מכירה מס' 31 - 08.07.2020

From Sunday, 22nd of Kislev 1811, testifying that “Shraga Feivish Tzvi ben Shmuel studied under me the wisdom of sharpening the blade…and can feel any slight or even the slightest defect in any animal…” signed by Chanoch Hendel ben Shlomo Katz. Size: 20x24cm. Text is only on the left side of the page. Page repaired, defects to the text, filing holes, signs of folding and tape. The letter is historical testimony of the machloket among slaughterers in Bukovina at the time. Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kasov, the Ahavat Shalom, was the founder of the Kosov-Vizhnitz dynasty, and, as is well-known, he would only eat meat shechted by Rabbi Chanoch Hendel ben Shlomo Katz (descended from Rabbi Natan Shapira of Krakow, the Megaleh Amukot; related to the Ahavat Shalom on his mother’s side). Rav Chanoch had a special procedure for sharpening the blade, among other things by using a machine (some say that the Torat Haim, the rabbi’s son, reinstituted this method, now called Kasover shechita). No one would try to do shechita in Bukovina without the rabbi’s permission, who would require the certification of Rav Chanoch. The rabbi here certified is Rabbi Shraga Feivish Zvi, probably a local shochet who was also later certified by Rabbi Haim of Kasov and the Rebbe of Ruzhin (sources: Even Shtiya, Beit Lehem Yehuda p. 11, Alei Zikaron).

Collection of 7 letters sent by Slonim family members in Hevron, most written by Rabbi Eliezer Dan Slonim to his aunt, his father’s sister Marat Menuchah Ratzkovsky of Haifa, some written by his faterh Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Slonim, rabbi of old Chabad community in Hevron. A nice poem written by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Slonim to his sister and her husband using their initials and, in one stanza, their father Rabbi Schneor Zalman Slonim. Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Slonim (1881-1932) was the grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch. He was the representative of the Admor HaRashab in Hevron, worked to acquire houses for the Admor and the movement, worked to reinforce the Jewish community and religious life in Hevron, served as Chief Rabbi of Hevron and head of the Toras Emes yeshiva there. In the 1929 riots his son (above) was killed along with his daughter-in-law and grandson. An additional son is Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Freiburg-USA. His son Eliezer Dan Slonim hy”d (1899-1929) was a leader of the community in Hevron. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Orlinsky, Rabbi of Zichron Yaakov. He served for a time as a teacher in Petah Tikva and Haifa. He established the local branch of the Anglo-Palestine bank in Hevron. In 1929 he was murdered in his home with his wife and most of his family, alongside his father-in-law HaRav Orlinsky and his mother-in-law as well, as they lived with them. Miraculously one son, Shlomo Slonim (who was 2 years old at the time), survived. Various sizes, defects and small tears, overall in good condition.

The book Shemot BaAretz, composed of three works: “Yom Teru’ah, Tosefet Yom HaKippurim, Kapot Tmarim”, by Rabbi Moshe ben Haviv. Printed in Warsaw 1861. Endorsement of Rabbi Dov Berish Maizlish of Warsaw. [2], 76, [1] in the original—this copy is missing the last page not from the body of the work. Bound together with Binyan Yehezkel, “chiddushei Shas on Seder Nashim, first section”, by Rabbi Yehezkel Sirkin of Vitebsk, Av Beit Din in Kapost. First edition (only?), published during the author’s lifetime—Warsaw 1861. Last page has the shared endorsement of the Admor Chiddushei HaRim of Gur, Rabbi Dov Berish Maizlish of Warsaw, and Rabbi Yeshaya Mushkat of Prague. [1], 49 pages. Stains, moth damage in the margins of a group of pages at the end of Shemot HaAretz, almost no damage to text. Generally good condition. Blank front page has the note of ownership of: “Zvi Pilay.” Rabbi Hirsch Pilay, the mashgiach of Yeshivat Hevron. Rabbi Yehezkel Sirkin (died 1889) was the son of Rabbi Moshe. He was rosh yeshiva in Vitebsk, rabbi in Biakovstatt, and Av Beit Din in Kapost. He was a great follower of the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, and a great rabbi of the Chabad movement in Belarus. He wrote Binyan Yehezkel and many of his chiddushim were published in the rabbinical periodical “Yagdil Torah”, published in Odessa.

