Sefer Asifat Zekenim, Innovations on Bava Metzia, Collected and Compiled Like Sheaves of Grain from Manuscripts of Rabbi Bezalel Ashkenazi, Named Shita Mekubetzet.
Lemberg, 1827.
At the top of the title page are poetic reflections in the holy handwriting and signature of the Rabbi Pinchas Rotenberg of Pilica:
“Due to the great preciousness of this sefer to me,
My thoughts could not contain themselves.
How could I give much money for it,
For its knowledge is dearer to me.
For in many seforim I searched with candles,
Yet they left no man a name or remnant.
By G-d’s grace, I have merited to acquire this sefer,
Not by my righteousness, for I am but dust and ashes,
But through G-d’s kindness, which shall never depart,
I have merited this acquisition.”
He concludes with the signature:
“Hashem granted me this sefer, which I acquired with my own funds for 16 gold coins. Pinchas Eliyahu Rotenberg.”
His signature is extremely rare! [Compare with his handwriting and signature as reproduced in the sefer Divrei Torah VeToledot (Bnei Brak, 1997), p. 160].
Further in his handwriting:
“From afar it comes! This… the Shita Mekubetzet on Bava Metzia, from the city of Lemberg.”
The title page also bears the stamps of the Holy Rebbi of Kolshitz
“Chuna Halberstam, Av Beit Din of Kolshitz, now residing in Rzeszów, may it be preserved.”
An ancient inscription on the title page reads:
“Belongs to the Beth Hamedrash village Pyarkov, Pinche Rotenberg.”
On page 23, there is an ancient signature:
“The humble Yaakov Yitzchak.”
An inscription on the rear flyleaf reads:
“B”h, this sefer belongs to the Society for Repairing Books at the study hall of the holy Rebbi, the righteous one of Kolshitz, may he live, here in Rzeszów.”
At the bottom of the title page and on the front cover is Rabbi Halberstam’s stamp in Latin:
“RABIN CHUNE HALBERSTAM, RZESZOW.”
Inside the volume are placed two kvittlach (prayer notes) from the city of Krenitz, likely given to Reb Chune Halberstam:
“Yosef Yitzchak ben Leah…”
“Yaakov Aryeh ben Nechama…”
The Holy Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu Rotenberg of Pilz (Reb Pintche) (1820–1903), also known as Reb Pintche, was the rabbi of Pilz, Poland. He was the nephew of the founder of the Gur Hasidic dynasty, the holy Rebbi Yitzchak Meir Alter (the Chiddushei HaRim).
He was born to Rabbi Yaakov Yosef (the younger brother of the Chiddushei HaRim) around 1820 in the city of Janów, in the Lublin region. Even as a young boy, he was renowned for his sharp intellect and dedication to Torah study. At the age of six, his father brought him to receive a blessing from Rebbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, who by then was already blind. When the Hasidim came forward to receive a blessing, the young boy stood silently. Rebbi Bunim asked him why he did not greet him. The boy replied, “If the Rebbi cannot see, how does he know that I have not greeted him?” Rebbi Bunim appreciated his sharpness. Later in life, when Rabbi Rotenberg himself lost his sight, he attributed it to his youthful boldness toward Rabbi Bunim.
When he reached marriageable age, he married Devorah, the daughter of Rabbi Eliezer Petznovsky of Piotrków, known as the "Patzinower Rav." Although Rabbi Eliezer did not officially serve as a rabbi, he was known by the title due to his father, Rabbi Shlomo, who was the Av Beit Din of Patzinov. Rabbi Rotenberg lived with his wealthy father-in-law and from there traveled to the court of the Kotzker Rebbe. He was very close to his uncle, the Chiddushei HaRim, and studied with him even before he became an Admor. He accompanied him on visits to the great tzaddikim of that generation, including Rebbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin. Rabbi Pintche was present at the Chiddushei HaRim’s passing, and the latter treated him as a son. After the Chiddushei HaRim’s death, Rabbi Pintche became a follower of Rebbi Chanoch Henoch HaKohen Leven of Alexander. After Rebbi Leven’s passing in 1870, he became a follower of his younger cousin, the Sfas Emes, despite the latter being much younger than him.
Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu Rotenberg passed away on the Tuesday of Chol HaMoed Pesach in 1903 and was buried in the city where he had served as rabbi for twenty years.
The Holy Rebbe Chuna Halberstam of Kolshitz (1884–1943). In his lifetime he was known as a great tzaddik. His mother was the daughter of the Divrei Yechezkel of Shinova, son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. On his father’s side, Rebbi Chuna descended from the Divrei Chaim as well. His father, Rebbi Menachem Mendel Halberstam of Pristik, was the son of Rebbi Leibish of Dukla, the son of Rebbi David of Karsznów, the son of the Divrei Chaim.
Before Rebbi Chuna’s birth, the Divrei Yechezkel prophesied to his mother that she was destined to bring a great tzaddik into the world. He was raised by his grandfather, the Divrei Yechezkel, who cherished and guarded him as the apple of his eye. The followers of Sanz and Shinova saw in him someone destined for greatness. Even as a child, he exhibited extraordinary piety and sanctity.
After his marriage, he was chosen as the rabbi and Av Beit Din of Kaloshitz. Following the passing of his grandfather, the Divrei Yechezkel, prominent followers of Shinova began turning to Rebbi Chuna as their leader, and he assumed the mantle of leadership as an Admor. At major rabbinical gatherings, he was one of the principal speakers. His rabbinic colleagues and the Torah giants of his generation held him in great esteem, viewing him as one of the foremost leaders of the Jewish people, zealous for G-d’s honor without compromise. It is said that the Divrei Yechezkel appointed him as an Admor, handed him a Siddur HaArizal open to the blessing Re’fueinu, and requested that he pray for his recovery.
He was renowned for his love of the Jewish people. He would frequently quote his grandfather, the Divrei Chaim, saying, “I do not fear angels or seraphim, but a sigh from a suffering Jew makes me tremble in fear.” Rebbi YItzikel and Rebbi Yankele of Pshevorsk, his devoted students and followers, would often speak of his wonders throughout their lives. Rebbi Yankele of Pshevorsk even remarked that he survived the war to proclaim to the world that there was once a Kaloshitzer Rebbe.
When the Nazis invaded Rzeszów, he fled with his mother (the daughter of the Divrei Yechezkel) to Pristik on the 2nd of Elul 1940. Despite the harsh conditions, he meticulously observed the mitzvot. When the danger intensified, he hid in a bunker in a potato field outside the town. However, the Nazis discovered the hiding place, arrested him, and imprisoned him in the Jasło jail. On the second day of Chol HaMoed Sukkot in 1943, moments before the Nazis shot him, Rebbi Chuna recited the verses of Nishmat Kol Chai and returned his soul to his Creator. Hy”d.
[1], 155 Leaves. 38 Cm.
Overall in Good-fair condition, old paper repairs to margins of the title & first few pages, wear to corners, stains, old binding.
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Lot #85