Winner's Unlimited - No. 105
Eretz Israel and Zionism, Postcards and Photographs, Numismatics, Posters, Maps, Judaica, Holy books, Letters from Rabbis and Rebbes
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- (-) Remove Letters from rabbis filter Letters from rabbis
Kabbalistic work in a Yemenite hand. Arabic in Hebrew letters and Hebrew. Without name of author.
The manuscript includes "Shaarei Gan Eden V'Gehenom" in Arabic with Hebrew letters (1a-6a), "Inyan Gan Eden" in Arabic (6a-7a), "Kitav Eldama" regarding the rights that Mohammed gave the Jews (7a-10a). Also includes "The fates of Achitofel" (10a-18a). (A different version of this section was published by S"D Goitein, Kiryat Sefer 9 (1932-1933), p. 507-510).
Includes a chart with G-d's names and a detailed explanation for each name according to what it accomplishes in this world and what is necessary for tikun: א - something that you are afraid of, don't be afraid of it, since all that you have is yours so that you will be happy and have great reward.... ב - you should pray and fast before Hash-m and subdue your inclination, since your inclination is difficult and does not want to accept rebuke ..." etc.
18 leaves, paper. 18x12.5 cm. Thick paper.
Not bound. Broken spine, detached leaves, worming damage, stains. Moderate-fine condition.
Notebook in the Golc-Jeniken [Prague- Bohemia] community chazan's handwriting (L. lchreches) wherein he transcribed the text of the headstones of the departed - rabbinic leaders and great rabbis of the community in the Jewish community's cemetery c. 1882-1887.
Among the names in the texts of headstones that he copied appear: Rabbi Ephraim Walle, grandson of the Noda B'Yehuda [passed away in 1865 'from the stem of elders with great wings ... glory to his family and adornment and head to his companion ...'] Rabbi Zerach Shpitz, Av Beit Din of Jeniken [passed away in 1883: a great minister has fallen in Israel, from the cedars of Lebanon and the great scholars, minister of humility ...'], Rabbi Shimshon Chazan son of Rabbi Avraham Twisk of Prague [passed away 1782], Rabbi Mordechai son of Michael Kornfeld, author of Tziyunim L'Dvar Kabbalah - Prague 1865 and additional rabbis.
Most of the names that appear are among the prominent rabbis of the Jeniken community, and some of the writing expresses the losses of the community, for example: ' Daughter of Jeniken! ... your righteousness is lost, your justice from upon you ... wonder worker to many, the secret of your understanding is gone ...' or, in another writing, 'daughter of Jeniken, wail the howling of jackals, death has come in the windows, entered the palaces ...' and on another headstone, 'many drank from the source emanating from the spring of his Torah, there is no inquiry into his understanding, who is like him shooting and hitting the target ... who will give power to his righteousness, greatness and glory, and the purity of his holiness ...'
The writings are almost entirely in Hebrew, the German text on the headstone of Rabbi Zerach Shpitz, Av Beit Din of the community, was copied by the chazan as well.
Material attached.
[19] handwritten pages. 17 cm. Clear, legible writing. Not bound.
Letter authorizing receipt of a loan under the terms of heter iska, from January 1951, typewritten and signed with the signature of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer [three signatures] and other signatories.
Authorization of extension of the arrangement and authorization of receipt of profits with two additional signatures by Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer and additional signatories - on the reverse side of the page. The words 'הפוך לטוב' are handwritten in in margin of the page.
[1] leaf of Yeshiva Etz Chaim's official paper 22x20 cm.
Very fine condition.
Five lines in the Chazon Ish's handwriting regarding milking on Shabbat - 'Matters have changed in the issue.'
The Chazon Ish recommends a manner in which the milking to the waste-tin can be stopped so that it flows to the tin of what is kept by way of a combined effort of the two forces so that all is considered one force [possibly by way of 'grama'].
[1] paper leaf 20x6 cm. Damp stain with blemish to some of the text in four lines.
Moderate-fine condition.
A letter sent to the Chazon Ish in the handwriting of Avraham Aryeh Karelitz. He attached the letter to the sum of forty rt 'a gift from his honor our dear family', he adds that 'I wish to spend the end of my life in our holy land' and ends by sending regards to his brother in law. On the back of the letter is a name for prayer in the handwriting of the Chazon Ish, as he was accustomed to writing the names of people who asked him to pray for them on pieces of paper he had available.
[1] paper leaf 14x9 cm. Folding marks, very fine condition.
