Rabbi Ferber's first book about Sefer Bereishis (Genesis), Kerem HaTzvi, which he titled in English 'The Vineyard of Beauty', of which I have written about before, was printed in Vienna in 1920. Now, almost forty years after that first book, he wrote another commentary on Bereishis. It is a completely different work. As he explains … Continue reading Sefer Kerem HaTorah al Sefer Bereishis, by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, London 1956.
Category: London
What was Rabbi Ferber reading? Sefer Yermiahu (the book of Jeremiah), Dyhrenfurth, 1825.
This edition of Kiriyah Ne'emana (the prophets and scriptures) was printed in Dyhrenfurth in 1825. Dyhrenfurth (in Polish Brzeg Dolny) is a town in lower Silesia, whose Jewish community was established with the first Hebrew printing house there in 1688 and declined with the closure of the printing houses there in the late nineteenth century. … Continue reading What was Rabbi Ferber reading? Sefer Yermiahu (the book of Jeremiah), Dyhrenfurth, 1825.
Sefer Shir HaShirim im peirush chadash “Migdal Dovid” (The book Song of Songs with a new explanation “Tower of David”) by Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Sobel, London 1899.
This is another book, printed in London, by an almost forgotten Rabbi, Samuel David Sobel of Forshtadt. It is a commentary on Shir Hashirim. The printer was Eliahu Zev Wolf Rabbinovitz of 64, High Street, Whitechapel. I know very few biographical details about the author, other that he lived in Grodno, and came to London … Continue reading Sefer Shir HaShirim im peirush chadash “Migdal Dovid” (The book Song of Songs with a new explanation “Tower of David”) by Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Sobel, London 1899.
Kitzur Sefer HaChaim – The Handbook of Life, Chevra Kadisha of London, 1917 – Copy of the Roseman family of Plymouth.
This book consists of prayers and meditations for the sick and dying, together with the rites of purification and burial and the bylaws of the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) of London. It includes the history of the Society, which was set up in London in 1895. The President of the Society was Herbert Bentwich, … Continue reading Kitzur Sefer HaChaim – The Handbook of Life, Chevra Kadisha of London, 1917 – Copy of the Roseman family of Plymouth.
Imrei Yaakov, (Volume II) on Pirkei Avos, by Rabbi Yaakov Henech Cymerman, London 1955.
This is the second of two books written by Rabbi Cymerman and published in London. I have previously written about the first book, published in 1944, also called Imrei Yaakov, with Rabbi Cymerman's commentary on the Torah. Rabbi Jacob Henoch Cymerman was a Ger Chosid – a Chassidic Follower of the Rabbis of Ger. He … Continue reading Imrei Yaakov, (Volume II) on Pirkei Avos, by Rabbi Yaakov Henech Cymerman, London 1955.
Sermons by Abraham P. Mendes, London, 1855.
My copy of this significant book touches on various aspects of Anglo-Jewish history, including Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Birmingham, London, Swansea and other places. The author of the book, which includes sermons preached in Birmingham and at the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London, was Abraham Pereira Mendes. There is also an interesting provenance, as my copy was … Continue reading Sermons by Abraham P. Mendes, London, 1855.
Hebrew Melodies by Lord Byron, London 1815.
Hebrew Melodies, which is a collection of poems by Lord Byron, were mostly written to accompany music of the composer, Isaac Nathan. My copy is the first edition, first issue, printed by T. Davidson of Lombard Street, for the publisher, John Murray. Isaac Nathan was an aspiring composer who was born in 1790 to parents … Continue reading Hebrew Melodies by Lord Byron, London 1815.
Mafteach HaKabalah by Rabbi Zev Wolf Tannenbaum, London, 1922.
This book, whose title means "Key to the Kabbalah" was published in London in 1922, and printed by Israel Narodiczky at his press in Mile End Road. It is bound together with a second book, Sefer Erez Halevanon, "Cedar of Lebanon". The book itself is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to kabbalistic ideas, including tables … Continue reading Mafteach HaKabalah by Rabbi Zev Wolf Tannenbaum, London, 1922.
The Responsa of Adreth, Rabbi Dr. Isidore Epstein, London, 1925
This interesting book uses some of the 3,100 'Responsa' (questions and answers) of Rabbi Solomon Ben Adreth of Barcelona (known as RaSHBA) as a source of the history and communal life of the Jews in Spain, particularly Aragon in the 13th century CE. It was the Ph.D. thesis of Rabbi Dr. Isidore Epstein, and probably … Continue reading The Responsa of Adreth, Rabbi Dr. Isidore Epstein, London, 1925
Fifty Years After, Sermons and Addresses (third series) by Rabbi Dr. Sir Hermann Gollancz, Oxford University Press, 1924.
These sermons and writings continue those previously published which include the period of the First World War, and although not in a modern style, are very evocative of the period. Sir Hermann Gollancz was the Rabbi (Minister) of the Bayswater Synagogue, which had an old established, relatively wealthy congregation of very British Jews. Rabbi Doctor … Continue reading Fifty Years After, Sermons and Addresses (third series) by Rabbi Dr. Sir Hermann Gollancz, Oxford University Press, 1924.
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