Sefer Pnei Yehoshua, Warsaw 1874. The Personal Copy of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik - Beis HaLevi.

Sefer Pnei Yehoshua, Warsaw 1874. The Personal Copy of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik - Beis HaLevi.

A complete copy of Sefer Pnei Yehoshua, printed at Warsaw in 1874. The Personal Copy of R. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik - Beis HaLevi, with his personal stamps both in Russian and Hebrew seen on title page and on various pages throughout.

Also seen is a handwritten inscription which reads: “[This Sefer] Belongs to The True Gaon, Moreinu HaRav Yosef Dober Soloveitchik”. Although not verified, it is quite possible this handwriting is none other than that of R. Chaim Soloveitchik, known as R. Chaim Brisker, written while still at a relatively young age. We assume this to be the case since many of the letters, particularly the first letter “Shin”, as well as the style in which “Soloveitchik” is written, identifies with R. Chaim’s handwriting. 

R. Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik (1820-1892), a Torah genius and Grandson of R. Chaim of Volozhin. Upon the death of the Slutsker Rav R. Yosef Peimer in 1864, the Beis HaLevi succeeded him as Rabbi of Slutsk. Unfortunately his position in Slutsk was met with opposition from the city’s Maskillim as well as certain affluent individuals who would frequently challenge his authority. Ultimately, in 1874, he was forced to flee Slutsk and settled in Warsaw. Later, in 1877, a position in Brisk opened and the Beis HaLevi became the Rabbi of Brisk which has become synonymous with the Soloveitchik family.

An exceedingly rare and highly significant piece.

In very good condition. Paper is fragile and brittle, typical for Warsaw imprints of late 19th century.

128 pp.