Auction 54
Lot 152:
Shivat Zion, “a collection of articles from the geonim of the generation glorifying the settling of the Land of Israel”—published by Avraham Yaakov Slotzky. Two sections in one volume, first edition Warsaw 1891. Additional title page for the second section. Antique spine, stains, worming holes in leaves from the end, overall good condition.
The back of the title page has a dedication from the publisher to the gaon Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Berlin, the Natziv of Volozhin. The blank first leaf has a blurred stamp of the gaon’s son, Rabbi Chaim Berlin.
Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (the Natziv) of Volozhin (1817-1893) was the son of Rabbi Yaakov and one of the most well-known sages of Eastern Europe in the 19th century. For around 40 years he led the Volozhin yeshiva, which he inherited from his father-in-law, Rabbi Itzileh of Volozhin. He was the father-in-law of the Grach of Brisk. He wrote Emek HaShe’elah, a commentary on the She’iltot, and Emek Davar on the Torah, Rina shel Torah on Shir HaShirim, Meromi Sadeh on the Shas, and Shut Meishiv Davar.
Rabbi Haim Berlin of Volozhin was the son of the Natziv. He served as Chief Rabbi of Moscow, and as the most famous Rosh Yeshiva in the world, of the Volozhin yeshiva (known as the Mother of Yeshivot). In 1906 he moved to Jerusalem, and after the death of Rabbi Shmuel of Salant he became leader of the Ashkenazi Eida in Jerusalem, even though he refused the official position.
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