Letter signed and stamped by Rabbi Chaim David Chazan in 1861 for the Talmud Torah of the Sephardic kollels in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Chaim David Chazan was a unique personality in his generation, also a play on his initials: ‘ח”ד בדרא’. He was born in Izmir in 1791. His father was Rabbi Rephael Yosef Chazan, Av Beit Din of Izmir, and author of Chikrei Lev. In 1840, he was appointed rabbi of Izmir and served in this position for fifteen years. In 1855, he moved to the Land of Israel. After the passing of the Rishon L’Tzion, Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia, he took over this position until his passing in 1869.
His printed works include:
Torat Zevach (Salonika, 1856),
Yitav Lev (Izmir, 1858),
Yishrei Lev (Izmir, 1870),
Shu”t Nediv Lev – two parts (Salonika 1862 – Jerusalem 1866) and glosses in his father’s
Chikrei Lev .
[1] 26×27 cm. Letter in Italian with several quotations in Hebrew, fine blue paper, written on both sides. His signature is in the margins of the letter, as well as his stamp as Chacham Bashi, and the stamp of the Talmud Torah of the Sephardic Kollels is Jerusalem.
Fine condition. Minimal creases and stains. Fold marks with tiny tears in the folds and in the margins, without lack. The stamps can be seen from the other side of the leaf, but the writing is still legible.
Especially beautiful letter on elegant stationery, in artistic script integrating block letters with Rash”i script, to philanthropist Rabbi Shaul Laniado, signed by Rabbi Ya’akov Chai Zrihan, Av Beit Din of Tiberias, Rabbi Moshe Meir Chai Elyakim, Av Beit Din of Casablanca and others.
Rabbi Ya’akov Chai Zrihan, Av Beit Din of Tiberias, founded the Keter Torah yeshivah – the topic of this letter – in 1900, together with Rabbi Machluf Sheetreet, Rabbi Moshe Meir Chai Elyakim and Rabbi Aharon HaLevi Skali. Due to his love for the Land of Israel, Rabbi Zrihan refused to travel abroad to collect funds in Jewish communities for the yeshivah he led. This was in contrast to other Tiberias sages, who would travel for such purposes. This may be the reason that the letter of greetings before us is especially invested, to compensate for the fact that he does not approach the philanthropist personally.
Rabbinic leaders of Tiberias signed on the letter: Rabbi Aharon HaKohen Sakli (his seal in in the form of a signature); Rabbi Ya’akov Chai Zrihan; Rabbi Shalom Aruach; Rabbi Moshe Meir Chai Elyakim and Rabbi Machluf Moshe Sheetreet – rashei yeshivah and presidents of the Keter Torah yeshivah in Tiberias.
Refer to the Hebrew text for brief biographies of Rabbi Ya’akov Chai Zrihan and Rabbi Moshe Meir Chai Elyakim , known as ‘ Mesame”ach Elyakim .’
[1] leaf beautiful official yeshivah stationery. 22×28 cm. High-quality paper. Beautiful scribal script, original signatures and stamps.
Very fine condition. Fold marks.
The letter is written in Rabbi Chaim Brody’s beautiful script and in a beautiful literary style to Rabbi Naftali Adler HaCohen, rabbi of London, in honor of his being granted a title of noblity. Prague, 1909.
Background to the letter: In 1909, Rabbi Naftali Cohen Adler, rabbi of London and the United Kingdom, received the honorary title of Commander in the Royal Victorian Order. This title was granted in honor of the rabbi’s activities on behalf of the British Empire.
Rabbi Dr. Chaim Brody [1868-1942] was a grandson and disciple of the author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch . He also studied at the Pressburg yeshivah and then at the Beit Midrash L’Rabbanim in Berlin. He was very involved in the study of song and hymns of Medieval Spanish Jewry. He published much from manuscript.
23×29 cm. High-quality paper. Scored. Rash”i script.
Fine condition. Professionally restored tear, without damage or lack.
Typewritten leaflet with Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer’s signature, with a significant erasure carried out by him before publication. Jerusalem, 1937.
