Auction No. 100
Rare and special items
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Passover haggada with the Yefe Nof commentary by Rabbi Chaim Gavriel Bloch, with elucidations on the words of his father, Rabbi Yosef Bloch. Lemberg, H. Grossman press, 1808.
Specifications: 22 leaves, 21 cm. Stefansky, Chassidut 159. Yaari 362. Otzar Haggadot 517.
Background: Early chassidic haggada. The author, Rabbi Chaim Gavriel Bloch, was the son of Rabbi Yosef Bloch. Rabbi Yosef was a member of the "chabura" of the Maggid of Mezeritsch and author of the noted chassidic work Ginzei Yosef, which received enthusiastic approbations from chassidic greats. The work was published by his son, Rabbi Chaim Gavriel. Rabbi Chaim Gavriel [c. 1754-1824] was the rabbi of Kunëv [near Rivne - currently in the Ukraine]. In this Haggada, he quotes his father's work and explains and expands on his words. The Admors of the Nadvorna dynasty are his progeny.
Unique features: Rare haggada. Owner stamp on the title page: HaRav Menachem Mendel Kahana of Humenné, Slovakia. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kahana was the Admor of Spinka-Kahana. He was the grandson of the "Imrei Yosef" and the son of Rabbi Nachman of Spinka. He married the daughter of Admor Avraham Krestir, the son of Rabbi Yeshaya Steiner, noted Admor of Krestir. He served as Admor of Humenné and was killed in the Holocaust. Two of his sons served as Admors in Eretz Yisrael.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. New leather binding.
Meor Einayim. Chassidut on the order of the weekly Torah readings, by Admor Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl. Slavuta [at the press of Rabbi Moshe Shapiro]. [1798]. First edition. Unknown title page. Nice, wide-margined copy.
Unique features:
1. Unknown variant title page: This is apparently the first version - the only extant copy - of the title page printed with an error in regards to the author's city: טשנאראביל instead of טשארנאביל. In addition, the title page border is different than those in other bibliographically known copies and the order of the words in the lines of the title page and leaves of approbations are also different than the known copies. This error was apparently discovered before printing and then corrected, since there are no other known copies with this title page.
2. Wide margins. Some of the margins have not been cropped at all and remain in their original format.
3. Segula. Some Admors instructed their chassidim to keep a copy of this work in their tallit and tefillin bags as a segula for protection and success.
Specifications: [2], 160 leaves. Wide margins. 21 cm. Blue paper. Stefansky, Chassidut 308.
Background: A classic chassidic work, authored by the first Admor of the Chernobyl dynasty. He quotes many ideas that he heard from the Baal Shem Tov. Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky [1730-1787] was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and then the Maggid of Mezeritsch. He founded a chassidic dynasty with many branches.
This work was printed right around the time that he passed away, and in a number of places he is mentioned with the honorific indicating that he was still alive. The book was printed by his disciple, Rabbi Eliyahu. The author authorized him to print the book "in the nice, elegant press established in Slavuta." The book was printed with the goal of disseminating the Torah of chassidut. It includes approbations from chassidic leaders, Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetovka, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov, Rabbi Meshulem Zussa of Anipoli, and more. Includes an introduction describing the author's greatness.
Chassidic tradition includes lofty words regarding this work. It is related that the work was much larger, but the Admor left instructions before his death that only a small portion should be published - only the words "that the holy Shechina spoke through [his] mouth." Some Admors make sure to learn a section of this work every single day. Tens of editions of this work have been printed, and it is studied in depth by the leaders of chassidut.
Bound with:
Yismach Lev. Elucidations on the aggadot and medrashim of Chazal by Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl. Slavuta [at the press of Rabbi Moshe Shapiro]. [1798]. First edition. Variant.
Unique features:
1. Unique variant: This book was printed right around the time that the Admor passed away, so most known copies bear the word "Zatza"l."
Both title pages in this copy, Meor Einayim and Yismach Lev, mention the author with the honorific indicating that he was still alive. It is almost certain that this copy was printed during the author's life (!).
The back of the title page, in the Kavanat HaMikvah B'Ketzara, features changes to the order of words within the lines.
2. Wide margins: Some of the margins were not cropped and remain in their original format.
Specifications: [1] 34 leaves, 21 cm. Wide margins. Blue paper. Stefansky, Chassidut 237.
Background: The book was printed together with Meor Einayim and the last pages feature Likutim L'Sefer Meor Einayim, with the Kavanat HaMikvah B'Ketzara.
The titles of both works were taken from the verse in Proverbs: "Meor Einyaim Yismach Lev" and contain other allusions.
These are two of the earliest chassidic works ever printed.
Condition: Fine-very fine. Supplemental paper has been professionally mounted in the blank margins of the title page and first leaf (Meor Einayim) (not affecting text). Aging stains. Solitary, restored worming holes. The margins of a number of leaves have been lightly restored. Magnificent leather binding.
The Book of the Tanya, which is the book Likutei Amarim, by [Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi]. Zolkiew, in the printing press of Mordechai Rabin Stein. 1798. Second edition of the book of the Tanya and the first edition of the third section of the book of the Tanya. A copy with variations on the known copies.
