Responsa Torat Chaim (Maharchash) – Three Parts – Thessaloniki, 1713-1722 – Distinguished Copy: Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh ...

Responsa Torat Chaim (Maharchash) – Three Parts – Thessaloniki, 1713-1722 – Distinguished Copy: Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Heller, Rabbi Yehudah Grünwald Rabbi of Satmar, and Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum Rabbi of Satmar

Torat Chaim, responsa on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat and various subjects, by R. Chaim Shabtai (Maharchash). Parts I-III. Thessaloniki: Talmud Torah by Avraham son of David Nachman and Yom Tov son of Moshe Konfilias, [1713-1722]. First edition. Three parts in two volumes.

Distinguished copy – belonging to: R. Tzvi Hirsh Heller (R. Hirsh Charif); R. Yehudah Grünwald, Rabbi of Satmar, author of Zichron Yehudah; and Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Satmar.

On title page of first volume, many ownership inscriptions and stamps. At top of title page, ownership inscription handwritten and signed by R. Tzvi Hirsh Heller: "To the Lord belongs the earth and everything in it, and He granted me this estimable book, 20th Iyar 193[---?], here in Óbuda, Tzvi Hirsh Heller of Zamość". Other ownership inscriptions, including one of R. Yehudah Leib Rockenstein [a leader of the Bonyhád community and a confidant of R. Yitzchak Moshe Perls who served as Rabbi of Bonyhád between 1841-1854].

On the margins of the first volume, stamp of R. Avraham Chanoch Friedman, dayan and posek of Satmar, with an inscription and lengthy dedication handwritten and signed by him: "…From the books estate of… R. Yehudah Grünwald, local Rabbi, author of Shevet MiYehudah, Responsa Zichron Yehudah and other books – mishloach manot to Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum, local Rabbi, from me, esteeming him in accordance with his lofty worth, Avraham Chanoch Friedman".

Both books are bound with the original bindings of the Rebbe's library in the United States (made ca. 1950s), as well as catalogue inscriptions made during the ordering of the library of the Rebbe of Satmar in his house in the United States. Both books also contain the stamps: "Yoel Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Irshava and the region". [We surmise that these stamps were placed on the Satmar Rebbe's books at a date later than his tenure in Irshava, as the dedication of the book as mishloach manot to the Rebbe postdates the beginning of his tenure as Rabbi of Satmar in 1934, long after the end of his service in Irshava which ended in 1926. We also identified slight differences between the stamps in the present books and other stamps of the Rebbe dating to his Irshava period (such variations are also found in books in the following lots)].

R. Tzvi Hirsh Heller (1776-1835; Encyclopedia LeChachmei Galicia, II, pp. 665-671), leading Hungarian rabbi, known as "R. Hirsh Charif" for his brilliance and sharp wit. He served as rabbi of Brigel, Galicia (present-day Brzesko, Poland), and later as prominent yeshiva dean in Brody. He was compelled to flee the city after he was informed on, whereupon he reached Hungary and served as rabbi of Bonyhád, Ungvár (Uzhhorod) and Óbuda. He edified prominent disciples, including Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Liska and R. Shlomo Ganzfried, author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. He authored Chidushei Tiv Gittin and other works. His widow married the Chatam Sofer [who apparently brought part of his library with her to her second husband].

R. Yehudah Grünwald (1848-1920), author of Zichron Yehudah, a leading rabbi and yeshiva dean in Hungary. An outstanding Torah scholar, known for his holiness and fear of heaven. A disciple of the Ktav Sofer and son-in-law of his brother R. Yospa Sofer son of the Chatam Sofer (his teacher, the Ktav Sofer, said of him at his wedding that he is "holy of holies"). Served as Rabbi of Sobotište, Bonyhád, and in 1898, of Satmar. In all the places he served as Rabbi he headed a large yeshiva; his yeshiva in Satmar numbered hundreds of students, many of whom later served as rabbis and dayanim in Hungary and Romania. During his tenure as Rabbi of Satmar, the community split between the Neologs, who opened a new synagogue, and the Orthodox, who retained control of the existing community institutions. As a result, Satmar became the stronghold of Orthodoxy in the region, headed by R. Yehudah Grünwald, known from his youth as a staunch defender of faithful Orthodox Judaism. During his tenure as Rabbi of Satmar, he closely embraced the young R. Yoel Teitelbaum who arrived in the city after his marriage, and he supported him financially. Once, after R. Yoel was accused of not being so needy, since he gave charity generously, R. Yehudah replied passionately that in that case he needed even more, and increased his financial support for him. Years later, when R. Yoel served as Rabbi of Satmar, he adjured not to change the halachic shechitah customs in the city, as they are based on the holy rulings of the Zichron Yehudah.

R. Avraham Chanoch Friedman, dayan and posek in Satmar (1866-1944; perished in the Holocaust), grandson of the Chatam Sofer and close disciple of R. Yehudah Grünwald, who adopted him as a young boy and married him to his niece. He edited and published the writings of his teacher R. Yehudah Grünwald and his grandfather the Chatam Sofer. He served for decades as dayan and posek in Satmar (starting in 1905), led a large yeshiva there and served as Rabbi of the Machazikei Torah Ashkenazic-rite synagogue in the city. He was a supporter of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum's appointment as Rabbi of Satmar.

Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979), a leader of his generation, president of the Edah HaCharedit in Jerusalem and leader of American Orthodox Jewry, one of the founding pillars of Chassidic Jewry after the Holocaust. Born in Sighet, he was the son of Rebbe Chananiah Yom Tov Lipa, the Kedushat Yom Tov, and grandson of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah, the Yitav Lev, who both served as rabbis of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) and were leaders of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was renowned from his youth for his sharpness and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. After his marriage to the daughter of Rebbe Avraham Chaim Horowitz of Polaniec, he settled in Satmar and taught Torah and Chassidut to an elite group of disciples and followers. He served as rabbi of Irshava (1911-1915, 1922-1926), Karoly (Carei; from 1925), and Satmar (Satu Mare; from 1934), managing in each of these places a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. During the Holocaust, he was rescued through the famous Kastner Train, and after a journey through Bergen-Belsen, Switzerland and Eretz Israel, he reached the United States, where he established the largest Chassidic group in the world.

Two volumes. Volume I: [5], 148 leaves. Volume II: [4], 128 leaves; [8], 192 leaves. 31 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears and paper repairs to several leaves, including first and second title pages. Stamps. Original bindings from the Rebbe's library.