The leaflet deals with the divided ritual slaughter controversy in Jerusalem. Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer wrote emphatically against a notice posted in Jerusalem streets headlined: “Vigorous Protest and Opinion of the Leaders of the Yeshivahs.” He determines that this poster disrespects the rabbis and leaders of Jerusalem. He points out that the naïve reader could think, Heaven forbid, that most of the yeshivah members are caught in this transgression, and thus he comes out forcefully against the announcement. He indicates that among the entire detailed list of signatories on the announcement, there are only seven from the Etz Chaim yeshivah, who were caught in their naïveté. Rabbi Isser Zalman erased significant(!) words from the printed text and signed by hand.
Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer [1870-1953] was the author of Even HaAzel . He was a disciple of the Netziv and of Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik in Volozhin. He served as the rosh yeshivah in Slobodka and then as rosh yeshivah in Slutzk beginning in 1897, and as rabbi of that city beginning in 1903. He served as rosh yeshivah of Etz Chaim starting in 1925, continuing until his passing.
[1] leaf paper. Approximately 20×20 cm.
Very fine condition, filing perforations and fold marks.
The letter was sent to the rabbi of Zurich, the gaon Rabbi Binyamin Ze’ev Weiss, in which he writes about an ill person and changing his name, and writes that the students at his yeshivah will pray for this person, and he blesses him with multiple blessings.
Refer to the Hebrew text for a brief biography of Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld .
[1] leaf official stationery on an air mail envelope. 28 cm. Addressed, stamped and postmarked. Greenish paper. The attendant’s script with the addition of a line in the hand of the gaon of Tchebin, and with his signature.
Fine condition. Fold mark. Perforation as a result of opening the envelope, with damage to one letter.
6 documents in the hand of Chacham Yehudah Tzadkah, including a note written to the Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kadouri.
Rabbi Yehudah Yehoshua Chaim Tzadkah [1910-1992] was the rosh yeshivah of Porat Yosef for dozens of years, and one of the most prominent rabbis in the Land of Israel.
Overall moderate-fine condition.
Handwritten and signed letter from Rabbi Aryeh Levin, “The Tzaddik of Jerusalem, ” to Mordechai Raziel, educator and father of Etze”l commander David Raziel and MK Esther Raziel-Naor.
In the letter, R’ Aryeh Levin blesses Mordechai and the members of his household towards the upcoming Shavuot holiday, and showers them with his love. He also discusses educational matters.
The letter is entirely in Rabbi Aryeh Levin’s calligraphic script, in block letters, with his signature.
[1] leaf. 14×19 cm. Placed in the original envelope, which also bears the rabbi’s script.
Very fine condition. Fold mark along the width of the letter, three tiny brown aging stains.
Letter of recommendation personally handwritten and signed by Rabbi Eliezer David Greenwald. 1928. [1] leaves. 21×17 cm. The letter also contains his stamp. Please refer to the Hebrew for information about Rabbi Greenwald, including place and year of birth, his teachers and positions held. Letters from him are rare. Minimal staining and tiny tears without loss. Fine condition.
Two documents about the brothers, the Admorim of Ashlag, sons of the Admor, the author of the Sulam. [2] leaves – Questionnaire of the Histadrut Poalei Agudat Yisrael in Jerusalem. 28 x 20 cm. With personal information of Rabbi Shlomo [Binyamin] Ashlag and his brother Rabbi Baruch Shalom Ashlag, who signed the form. Interesting fact: The two brothers wrote that their profession is molder and Rabbi Shlomo even added: builder white stone. The two brothers, sons of the Admor Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag author of the Sulam, made aliyah with their father to Israel. After their father the Admor died in 1954 they both served as Admorim and continued spreading the study of the Zohar. The Admor Rabbi Binyamin Shlomo died in 1983 and the Admor Rabbbi Baruch died in 1991. Aging stains and folding signs. Fine condition.
Invitation to the wedding of HaGr”sh Wosner’s son with the addition of a personal invitation in his handwriting. [1967]. [4] pages, 23×16 cm. Invitation to the wedding of the young man, Avraham Halevi, son of HaGaon Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner to the daughter of HaRo”sh Katz, Head of the Beth Din of Kiryat Yoel and the Community Yitav Lev. On the second side of the invitation, there is a person letter of invitation in the handwriting and signature of HaGaon Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner. For more information relating to HaGaon Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner please refer to the Hebrew text. A small tear damages the word Shlita. Signs of creasing and stains. In average-good condition.