Prayers according to the Nusach Ari, with Shulchan Aruch HaRav by the Admor HaZaken. Second edition. Two covers, [8], 410, [16], 16 pages, 31, [2] pages in the original. This copy is missing 31 [2], the last pages with Psalms. Pages detached, stains, generally ok condition.

Prayers for the whole year, nussach Ari, by the Rebbe Shneor Zalman of Liadi. Edited for the benefit of travelers, printed and published by the Rid Fromkin, Jerusalem 1899. Prayers without vowels. 444 pages. 5x7.5cm. Stains at the edges, inscribed binding, nice copy in good condition.

Typewritten letter on official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, from the 11th of Elul 1954. Letter has very strong words of moral criticism for a young man from Yeshivat Tomchei Temimim: “The rumor that I have heard is no good, regarding how much time you spend not in the yeshiva…as a grandson and great-grandson of our leaders you need to serve as an example for others to learn from, on how to act properly…there is nothing standing between you and that goal, I have the strong hope that you will immediately change your behavior, and then good will come to you and the merit of your forefathers will support you. I await good news from you soon, with a blessing for a ketivah and chatima tovah”, signed by the secretary, Rabbi Eliyahu Quint “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, overall good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, from the 29th of Cheshvan 1955. With a blessing for a good shidduch “my hashem make a proper match for you…find a daughter who will be your partner, and create good news for one another…”. signed by the secretary, Rabbi Eliyahu Quint “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, a little moth damage (not on the text), generally good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe. With a blessing for a happy birthday, “may hashem make you have a year of success in learning Torah and keeping the mitzvot. With a blessing for “Talmud Torah with Yirat Shamayim”. Signed by the Rav’s secretary, Rabbi Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, small holes, overally good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe’s secretary, from 20th of Shvat 1963. Signed by the Rav’s secretary, Rabbi Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, overall good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe’s secretary, from 20th of Shvat 1963. Signed by the Rav’s secretary, Rabbi Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, overall good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, from the 15th of Cheshvan 1964. With a blessing for a happy birthday, “may hashem make you have a year of success in learning Torah and keeping the mitzvot. With a blessing for “Talmud Torah with Yirat Shamayim”. Signed by the Rav’s secretary, Rabbi Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, small holes, overally good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe’s secretary, from 18th of Shvat 1966. Signed by the Rav’s secretary, Rabbi Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, overall good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, from the 18th of Av 1966. With a blessing for a happy birthday, “may hashem make you have a year of success in learning Torah and keeping the mitzvot. With a blessing for “Talmud Torah with Yirat Shamayim”. Signed by the Rav’s secretary, Rabbi Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson “in the name of the Admor.” Many letters were signed by the secretaries. [1] page. Creases from folding, small holes, overally good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, from the 16th of Sivan, 1952 (the second year of his leadership), to the administration of the Chabad yeshiva in Lod. He summarizes a conversation with Dr. Shapira, the head of the Education Division at the Joint Committee regarding the establishment of a vocational school. He asks for various documents and for actual progress with the program. There are handwritten additions throughout the letter and at the end: “With regard to profession I already wrote my opinion.” He adds “with blessings of success” and signs by hand. This letter was not printed in Igrot Kodesh, but the later correspondence on the subject is located in Section 6, Letter 1649. [1] page. Filing holes, creases from folding. 21x28cm. Overall good condition. The vocational school was primarily designed by olim, together with Judaic studies, for children in high school age. The institute was founded upon the direct order of the Rebbe, and as we see in this letter he worked for years to set it up. A sad event took place, there was a terrorist attack there in 1967; the school’s beit Knesset was attacked during Arvit, the madrich Simcha Zilberstraum and five students were murdered. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, in which he explains the holy importance of the shmita year, especially in 1973 with the anniversary of the death of the Rayatz and 19th of Kislev which were on Shabbos that year. He ends with his known wish for redemption. [2] pages. 21x28cm. Folding creases, overall good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Second page of a letter sent on 15th of Tammuz, with marei mekomot for the contents of the letter on education during the days of geulah, 12-13th of Tammuz. At the end the rabbi adds a number of typewritten lines to the addressee with blessings. Overall good condition, [1] page, 21.5x28cm. Folding creases. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Typewritten letter on the official letterhead of the Chabad Rebbe, from 19th of Sivan, 1979. He acknowledges receipt of a pidyon nefesh and a request for a blessing. Before his signature he adds a handwritten line. A5 paper, [1] page. Folding creases, overall good condition. The Chabad Rebbe, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch, was the 7th leader of the Chabad movement (11th Nissan/18 April 1902 – 3rd Tammuz/12 June, 1994).

