Biur HaAruch , called Hafla’ah SheB’Erchin , by Rabbi Yeshayahu Berlin, section two. Vienna, 1859. Stamp of the Admor Nachum Dovber Friedman of Sadigura.
Specifications: Without the leaves in German or the supplements of Shad”l. The books in the library of the Admor of Sadigura were generally in very fine condition, and certainly not incomplete. Therefore, it seems that the Admor tore out the pages in German and the words of the Shad”l since they were too closely related to haskala.
Unique Features: The title page bears the stamps of Rabbi Nachum Dovber Friedman of Sadigura and the stamp [Hebrew] “Kinyan Kaspi.” Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov of Sadigura [1843-1883] owned a very large library and he stamped the books according to their origins. This book has the stamp “Kinyan Kaspi” which indicates that he himself purchased the book so that he could study it.
Condition: Very fine, other than a restored tear in the title page, without loss.
Zichron Yehudah , part one, called Pitchei Yehudah . Preface to Seder Taharot by Rabbi Yehudah Abelson. Vilna, 1851. From the library of the rabbi of the entire diaspora, the author of the Chafetz Chaim , with an owner notation in his hand.
Specifications: 24 leaves. 26 cm. Owner signature on the endpaper. Note written by the Chafetz Chaim himself: שייך לר’ ישראל מאיר נרו הכהן מראדין מעטירה. Including a handwriting expert’s confirmation.
Background: During the First World War, the Chafetz Chaim fled to Russia, with just a few books in his satchel. He lived for a period of time in the home of Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Edelstein, Av Beit Din of Shumyachi. The Chafetz Chaim wrote his name in his books so that they wouldn’t get lost, but when he returned to Radin he left them as a gift for his host. This is one of the books that he owned and used for his Torah studies. The Chafetz Chaim’s library was not extensive. The few books that he did purchase caused him an element of regret, since their price cost him some of his life. The many books that he quotes in his famed Mishneh Berurah were often borrowed or quoted from his memory.
It is related in Ohr Elchanan (p. 239-240) that when Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman studied in the Kollel Kadshim in Radin with Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, they needed a rare book for their studies. They asked the Chafetz Chaim if he had this volume in his library, since he quoted it in the Mishneh Berurah. The Chafetz Chaim answered that he didn’t own the work, but had borrowed it from a certain rabbi when writing Mishneh Berurah . He added, “I somewhat regret the ones I do have on my bookcase.” Rabbi Elchanan wondered what he had meant, and he received an explanation on a return visit to the Chafetz Chaim: “Every book that I purchased with money cost me part of my life. I procured that money with hours of work and toil and that is a slice of my life …”
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. New, leather binding.
Kehillot Yaakov on Tractate Chulin by Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky. Bnei Brak, [1968]. Presentation copy.
Unique Features: The book was given by the author, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky – the Steipler, to Rabbi Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz as payment for an etrog. Rabbi Lefkowitz had a close relationship with the Chazon Ish. The Chazon Ish gave him pits from an etrog that was definitely not grafted, and he planted them in his yard. Rabbi Kanievsky, the Chazon Ish’s brother-in-law, was careful to make a blessing every year on an etrog from the tree in Rabbi Lefkowitz’s yard. Still today, many Torah giants from all factions purchase their etrogs from Rabbi Michel Yehudah’s tree.
The book bears Rabbi Lefkowitz’s signature along with the date 13th of Menachem Av [1969]. This is the date that he received the book in lieu of the etrog.
A letter from the family confirming that the Steipler made a special visit to their home in order to bring this book as payment for the etrog is attached.
Rabbi Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz (1913-2011) was a leader of the Lithuanian [yeshiva] community. He was one of the most prominent students of the Chazon Ish, a member of Degel HaTorah’s Council of Torah Sages and rosh yeshiva of Ponevezh L’Tzeirim.
Condition: Very fine.
Magen Giborim , responsa, Salonica [1754]. The Rashash’s signature , שלום מזרחי שרעבי ה”י, appears at the start of the first question, on leaf a.