Letter and Leaf of Chiddushei Torah in the handwriting and signature of Rabbi Avraham Yaacov Sofer, hy”d. Head of Beth Din, Tet, 1941. [1] Leaf, 15 x 24 cm, blank, officially from year 1941, in the midst of the Holocaust. He writes to one of his sons several short responses relating to the permit for rearing rabbits and more. [1] Leaf, 21 x 17 cm. Written on both sides. On the beginning of the leaf of the novel ideas of the Torah (Chiddushei Torah) it is written: Crumbs for Mishloach Manot, what was caught in my trap during these last days. For more information relating to Rabbi Avraham Yaacov Sofer please refer to the Hebrew text. Light tears without loss of text. In good condition.
Eight Letters [8] in the handwriting of the Gaon Rabbi David Shperber, Head of the Beth Din of Prashov, in the years 1930-1950. At the end of a letter of sympathy to one of his friends who was widowed. Within the letter he also mentions to Election Day and writes: We need the mercy of heaven to strengthen the right over the left. And if there was not division between the Charedim, I would not be afraid. However, to our sorrow, the Satan still destroys dances between us due to our many transgressions …” For more information relating to Rabbi David Shperber please refer to the Hebrew text.
Large Collection of Letters, Air-Mailed letters, Postcards, Invitations and more, which were sent to Rabbi David Halevi Jungreiss, Head of the Beth Din, Jerusalem. 1960s. More than one hundred different items which were sent to the Rabbi and in addition Divrei Torah (words of the Torah) of the Rabbi with his thoughts, in his handwriting. The letters deal with: Torah matters, , halachic instruction, charity and benevolent activities, personal counseling matters, New Year wishes, wedding invitations of well-known Rabbinic families, and more. There are many signatures of the writers. For more information relating to Rabbi David Halevi Jungreiss please refer to the Hebrew text. Most of the letters are with envelopes, in different states of condition. The collection was examined very superficially and is sold AS IS.
Collection of Six Letters [6] from Rabbis and Admorim of the Halberstam Family. Johannesburg, Calcutta, India. 5707-5732 [1947-1972]. Six letters by Rabbis of the Halberstam Family, all of whom are direct descendants of the author, Divrey Chaim of Sanz. Amongst them are four letters from the Admor Rabbi Yisrael Halberstam of Zemigrad (son of the Holy Rabbi, Rabbi Sinai of Zemigrad, son of Rabbi Baruch of Gurlitz) that were written in the year 5707, from Johannesburg and Calcutta, India. Letter from HaGaon Rabbi Moshe Halberstam from the year 5723 and more. All in very good condition.
Six letters on one page, signed, which were written by important families of Brisk. 1938. [1] Leaf, 28 cm, width 22 cm. Letter written on both sides, divided into six different letters from the year 5698 (1938) all of which are on one leaf (to save the cost of postage). From the Malin, Soleveitchik and Steinmann families, important families of Brisk, which were sent to Switzerland to Rabbi Moshe Soleveitchik and Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinerman. The letters are signed by the writers. The following is a list of the letters in the order of their writing: Letter from Rabbi Nehemia Malin (later Rosh Yeshivat Brisk in America) to his friend Rabbi Moshe Soleveitchik. Letter from Rabbi Gershon Soleveitchik (son of HaGra”ch) to his son Rabbi Moshe, in which he asks a question about a difficulty in Tractate Pesachim and requests that he study it. Letter from Rabbi Zeev HaLevi Soleveitchik to his brother Rabbi Moshe (Hagra”l Steinmann is also mentioned in the letter) that recounts how their Seder and expresses interest in how the Pesach Festival was for them in Switzerland. Letter from HaGra”l Steinmann’s father. Letter from HaGra”l Steinmann’s mother. Letter from HaGra”l Steinmann’s sister. Please refer to the Hebrew description in the catalogue to see the biography of Rabbi Yisrael Gershon Soleveitchik, HY”D and his son. These letters were sent by the families of the two youths who remained together in Brisk. Rabbi Moshe is the single scion of his father’s house, all the others of which were killed in the Shoah (including all of those written above). In very good condition.
A letter on halachah from Rabbi Yaacov Yisrael Kanievsky, author of the Kehilas Yaacov, the Steipler. With his handwriting and signature. [1965]. Lined writing paper, 13.5 x 19.5 cm The Steipler addresses a subject in hilchot Shabbat, in which he quotes his uncle, the Chazon Ish. A few stains. Very good condition.
