1. Sefer Semikhat Chachamim. Part One: Birkhat Hashem – "Introduction to Semikhat Chachamim". Part Two: Kedusha U’Beracha – Insights on Tractate Berachot. By the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Naphtali HaKohen Katz, Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main.
Frankfurt am Main by Johannis Vosht Press, [1704–1706]. First edition. Two illustrated title pages for each part, adorned with magnificent woodcut engravings. The page following the first title page features a poem printed in the shape of a star.
The comprehensive title of the sefer is Semikhat Chachamim. The first section, the extensive introduction focusing on Kabbalistic wisdom, is titled Birkhat Hashem. The second section, containing novellae on Tractate Berachot, is titled Kedusha U’Beracha.
Printed during the lifetime of its author, the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Naphtali Katz (1645–1719), one of the most eminent Kabbalists in Ashkenazi lands. He served as Chief Rabbi of Ostroh, Poznań, and Frankfurt am Main. Known for his rigorous piety and extraordinary diligence, Rabbi Katz memorized the entire Talmud. He became the head of the Ostroh Yeshiva at a young age and was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ostroh at around thirty. In 1689, he became the Chief Rabbi of Poznań and was appointed the leader of the Council of Four Lands at age forty, holding the highest rabbinic authority over Ashkenaz and Poland.
2. Sefer Malei Ratzon. Novellae on the entire Talmud by the distinguished Rabbi Avraham Naphtali Hirsch Halevi Spitz, Chief Rabbi of Worms.
First Edition, Frankfurt am Main, 1710.
A unique work! In this sefer, the author undertakes to resolve all apparent contradictions in the words of the Sages. On page 5, the famous diagram addressing the dispute in Tractate Berachot (28a) concerning additional seats in the synagogue during Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah’s tenure is presented.
Antique signature on the title page: Yechezkel Hertzberg.
3. Sefer Machaneh Ephraim. First Edition – Constantinople, 1738.
Novellae and Responsa on Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, authored by Rabbi Ephraim Navon.
Machaneh Ephraim is one of the most foundational works of Jewish scholarship, widely accepted in both Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities, as well as among Lithuanian yeshivas, serving as a key text on Maimonides and his commentators.
Rabbi Ephraim Navon (1676–1735) was renowned for his profound wisdom, with endorsements from prominent Sephardic scholars. He served as a Dayan in the court of the Mishneh L’Melech in Constantinople.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 317.
4. Tractate Gittin from the Babylonian Talmud. With commentaries by Rashi, Tosafot, Ein Mishpat, and Mesoret HaShas. Illustrated title page featuring depictions of Moses and Aaron.
Fürth, 1740. Exceptionally Rare!
5. Sefer Teshuvot HaRav Eliezer, Part 1.
Neuwied, 1749. Only Edition. Illustrated woodcut title page.
6. Sefer Shita Mekubetzet – Esifat Zekenim. Novellae on Tractate Bava Kamma, authored by Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi.
Venice, 1762. Printed by Bragadin Press.
First edition of this foundational work, compiling key commentaries of the early sages on Talmudic discussions. The work was compiled and edited by Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi with the help of his students, including Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal).
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 62.
Signature on the title page: Rabbi Wolf Fulda of Frankfurt.
7. Passover Haggadah – "Arba Yesodot". Commentaries from Abarbanel, Maaseh Hashem, Alshich, Gevurot Hashem, Olalot Ephraim, Shlah, Rabbi Saul of Amsterdam, and Rabbi Saul Halevi of The Hague.
Amsterdam, 1783. Printed by Yochanan Levi Rofeh and his brother-in-law Baruch.
Includes two sections: Yesod HaYirah and Yesod HaAhava, with detailed laws of Passover and explanatory texts in Yiddish.
Yaari 204, Yudlov 306.
8. Sefer Taharat HaKodesh. Commentary Zer Zahav on the Tosefta of the Order Taharot, authored by the Vilna Gaon (Gra).
Zolkiew, 1804. First Edition. Endorsements by Rabbi Mordechai Banet and rabbis of Zolkiew, Glogau, and Poznań.
This edition was edited and published by the Gra’s disciple, Rabbi Meir of Schedlitz. Rabbi Meir writes in his introduction about his years of study under the Gra, especially regarding the Tosefta of the Order Taharot.
Signature on the title page:
Rabbi Katriel Karfil Halevi Epstein, the Vilna community scribe.
Rabbi Katriel Karfil Halevi Epstein, the Vilna community scribe.
9. Sefer Pnei Yehoshua on the Talmud. Warsaw, 1861–1862.
Owner’s inscription in Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz’s handwriting:
"Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz of Kovno, son of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan, may he live long." Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz (1848–1910), the eldest son of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spector of Kovno, succeeded his father in Kovno’s rabbinic leadership and was among the foremost Jewish leaders of his generation.
"Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz of Kovno, son of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan, may he live long." Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz (1848–1910), the eldest son of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spector of Kovno, succeeded his father in Kovno’s rabbinic leadership and was among the foremost Jewish leaders of his generation.
Stamps of the Kovno Kolel Library.
10. Order Nashim from the Jerusalem Talmud. Zhitomir, 1867. Printed by Rabbi Chanina Lipa and Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, grandsons of the Slavita Rabbi.
Included:
Sefer Igrot Sofrim – First Edition – Vienna, 1928. Includes portraits and facsimiles of letters by the Sofer family’s sages.
Rare first edition published by Rabbi Shlomo Sofer of Beregszász, Hungary. Contains dozens of letters written by Rabbi Akiva Eiger, his son-in-law Rabbi Moshe Sofer (Chasam Sofer), and others from the Sofer dynasty. The volume includes illustrations of letters and portraits, including a fold-out illustration of Rabbi Akiva Eiger walking with his rabbinic court.
Overall Good Condition, Complete copies, new and original leather bindings and later old bindings.
Share this lot:
Lot #7