Bidspirit auction | A Monumental Collection of bris

A Monumental Collection of bris Milah Literature. - An amazing collection of nearly two hundred & fifty books on the subject of Bris Milah—covering the halachic, practical, medical, and homiletical aspects—printed over the last three centuries across the world. This wonderful collection being presented now for the first time in history at public auction, was gathered over decades by a distinguished Mohel (ritual circumciser) who has specialized in this sacred field for more than fifty years. His deep passion for this holy profession led him to acquire book after book until such a vast collection was formed. The collection is unique, encompassing am large percentage of the books on circumcision printed since the early 1700s—when the concept of entire volumes dedicated exclusively to this topic first emerged—until our own day. Among them are rare and precious works, some of which have disappeared over the generations due to the limited number of printed copies, or simply vanished because of their fragile bindings. The collection includes works in Hebrew, German, Dutch, English, Judeo-Arabic & Ladino. All the books in this collection are devoted exclusively to Bris Milah. Each one offers its own contribution, whether in clarifying the laws and customs in depth and breadth, or in addressing the practical and medical aspects of the ritual. Many authors also recount little- known events and testify to traditions and practices they received—sometimes on issues subject to halachic disputes. The books also contain a wealth of historical information about communal life and structures in earlier times, along with Milah customs no longer known today. They also discuss famous rabbinic debates through the years, including questions about P'riah (uncovering) with the fingernail, oral suction, Chittuch and P'riah in a single motion, anesthetizing the infant, and various laws of circumcision on Shabbos. From the introductions and discussions, one sees especially the great self-sacrifice of Mohalim throughout the generations, who carried out this sacred task without deviating from tradition—even when it subjected them to persecution and ridicule from “reformers” who sought to alter this exalted Mitzvah. They also persevered despite the many hardships of their work, particularly in small and remote communities lacking resources, remaining steadfast in faithfully upholding this commandment. Since all the books were authored by mohalim, it is fascinating to read how they describe their own unique inventions, tools, or methods—often accompanied by illustrations—and sometimes even boasting of the quality and beauty of their work. Their writings often served as a kind of professional advertisement, with each one striving to justify his approach and highlight his expertise. As a bonus for the purchaser of this collection, we have included a large and rich anthology of photocopies of articles and responsa published in well- known rabbinic journals over the past centuries. These include: Shomer Tziyon HaNe’eman (Altona, 1846), HaMe’asef (Jerusalem, 1867), Yalkut Yosef (Paks, 1899), Tel Talpiyot (Weitzen, 1900), Ohel Mo’ed (Krakow, 1901), Sha’arei Torah (Warsaw, 1906), HaPosek (Tel Aviv, 1940), Noam (Jerusalem, 1966), HaPardes (New York, 1970), Kol Torah (1997), Beit Hillel (2004), as well as HaOhel, HaMitzpeh, and HaMaor. This anthology contains articles and letters from leading and famous rabbis, great halachic authorities, outstanding physicians who were also Torah giants and God-fearing, and expert Mohels. They address questions that arose, along with rabbinic proclamations alerting the public to scandals, controversies, and disputes that occasionally erupted. These journals also include halachic debates among Mohalim and their colleagues, and between rabbis themselves—sometimes conducted with refined eloquence, and sometimes with sharpness and biting language when they deemed it necessary. It is noteworthy that many mohels used these journals as a platform to publish their views, or simply to announce their presence and services. This collection, with its unparalleled wealth of information, history, and halachic insight, opens a new and refreshing window into the world of Mohalus. It is truly a revelation of hidden treasures, of incalculable value and importance! In some of the books are found signatures, dedications, and stamps: Antique Italian circumcision records ca.1769; Rabbi Eliyahu Posek (stamp on his book Koret HaBrit); Yekutiel Yehuda Weg, ritual slaughterer in Polyan-Riskiva; Moshe Segal Klein, ritual slaughterer; Michael Shaul Hujsdorf; Elazar Leizer Landa of Oshpitzin; Yitzchak Bukatman (dedication on his book Brit Yitzchak ben Avraham); Simcha Bunem Grunberger, rabbinical judge of Pressburg; David Zechariah Kaufmann, ritual slaughterer and mohel of London; Leopold Levy; Yechezkel son of Azriel Zalman, mohel of the Hamburg community; Simcha Bunem Essigmacher of Bialystok,