A moving letter from Rabbi Yitzchak Schwadron, son of the Maharsham, Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Schwadron of Brezhin, to the Vaad HaIr Jerusalem [1918]. [1] Writing paper. 14 x 22 cm. In this letter Rabbi Yitzchak reveals his anguish due to the difficulties of child-rearing as a widower with nine orphans. An important letter for understanding the internal dynamics in the Jewish communities in Jerusalem between the two World Wars. See the Hebrew text for background. Filing punch-holes. Tears with no loss of text. Good condition.
A long letter with important information about the controversy over heter mechirah during shemitah, from Rabbi Feivel Holzberg. [1910]. Written during the shemitah year. [2] Blank paper. 21 x 28 cm. Written on both sides. See the Hebrew text for background. In this letter, written during shemitah, the writer discusses the subject of heter mechirah. He mentions the names of well-known rabbis, citing their perspective on heter mechirah. He cites important opinions on the controversy. Fold marks, minute hole. Good condition.
Important letter from the Rabbis of the community in Shanghai to Rabbi Yaacov Rosenheim, [1946]. Official stationery of the Beit Din of Shanghai. 21 x 27 cm. Written on both sides. A long letter to Rabbi Yaacov Rosenheim, the president of Agudat Yisrael, regarding the physical and spiritual condition of the Jews of Shanghai, including the Sephardic community. An important historical document.
A halachic response from Rabbi Shlomo Goren, on the eve of the evacuation of Sinai. [1981]. 4 leaves, writing paper, 21 x 29 com. Written with a typewriter, with his handwritten signature. An important halachic response to a query from a resident of the settlement Atzmona in Northern Sinai. Rabbi Shlomo Goren [1918-1994] was the Chief Rabbi of the army and later the Chief Rabbi of Israel, known for his right-wing opinions. Very good condition.
Printed letter from Rabbi Israel Abuchatzeira [Baba Sali] that was sent during his visit to Jerusalem, with a handwritten name [1933]. [1] leaf, 15*23 cm. Printed in gold ink. Rabbi Israel Abuchatzeira [1889-1984] the kabbalist known by the name Baba Sali. Stayed in Israel for a certain period of time in 1932, during that time he studied with Rabbi Ezra Atiyah in Yeshivat Porat Yosef. The exhibited letter was intended to be sent to friends in the Diaspora informing them that he remembers to pray for them in the Holy Land and at the graves of righteous Jews. The printed letter contains a space to handwrite the name of addressee, and in fact, in the exhibited letter the name of the addressee was handwritten in by Rabbi Israel Abuchatzeira. Light tears on the fold, tiny hole on the end of the margin. Fine condition.
A long letter from the Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu Kletzkin, of Lublin – Jerusalem. [1885]. [3] pp. 17 x 21/5 cm. His handwriting and signature. A long letter of divrei Torah sent to Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Kahane Shapira, the Rabbi of Maltsh. See Hebrew text for background. Letters from Rabbi Eliyahu Kletzkin are rare. Fold marks and creases. A few stains and tears with no loss of text. Good-very good condition.
Letter from the Mashgiach Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian. One of the giants of Mussar. [1965]. [1] leaf stationary. 14 x 21 cm. Written on a typewriter and signed by the Mashgiach. The letter was sent to the Member of Knesset Rabbi Menachem Porush thanking him for a donation to the yeshivah. Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian [1878-1970], Mashgiach of Yeshivat Knesset Chizkiyahu-Kfar Chasssidim, one of the giants of Mussar, his mussar discourses were printed in his book Lev Eliyahu. Office filing marks. Very fine condition.
Letter from the mashgiach Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein. Bnei Brak [1957]. [1] leaf lined. 14 x 18 cm. Personally handwritten and signed by Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein to Rabbi Shmuel Hominer. The letter was sent between Yom Kippur and Sukkot containing a blessing to his friend for a Chag Sameach and pitka tava. He adds a mussar thought. Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein [1885-1974] one of the giants of mussar and the mashgiach of Ponovezh Yeshivah and other yeshivot. The Tzaddik Rabbi Shmuel Hominer [1914-1977], one of the legendary personalities of Jerusalem, outstanding Torah scholar and tzaddik and true worshipper of Hashem as he was characterized by the mashgiach. Composed famous books among them Ikrei Dinim on the laws of lashon hara for which he was called ‘the Chofetz Chaim Hakatan.’ Very fine condition.
