” … and with Hashem’s help, it will protect all [your] endeavors in the merit of the sacred author … so that blessings from the Source of all blessing be showered upon [you] …” (from the approbation by Rabbi Shlomo I of Bobov)
Pair of important Chassidic sefarim – first editions – by the leading Admo”r of Galicia, the gaon Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, author of Divrei Chaim , and his son and successor, the sacred Admo”r Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Shinova. The sefarim were published by the renowned Chassid Rabbi Akiva HaKohen Leiber of Yashnitza, who had the merit of basking in the shadow of the author of Divrei Chaim , as he indicated on Totza’ot Chayim’ s title page: “I had the merit of basking in his shadow, of seeing the face of the Shechinah many times, and receiving blessings. I toiled extensively for his sacred sefer .”
* Sefer Divrei Yechezkel – Torot on the Torah and festivals and responsa correspondence, by the sacred Admo”r Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova, son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. Printed by the Chassid Rabbi Akiva HaKohen Leiber of Yashnitza. Podgórze, near Kraków, 1901. First edition.
44 leaf. 23.5 cm.
Moderate condition. The title page is detached and worn. The final four leaves are detached, with wear, tears and mold stains. Stains. Not bound.
* Sefer Totza’ot Chayim – glosses, revisions and references for the sacred sefer Divrei Chaim , by the leading Admo”r of Galicia, Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. Printed by the Chassid Rabbi Akiva HaKohen Leiber of Yashnitza. Podgórze, near Kraków, Deutcher Press, 1899. First edition. List of thousands [!] of subscribers at the end of the sefer , including gedolei hador and expert geonim .
The sefer is adorned with important approbations from the author’s children and grandchildren and other European geonim . The Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet writes: “Please receive the bearer of this letter in good grace … to support and aid him as much as possible with advance payments … and I hope the merit of the Adm”o … will protect all who assist him in the merit of the sacred author … and that Hashem will influence you with an abundance of blessing and success in all your endeavors, to be blessed with all sorts of good blessings and salvations as your heart desires …”
The rabbis who gave approbations to this sefer are: Rabbi Aharon Halberstam of Sanz, Rabbi Baruch Halberstam of Gorlice, Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam of Bobov (considered like a son), Rabbi Yitzchak Yeshayah Halberstam of Czchów, Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Halberstam – sons of the rebbe of Sanz. Conspicuous by his absence is the eldest son, the Rebbe Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova, who had already passed away when this sefer was printed. His son the Rebbe Rabbi Shalom Halberstam of Stropkov wrote in his approbation in his father’s name as well, but when the sefer was published, they already had to surround the word (שליט”א) with parentheses and write “זצוקללה”ה” in its place.
Very exceptionally, this sefer does not contain regular Torah novellae, only corrections and glosses, passage by passage, in order of the weekly Torah portions and festivals. From the Admo”r Rabbi Shlomo of Bobov’s approbation, it can be concluded that the sefer was originally planned to be printed so that each leaf would be printed on only one side so that its purchasers could cut out the passages and paste them into the erroneous first prints. However, it was printed in a standard format (with each leaf printed on both sides), so it is very cumbersome to use, as each part in the standard editions must be compared to this sefer , without the option of cutting the revised passages to take the place of the erroneous ones. Apparently due to the awkward usage, students of the sefarim rarely bought it or used it, so the sefer is very uncommon.
[4], 41 leaf. 23.5 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Tear in leaf 14, without lack. Stains. The last leaves are somewhat worn. Not bound.