Interesting letter written and signed by the Mashgiach Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein regarding the study of mussar. The letter is addressed to Rabbi Shmuel Hominer, Vayikra 1960 [erev Pesach].
The letter opens with blessings for Rabbi Hominer for the fact that he merited to teach people fear of G-d through books of mussar, "how great is the need at this time for fortifying belief ... Chavakuk came and summarized it all in one ..." Rabbi Levenstein is amazed by the words that Rabbi Hominer wrote about breaking one's nature, "how awesome it is to see the the judgment ... in various situations ... to see that there is no room to have pity, heaven forbid, on one's nature ..." He concludes with blessings for a happy, kosher Passover.
Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein [1885-1974] was a leading mussar proponent. He studied in Kelm and earned the title "HaMashgiach" and taught thousands of students. He was the Mashgiach in Mir and then in Ponevezh. His essays were published in the Ohr Yechezkel series.
Rabbi Shmuel Hominer [1914-1977] was one of the glorious personalities of Jerusalem. He was an outstanding Torah scholar and a true "eved Hashem" as the Mashgiach terms him. He authored noted works including the Ikrei HaDinim on the laws of forbidden speech, which earned him the title "The small Chofetz Chaim."
[1] piece of lined paper. 20x14 cm.
Light fold marks. Very fine condition.
Giant collection of handwritten documents, ephemera, and important documents in four binders.
* Dozens of leaves of stencils of mussar lectures delivered by the Mashgiach, Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein in the Mir Yeshiva in Shanghai, 1946, with handwritten comments in an unidentified hand. [We have not checked if these lectures were ever printed.] Mussar lectures on various subjects: the plots of the evil inclination, reflections on the unity of the creation, virtue of "bechira," levels of awe of Heaven and other subjects.
* Flyleaves from 1840-1940 with owner notations; printed ketuba with illustrations; rabbinical letters; early receipts from Torah institutions and yeshivot; photos of rabbis and admors [including a picture of the Admor of Gur]; invitations to weddings at chassidic courts; leaves with kabbalistic sketches and illustrations; Torah novellae in an unidentified hand; posters regarding the seamline between religious and irreligious; battle for Shabbat observance and opposing improper advertisements; poster regarding the controversy in the Ponovezh Yeshiva; raffle tickets; donations tickets; handwritten prayers; postcards; Yartzeit leaves from Torah institutions, lithographs; election posters; personal letters between young couples - 1950s; personal letters; stencil print from prominent rabbis with handwritten corrections about "how to be saved on the day of judgment;" early photos of scenery and people in the Land of Israel [Western Wall, neighborhoods in the Old City of Jerusalem, children in educational institutions and many more]; sale of chametz contracts; Yizkor prayer for Holocaust victims; two lithograph illustrations published by Yosef Chassid, and many more.
Additionally contains letters to and from Rabbi Nachum Kook [1932-2010, Rabbi of the Tel Ganim neighborhood in Ramat Gan, father of kabbalist Rabbi Dov Kook of Tiberias]. Some letters in his hand and with his signature. Includes an official letter from the administration of the zoological park in Ramat Gan from 1976 confirming that Rabbi Kook purchased the monkey island in the safari. ["This contract testifies that Rabbi Nachum Kook of Ramat Gan purchased with a complete "kinyan" the island called "monkey island" that is in the zoological park in Ramat Gan, including all the monkeys on it. They all belong to Rabbi Kook, just like the other animals in the zoological park that he already purchased from us] and much more.
The collection has not been thoroughly inspected. Varying sizes and condition. Overall very fine condition.
Large rare collection of letters and documents - most handwritten - from students in the Mir Yeshiva when they were in Shanghai during the Second World War.
The documents include a leaf with a handwritten description by a yeshiva student regarding the miraculous rescue of the yeshiva students in face of the terrible losses in occupied Europe ['The places of the Torah are destroyed, and these are the names in whose mercy saved by a miracle ... the ... in the Mir Yeshiva ...']; a certificate for an expert slaughterer, handwritten, given to Yaakov son of Zvi Hirsch Mordochovitch, a student in the Mir Yeshiva in Shanghai with the approval: "Many times we have checked him and found that he could feel the blemish ... he slaughtered before us hundreds of animals and birds ... we testify ... that he can be trusted regarding kashrut ..."; with a letter in the hand of this young man that "I accepted upon myself ... not to slaughter in this city of Shanghai without the permission of the slaughterers here ... Chaim Plotkin ... Yosef Kistinger ... and I will not trespass ..."; and another number of letters written by him. Leaf with Torah novellae [text on both sides] written by a Mir Yeshiva student in Shanghai regarding the laws of oath and witnesses; two leaves of Torah novellae from a yeshiva student regarding shechita, on official Chinese paper with printed Chinese letters at its head [text on both sides of the leaf]; three leaves [text on both sides] of Torah novellae written by a yeshiva student in Shanghai with Torah novellae regarding "Mafkid and Nifkad", laws of rental, etc.; 11 personal letters in Yiddish written by a yeshiva student; Six passport photos of a yeshiva student [in an envelope with Chinese writing]; ledger with a complete handwritten dictionary - English-Yiddish; newspaper clippings; three shechita ordination certificates printed on photo paper issued in Shanghai [1946 and 1949] and more.
