Auction 34
Lot 106:
Volume with two rare prayer books not listed in bibliographic literature:
1. Tikkun Leil Shavuot and Hoshanah Rabbah following the order set by the Shlah. Printed probably at the Chassidic printing house in Shklov between 1811-1814, according to the printer seal “Mordechai HaLevi” (see below) which appears before the Tikkun Leil Hoshanah Rabbah. From a search of various databases, among them the National Library, the Mifal Bibliographia, and the Otzar HaSefer HaIvri, we were unable to find a single copy matching the book before us. [130] leaves. Missing the title page and a number of lone pages at the beginning and throughout. A number of pages are torn and missing in the corners, with old tape.
2. Song of Songs “with the commentary Megishei Minchah on the Hebrew script and Yiddish…already printed in Zeboriz…because of its popularity here reprinted for a second time…Vilna in 1830[?]”. On the back of the title page is “Seder Tikkunei Shabbat” with the prayer said after the Song of Songs. The megillah of Shir HaShirim appears with niqqud at the top of the page with the commentary Metzudot Zion and under it the Yiddish translation also with niqqud. 31 leaves. Missing a number of pages at the end. Tears in the corners in a great number of pages, some with damage to text.
Old worn binding, very many signs of use. Stains. A few moth holes. Tape. Overall fair condition.
The Chabad printer, Rabbi Mordechai [bar Shmuel] HaLevi, was a chassid of the Admor HaZaken, founder of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, and was responsible for bringing a number of his rabbi’s books to the printing house, including the first three editions of the Tanya, the first edition of Shulchan Aruch HaRav, and the first Chabad siddur, and more. According to estimates he was probably a partner in the Slavita printing house and also partnered with Rabbi Yisrael Yafeh in the printer in Kapost (the symbols of the two printers was similar with only slight changes). Between 1811-1814 he was owner of the Shklov printing house. In the introduction to the Sefer HaTanya Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli calls him: “The wonderful Rabbi HaVatik Mordechai ben Shmuel HaLevi…”. Rabbi Mordechai printed other works at this publisher which do appear in bibliographic lists, but this Tikkun Leil Shavuot does not appear and is not mentioned anywhere. It seems to have been printed in Shklov because the typography matches other books printed there. At the end of his life he seems to have moved to Israel, and was a leader of Chabad chassidut in Israel. See more about him in the excellent, comprehensive article about him by Rabbi Eliyahu Matosov, member of the Otzer HaChassidim network, in “Rabbeinu HaZaken and Napoleon’s War – Notes and Exegesis, Pesach 2012, Volume 11, p. 240ff, and in the sources listed there.
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