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.
Young Israel, A Magazine for Jewish Youth, London, November (December) 1897.
The only periodical of its kind for young Jews in Great Britain at the end of the nineteenth century, Young Israel models itself to a degree on other children's magazines of the time. Young Israel was published monthly between 1897 and 1901. My copy is from November 1897 - or so I thought, until I … Continue reading Young Israel, A Magazine for Jewish Youth, London, November (December) 1897.
Sefer Hafla’a, by Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz, Lvov, 1816 and Warsaw, 1861.
I have two editions of this fundamental and basic book, which consists of Novellae (Chidushim) on Tractate (Masseches) Kesuvos. This important Tractate of the Talmud covers marriage contracts, but also many other important discussions which are relevant today. For, example, whether a hostage who says that she was not violated while a hostage can marry … Continue reading Sefer Hafla’a, by Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz, Lvov, 1816 and Warsaw, 1861.
Soldiers from Judaea, Rabbi L. Rabinowitz, London 1944.
Rabbi Louis Isaac Rabinowitz was born in Scotland in 1907. His father, Rabbi Jacob Rabinowitz, had emigrated from Eastern Europe to become a rabbi in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jacob Rabinowitz was the descendant of a long line of Lithuanian rabbis. I have written previously about his Haggadah, which was published in 1907. He later moved to … Continue reading Soldiers from Judaea, Rabbi L. Rabinowitz, London 1944.
Henry Shaw, Hillel Director, 1961 (Press Photograph)
Henry Shaw was born in Notting Hill in London in 1911. His younger brother was Rabbi Kopul Rosen. Their parents surname was Rozrazowsky, and Henry changed his last name to Shaw during the Second World War when he was an army officer. He was the United Synagogue's Social Welfare Youth Officer from 1946 to 1949, … Continue reading Henry Shaw, Hillel Director, 1961 (Press Photograph)
Moral Instruction by Hai Gaon, by Rabbi Hermann Gollancz, Oxford, 1922
This is a book that has been copied and translated from manuscripts held in the British Museum by Rabbi Hermann Gollancz. Rabbi Hai Gaon was the last of the Geonim of Pumbeditha. With him the era of the Geonim came to an end. The Geonim were the brilliant Talmudic scholars who headed the great Yeshivos … Continue reading Moral Instruction by Hai Gaon, by Rabbi Hermann Gollancz, Oxford, 1922
Sefer Shimushoh Shel Torah, by Rabbi David Feldmann, London, 1951.
Rabbi David Feldmann announced his intention to publish a book called Shimusha Shel Torah at the end of his annotated edition of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch in 1926. In the meantime, following the rise of Nazi Germany, he left his position in Leipzig and emigrated to England. This book was not published until 1951, when … Continue reading Sefer Shimushoh Shel Torah, by Rabbi David Feldmann, London, 1951.
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, with Ir David, by Rabbi David Feldman, Leipzig, 1924.
Rabbi David Feldman (he sometimes spelled it Feldmann) was born in Tolno in the Ukraine. He received semicha (his rabbinical diploma) from Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (known, after his book, as the Aruch HaShulchan), and Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Schwadron. Rabbi Feldman was appointed Rabbi of the Ahavath Torah Synagogue of the Brodde Community in Leipzig … Continue reading Kitzur Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, with Ir David, by Rabbi David Feldman, Leipzig, 1924.
Jewish Miscellanies 