Printed Heter Meah Rabbanim Signed by the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs, with a Lengthy Handwritten Addition to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld
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Extraordinarily rare! Heter meah rabbanim spread across four large pages. Signed in print by five rabbinic leaders of Hungary - dayanim of Munkacs, led by "The Admo"r the sacred gaon ... shlit"a [ztz"l] ... Chaim Elazar Shapira." Aharon Dov Meisels Press. Munkacs, 1925. Not listed in Mif'al HaBibliographiah and not found in the National Library.
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Aside from the sacred gaon, the author of Minchat Elazar of Munkacs, these other renowned rabbis have also signed on the heter: The gaon Rabbi Aharon Weiss, ra'ava"d of Munkacs; the gaon Rabbi Moshe Shpitzer, a disciple of the 'Kol Aryeh' and author of Kuntress Imrei Moshe - dayan and moreh tzeddek of Munkacs; the gaon Rabbi David Shlisel, author of Beit David V'Sha"s - ra'ava"d of Munkacs (despite his signature here on the heter as a dayan); the gaon Rabbi Meir Ze'ev Seltzer HaKohen, author of Divrei Meir - dayan and moreh tzeddek of Munkacs; and Rabbi Menachem Weiss, author of Tzemach Esh - dayan and moreh tzeddek of Munkacs. These last four signed again in their own hands on the lengthy handwritten addendum.
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Exceptionally lengthy heter meah rabbanim [4 pp], with a detailed list of the reasons the rabbis took this unusual step of granting the heter meah rabbanim, which is only granted when all other avenues have been exhausted. Despite the refined language the dayanim attempted to use, their words are simply hair-raising. How is it possible for a married woman to be engaged in such deviant conduct, and in the zealous city of Munkacs, of all places?! (Until one recalls that at that time, not only were rabbis and Admo"rim active in Hungary, but also the likes of Yisrael Kastner.)
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The reason for the extreme length of this letter of heter is because the Minchat Elazar was concerned for the opinions of the poskim who demand signatures from rabbis from three different countries for a heter meah rabbanim (such as those that appear in this one here, ) and as such, due to their substantial geographical distance, the beit din in Munkacs described the wayward woman's behavior in great detail.
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This heter meah rabbanim was sent from Munkacs, Hungary, to the "Lishkat HaGazit" in Jerusalem, the beit din of the rabbi of the Land of Israel, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, so that rabbinic leaders of Jerusalem would also join this heter.
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The beit din in Munkacs added a handwritten leaf to the printed text that is signed by the Munkacs dayanim and (twice) stamped by the beit din in Munkacs. In their letter, the dayanim of Munkacs request that the dayanim of Jerusalem "The sacred and glorious honorable Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, nasi of the great beit din, shlit"a, along with his associates, the geonim Rabbi Mordechai Leib Rubin, Rabbi Dov Tzvi Karelenstein, and Rabbi Yitzchak Frankel, " join them in this heter meah rabbanim. The four rabbis signed on the handwritten letter, and they are signed in print on the body of the heter (except for the Minchat Elazar and Rabbi Aharon Weiss).
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Historical note - according to the calculation of the years the signatories, the geonim who signed on this letter, served in Munkacs, it was at the height of the Munkacs-Belz dispute. The stance of each of the dayanim on this issue is unknown, but the Minchat Elazar's observation about one of the signatories - the gaon Rabbi Meir Ze'ev Seltzer, who would regularly accompany Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz, is well-known - that "his intent is for the sake of Heaven, for the honor of the Torah!"
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[1] double leaf with [4] printed pages + [1] handwritten letter. 34 cm.
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Moderate-fine condition. Fold mark, light tears and filing perforations.
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Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the letter's signatories: Signature in print: The Admo"r Rabbi Chaim Elazar Shapira. Handwritten signatures: the gaon Rabbi Moshe Shpitzer, the gaon Rabbi David Shlissel, the sacred gaon Rabbi Menachem Weiss, and the gaon Rabbi Meir Ze'ev Seltzer, author of Divrei Meir.
