Auction No. 100
Rare and special items
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A letter of Torah novellae on the legends of the Sages in the handwriting of the Admor Rabbi Chaim Zvi Teitelbaum Av Beit Din of Sighet, author of Atzei Chaim. Sighet, 1904.
Specifications: [1] official paper leaf. 21x15 cm. Entirely in his handwriting, not signed.
Content: The letter begins with words of blessing, "And I beseech that G-d will send him a salvation, that he be granted the license [a license from the authorities to sell alcoholic drinks] in whichever manner it should be, and he will be elevated with all kinds of good salvation."
Unique Features: The majority of the letter is Torah novellae replying to the recipient's question on contradictory sayings of the sages regarding legends. To the best of our knowledge, the Torah novellae written here were never published.
Rabbi Chaim Zvi Teitelbaum [1880-1926], "The greatest of great men, the glory of the Jewish people, the Admor, the holy, great genius, who is famous for his Torah and wisdom throughout the world, Rabbi Chaim Zvi Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Sighet and the environs" (the honorifics are from the title page of his book), was a tremendous genius. It was said that he never forgot anything he had studied. One of the greatest Admors of his generation and one of the leaders of his region, he taught hundreds of students and the masses flocked to him. He was born in 1880 to his father the Admor Rabbi Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, author of the Kedushat Yom Tov, son of the 'Yitav Lev'. Son-in-law of Rabbi Shalom Eliezer Halberstam of Ratzfert, the son of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. From the year 1904 he succeeded his father as Rabbi of the city of Sighet and as Admor, at the age of only 24. He suffered a brain hemorrhage while in Kleinwardein with his students, and died at the young age of only 46, in 1926. His precious books on the Talmud, Torah and festivals were called Atzei Chaim.
Condition: Fine. Light tears in the white margins. A few stains.
Elucidations on the Chamisha Chumshei Torah by Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhely. Organized and arranged according to the manuscripts of his grandson, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, author of the Yitav Lev. Lemberg [1848-1861].
Specifications: [Section one]: Genesis [1848]. [1], 117 leaves. On the back of the title page: Introduction by Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, the author's grandson [author of the Yitav Lev].
[Section two]: Exodus. 1850. 90 leaves.
[Section three]: Leviticus. 1851. 42 leaves.
[Section four]: Numbers. 1861. [1], 49 leaves. Approbation from Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz and Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum given to R' Yitzchak Eizik [Baum] who published sections 4-5.
[Section five]: Deuteronomy. 1861. 72, [1] leaves. Approbation of Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz and Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum given to R' Yitzchak Eizik Baum] who published sections 4-5.
Stefansky Chassidut 239-240.
Unique features: First edition of this classic chassidic work. Extremely uncommon in such complete, fine condition.
Background: Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, known in the chassidic world by the title of his work Yismach Moshe, was the patriarch of the magnificent Sighet-Satmar dynasty. He was a many-faceted person; a leading chassidic righteous person, G-dly kabbalist, halachic responder and writer of amulets that were famed throughout the world.
He was born in 1759 and was convinced by his son-in-law, Aryeh Dov Ilai, to visit the Chozeh of Lublin. He was fascinated by chassidut there, and in 1808, was appointed rabbi of Ujhely and became the first, most prominent disseminator of chassidut in Hungary. His fame grew and even the 'Chatam Sofer', who corresponded with him in halacha, asked for his blessing and that he pray for his son, the 'Ktav Sofer', when he was ill.
As mentioned, his beloved grandson, the Yitav Lev, arranged his works. His grandson, Rabbi Moshe Dovid Teitelbaum, relates in his introduction to the third edition of the Yismach Moshe that his grandfather, the Yitav Lev, related that once, as he was arranging the writings, he considered changing their order so that they would be more easily understandable. He then fell into a deep sleep. His holy grandfather, the 'Yismach Moshe', appeared before him and told him, "Son, see if the lulav is held in the position that it grows, in which case it is suitable to be used for a blessing, but if it is turned with the leaves facing down, then it can be used as a broom to sweep the floor, and the wise person will understand." It follows, that everything printed in this work was written carefully and with great integrity. It also includes many ideas that were revealed to the 'Yismach Moshe' during dreams. Refer to the list of sources in the work of the 'Yismach Moshe,' chapter 11.
Condition: Very Fine. Simply bound, in four volumes. A few aging stains
Recommendation letter from Admor Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar for a fundraiser who visited the United States on behalf of the Shomrei Emunim Yeshiva of Admor Ahron Roth, which was suffering financial difficulties. New York, [1948].
Specifications: [1] letterhead, with printed text [Hebrew]: Yoel Teitelbaum Av Beit Din Satmar and environs in the holy city of Jerusalem, now in Brooklyn, New York." 28x21 cm. The date is noted in the margin: [1948]. With the addition of two lines in his handwriting and with his signature.
Unique Features: Recommendation letter for a fundraiser for the Shomrei Emunim Yeshiva in Jerusalem. The Admor praises the yeshiva and its students who study "kifi derech yisrael saba" - the ancient traditions of Israel - and blesses the donors.
During this era, just a little bit after the Admor left Jerusalem, there was some tension between the Admor and a few factions associated with the Eidah HaCharedit, which highlights the significance of this letter.
The Admor writes: "A mitzvah emissary from the prominent Shomrei Emunim yeshiva in Jerusalem... where they study Torah with purity and adhere to the Torah and avoda in the manner of the ancient traditions of Israel with extra care." This letter, written within a year of Rabbi Ahron Roth's death, expresses the Admor's support for the Shomrei Emunim chassidut and apparently refutes the rumors that claimed that the Admor was critical of their system and was unhappy with the leadership of Rabbi Ahron Roth, founder of the Shomrei Emunim chassidut.
Background: Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar [1887-1979] was the son of the "Kedushat Yom Tov" and younger brother of the "Atzei Chaim". He took over his father's position as chassidic leader. He was the first Admor of Satmar. He was noted for his greatness before the Holocaust. His father died when he was just seventeen-years-old, but the chassidim were still interested in his leadership and began concentrating around him. He served as rabbi in prominent communities for over seventy years. He survived the Holocaust in wondrous ways, immigrated to Palestine, and then moved to the United States where he helped reestablish the chassidic world. He elevated chassidut which had lost most of its followers during the war and cultivated the dormant spirituality of the survivors. He worked tirelessly to found Torah institutions and restore Jewry after the great destruction. He was noted for his zealous viewpoint and his opposition to Zionism. He authored Vayoel Moshe, Imrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel and more.
Condition: Moderate. Tears and stains - affecting a number of words.