Winner's Auctions No. 111
Important Historic Documents, Haskalah, Einstein, Seforim, Manuscripts and Letters from Rabbis and Rebbes
- (-) Remove Sir Moses Montefiore filter Sir Moses Montefiore
- (-) Remove Sir Moses Montefiore filter Sir Moses Montefiore
Handwritten and signed letter by Sir Moshe Montefiore to the heads of the Ashkenazi kollels in Jerusalem led by Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Meir Auerbach, Rabbi Meir son of Rabbi Asher Saniklet, and Rabbi Meir Ben Tzion Senik. Sent from London to the Land of Israel in 1876.
In the letter, Montefiore requests that the rabbis divide a donation of six sterling pounds for four purposes: flour for Passover matzahs, for distribution to both the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in Jerusalem (against the backdrop of power struggles between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in Jerusalem, rumor of which had reached England, Montefiore requests equal distribution to both communities); hachnasat kallah; Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes charities; and to Rabbi Noach Asher HaCohen Epstein of Safed.
The letter's margins includes Montefiore's signature in block script. Written on the back of Holy Land stationery. The letter's back bears a JNF stamp featuring Montefiore's portrait.
[1] leaf. Ink on letterhead paper. 19x24 cm. Framed in wooden frame with passe-partout. 28x33 cm. Very fine condition. Fold marks.
Two letters from scholarly leaders of the Ashkenazic settlement in Jerusalem, the first to Montefiore and the second to the philanthropist Oppenheimer of Kingsburgh, attached to the letter to Montefiore. Jerusalem, 1858.
The letter from 1858 is signed by:
* Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki (1790-1863), student of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael of Sklow. Multifaceted activist for the Jewish settlement in Jerusalem.
* Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant (1786-1865) among the greatest of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin's students, known as "The third mouth of the GR"A" father-in-law of Rabbi Shmuel of Salant, among the heads of the Jewish settlement in Jerusalem.
* Rabbi Shimon Zarchi Av Beit Din of Tevrig (1788-1860) immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1857 and was the first president of Talmud Torah and Yeshivat Etz Chaim, taught Torah in the Churvah of Rabbi Yehudah HeChassid, and did not leave the walls of the city from the day he arrived in Jerusalem until the day of his passing. Tremendous gaon and righteous in all his ways, Shu"t Nachalat Shimon is among his works.
The second letter is signed by Rabbi Y. Z. Salant and Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki.
[1] page, paper. 28x22 cm. Thin blue paper.
Fold marks, filing holes, aging stains, the color of the leaf is faded at its edges.
Letter signed by Rabbi Shmuel Salant sent to Montefiore's secretary and right-hand man, Rabbi Dr. Eliezer HaLevi. Its margins bear a special note with greetings for Montefiore and inquiries about his health. Jerusalem, [1868].
The letter is signed twice by Rabbi Salant, with a few stamps with his name.
Thanks for the donation from R' Shmuel Deutsch of Dublin, given to the Rosh Yeshiva of Etz Chaim, Rabbi Moshe Nechemiah Kahanov, who had just recently returned from his travels to those countries.
Rabbi Shmuel Salant (1816-1909) was the rabbi of Jerusalem for about 70 years. He was a renowned halachic adjudicator, noted for his remarkable memory and quick-witted intelligence. His writings were published in three volumes by his progeny, the Tikuchinsky family of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva.
[1] leaf, paper. 21x13 cm. Blue paper. Very rare.
Fine condition. Blemish with loss to the corner of the leaf, not affecting text.
Letter to Montefiore from Shi"r, on the endpaper of Michtavei Ivrit. Prague, [1863].
The endpaper bears a letter from Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rapaport to Moses Montefiore. [1] leaf, paper. On the endpaper it says, "To the Exalted Minister, Great for the Jews, whose Reputation Reaches Distant Nations, Desired by all his Brethren ... a Righteous Person and who with his Righteousness, ... Moses known as the Honorary Baron Montefiore ..."