Specifications: [2], 148, 23, [5] leaves, paper. 30 cm. The Rashash’s signature is in scribal print. The title page bears the stamp of Rabbi Yitzchak Gagin, scion of the Rashash.
Rabbi Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi, the “Rashash,” (c. 1720-1782) was a prominent kabbalist. He was born in Sharab, Yemen and moved to Jerusalem in his youth, travelling through Bombay, Basra, Baghdad and Damascus. He succeeded his father-in-law, Rabbi Gedalya Chayun, as rosh yeshiva of the Beit E-l kabbalist yeshiva. His disciple, the Chida, wrote: “Sacred one of our time, a wondrous kabbalist, he almost knows the Etz Chaim by heart, he was an expert in the hakdamos, and due to his tremendous expertise and wisdom he understood the intent of the Ariza”l perfectly … he wrote a great booklet – Rechovot HaNahar – to clarify and explain the hakdamos … and he had in mind the intentions of the Ariza”l … and he was “miyached yichudim” as the Ariza”l wrote in Shaar Ruach Hakodesh ” ( Shem HaGedolim , maarechet gedolim, 300).
His noted works include his Siddur HaRashash with intentions according to the Ariza”l. This siddur has since become the primary source for praying with kabbalistic intentions.
An expert’s certification identifying the authenticity of the Rashash’s signature is attached.
Condition: Fine. Minimal worming holes. Aging stains, tears in the last leaf. New deluxe leather binding.
Orchot Tzaddikim . Zolkiew, [1804]. 68 leaves, 18 cm.
Bound with: Maalot HaMiddot . Zolkiew, [1806]. 100 leaves, 18 cm.
Unique Features: Both works bear the signatures and stamps of Rabbi Yaakov Shlomo Schmereler of Gura Humorului. Stamps: Yaakov Shlomo son of Mordechai, z”l and the handwritten note: Yaakov son of Baila (his mother’s name, refer to: Wunder, Galicia 5, 390).
Background: Rabbi Yaakov Shlomo Schmerler, the Admor of Gura Humorului was the son of Rabbi Mordechai of Mykolaiv, and the son-in-law of his uncle, Rabbi Yosef of Shatz. He served as rabbi in Vaslui and then as Admor in Gura Humorului. He passed away in 1928. His son Admor Meir served as Admor of Premishlan in Gura Humorului. His son-in-law was Rabbi Avraham Brandwein of Stretin-Haifa. Refer to: Alfasi, Encyclopedia L’Chassidut 2, 226–227.
Condition: Fine. Creases to the title page. Worn binding.
Teshuvot Chachamei Tzarfat VeLoter, published from a handwritten manuscript with notes by Yoel HaCohen Mueller. Vienna, 1881. Bears stamp and sticker of Rabbi Nachum Dovber Friedman of Sadigura.
Specifications : [3], VI – XXXX pages, 61 leaves, 22 cm.
Unique Features: The title page bears Rabbi Nachum Dovber Friedman of Sadigura’s ink stamps and the stamp ‘Kinyan Caspi’. The sticker: ” Otzar hasefarim shel mv’h Nachum Dov Friedman MiSadagura ” is behind the cover.
The Admor Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov of Sadigura [1843-1883] had a large library, and signed the books according to their origin. In the book before us he signed ‘Kinyan Caspi’ which means that he bought the book for his own study. Most of the books in his library do not contain this label.
Condition: Very fine.
* Likutei HaShas of the Ar”i, with Shivchei HaAr”i, Otiyot L’Rabbeinu Sa’adya and more. Korzec, 1885.
Specifications: 49 leaves. Lacking title page. Unique Features: Ownership stamps – Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro of Drohobych.
* Zohar Chadash , Munkacs, 1911. Ownership name and stamps: Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro.
Background: Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel, the first Admor of Drohobych was born in 1864, a grandson of the Seraph of Mogielnica, after whom he was named, and of the Admor of Sadigora. He served as Admor, and was active in supporting the settlement of the Land of Israel. In 1922 he immigrated to the Land of Israel and established a study hall in Jerusalem. Passed away in 1924. Author of HaShalom V’HaAchdut (Drohobych, 1914).
* Kav HaYashar , with Yiddish. Vilna, 1888.