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US$1,200
Arts & Graphics
US$300
· Nov 2024
Sefer HaChaim and Ketzur Ma'aneh Lashon – A Magnificent Copy from the Rothschild Family – London, 1861
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Title: Sefer HaChaim (The Book of Life) and Ketzur Ma'aneh Lashon (A Short Answer to the Language)
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Date: London, 1861 (Tavkuf Aleph)
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Publisher: Benjamin Chaim ben Rabbi Moshe Halevi Asher
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Provenance: The Rothschild Family (Anglo Branch)
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Condition: Excellent Condition
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Description:
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This magnificent edition of Sefer HaChaim (The Book of Life) and Ketzur Ma'aneh Lashon was published in London in 1861 and has a special connection to the Rothschild family. The binding is original, with elegant gold embossing and a distinct "Ashers Book of Life" inscription on the spine, making this a highly coveted item for collectors and scholars of Jewish history, particularly those interested in the Anglo-Jewish community and the Rothschild family's vast collection of Judaica.
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Key Features:
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Sefer HaChaim:
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This book deals with prayers for the sick, mourner’s prayers, and the laws of mourning, purification, and burial rituals. It includes additional prayers such as Psalm 23, Psalm 121, and Adon Olam, which are often recited in the home of a mourner. The text is meant to serve as a spiritual guide for individuals in times of illness and bereavement, ensuring they have the necessary prayers and rituals at hand.
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Ketzur Ma'aneh Lashon:
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This is a concise response to a biblical question regarding the use of the Hebrew language and its importance, specifically aimed at improving Jewish education and providing insights on the correct use of language in religious texts.
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Commentaries and Additions:
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The book includes commentaries from prominent Jewish scholars, most notably Rabbi Moshe ben Ezra (Moses Ibn Ezra), who provides spiritual guidance and insights into Jewish law and customs. In this edition, the author adds a translation of certain sections from Hebrew to English, reflecting the growing need for bilingual texts in the Jewish community in 19th-century England.
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Elegant Binding:
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The book is bound in fine leather, with gold embossing on the spine reading "Ashers Book of Life, " a personalized mark of ownership by the Rothschild family. This binding is designed with the family’s status in mind and is a reflection of their commitment to Jewish learning and preservation of religious texts.
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Red-edged Pages:
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The book features bright red gilded edges, which give it a special aesthetic appeal, and further demonstrate its luxurious and high-quality production.
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Historical Context:
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The Rothschild Family:
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The Rothschilds were pivotal figures in both the financial world and in the Jewish community. The Anglo-Rothschild branch in particular was highly involved in Jewish communal life in the United Kingdom. Their library of religious texts is renowned for its historical and cultural significance, and this book is part of that prestigious collection.
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The Author:
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The book was published by Benjamin Chaim ben Rabbi Moshe Halevi Asher, who sought to combine practical Jewish law, spiritual guidance, and literary insight into one comprehensive volume. The inclusion of the English translation in this edition marks a significant step toward making Jewish texts more accessible to the English-speaking public, particularly within the Anglo-Jewish community.
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The 19th-Century Anglo-Jewish Community:
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This period was marked by the growth of Jewish intellectualism and the integration of Jews into British society. As a result, religious texts were often printed in Hebrew and English to meet the needs of a modern, English-speaking Jewish audience. This book represents an important part of the cultural and religious landscape of that time.
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Condition:
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The book is in excellent condition, with only minor signs of age and handling. The original leather binding is well-preserved, with minimal wear, and the gilded edges remain bright and stunning. The text is clear and legible, with only minor marks or foxing consistent with age. Overall, the book has been exceptionally well-maintained.
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Conclusion:
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This magnificent edition of Sefer HaChaim and Ketzur Ma'aneh Lashon from London 1861 is a rare and significant piece of Jewish history. It provides an invaluable glimpse into Jewish religious life, offering both practical prayers and spiritual guidance. With its unique binding and connection to the Rothschild family, this book is not just a liturgical work but also a prized artifact for any collector or scholar of Jewish history and Anglo-Jewish life.
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The Rothschild provenance adds immense value to this exceptional volume, marking it as a coveted item in the field of Judaica and Jewish historical collections.