On the inside of the binding there is an inscription, apparently written to Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rapaport, "The Great Genius ... may you continue to stand by the breach and fortify ... and fight the battle of Torah and Faith ..."
Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rapaport (Shi"r, 1790-1867) was the son-in-law of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller, author of the Ketzot HaChoshen. In 1838, he served as rabbi of Tarnopol, and beginning in 1840 as Av Beit Din in Prague. He later served as rabbi of Prague and often debated and had polemics with colleagues. His studies and essays were the foundations for the modern, scientific, systematic study of Jewish wisdom.
Michtavei Ivrit, edited by Dr. Meir HaLevi Letteris, editor of HaTzefirah, Vienna, 1856. 16, 296 pages. Paper. 18 cm.
Fine condition, minimal stains. Original binding.
Greetings and signature of Rabbi Avraham Shapira, Av Beit Din of Vranov to Sir Moses Montefiore.
Rabbi Avraham Shapira, Av Beit Din of Vranov, was the son of Rabbi Yaakov Shapira of Humenne [prominent disciple of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov and colleague of the author of Bnei Yissachar]. He was a direct male descendant of the author of Migaleh Amukot - refer to the genealogy in the introduction by his grandson, Rabbi David Shapira, to his Bnei Tzion responsa. His Torah novellae are quoted in his brother-in-law's work, Shaar Yehudah (Sighet, 1877).
The letter was addressed to Rabbi Zilberman, the initiator of the idea to collate a book of greetings and thanks for Montefiore, an expression of gratitude for all his activities on behalf of his Jewish brothers. He asked all rabbis in the Diaspora to send him their blessings and participate in this project.
[1] leaf, paper. 15x21 cm.
Fine condition, with traces of a wax seal.
Letter by the righteous Rabbi Shmuel Heller, Av Beit Din of Safed, to the merciful, righteous , precious and honest Mrs. Yehudit Montefiore. Safed, 1858.
Additional signature: Chaim Yitzchak [?], with the stamp"פ"ח חברת הדלקת נרות ק"ק אשכנזים דעי"ק צפתו. נתייסד מאת השר משה מ' ואשתו היהודית הי"ו" "Stamp of Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot of the Ashkenazic community of Safed, founded by the Minister Moshe M. and his wife Yehudit."
Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot Shabbat in Safed was founded by Moshe Montefiore and his wife Yehudit. In his letter, Rabbi Heller, as the organization's gabbai, asks that they supplement their contribution to the Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot, since the last donation went entirely to Bikur Cholim and Hachnasat Kallah, as per Montefiore's request, and nothing remained for the Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot.
Rabbi Shmuel Heller (1803-1884) immigrated to Land of Israel in 1817. He served as rabbi of Safed in 1841 and was one of the greatest Chassidic leaders in the Land of Israel. He passed away in Safed on the 22nd of Tevet, 1884. He authored: Taharat HaKodesh, Derech Nesher, Kavod Melachim, Divrei Mishpat, Shivrei Luchot, and others.
[1] leaf, paper. 13X22 cm. Blue paper.
Condition Very fine. Filing holes, fold marks, fading of the leaves' color at the edges.
Condolence letter from the leaders of the Hebron community upon the passing of Montefiore, including a note regarding the establishment of a free-loan fund in memory of Montefiore. Hebron, [1885].
The letter was written at the end of Av, 1885, about two weeks after Montefiore's passing. It was sent to Montefiore's nephew, Yosef Sebag, and to his loyal secretary, Dr. Eliezer Halevi, who were in charge of his estate. The margins feature a private letter from Rabbi Shimon Menashe Chaiken, in which he relates that when Montefiore was in Hebron he spoke about his wish to establish a free-loan fund. Amazingly, on the very day of Montefiore's passing, without knowledge of this fact, the fund had been established, and his will fulfilled.
