belz.
Rabbi David Twersky was the son of Admor Pinchas of Ustyluh, who was the son of Rabbi Mordechai of Rachmastrivka and the son-in-law of Rabbi Yissacher Dov of Belz. Rabbi Pinchas lived by his father-in-law for about twenty-five years, and then served as Admor of Ustyluh. His son, Rabbi David, integrated the paths of two dynasties, Chernobyl and Belz. He was killed in the Holocaust together with his illustrious father and family.
Simple bindings. One blemished. Fine condition.
The handwritten signature of Rabbi Chaim Sofer on Sefer Yalkut Chadash of Rabbi Yisrael of Belzec. Pressburg, 1858.
On the page before the title page is the handwritten signature of his youngest son who served him for many years, Rabbi Akiva Yechezkel Sofer (see about him in the book
Toldot Sofrim page 161). It seems that several lines on the page before the title page are also in his handwriting.
Rabbi Chaim Sofer,
av”d of Mukachevo and Budapest (1822-1886), author of responsa
Machaneh Chaim , one of the greatest students of the Chatam Sofer, and one of the leaders of Hungarian Jewry in his generation, a genius and righteous man, a resolute fighter against the followers of the Enlightenment, and one of the most important responders to halachic questions of his time. He was born in Pressburg and circumcised on Yom Kippur by his Rabbi, the Chatam Sofer. At the age of 11 he entered the Chatam Sofer’s yeshiva, and they stayed close until his death.
Old semi-leather cover. Very fine condition.
‘Siddur Tefillat Kol Peh’ used by the Admor Rabbi Avraham Landau for several years.
In the
siddur is a dedication to the Admor, as well as his seal. In addition, his faithful servant Harav Hachaver Rabbi Yaakov David Weintraub wrote on the page preceding the title page, in his handwriting, “Rabbeinu Hagaon Hakadosh the Admor, Rabbi Avraham Landau of Strikov prayed with this
siddur for several years. Whoever did not see how Rabbeinu זצוק”ל poured out his soul to G-d cannot possibly grasp it.”
The Admor Rabbi Avraham Landau of Strikov (1916-2001) escaped to Vilna in World War II where he met Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik, adhering to his method of study. When he came to Eretz Yisrael after the Holocaust, he was appointed as the Admor of the chassidim of Strikov, and was known for his erudition. “He was outstanding in how he prayed slowly, emphasizing every word, while looking in the
siddur.” (
The Encyclopedia of Chassidut , Vol. 3, pp. 889).
Leather binding. Outer page edges gilded. Very fine condition.
The endpaper has a sticker that covers earlier owner notations. It bears the stamp of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky of Bnei Brak, Shikun Chazon Ish.
Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Kanievsky (1899-1985) was a genius and righteous person. He was a leader of the charedi community in Israel and the author of the
Kehillot Yaakov . He was called the “Steipler” per his hometown, Hornsteipel.
Original binding. Other than the loose endpaper and title page, the machzor is in very fine condition.
Siddur Ohr Yesharim . With all of the prayers, requests and pizmonim customarily said by the Sepharadim and the Eastern and Western communities, with names of “Havayah” and “Adnut.” Jerusalem, 1978. The
siddur from the which “The Elder of the Kabalists” prayed. With the approbation of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu who checked the laws and the kabalistic matters in the
siddur and an approbation of Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri.
On the page before the title page is a dedication from the publisher, Yitzchak Ezra Bakel, to Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri. Rabbi Kaduri signed his name above the dedication. Between the
siddur ‘s pages are five small pages with the names of sick people and their ailments, which Rabbi Kaduri mentioned in his prayers. On the last page of the siddur Rabbi Kaduri’s son testifies, “With this siddur my father prayed for many years for the Jewish People.”
Binding reinforced with tape. Very fine condition.
* Brit Avot . Leghorn, [1862]. Signed by Rabbi Eliyahu Chazan of Egypt.
Brit Avot . Includes: homilies on the Torah and holidays, commentary on the Passover Haggadah, compilations on the
Shulchan Aruch and Talmud, and responsa by Rabbi Avraham Coriat. Leghorn, 1862. Only edition.
6, 131 leaves. 30 cm. Author’s signature on the title page. Refer to: Frumkin-Rivlin,
Toldot Chachmei Yerushalayim , 3, Jerusalem, 1929. p. 306.
Original blemished binding. Worming holes in the second section of the book. Moderate condition.
* Michtam L’David . Leghorn, [1892]. Signature of Rabbi Yom Tov Krispin.
Michtam L’David with
Kadshei David , novellae on the Rambam and Talmud by Rabbi David Chaim Shmuel Chasan. Leghorn, [1892]. First edition.
Printed with another section before it, with halachic novellae – not included in this volume. Bound with
Chiddushei HaRitva on Tractate
Megillah. First edition.
[2], 123 leaves, 29 cm. The title page bears the signature of Rabbi Yom Tov Krispin, Izmir-Jerusalem Sage. He authored the
Bigdei Yom Tov , two volumes, [Izmir 1884-1887] and other works. He died in 1909.
