Auction No. 102
Holy books, Chassidut, Manuscripts, Rabbinical & Admors' letters, Eretz Yisrael & Zionism, Americana, Judiaca & Prof. Albert Einstein
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- (-) Remove Manuscripts & letters. Ashkenaz filter Manuscripts & letters. Ashkenaz
Letter in the handwriting of Rabbi Yehuda Assad, rabbi of Szerdahely and one of the greatest Hungarian rabbis, which was sent to his son-in-law Rabbi Aharon Bichler, rabbi of Jászberény, 1861.
Specifications: [2] pages, 21x17 cm. Signed autograph.
Unique Features: In the center of the rear side of the leaf is a slightly broken red wax seal of Rabbi Yehuda Assad.
Content: The letter was sent to his son-in-law: "My beloved, my son-in-law, my upright and sharp student ... and my modest daughter the Rebbetzin Sarel." Most of it is Torah thoughts.
Background: Rabbi Yehuda Assad - Mahari"a Assad was rabbi of Szerdahely and one of the most prominent Hungarian rabbis. He was born in 1797 in the village of Aszód adjacent to Budapest. He studied in the yeshiva of Rabbi Mordechai Bennet, who appointed him to teach classes within a short period. When the Chatam Sofer met him he was very impressed by him, and even took action for him to be accepted as rabbi of Szerdahely. He established a yeshiva there which was attended by 150 students. He was one of the most important rabbis and spiritual leaders of Hungarian Jewry, and was also known for his battle against Reform. He died in 1866, and was the author of Shu"t Yehuda Ya'aleh, Chiddushei Mahari"a and more.
Rabbi Aharon Bichler [1828-1914] was a disciple of the author of the Ktav Sofer and of Rabbi Yehuda Assad, who chose him as his son-in-law. Beginning in 1861 he served as rabbi of Jászberény.
Condition: Fine. Slight tears in the margins of the leaf with no damage to text. Fold marks.
Rare collection of [5] letters of ordination and recommendation, given to Rabbi Chanoch Henich Fischer, later Rabbi of Mako.
Specifications: [5] letters of ordination pasted onto a thick cardboard leaf with the original binding, bound together with an excerpt from the speech at the reception held for him by the children of the community, which begins with the words, "May G-d be with you our master, teacher and rabbi!" The entire text is written in vowelized block handwriting, and ends with the children's cry, "May our master and teacher Rabbi Chanoch live forever." Summary of each document translated into Hungarian on facing pages.
Content: The letters of ordination are from the following rabbis:
1. Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Leib Rappaport Av Beit Din of Prague - [1790-1868], known as Shi"r. Av Beit Din of Tarnapol and Prague, son-in-law of the author of the Ketzot HaChoshen, his glosses were printed in the books Avnei Miluim. He was one of the founders of Wissenschaft des Judentums in Europe in the 19th century. Two letters from him from August 20 1852. In his handwriting, with his signature and wax seal.
2. Rabbi Leib HaLevi Galogo - who bears the heavy burden of the holy nation in Prague - Av Beit Din of Beroun, author of the book Evel Avi (Prague 1822) with a eulogy on his father Rabbi Yechezkel HaLevi Av Beit Din of Boleslav and the environs. There are two letters from him, the first from 1850 and the second from 1852. In his handwriting, with his signature and wax seal.
3. Rabbi Yechezkel Bennet Av Beit Din of Nitra [1824-1855], one of the great Torah teachers of his time, a student of his relative Maharam Bennet. The Ktav Sofer eulogized him, "he was fluent in all realms of the Torah and never stopped studying, his mouth spoke true words of Torah, he was a sage who is preferable to a prophet and we benefited from his advice and counsel." (Ishim B'Teshuvot HaChatam Sofer pages 174-175). The approbation was written in 1851, in his handwriting and with his signature.
The ordained, Rabbi Chanoch Henich Fischer [Ishak 1826-Mako 1896], was a student of Rabbi Yechezkel Bennet, the Ktav Sofer and Rabbi Pinchas Leib Freudiger, Av Beit Din of Oboda. He served as rabbi of Dunafoldvar (refer to Shi"r's letter) and as Av Beit Din of Mako beginning in 1824 (HaChatam Sofer V'Talmidav page 491).
Condition: Fine, aging stains, folding marks. The letter from the reception has a tear along the fold, with damage to text. Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Leib Rappaport's wax seal is cracked.
Signature of Rabbi Shimon Sofer, Av Beit Din of Krakow, son of the Chatam Sofer, on a document of the managerial council of the Jewish communities of Krakow. Krakow, 1861.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 31x21 cm. With original official stamps, and with a stamp in German 'The Managerial Committee of the Jewish Communities of Krakow.' Polish.
Background: Rabbi Shimon Sofer [1820-1883], author of Michtav Sofer, beloved son of the Chatam Sofer who was aware of his greatness and his clear intellect and would share his novellae with him. Served as Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf from 1844, and as rabbi of Krakow from 1861, where he had extensive influence over all Galicia. He was one of the great rabbis of his time, headed the 'Machzikei Hadat' Federation in Galicia, and was chosen as a representative in the parliament in Vienna in 1879.