Rabbi Shimon Menashe Chaiken, rabbi of Hebron, was born c. 1802. He moved from Sklow to Safed, and when the Mitteler Rebbe instructed his chassidim to move from Safed to Hebron, he was one of the first to heed this call. In 1843, his name appears as one of the trustees of the Chabad community, and in 1855 he became their rabbi. The Tzemach Tzedek greatly admired and honored him. For fifty years, he led his community in Hebron, until he passed away in 1893.
[1] leaf, paper, 29x22 cm. Black border signalling mourning.
Fine condition, the border is slightly blemished. Tiny tears.
Sharp letter of protest from the leaders of the Ashkenazic community in Tiberias and Rabbi Yosef David Abulafia to Sir Yosef Sebag, nephew of Montefiore. Tiberias, [1888].
In their letter, the rabbis protest the fact that the funds sent to Tiberias were sent to R' Mottel Ashkenazi [a leader of the Reisen Kollel, grandson of the Chacham Tzvi] and not to Rabbi Avraham Tzvi HaLevi, who was supposed to receive the funds, per Montefiore's will which stated that the money should be sent to the rabbi of Tiberias. Rabbi HaLevi is a righteous person, accepted by all residents of the city. Includes strong words against Mottel Ashkenazi who triggered this disgrace of the Torah and more.
Signed by: Rabbi Yaakov son of Rabbi Y. A.; Rabbi Itamar Ziv; Rabbi Tzvi Yechiel son of Rabbi S. N. Ch.; Rabbi Yechiel Aharon son of Rabbi M. A.; Rabbi Avraham Beck (son of noted printer, Yisrael Beck); Rabbi Yosef son of Rabbi M. A. and Mahr"m Lidar. With the stamps of the kollel: Ostreich, Wolyn, Reisen and Karlin.
A personal note from the Chacham Bashi of Tiberias, Rabbi Yosef Dovid Abulafia, is on this letter with his signature and stamp.
[1] leaf, paper. 21x28 cm, text on both sides of the page.
Very fine condition.
Letter written by Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Schorr, Av Beit Din of Bucharest to the great Sir Moses Montefiore in [1868].
Written and signed by Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Schorr.
Rabbi Schorr informs Sir Montefiore "that the enemies restrict us on all sides and in the city of Calarasi and Berland there were travails for the Jews that weren't heard and will not be heard of anymore ... and our only consolation is that certainly the salvation will come soon, and just as Moses took us from slavery to freedom and from servitude to redemption, so too Hash-m sent Sir Moses, our master, to save us from our enemies and to negate the plans of our enemies." (Rabbi Schorr refers to the rioting and looting of December 1867, when rioters entered Berland and 200 Jews were robbed and left with nothing.) ... He also thanks Montefiore for sending an English book that discussed Jewish-gentile relationships. Rabbi Schorr is sorry that he didn't received the letter that had been included with the book. He asks for a copy of the letter, since Sir Montefiore's letters are very precious to him.
The margins of the letter feature a poem in honor of Montefiore with an acrostic of his name.
Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Schorr Av Beit Din of Bucharest (1836-1894) was the grandson and disciple of Rabbi Aharon Moshe Taubes, author of Karnei Re'em (which he edited). He served as rabbi of Bucharest for almost thirty years and was very influential. He was extremely well-versed in Torah, was a halachic arbiter and had an expansive knowledge of many subjects (Encylopedia L'Chachmei Romania, section two, p. 735).
[1] page, blue paper.
Fine condition, fold marks, small tears in the margins.
Very rare letter signed by the leaders of the Reisen Kollel, all lofty people and cornerstones of the chassidic community in Tiberias. The letter features Torah thoughts and a blessing for Sir Moses Montefiore for his help on behalf of the Jewish community in Tiberias. Tiberias, [1855].
The letter is signed by the "trustees and supervisors of the Kollel Reisen community in the Holy City, Tiberias."
* Rabbi Menachem Eliezer - brother of Rabbi Moshe of Kobrin. He immigrated to Tiberias in 1833 and passed away during his brother's lifetime, in 1856. At first he was the assistant of Rabbi Shaul Harker, but after the latter's passing, he became a leader of Kollel Reisen and the first signatory.