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US$300
Other
US$85,000
· Jun 2024
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<b>The Rabbi's Blessing<br /> </b>
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Sir Frederic William Burton (1816-1900)
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Watercolor on board
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54 x 67 cm (21 x 26 inches)
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Signed and dated top right: Fred W. Burton, A.R.H.A. Felit. 1838
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Label on verso: "A Chief Rabbi Blessing the Children of a Polish Jew" Frederic W. Burton
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<b>A Window to the past </b>
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This exceptional watercolor by Sir Frederic William Burton, titled The Rabbi's Blessing, is a rare and poignant depiction of Jewish life in the 19th century. The painting captures a deeply spiritual moment, showing a chief rabbi in full rabbinic attire bestowing a blessing upon a young boy. The boy's father, dressed to reflect his affluence, listens intently, while his daughter stands nearby, her attention drawn elsewhere. An elderly man, possibly an emissary (Shadar) from the Middle East, stands at the entrance, suggesting a broader narrative of cultural connections.
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The composition is remarkable for its detailed portrayal of Jewish customs and the intimate atmosphere it creates. The rabbi's hands hover over the boy in a gesture of prayer, and a prayer book lies open on a pedestal, emphasizing the religious significance of the scene. Burton’s ability to convey such a warm and sympathetic depiction of Jewish life is particularly noteworthy given his non-Jewish background and the period in which he worked.
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<b> Exciting Discovery</b>.
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After careful examination, it seems reasonable to assume that the chief rabbi in the painting is none other than the First Chief Rabbi of England Rabbi Solomon Hirschell.
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<b>Rabbi Solomon Hirschell (1762-1842) </b>was the son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Levin Berliner, and great-grandson of the Chacham Tzvi. He took over his father’s position as Rabbi of the Asheknazic community in London. He later became the first recognized chief rabbi of Great Britain, a position he held for over forty years. His authority was recognized throughout the British Empire including South Africa and other countries. He corresponded with the Anglo-Jews in New York who referred to him as the “High Priest of England.” He advocated for the well-being of Jews all over the world, particularly the Jews living in Israel with their challenging conditions. He was admired by all Jews in London and upon his passing a remarkable funeral was held attended by the masses. Furthermore, a coin with his portrait was minted in his honor.
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He corresponded with the great rabbonim in his times, among them Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margolius, Rabbi Akivah Eiger, and the Chassam Sofer.
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Some of his writings were published in Sefer Hayovel Tiferes Yisroel pp. 219- 242.
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<b>About the Artist</b>:
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Sir Frederic William Burton was a distinguished Irish Victorian painter known for his work primarily in watercolor. He was a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts and served as the director of the National Gallery, London, from 1874 to 1894. Knighted by Queen Victoria in 1884, his works are held in major collections, including the Dublin Museum of Art and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
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Burton's The Rabbi's Blessing stands as an early and significant portrayal of Jewish cultural and religious life in the United Kingdom, predating similar themes by Solomon Alexander Hart.
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This artwork offers a unique window into the rich cultural heritage of 19th-century Jewish life and reflects Burton’s exceptional skill in capturing the depth of human experience and cultural identity.
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<br />Provenance and :
<b>Exhibition </b>
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<b>1838</b>: Painted in Dublin, Ireland by a young Frederic William Burton.
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<b>1839</b>: Exhibited in Belfast under the title “A Chief Rabbi Blessing the Children of a Polish Jew, R.H.A., 1838.
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It was praised as
<b>‘one of the redeeming pictures of the present exhibition’ </b>by the Evening Mail on July 25, 1838.
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- Purchased by Mrs. Johnston for thirty guineas.
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- Lent by Rev. R. Johnston to The Dublin Exhibition, 1872
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-Subsequently acquired by Ridgway Greeves of Belfast, as indicated by the original label on the verso.
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- Galerie Martal, Montreal, Canada
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- Isaac Alt, Montreal
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<b>- Perhaps you are the one </b>
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For more information about the artist and this painting, please visit the Library Ireland website.
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Any inquiries about this lot ?