Unique Features: Ownership stamp: Aviezri Shapiro, Jerusalem, 1931.
Background: Rabbi Aviezri Shapiro, a scion of the Maggid of Koznitz. He was the son-in-law of his uncle Rabbi Chaim Yechiel Meir Shapira of Drohobych and served as Admor of Drohobych. He also immigrated to the Land of Israel, where he passed away in 1944.
Condition: Moderate – fine overall condition. Without bindings.
Maaseh Nissim. Questions by Rabbeinu Daniel HaBavli on the Rambam’s Sefer MaMitzvot and responsa on the questions by the Rambam’s son, Rabbeinu Avraham. Arabic with Hebrew translation by B”G [Ber Goldberg]. Paris, 1867. Pedigreed copy.
Specifications: [2] XVIII, [1] p., 20 cm.
Background: The handwritten manuscript was held in an Oxford library and printed here for the first time. The book was published under the auspices of Minister Nissim Shemama, and was therefore called Maaseh Nissim . On pages II-XIII: ‘The trials experienced by our father Abraham, he is Rabbi Abraham Chassid son of the Rambam z”l Acharei Mot Moshe Ish HaElokim,’ by the translator.
Unique Features: Contains the signature of Admor Rabbi Nachum Dovber Friedman of Sadigura, with his stamp as well as the stamp ‘Kinyan Caspi.’ Behind the binding is a sticker stating: “The Book Collection of Rabbi Nachum Dov Friedman in Sadigura.” The Admor Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov of Sadigura [1843-1883] had a large library and signed the books according to their origin. In this book he signed ‘Kinyan Caspi’ which means that he bought the book for his own study. In addition, the book before us contains his handwritten signature, an uncommon signature, as well as a sticker not found in most of the books which were in his possession.
Condition: Very fine. Original cover.
Panim Yafot on the Torah, by Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz. [Lemberg] [1851]. Two sections. Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Glasner’s s ignature .
Specifications: [A]: Genesis and Exodus. [1] 130 leaves. [B]: Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. 167 leaves, 25 cm. The endpaper bears the owner notation and signature of Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Glasner.
Background: Second edition of this work, and the first edition printed without the text of the chumash. Prominent approbations given to this edition. The name of the city Ostrog is highlighted in the first title page, and Beit Eked Sefarim notes that this work was printed there. However, it was actually printed in Lemberg. Uncommon work.
Unique Features: Rabbi Avraham Glasner (1825-1878) was a disciple of the Ktav Sofer and was rabbi of Klausenberg. His son, Rabbi Moshe Shmuel (1856-1925), succeeded his father as rabbi and rosh yeshiva in Klausenberg. He was one of the prominent rabbis of the country. He immigrated to Jerusalem towards the end of his life, and authored Dor Revii , Shevivei Esh , and more. Refer to: HaChatam Sofer V’Talmidav , 528.
Condition: Blemished, half-leather binding. Aging stains. Fine condition.
Tziyun L’Nefesh Chayah – Tzala”ch on Kedoshim, by Rabbi Yechezkel Landau. Warsaw [1897?]. Rabbi Yehudah Leib Greenwald of Satmar’s owner’s stamps.
Specifications: Stamps: Yuda Greenwald, Av Beit Din of Satmar and environs. Many inscriptions that the book belonged to the holy gaon, shlit”a, Rabbi Yehudah Greenwald. Many additional owner’s signatures, among them, Moshe Greenwald.
Rabbi Yehudah Greenwald of Satmar (1845-1920. Otzar HaRabbanim 6899) son-in-law of Rabbi Yospa Sofer, son of the Chatam Sofer. He studied under the author of Ktav Sofer and was among his prominent disciples, among the important Hungarian rabbis and one of the great Torah disseminators of the generation. Served as Av Beit Din in Bonyhad and as the renowned rabbi of Satmar for twenty-two years. He established a senior yeshiva there, attended by thousands of students. Authored the Zichron Yehudah responsa, Shevet MiYehudah on the Torah and more.
Condition: Moderate condition. Partially detached binding, loose spine, detached first pages, worming holes.
