Sefer Ateres Rosh by R. Levi ben David of Kodnya, Amsterdam, 1766 (The Jews College, London copy).

This is another book that has come from the library of Jews College in London, and it has the old stamp of the Beis Hamedrash HaAshkenazi (the study house of the Ashkenazi community) in London. From time to time, books appear for sale that have come from the Jews College Library, in London, and I … Continue reading Sefer Ateres Rosh by R. Levi ben David of Kodnya, Amsterdam, 1766 (The Jews College, London copy).

Hilchos Rav Alfas (Halakhic Code), Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi, Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1554-1555

Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi (Known as the Rif; 1013-1103) was a native of northern Algeria who received his education in Kairouan, The Rif resided for much of his life in Fez (hence the surname Alfasi) until about the age of 75, when he was forced to flee to Spain, where he died. This book, … Continue reading Hilchos Rav Alfas (Halakhic Code), Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi, Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1554-1555

The Noda BiYehuda (Rabbi Yechekel Landau) and British Chief Rabbi David Tevele Schiff. Noda BiYehuda II, Sadlikov, 1833.

Rabbi Yechezkel Landau was born in Apta, Poland, in 1713, and died in Prague in 1793.  He was a great talmudic scholar, whose responsa (answers to questions) which he called Noda BiYehuda, have great clarity and are mostly accepted today as halachic (Jewish legal) law.  The name Noda BiYehuda comes from the beginning of Psalm … Continue reading The Noda BiYehuda (Rabbi Yechekel Landau) and British Chief Rabbi David Tevele Schiff. Noda BiYehuda II, Sadlikov, 1833.

Rabeinu Asher with Ma’adnei Yom Tov and Divrei Chamudos by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, Furth, 1745.

This is an interesting book from my antique Hebrew books collection.  It consists of an important book by Asher ben Yechiel (1259 Cologne (?)-1327 Toledo), known as Rabeinu Asher or the Rosh, together with important commentaries by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller. Rabbeninu Asher's best known work is this abstract of Talmudic law.  It includes … Continue reading Rabeinu Asher with Ma’adnei Yom Tov and Divrei Chamudos by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, Furth, 1745.

Sefer Zichron Avraham Hashalem, by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchok Dziubas, Pietrokov / Warsaw, 1924.

I have written before about the author of this book, Rabbi Abram Icyk Dziubas, who was born in Czestochowa in 1885 and died in England in 1947. He was a prolific writer of extraordinary talents. When he was just ten years old, he was already studying Talmud with Toisefos (medieval commentaries on the Talmud) and … Continue reading Sefer Zichron Avraham Hashalem, by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchok Dziubas, Pietrokov / Warsaw, 1924.

Tzavat (The Ethical Will of) Rabbi Ezekiel Katzenellenbogen, Second Edition, Vilna 1871. With Eulogies for Rabbi Katzenellenbogen and the Vilna Gaon.

My ancestor, Rabbi Ezekiel Katzenellenbogen, was born in 1667, the son of Rabbi Avraham Katzenellenbogen, in the city of Brisk Lithuania. There he studied and was educated by Rabbi Mordechai Ziskind. He married the daughter of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Sirkis of Brisk, whose wife was a grand-daughter of the Tosephos Yom Tov, Rabbi Yom Tov … Continue reading Tzavat (The Ethical Will of) Rabbi Ezekiel Katzenellenbogen, Second Edition, Vilna 1871. With Eulogies for Rabbi Katzenellenbogen and the Vilna Gaon.

Merkevet HaMishneh on the Rambam by Rabbi Shlomo (Solomon) of Chelm, Frankfort on the Oder, 1751.

This book, from my antique Hebrew books collection, consists of Novellae on the Talmud and the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam (Maimonides) by Rabbi Shlomo ben Moshe of Chelm (1717-1781). This is the first edition of the first part. Rabbi Shlomo was born at Zamoscz, government of Lublin and died at Salonica in 1778. He … Continue reading Merkevet HaMishneh on the Rambam by Rabbi Shlomo (Solomon) of Chelm, Frankfort on the Oder, 1751.

Sefer Yaaros Devash by Rabbi Jonathan Eibeschutz, Karlsruhe, 1782 – Copy of Rabbi Meyer Schwartzman of Winnipeg.

This is a book from my antique book collection. It is a first edition of Yaaros Devash (A Hive of Honey), and has some important haskomos (approbations). Yaaros Devash is a collection of sermons on ethical matters. The author, Rabbi Jonathan Eibeschutz (circa 1690/4–1764) was a talmudist and kabbalist, a child prodigy. He  married the … Continue reading Sefer Yaaros Devash by Rabbi Jonathan Eibeschutz, Karlsruhe, 1782 – Copy of Rabbi Meyer Schwartzman of Winnipeg.

Shu”t Knesset Yechezkel by Rabbi Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen, Altona 1732.

When I was ten years old, my late cousin, Issy Blankfield, told me that I was descended from the "Hamburg Rov".  The "Hamburg" Rov, my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, was Rabbi Yechezkel (Ezekiel) ben Avraham Katzenellenbogen. I have other copies of this book, but this one, which I recently acquired, is a first edition, printed in the … Continue reading Shu”t Knesset Yechezkel by Rabbi Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen, Altona 1732.

Lechem Hapanim, by Rabbi Moshe Yekusiel Kaufman, Hanau 1716.

This book, from my antique books collection, is a rare commentary on Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah by Rabbi Moshe Yekusiel Kaufman (circa 1661 - 1722). It is the first edition, printed in the author's lifetime in Hanau, a city in Hesse, Germany, east of Frankfort am Main. The book has many haskomos (approbations) from the … Continue reading Lechem Hapanim, by Rabbi Moshe Yekusiel Kaufman, Hanau 1716.