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We are available also on
<a href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=18458261645&text=LOT46" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WhatsApp </a>>>>
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![Printed Heter Meah Rabbanim Signed by the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs, with a Lengthy Handwritten Addition to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld
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Extraordinarily rare! Heter meah rabbanim spread across four large pages. Signed in print by five rabbinic leaders of Hungary - dayanim of Munkacs, led by "The Admo"r the sacred gaon ... shlit"a [ztz"l] ... Chaim Elazar Shapira." Aharon Dov Meisels Press. Munkacs, 1925. Not listed in Mif'al HaBibliographiah and not found in the National Library.
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Aside from the sacred gaon, the author of Minchat Elazar of Munkacs, these other renowned rabbis have also signed on the heter: The gaon Rabbi Aharon Weiss, ra'ava"d of Munkacs; the gaon Rabbi Moshe Shpitzer, a disciple of the 'Kol Aryeh' and author of Kuntress Imrei Moshe - dayan and moreh tzeddek of Munkacs; the gaon Rabbi David Shlisel, author of Beit David V'Sha"s - ra'ava"d of Munkacs (despite his signature here on the heter as a dayan); the gaon Rabbi Meir Ze'ev Seltzer HaKohen, author of Divrei Meir - dayan and moreh tzeddek of Munkacs; and Rabbi Menachem Weiss, author of Tzemach Esh - dayan and moreh tzeddek of Munkacs. These last four signed again in their own hands on the lengthy handwritten addendum.
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Exceptionally lengthy heter meah rabbanim [4 pp], with a detailed list of the reasons the rabbis took this unusual step of granting the heter meah rabbanim, which is only granted when all other avenues have been exhausted. Despite the refined language the dayanim attempted to use, their words are simply hair-raising. How is it possible for a married woman to be engaged in such deviant conduct, and in the zealous city of Munkacs, of all places?! (Until one recalls that at that time, not only were rabbis and Admo"rim active in Hungary, but also the likes of Yisrael Kastner.)
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The reason for the extreme length of this letter of heter is because the Minchat Elazar was concerned for the opinions of the poskim who demand signatures from rabbis from three different countries for a heter meah rabbanim (such as those that appear in this one here, ) and as such, due to their substantial geographical distance, the beit din in Munkacs described the wayward woman's behavior in great detail.
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This heter meah rabbanim was sent from Munkacs, Hungary, to the "Lishkat HaGazit" in Jerusalem, the beit din of the rabbi of the Land of Israel, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, so that rabbinic leaders of Jerusalem would also join this heter.
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The beit din in Munkacs added a handwritten leaf to the printed text that is signed by the Munkacs dayanim and (twice) stamped by the beit din in Munkacs. In their letter, the dayanim of Munkacs request that the dayanim of Jerusalem "The sacred and glorious honorable Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, nasi of the great beit din, shlit"a, along with his associates, the geonim Rabbi Mordechai Leib Rubin, Rabbi Dov Tzvi Karelenstein, and Rabbi Yitzchak Frankel, " join them in this heter meah rabbanim. The four rabbis signed on the handwritten letter, and they are signed in print on the body of the heter (except for the Minchat Elazar and Rabbi Aharon Weiss).
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Historical note - according to the calculation of the years the signatories, the geonim who signed on this letter, served in Munkacs, it was at the height of the Munkacs-Belz dispute. The stance of each of the dayanim on this issue is unknown, but the Minchat Elazar's observation about one of the signatories - the gaon Rabbi Meir Ze'ev Seltzer, who would regularly accompany Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz, is well-known - that "his intent is for the sake of Heaven, for the honor of the Torah!"
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[1] double leaf with [4] printed pages + [1] handwritten letter. 34 cm.
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Moderate-fine condition. Fold mark, light tears and filing perforations.
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Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the letter's signatories: Signature in print: The Admo"r Rabbi Chaim Elazar Shapira. Handwritten signatures: the gaon Rabbi Moshe Shpitzer, the gaon Rabbi David Shlissel, the sacred gaon Rabbi Menachem Weiss, and the gaon Rabbi Meir Ze'ev Seltzer, author of Divrei Meir.
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