Condition: Fine. Fold marks, slight wear on the top edge of the leaf, a few slight ink smudges.
Letter from Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Oppenheim, with questions about the laws of treifot to the rabbi of the entire Jewish people, the Chatam Sofer. 1819.
Specifications: [1] leaf, large paper. Written on both sides. 23x38 cm. The rest of the page was used as an envelope, and stamped with a wax stamp.
Unique Features: Rabbi Zvi Hirsch begins with exalted honorifics about the Chatam Sofer, while apologizing that a person such as he is writing to him. It should be noted that the Chatam Sofer himself wrote about him that he is "considered to be a righteous man who rules in fear of G-d." The letter was received by the Chatam Sofer and was partially printed in the book Ishim B'Teshuvot HaChatam Sofer, page 346.
Background: Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Oppenheim [1793-1859] was born to his father Rabbi David in Almás, and was a disciple of Rabbi Moshe Mintz, Av Beit Din of Alt-Ofen. he served as Av Beit Din of Iklad, and succeeded his father as Av Beit Din of Temeswar in 1821. He wrote the book Einei HaDa'at. The Chatam Sofer wrote in his approbation to the book, "I am familiar with the man and his tremendous discourse in Torah with sharpness and expertise, he has served great Torah scholars ... he rules in fear of G-d."
Condition: Fine, folding marks, tears along the folds partially stuck with scotch tape, aging stains.
Halachic letter from the leader of the generation, Rabbi Meshulam Zalman HaCohen, author of 'Bigdei Kehuna,' to Rabbi Tevli Hirsch. Furth, 1805.
Specifications: [2] blue paper leaves. 18x21 cm. Autograph, 8 lines in his handwriting and with his signature.
Unique Features: In this letter, Rabbi Meshulam Zalman HaCohen responds to a question about a financial commitment and asks the addressee to send him 'the terms of the commitment letter by letter' and adds: "I will attempt to do it as soon as possible, and as I am busy I will be brief.' The second leaf served as an external envelope, with remnants of a wax seal and the addressee's name in Rabbi Meshulam Zalman HaCohen's handwriting.
Background: Rabbi Meshulam Zalman HaCohen [1739-1820], Maharzach, Av Beit Din of Furth and Rosh Yeshiva of Furth, one of the greatest disciples of Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz. Author of Shu"t V'Chiddushei Maharzach - Bigdei Kehuna. The Maharzach established Torah in Germany to the the extent that his student, Rabbi Avraham Wolf Hamburg, wrote: "Almost all of the students in this place are his students." For many years he wore sackcloth and mourned for the tribulations of the Jewish people.
Enclosed is a transcription of the letter's content and biographical information about the writer.
Condition: Moderate-fine, tear in the letter's margin and stains which do not damage text. Faded writing.
![Lot of [29] Rabbinic Letters and Various Documents, 1842-1984](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_102-public/279.jpg)
[29] rabbinic letters and various documents, 1842-1984.
Refer to Hebrew text for details.
Petition by Rabbi Hertz HaLevi, son-in-law of the "Chacham Tzvi" to Rabbi David Berliner, to settle a disagreement regarding a dowry. Dessau [Germany], 1767.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 20X23 cm. Handwritten letter and signature of Rabbi Naftali Hertz HaLevi Landau.
Unique Features: The letter describes a dispute regarding a dowry, with a background description regarding ways of business in the Frankfurt and Leipzig fairs. The dispute arose when one side was not home. "When he was at the Frankfurt market ... and when he came to the home of ... his fury immediately inflamed him against his wife, whom he berated with great reproach and said this is not how it is done in all of the Jewish diaspora, and not only that, but I am one of the lowest and least ... this arrangement is not made in our location nor in any of the German regions." The addressee is requested to "speak matters of truth and justice ... so that the issue be resolved before the market in Leipzig ... and the above said he would give you a nice gift after it's over to compensate you for your trouble. Do not alter, G-d forbid, for you know I am a man of truth."
Background: Rabbi Naftali Hertz HaLevi Landau Rabbi of Przedborz and son-in-law of the "Chacham Tzvi." See Przedborz: Sefer Zikaron, 33 Years After its Destruction (Tel Aviv 1977) page 51.
Condition: Moderate to fine, fold marks, stains, the bottom of the page is torn, and a number of words of a line which was added at the bottom of the letter.
Letter from Rabbi Raphael Natan Notah Rabinowitz. Munich, 1874.
Specifications: [1] official paper leaf. 14x22 cm.
Unique Features: Autograph with his handwritten signature. He requests details about someone in the letter.
