Auction 63 Rare and Important Items
Nov 13, 2018 (Your local time)
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 20:

Long Letter Handwritten and Signed by Rabbi Bezalel Ronsburg – Prague, 1805

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Sold for: $8,000
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Long handwritten letter (3 pages) of Torah teachings, signed by R. Bezalel Ronsburg, author of Horah Gaver, to his friend R. Shmuel Leib Kauder, author of Olat Shmuel. Prague, 1805.
The letter was written at midnight of Wednesday, "the 19th of Adar Sheni 1805". It contains Torah teachings with referrals to many books (Shita Mekubetzet, responsa of the Maharival, the Alshich, the Mabit, Maharanach, Maharit, Knesset HaGedolah).
Towards the end of the letter, he writes that the halachic ruling is as cited by the person who sent the question and he is not arguing the ruling, rather seeking the truth.
After his signature at the end of the letter, R. Bezalel requests that if his teachings are accepted, they be included in the book Olat Shmuel.
As far as we have searched, this letter is hitherto unprinted.
R. Bezalel Ronsburg (1762-1821), prominent Prague sage, close disciple of the Nodah BiYehuda. In the introduction to his book Horah Gaver, R. Bezalel writes that "Every Shabbat… I never missed learning Torah from him [the Noda BiYehuda]". He was also a disciple of R. Leib Fisheles in Prague and later of R. Elazar Kalir, author of Or Chadash of Kolín. Horah Gaver is the only book he printed during his lifetime. Many of his compositions and novellae were lost and recently his composition Chochmat Bezalel – Pitchei Nidah and a compilation of his responsa and novellae were printed (see below). His Talmudic glosses were printed in the Prague Talmud editions and later also added to the Vilna editions titled Glosses of R.B. Ronsburg. His commentary on the Rosh, Sde Tzofim appears in the Talmud editions as well.
R. Shmuel Leib Kauder, author of Olat Shmuel, the recipient of the letter, was also a Prague luminary and close dear companion of R. Bezalel Ronsburg. Many of the surviving responsa of R. Bezalel are addressed to R. Shmuel. This letter opens with lofty titles lavishly praising R. Shmuel Leib's Torah proficiency.
R. Bezalel compiled his responsa into one compendium, however only a small part survived. A compilation of his responsa was printed in the book Responsa and Novellae of R. Bezalel Ronsburg (published by Machon Yerushalayim, 1980; see ibid a long introduction of his history by R. Yosef Buksbaum). Many of the responsa in this compilation were sent to R. Shmuel Leib Kauder. In one responsum, (ibid, Siman 21), R. Bezalel writes to R. Shmuel Leib: "And if this is correct, put it into your book since I do not intend to compile my responsa". This responsum also ends with a request by R. Bezalel that R. Shmuel Leib add it to his book Olat Shmuel and indeed, R. Shmuel Leib often cites Torah teachings and letters of his friend R. Bezalel Ronsburg in his book.
Folded leaf, [3] written pages. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.

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