Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Responsa Mayim Chaim – Zhitomir, 1857 – With Halachic Query from the Baal Shem Tov
Opening: $300
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
Responsa Mayim Chaim, two parts, by R. Chaim HaKohen Rappaport, Rabbi of Ostroh. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, grandsons of the Rabbi of Slavita, 1857. First edition. With approbations of Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl and the Sar Shalom of Belz.
In Part I, section 27, there is a letter from Mezhibuzh sent to R. Meir (son of R. Yaakov Emden), Rabbi of Konstantin (Konstantynów Łódzki), regarding a kosher issue permitted by the local rabbi but questioned by several prominent members of the community. The signatories to the question include: "Yisrael Baal Shem of Tłuste [Tovste]" – the Baal Shem Tov. R. Meir's lengthy response justifies their concern and disputes the ruling of the Rabbi of Mezhibuzh. The responsum opens with several lines of honorifics and appreciation for the Baal Shem Tov: "chief in Judah and Israel… finder of ailment and cure… extraordinary, celebrated with a high reputation, R. Yisrael…" (the decipherment and interpretation of the lengthy and poetic titles offered at the beginning of this responsum is discussed at length in the scholarly literature).
Both parts of the book are bound together, Part I on Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, and Part II on Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat. Kuntres Otzrot Chaim is printed at the end of Part II, with novellae on aggadot and pilpul on the Torah portions by the author and his son the publisher. The book also includes responsa from the author's grandfather and uncles, who were leading Torah scholars. At the beginning of the book is printed a letter by the Ohev Yisrael of Apta agreeing with the author's ruling. The letter is printed with the approbations to the book, as a sort of approbation for the author.
Ownership stamps of R. Yaakov Landau, Rabbi of Bnei Brak (1893-1986), a leading rabbi of the previous generation, son and successor of R. Moshe Yehudah Leib Landau of Chabad, Rabbi of Kuranets (1853-1913). At the end of World War I he lived in Rostov as a confidant of the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch.
He later served as Rabbi in Libau (Liepāja, Latvia). In the 1930s he immigrated to Eretz Israel, and in 1936 he was appointed Rabbi of the moshava Bnei Brak, with the backing of the Chazon Ish. He served as Rabbi of Bnei Brak for fifty years, standing at the head of halachic and kosher issues and Orthodox leadership of the city.
He later served as Rabbi in Libau (Liepāja, Latvia). In the 1930s he immigrated to Eretz Israel, and in 1936 he was appointed Rabbi of the moshava Bnei Brak, with the backing of the Chazon Ish. He served as Rabbi of Bnei Brak for fifty years, standing at the head of halachic and kosher issues and Orthodox leadership of the city.
84; 151 pages. Two title pages for each part, with another title page to Otzrot Chaim bound at end of book (total of five title pages). First title page in black and red. Leaf 3 of first part bound after leaf 4. 30 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Worming, tears and open tears, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Stamps deleted with ink. New binding.
Provenance: Collection of the family of R. Yaakov Landau, Rabbi of Bnei Brak.
Books Printed in Slavita and Zhitomir
Books Printed in Slavita and Zhitomir