Wonderful engraving of the first synagogue in Manhattan, founded in 1928. The façade of the synagogue is on view, with the US flag waving next to it. Created by Elias Grossman in 1945. Size 32x40cm. Tear resulting in no missing bits in the lower margins. Other light defects, generally good condition. Elias M. Grossman (1898-1947) was a Jewish-American artist known to show Jewish motifs and anecdotes.

Characteristic dress, the Jew sits on a rock. Signed “Aryeh Lamdan” in Latin script. Numbered 10 out of 50. Given inside a black and gold wooden frame. Including the frame: 53x36cm. Outside the frame: 29x21cm. Light defects to frame, overall good condition. Aryeh Lamdan is an Israeli painter and sculptor, born in 1944. Utilizes a wide variety of techniques, his creations have been on display at many exhibits in Israel and around the world.

Wonderful work: hundreds of small conch shells on cardboard creating together the words of the Tefillat HaRofeh, written as if on an open scroll, with a wide frame made also from colorful conchs. At the end is written: “The surgical medical staff Bet join together to the prayer of the Rambam, put up on the dedication of the unit in 30th of Sivan, 1974 (May 28). Size 79x89cm. Tear on the right side, missing a few conchs in the inscription and frame. Overall poor condition.

Flower vase, decorated with flowers colored green. Wonderful work typical of the artist stamped on the bottom, Galle. Height: 25cm.

A work of art created with cut-outs of parchment with a micrograph of the Song of Songs, original work on parchment with gold letters. The decorations were designed under the influence of the Art Nouveau period, micrographics under the influence of the Russian metalwork. Water colors and gouache paint on parchment together with paper cuttings and gold leaves. The creation was designed according to the idea that puts the woman in the center: the dove spreading its wings and protecting, the countless decorations emphasizing her multiple activities, her productivity (laden pea pods) and her good taste (flowers and frills). The basis of the work is a pair of birds – marital harmony, the foundation from which the woman draws her strength and from which she blossoms. The creation integrates many techniques in harmony, just as the woman wisely integrates all her talents and deeds into one harmonious unit. Accordingly, Shir Hashirim was chosen as the text of the micrograph. 80x60cm. Overall very good condition.

Carved ivory made to look like four fish stuck together, two pairs lying on top of one another, eyes filled in with black. Signed by the artist in Chinese letters. 5x3cm. Various defects, overall good condition.

3 Jewish figures in a Talmudic argument. Given in a frame. Size: 16.5x22cm. Good condition.

Portrait of the important commentary included in editions of the Shulchan Aruch. The painting shows the Taz’s well-known look, with his fiery character and iconic hat. Not signed. Given in a wooden frame. Including the frame: 57x41cm. Not checked outside the frame, no defects, good condition.