.Specifications: [3] 2-74 leaves, 17 cm. Y. Mondshine, Sefer HaTanya Mahadurotav Tirgumav U'Biyurav 2. Sha'arei Chabad 48
Background: The edition before us is the first to include the third section. The book was printed in the author's lifetime. As is written on the title page: And we added depth to it from the G-dly sage, the author, which is to examine the essence of repentance. This is the third section which was not in the first ones printed in Slavita...with special approbations given to this edition. The words of the activist Yaakov son of Naftali Hirtz of Brody are at the end of the book.
The first edition in which the book was called Sefer HaTanya, is how it has been referred to ever since. The early edition before us was printed without the author's name, and even the writers of the approbations do not hint to the author's identity, despite apparently knowing who he was. As appears in one of the approbations 'and due to his great humility, the author's name is unknown'. For more on this and on the name 'Tanya' refer at length to Y. Mondshine's book Sefer HaTanya Mahadurotav Tirgumav U'Biyurav pages 36-43.
Unique Features: The order of the lines at the end of part three [page 73a] is different than in the known copies and than what is listed in Y. Mondshine's book, refer to the facsimile there on page 39.
On page 67a at the end of part two is written: The activist says hamaon (!) the author had a precious gem, a booklet in manuscript form... and it should say "MeHaGaon". Refer also to Mondshine's book (page 39 and footnote 11) that there are copies in which the word "Hamagaon" appears. He refers to a copy owned by Haberman (Sha'arei Chabad 48) which he writes 'Hamaon' which surprises him. However, in the copy before us the word 'Hamaon' indeed appears.
Condition: Fine-very fine. The book underwent professional restoration, primarily on the corners of the leaves. Stains. Magnificent leather binding.
Zera Kodesh on the Torah and festivals, by Rabbi Naftali Horowitz of Ropshitz. Lemberg, 1868. Two parts. First Edition.
Specifications: Part one: on the five books of the Torah. [2], 100 [24] leaves. Part two: Homiletics on the months and the festivals and on the Pesach Haggadah. [1], 120 leaves.
22 cm. Stefansky Chassidut 208.
Unique Features: First edition of the well known book of one of the great Chassidic teachers of all time.
Content: An especially interesting introduction from Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, who learned Chassidut from the author. He writes that he once thought that the book should not be printed at all, as he knew that the holy author was not prepared for his teachings to be printed in his lifetime,. However, he later thought that just as the great Rabbis of the time used many cunning methods to print Rabbi Chaim Vital's writings, despite his refusal to print any of them, even those he received from the Ari, so too, the writings of the author before us should also be printed. The publishers note that the Rebbe of Sanz gave the book the name Zera Kodesh. With an approbation from Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathansohn, who refers to the author as, 'The holy Rabbi, the wonder of the generation.'
Background: Rabbi Naftali Zvi Horowitz was born on Shavuot 1760, the day the Ba'al Shem Tov died. He learned from his grandfather Rabbi Yitzchak of Hamburg, and from Rabbi Meshulam Igra of Tismenitz. He was drawn to Chassidut from a young age and became the primary student of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. He studied from the Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Koznitz and Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov, and travelled to many Rebbes. At the recommendation of Rabbi Mendel of Riminov, he was appointed as Rabbi of Ropshitz, a position which he held for many years, and by which name he was known from then on. He later served as Rabbi of Linsk (where his father had served as Rabbi), Strzyżów and Sanok. Following the death of his Rabbis, he began to serve as a Rebbe in 1815. He was one of the great Galician Rebbes and considered to be among the greatest disciples of the Chozeh of Lublin. He was famous for his shrewdness and for his witty comments. He died in Lancut in 1827 where he was buried, his descendants served as Rebbes of Ropshitz.
Several books were written about him, Sefer Ohel Naftali which was first published in 1911, and later in many other editions, and more recently the book Rabbi Naftali Zvi M'Ropshitz by Shlomo Tal and the book Toldot Beit Ropshitz-Dzikov by Yitzchak Alfasi.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. New leather binding.
Magen Avraham. Chassidut on the Torah and holidays by Admor Avraham of Trisk. Lublin, 1886. First edition, printed during the author's lifetime.
Specifications: [3], 3-47, 1-36 leaves; [1], 2-114 leaves. 22.5 cm. Two sections. This copy features 114 leaves, the omission at the conclusion was printed on a separate leaf.
Unique features: Two title pages at the beginning and another in the middle. This is the first edition of the Maggid of Trisk's work. Leaf [3] features a lithograph of the Admor's script and signature.
This book is considered a "segula," as per what the author wrote in his introduction. The author wrote that he merited to turn 80-years old, and employing the power of giving blessings that Hashem gave to Avraham who was elderly, "I hereby bless everybody who takes this work, since many chassidim will be drawn to it, that the G-d of Avraham will assist you fulfill all of your requests, children and grandchildren..."
Background: The first Admor of Trisk was the son of Admor Mordechai of Chernobyl. This is a classic work of the Trisk chassidut in particular and of Chernobyl chassidut as a whole.
Condition: Fine. The title page and first two leaves have been professionally restored, without loss of text. Simple binding.