Blemished half-leather binding. Aging stains. Stickers reinforcing the last leaf. Fine condition.
Amudeha Shivah, Dyhrenfurth, 1693, with three signatures and various inscriptions in the hand of Rabbi Gershon Avraham Goldberger, author of Nachalat HaGershoni, father-in-law of Rabbi Netanel Fried, author of Pnei Mevin, and [maternal] grandson of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Liska. On the title page and the front flyleaf, there is a signature of ” the youth, Gershon Goldberger” and on the back flyleaf, an inscription in his hand, from his childhood, when he was eight years old! ” Belongs to the youth Gershon Goldberger, grandson of the true gaon, the G-dly rabbinic leader of the entire Diaspora, Rabbeinu Tzvi ztzuk” l, Av Beit Din of Liska, written and signed in 1878, on the eve of Sunday, the week of the Torah portion Ha’azinu …”
For a brief biography of Rabbi Gershon Avraham Goldberger, refer to the Hebrew text.
Fine condition.
Chayei Olam – the halachahs of Yoreh Deah, by Rabbi Yechiel Michel, Av Beit Din of Ziffer. Signatures and many lengthy glosses among the book’s leaves by the gaon Rabbi Gavriel Dessauer, author of Yad Gavriel, a prominent disciple of the Chatam Sofer. In addition, there are over 23 pages written in his hand at the end of the book, comprising almost an entire compilation. For a brief biography of Rabbi Gavriel Dessauer, refer to the Hebrew text. [1] 48, [1] leaf. 23 cm. + [23] leaves of varying sizes in his handwriting. Moderate condition. Tears, some of which are restored. The two final leaves are lacking. Simple binding.
Sefer HaEmunah V’HaBitachon L’HaRamba” m. Koretz, 1785. Kabbalah. With signature in the hand of Rabbi Shmuel Heller, rabbi of Safed, and undeciphered rabbinic signatures.
For a brief biography of Rabbi Shmuel Heller, refer to the Hebrew text.
[32] leaves, very fine condition. The top margins of the last leaves are cropped at the book’s title.
Levush Mordechai on Tractate Bava Metzia, by the gaon Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein. Jerusalem, 1929. Author’s handwritten dedication on the back of the title page. For a biography of Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein, refer to the Hebrew text. The dedication before us was written just a few months before the riots of 1929, in which many of the young men at the yeshivah were murdered and the Jewish settlement in Hebron was destroyed. Rabbi Epstein, his family, and those who hid in his home survived. [28] pp; 76, [4] leaves. Moderate-fine condition. The title page and the final leaf are detached. Aging stains and tears. Lacking back binding.
Pe’er HaDor – first printing. Amsterdam, 1765. Responsa by the Ramba” m, with all the approbations and songs in Hebrew and in Portuguese. Rabbi Shmuel Heller of Safed’s signatures appear throughout the book, as well as other, undeciphered rabbinic signatures.
For a brief biography of Rabbi Shmuel Heller, refer to the Hebrew text.
14 [1] 57 leaves.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 262, brown leaves.
Very fine condition.
Sefer Chiddushei HaRitva al Masechet Niddah first edition, Vienna, 1868. With signatures and glosses by the grandfathers of the Admo” r of Toldot Aharon, Rabbi Shmuel Heller and the Admo” r Rabbi Moshe Deutch of Sighet. Along the length of the book, there are many of Rabbi Shmuel Heller’s signatures, as well as several glosses in his hand, and several signatures by his grandson Rabbi Moshe Deutch of Sighet on the title page.
For brief biographies of Rabbi Shmuel Heller and Rabbi Moshe Deutch of Kretchnif-Sighet, refer to the Hebrew text.
Very fine condition.
Sha’ar HaMelech. Novellae on the Ramba”m by Rabbi Yitzchak Nuñez Belmonte. Lvov, 1859. Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin’s stamps from various periods. Stamps as rabbi of Golina, and as rabbi of Pietrkov. There is also a stamp from the library of the Chachmei Lublin yeshivah. Rabbi Meir Shapira served as rabbi of Golina from 1910-1920. As is known, Rabbi Meir Shapira transferred many books from his own library to the yeshivah’s library. Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin [1887-1933] was one of the most prominent rabbis in Poland, a member of the Polish Sejm, founder of the Chachmei Lublin yeshivah and originator of the Daf HaYomi. The book is in poor condition, with many worming holes.
Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, Part II – Hilchot Gittin, with commentaries: Be’er HaGolah, Be’er Heitev and Pitchei Teshuvah. Johannesburg, 1861. Copy which belonged to Rabbi Ya’akov Reinowitz, dayan in London, with many glosses. There is a lengthy handwritten deliberation on the flyleaf about how to write the name of the city “London” on a get. At the end of the the book, there is a lengthy deliberation about permission to send a get. Rabbi Ya’akov Reinowitz [d. 1893] served as a dayan for 30 years in his native city, Volkavisk, then he immigrated to London where he served as Raava”d in the Beit Din of the chief rabbis of the Adler family. Responsa from the Netzi”v were directed to him in Meishiv Davar Part II siman 17, in Part IV simanim 23 and 25, and he is mentioned in siman 56. Despite his low salary, he was very active in charitable causes, especially collecting money for the Volozhin yeshivah, and the Netzi”v corresponded with him a lot about the yeshivah’s finances. He left many books behind – books of commentary and sermons, and primarily of wide-ranging responsa literature, but most were lost. This book, immersed in his glosses, contains a small remnant of a tremendous Torah enterprise. [4], 316, [3] leaves. 22 cm. Fine condition. Aging stains. Stamps. Many glosses. Simple binding.
Membership certificate’ no. 50/51, of the gaon Rabbi Akiva Sofer, author of Da’at Sofer, of Pressburg, to the ‘Va’ad HaIr L’Kehillat HaAshkenazim B’Ir HaKodesh Yerushalayim’ (previous name of the ‘Edah Chareidit’). The certificate was granted to him for his ascent to the Land of Israel. It is signed by the members of the ‘Va’ad HaIr L’Kehillat HaAshkenazim B’Ir HaKodesh Yerushalayim’ and with the council’s stamp. Historic document.Rabbi Akiva Sofer [1878-1960], final rabbi of Pressburg, and the fourth link in the golden chain of Pressburg rabbis – a rabbinate which was passed down from father to son, from the ‘Chatam Sofer,’ to his son the ‘Ktav Sofer,’ and then to his grandson, the ‘Shevet Sofer,’ and to his great-grandson the ‘Da’at Sofer.'[1] paper sheet. 31×42 cm. The certificate was printed and illustrated in blue and red. The Da’at Sofer’s details are filled out in scribal script in black and red. Fine condition. Blemishes in the right margins without damage to text.
Tzala”ch. Tziyun L’Nefesh Chayah, Chiddushim al Masechet Pesachim. Józefów, 1855. With Rabbi Yerucham Yehudah Fischel Perla’s signatures and stamps. Approximately ten glosses handwritten by him on the book’s leaves, some of them slightly cropped. [1] 75 leaves, 27 cm. Bound with: Tzala”ch. Tziyun L’Nefesh Chayah, Chiddushim al Masechet Beitzah by Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the ‘Noda BiYehudah.’ Józefów, in a press that had been in Slavuta, 1856. With Rabbi Yerucham Yehudah Fischel Perla’s signatures and stamps. [2] 54 leaves, 27 cm. As is known, the presses from the Shapira Brothers’ printing press in Slavuta that had been shut down were transferred to a printing house in Józefów. The gaon Rabbi Yerucham Yehudah Fischel Perla was born in Warsaw in 1846. He traveled to Lomza at a young age, to the the Mahari”l Diskin’s yeshivah. He later studied with the gaon Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. He was known as an exceptional gaon, expert in all aspects of Torah. He lived in Warsaw and refused to accept a rabbinical position. His library was one of the largest and most important in Poland. He ascended to the Land of Israel in 1927 and passed away on the 30th of Shevat, 1934. He was known for his magnum opus on Sefer HaMitzvot by Rasa”g, which he worked on for almost forty years, 14 of which, it is told, he did not leave his house, did not seeing daylight, and his meals were brought to him by his wife through a narrow window. He also used to listen to kaddish and kedushah through that same window. Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld said of this composition: ‘It must be clearly understood that without the effort of forty consecutive years and incessant diligence, no human being would have been able to author such a work.’Moderate-fine condition. The first title page is professionally restored. Not bound.
Responsa by Rabbi Mordechai Ziskind Rotenberg, Av Beit Din Lublin.
Specifications: [5], 70 leaves. 19 cm. First edition.
Unique features: Owner signature on front flyleaf: “Belongs to …Aryeh Leib …Av Beit Din of Hanover….Yissacher Berish of Brodt.”
Background: Rabbi Aryeh Leib Av Beit Din of Hanover was the beloved son of the “Pnei Yehoshua.” He imbibed Torah from his father and learned in his yeshiva. His Pnei Aryeh novellae were printed together with the last section of the Pnei Yehoshua. He served as rabbi of Hanover for 28 years, until his death in 1789.He was one of the leading Torah scholars of his generation and wrote halachic responses to noted questions such as the Get of Brodt and the Get of Cleves.His son, Rabbi Yissacher Berish of Brodt, was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz, Av Beit Din of Brodt and Ahu. He took over his father’s position in Hanover, and served there until his death in 1803, at the age of 56. He was an erudite Torah scholar, and finised the Talmud 28 times. He was also a noted expert in astronomy and taught some disciples this subject (refer to his father’s approbation to Naveh Kadosh (Berlin 1746).
Condition: Very fine. Detached title page. Minimal aging stains. Original, worn binding.