About 50 pieces of paper.
Overall fine condition.
A notebook of Torah novaelle in the handwriting of a student in the Mir yeshiva who was exiled to Shanghai during the Second World War. The notebook was written while he was in Shanghai with the yeshiva and deals primarily with topics of Aggadah and the weekly Torah portion. Yiddish and some Hebrew. Cramped and legible handwriting.
At the beginning of the notebook is a list of the names of students, including Pinchas Hirschprong, Moshe Mendelbaum, Avraham Eiger, Anshil Weinhaus and others. At the beginning of each chapter the student noted the date and the place 'Shanghai'. The notebook was written between the dates February 18, 1943 and December 20, 1945, and is replete with novaelle on various topics connected to the weekly Torah portion and aggadah: a bride with beautiful eye does not need to be examined, Avraham and Yishmael. Sdom, the ten commandments, the Jewish People being chosen from all other nations, a maidservant on the seashore saw things that Yechezkel ben Buzi did not see, one whose wisdom exceeds his actions, pride and humility, the salvation of Israel, the exalted level of the Land of Israel, novaelle on the portion of Shmot, creation of man, it is better to go to a house of mourning that to a feast, midrash Shir Hashirim, Yaacov's ladder, and more. At the end of the notebook is a "dictionary" leaf - useful terms for the exiles of Shanghai ['waiting room', 'station', 'train' and more] translated from Yiddish to English [in 1946, a group of the Mir students who were exiled to Shanghai traveled to New York, this student could have been one of them].
[32] notebook pages written in cramped and legible handwriting. 20x14 cm. Slight tears on the margins of the cover, stains, fine condition.
Letter signed by Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, dated: Kislev 2009.
Letter of encouragement for the printing of Sefer HaNer - commentary on a number of tractates by one of the earlier scholars. His signature is in the margin of the letter.
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv [1910-2012], was born in Shavel, Lithuania as an only son to his parents after 17 years of marriage. In 1924 he immigrated to Palestine with his family who settled in the Meah Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. Served as judge in the chief rabbinical court, known primarily for his phenomenal diligence his entire life. He later became the greatest adjudicator of halacha of the generation, and leader of the entire generation.
[1] official letterhead leaf 21x30 cm. Very fine condition.
Important letter signed by Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach on the 22nd of Shevat, 1988, fortifying the Torah institutions of the Bukharian community "so that Torah should not be forgotten from this glorious community, the Bukharian community."
The letter addresses the Jews of the United States on behalf of the "Shaarei Tzion" and "Ohel Bracha" Bukharain institutions. "They educate about 400 students, so that Torah should not be forgotten among this glorious community, the Bukharian community." The letter was written pursuant to the trip of one of the founders of these organizations to appeal to the Bukharian Jews in the United States with respect to the amount of assistance necessary, Rabbi Shach added warm words: "Please, dear brothers, come forward to take a portion in this great mitzvah of reviving an entire community so that they be strengthened and remember their past, their forefathers who sacrificed themselves for observing Torah and mitzvot ..." His signature appears in the margins.
[1] letterhead. 21x28 cm. With Rabbi Shach's signature and personal stamp.
Very fine condition.
Letter from Rabbi Shach in which he requests support for a Kollel in Rechovot under the leadership of the rabbi of Rechovot, Rabbi Simchah HaKohen Kook, at a time of dire financial straits. The letter is typewritten with a copy of Rabbi Shach's handwriting and signature. In the margins of the letter, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv adds seven handwritten lines wherein he joins Rabbi Shach's call and blesses the contributors with all the blessings said in the Torah. The body of the letter contains a number of corrections, apparently in Rabbi Elyashiv's handwriting.
[1] leaf official paper. 25x18 cm.
Very fine condition.