Background: Rabbi Raphael Natan Notah Rabinowitz [1835-1888], studied in Keidan and was known as the "Prodigy from Keidan." He lived in Lemberg for a few years, where he became famous as a genius in Torah study. Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathansohn would stand up in his honor, despite his being only in his twenties. In 1863 he arrived in Munich to work on his magnum opus, Dikdukei Sofrim, in which he investigated the different versions of the Babylonian Talmud, manuscripts and ancient editions. He worked on this great work until his passing in 1888.
Condition: Fine, a few creases and stains.
Letter from Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer regarding stopping the re-printing of the book "Eidut L'Yisrael." Eisenstadt, 1858.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 28x20 cm. Signed autograph.
Content: Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer wanted to re-print the book Eidut L'Yisrael by Rabbi Shlomo Plesner, which defends teaching the Talmud. This was vital to reinforce the Talmud's status and that of the Oral Torah, against the actions of the Reform movement and the fear that the Hungarian authorities and clergy would forbid teaching of the Talmud. In order to lower the expenses of the book, Rabbi Azriel approached different rabbis and asked them to sign on subscriptions. Following the Kaiser's order allowing yeshiva students to continue their studies, Rabbi Azriel decided to stop the printing, which could have incited the members of the Reform movement. However, he considered it vitally important to remain alert and re-start the printing if necessary, and saw it important that rabbis write thank you letters to the Kaiser. "And G-d in His great kindness will save us from all impediments and harm and will make us find favor in the heart of the king and to do good with us and will give them the idea to elevate the Torah."
Background: Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer [1820-1899] served as rabbi of the city of Eisenstadt, founded the Rabbinic Seminary and the 'Torah Im Derech Eretz' approach which aroused strong opposition among the zealots of Hungary. Rabbi of the Orthodox Adat Yisrael congregation in Berlin from 1869. He worked against the Reform movement, established many charitable institutions and supported the settlement of the Land of Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world.
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman, author of the responsa Yeriot Shlomo and Av Beit Din of Mako from 1826 until his passing in 1863.
Condition: Moderate. Fold marks, stains, minimal tiny tears.
A letter from Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld of Tshebin. 1960.
Specifications: [1] leaf, 22x28 cm. Addition in his handwriting with his handwritten signature and his stamp.
Content: The letter was sent to the Ezrat Torah organization with a request to aid a distinguished bridegroom. The Rabbi of Tshebin writes that the bridegroom is a great Torah scholar and that it is a pleasure to discuss Torah thoughts with him. He added closing ideas in his handwriting and signed with his name and stamp.
Background: Rabbi Dov Ber Weidenfeld [1881-1965], a tremendous genius, served as Rabbi of Tshebin, by whose name he is known. He was exiled to Siberia during the Second World War. After the Holocaust he immigrated to Jerusalem, established the 'Kochav MiYaakov' yeshiva and was considered to be one of the foremost poskim.
Condition: Very fine. Filing holes and folding marks.
'And he will be one of the great Rabbis of the Jewish people'; a letter of ordination in the handwriting and with the signature and stamp and Rabbi Reuven David Burstein. Kamenetz, 1937.
Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper. 22x28 cm. With Rabbi Burstein's stamp and signature.
Rabbi Reuven David HaCohen Burstein, a disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Ponovezh and Rabbi Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik. Served as Rabbi of a town in the Pinsk district and then as Av Beit Din of Kamenetz in Lithuania. Author of the book 'Divrei Radach' (Warsaw, 1927). He was one of the foremost Lithuanian Rabbis and was greatly revered by all the great Rabbis of his time. Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Kamenetz, treated him with great respect and referred any halachic inquiry to him. Murdered in the Holocaust.
Refer to: Rabbi Yehuda Gershoni, Lidmuto shel Harav Reuven David Burstein, Memorial Book for the congregations of Kamenetz in Lithuania, Zastavye and Colonies, Tel Aviv 1970, page 50-54.
Condition: Fine, folding marks, stains, blemish at the edge of the leaf with no damage to text.
Letter from Rabbi Alexander Zusha Friedman, in which he asks for help for his sister Channah with finding a teaching job or any other suitable job in her Moshav, and a recommendation regarding her qualifications. Warsaw, 1926.
Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper. 12x20 cm. At the top of the official leaf there is a place designated to note the Daf Yomi.
Unique Features: The letter is in his handwriting and with his signature.
Background: Rabbi Alexander Zusha Friedman [1897-1944] studied in the yeshiva of Sochatshev. He was active in the framework of 'Tzeirei Agudat Yisrael' and edited the movement's journal, 'Digleinu.' Appointed as the organization's general secretary in 1925, and was known as a talented public speaker. Elected as a member of the Warsaw Community Council as a representative of Agudat Yisrael in 1926. During the Holocaust, he was appointed as the representative of the Chareidi population in the leadership of the Warsaw Ghetto and was one of the main people to provide social, educational and religious assistance in the Ghetto. In 1942, he was assigned to work in Schultz's shop, and studied Torah by heart during the long work hours, together with his workmates. Efforts to save him with a Paraguayan passport were unsuccessful, and he was murdered on November 3, 1943 in the Trawniki death camp.
Condition: Fine, fold marks, stains.