1. A Rare Sefer Yesod: Ha’Agudah – First Edition, Kraków, 1571.
Sefer Ha’Agudah is a foundational halachic work by Rabbi Alexander Suslin Kohen ("Maharach") of Frankfurt, one of the early rabbinic authorities and a student of the Sha’arei Dura, who passed away around 700 years ago. This important work compiles halachic rulings derived from the Talmud, with later glosses such as Hagahot Asheri and Hagahot Maimoniot.
First edition, Kraków, 1571. Printed by Yitzchak of Prostitz. Edited for printing by Rabbi Yosef ben Rabbi Mordechai Gershon Katz of Kraków, the brother-in-law of the Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles).
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 245.
Missing the title page, which was completed in the handwriting of the Rebbe Menachem Benjamin Tzion Halberstam-Rotenberg of Sanz-Widislaw.
2. Sefer Yesod: She’elot U’Teshuvot HaRosh (Responsa of the Rosh), Important Edition – Venice, 1607.
[108] sections containing responsa by one of the greatest Ashkenazi rabbis, Rabbeinu Asher (the Rosh).
This edition includes many newly added passages that shed great light on the teachings of Rabbeinu Asher.
The title page states: "It is wondrous in our eyes how any ruling could be issued based on the previously printed responsa!" Indeed, subsequent editions of She’elot U’Teshuvot HaRosh included the passages first published here.
Antique signature: "This sefer of responsa is dear to me, Meir HaDorash in honor of the Torah lodgings… 1649 (or 1679)."
Stamp: Gershon HaLevi Broida, Mazowieck.
Additional old ownership inscriptions.
3. Sefer Pri Chadash – By Rabbeinu Chizkiya De Silva
First edition, Amsterdam, 1692.
Antique signature: "Hakatan Binyamin Ze’ev Stern."
Another antique signature (partially erased): Ziskind Alexander…
4. Sefer
Kerem Shlomo – Sermons on the Torah, by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Geiger, a dayan of Frankfurt am Main
Kerem Shlomo – Sermons on the Torah, by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Geiger, a dayan of Frankfurt am Main
First edition, Hamburg, 1738.
Antique inscription: "Part of R’ Avraham."
5. Sefer Tzina David – By Rabbi David Deutsch, a Commentary on Hilchot Nikur (Tractate of Sefer HaItur by Rabbi Yitzchak ben Abba Mari)
First edition, Fürth, 1750.
On the back of the title page, six principles every menaker must know are arranged in the shape of a Magen David, with "Tzina David" written in the center. This is one of the earliest, if not the very first, known sources presenting the Star of David as a symbol and referring to it as Tzina (Shield) David.
Antique signature on the title page:
"Yosef ben R’ Meir Shnatich" (possibly the signature of the renowned Posek, author of Shu”t Ribam Shnatich).
"Yosef ben R’ Meir Shnatich" (possibly the signature of the renowned Posek, author of Shu”t Ribam Shnatich).
6. Sefer Mashmia Yeshuah – By Rabbi Don Isaac Abarbanel, on the Coming of the Messiah and Redemption
Offenbach, 1767.
Antique signature: "Zeligman ben R’ Yisrael Frankel."
7. Sefer Ma’arechet HaElahut – By Rabbeinu Peretz ben Yitzchak Girondi,
Zolkiew, 1779.
Extremely rare! Never before appeared at auction.
Stamps of Rebbe Menachem Benjamin Tzion Halberstam-Rotenberg of Sanz-Widislaw.
8. She’elot U’Teshuvot Mayim Amukim – Responsa by Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi (HaRe’em) and Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Chaim (Ra’anach)
Berlin, 1778.
Includes important approbations by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Berlin and his son R’ Shaul, Rabbi David Tevele of Lissa, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch, Av Beit Din of Fürth, and Rabbi Aharon HaLevi Horowitz, Av Beit Din of Berlin.
At the end of the sefer, there is a large treatise on the laws of Shomrim (bailment laws), titled Amar Shomer, by the publisher Rabbi Nachman of Gluga.
Antique stamps: Elazar Yehoshua Segal.
9. Sefer Yachin U’Boaz – Responsa from the Duran Brothers, Rabbi Tzemach and Rabbi Shimon Duran (sons of Rabbi Shlomo, the Rashbash, son of the Rashbatz), along with Zera Rav – Sermons by Rabbi Massoud ben Ganon
Only Edition, Livorno, 1782. Printed by Avraham Yitzchak Castilo and Eliezer Saadon.
Long handwritten note and signature of Rebbe Menachem Benjamin Tzion Halberstam-Rotenberg of Sanz-Widislaw.
10. Sefer Avnei Miluim on Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, First Section – By Rabbi Aryeh Leib HaKohen Heller, Author of Ketzot HaChoshen
First edition, Lemberg, 1816.
Antique stamp:
Gershon Chaim HaLevi Landau.
Gershon Chaim HaLevi Landau.
The renowned pious genius Rabbi Gershon Chaim HaLevi Landa of Kamieniec, son of the pious genius Rabbi Yisrael Aharon, was a chassid of the Chozeh of Lublin. His son-in-law was the holy Rebbi Avraham Moshe of Raspsha, who praised him as having "the countenance of a king." The holy Rebbi Shlomo HaKohen of Radomsk also said he was among the Noterei Brit Kodash (Guardians of the Holy Covenant). He was famous for his great generosity and righteousness (Ohel Shlomo, p. 41).
11. Chidushim of the Ritva on Tractates Avodah Zarah and Makkot
Johannesburg, circa 1859.
12. Kuntres Lemaleot Chisronot HaShas – A Supplement for the Censored Passages Removed from the Talmudic Text
First edition, Königsberg, 1861.
A comprehensive collection of all the passages omitted from the Talmud by censors, including Rashi’s commentary, Tosafot, Maharshal, and other commentators. A supplement to the Vilna edition.
The sefer was printed without a location or date due to censorship concerns. At the end of the introduction, the author hints that his name is Asher, but no further details are known about him. During those years, booklets with omitted passages began appearing, but this is the most complete collection.
Signature: Shlomo Zalman bar Shimon Krawsky (Av Beit Din of Allentown, PA).
Ownership inscriptions: Meir ben Yisrael Meirsohn.
Overall Good - Fair Condition, Mostly Complete Copies, original , old and later bindings, most in good condition some damaged, one sefer unbound.
Rebbi Menachem Benjamin Ben-Zion Halberstam-Rotenberg of Sanz-Widislaw [1881–1957] A descendant of the righteous dynasties of Sanz and Kashanov, through the holy Rebbi Aharon of Biala-Bilitz and Rebbi Yosef Ze’ev, son of Rebbi David of Kashanov, who was the son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz.
On his maternal side, he was the grandson of Rebbi Alter Chaim of Wolbrom, from whom he adopted the surname Rotenberg. He was also a descendant of the righteous sages of Ropshitz, Sanz, Ohel Moshe, Belz, and Apt. From these illustrious lineages, his genealogy extended to numerous righteous figures. He later immigrated to the United States, where he served as the leader of his synagogue and was president of the Agudas HaAdmorim (Association of Rebbes).
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