* Rabbi Chaim David Eliyahu son of Natan Nota - leader of the chassidic community. Born in Jerusalem, he passed away in Tiberias in 1869. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Shaul Harker [son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh, one of the leaders of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk's group, and Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk]. Refer to Nachlat Tzvi, booklet 16, p. 145.
* Rabbi Menachem Mendel son of Mordechai - Epstein of Minsk, father-in-law of Rabbi Noach Weinberg [father of Admor Avraham of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham. In other words, Rabbi Mendel was the grandfather of this Admor.] He was known as "Rabbi Mendel Reischer." He was well-respected, and his opinion carried weight regarding decisions in Tiberias, and even the Arabs admired him. Refer to Yesod HaMaaleh for more information regarding these signatories.
[1] leaf, paper. 20x29 cm.
Very fine. Filing holes, fold marks.
Lot 227
Letter from Jerusalem's Ashkenazic and Sephardic Rabbis to Moshe Montefiore. Jerusalem, 1859
Letter from Jerusalem's illustrious sages, Ashkenazic and Sephardic rabbis to the noble and generous intercessor, Sir Moses Montefiore. Jerusalem, 1859.
The letter is signed in the personal handwriting of: The Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Yeshaya Bardekey, and Rabbi Nissan Beck.
They write as follows: After the greetings, we wish to inform you of our receipt of our honorable Sir's letter ... containing the ten sterling pounds of succor from our honorable Sir, of assistance to the Bikur Cholim and Hachnasat Kallah organizations, in support of the poor among Hash-m's People who lie in utter destitution, and also in aid of poor or orphaned brides ... The 24 brothers, heads and leaders of the holy Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities.
Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia - Known as HaRav Chann"ah, was born in Tiberias in 1798 and served in the local rabbinate many years. In 1855 he became the rabbi of Jerusalem and Rishon LeTzion until his passing in 1861.
Rabbi Shmuel Salant (1816-1909), rabbi of Jerusalem and leader of the Ashkenazic community for nearly half a century, immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1841 and subsequently served in various positions in Jerusalem for seventy years. He was the head of all charitable activities and Torah institutions in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yeshaya Bardekey (1790-1863) head of the Ashkenazic community in Jerusalem, disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, and son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov, author of Pe'at HaShulchan. He immigrated to Safed in 1810, and after the earthquake in 1837, moved to Jerusalem and stood at the head of the Ashkenazic settlement.
Rabbi Nissan Beck, son of the renowned printer Rabbi Yisrael Beck, and ran the publishing house after his father, a faithful disciple of the Admor Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and his son, the Admor of Sadigura. He was one of the greatest Jewish activists in Jerusalem.
[1] leaf, paper. 21x21 cm. Blue paper.
Condition Very fine. Filing holes.
Lengthy letter written by Rabbi Chaim Yosef Pollack, Av Beit Din of Trebic, beloved disciple of the Chatam Sofer. Rabbi Pollack praises Sir Moses Montefiore at length and details his activities on behalf of his brothers, the Jews in Tangier, Safi, Marrakesh and more. Trebic, 1864.
Rabbi Chaim Yosef Pollack, Av Beit Din of Trebic (1799-1889) was born in Trebic, Moravia. He was a disciple of Rabbi Elazar Loew, author of Shemen Rokeach and a beloved, close disciple of the Chatam Sofer. His teacher conducted his wedding ceremony and gave him the title "Moreinu" on his wedding day. He is noted for his Mekor Chaim elucidation on the Akeidat Yitzchak (Pressurg, 1849). Refer to: HaChatam Sofer V'Talmidav, p. 149.
[1] leaf, paper. 30x23 cm. All in his hand, and with his signature and stamp. The letter from 1864 was addressed to Rabbi Zilberman (mistakenly termed here Av Beit Din of of Lyck], who decided to create a book of well-wishes from all Jewish communities to send to Montefiore.
Fine condition, fold marks.