Bidspirit auction | Pair of Foundational Volumes from

Pair of Foundational Volumes from the “Mother of All Yeshivot” – the Volozhin Yeshiva; Historic Copies Bearing the Yeshiva’s Stamps - Two Foundational Volumes from the Volozhin Yeshiva – the “Mother of All Yeshivot” – from the era of the Netziv of Volozhin and Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk. Volozhin, ca. 1891. Two historic and rare relics from the golden age of the Volozhin Yeshiva, the first and most influential Lithuanian yeshiva, founded by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. These volumes were used in the Beit Midrash during the period when it was headed by the Netziv of Volozhin and his son-in-law and successor, Rabbi Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik of Brisk, two towering figures who shaped the analytic yeshiva method for generations. Before us are two essential books of the classical yeshiva library, both bearing multiple ownership stamps: “Otzar HaSefarim of Yeshivat Etz Chaim D’Volozhin.” These are authentic artifacts from the original library of the Volozhin Yeshiva, representing the cradle of modern Torah learning. 1. Chiddushei HaRitva on Tractate Yevamot. Shedlitz (actually Slavuta), 1833 (5593). [2], 56 leaves. 32.5 cm. Blue-green paper. Fine copy. Although the title page reads “Shedlitz, ” bibliographers (Wiener, Kehilat Moshe, p. 459 no. 3771) note that the book was printed by the Shapira family press in Slavuta, with only the title page printed in Shedlitz – as confirmed by the approbations at the beginning of the volume. With several stamps: “Otzar HaSefarim of Yeshivat Etz Chaim D’Volozhin.” 2. Nachalat David – Responsa and Novellae on Tractates Bava Kamma and Bava Metzia, by Rabbi David Tevele of Minsk. Vilna, 1864 (5624). First edition. (Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 100). [4], 116 leaves. 32.5 cm. With numerous stamps: “Otzar HaSefarim of Yeshivat Etz Chaim D’Volozhin.” These volumes were donated to the yeshiva in 1891, during the tenure of the Netziv – before whom the entire Torah world stood in awe – and his grandson and son-in-law, Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, founder of the Brisker method of Talmudic study. The Ritva and Nachalat David were among the core texts of the yeshiva curriculum, dealing with the central tractates Yevamot, Bava Kamma, and Bava Metzia. At that time each yeshiva possessed only a single set of such foundational works, and it is therefore virtually certain that Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik himself studied and prepared his legendary lectures from these very copies—lectures that defined the analytic style of modern yeshiva learning and are cited repeatedly in his writings. [2] volumes, uniform binding. 32.5 cm. Condition: good to very good. Heavy signs of use, marginal notes, and multiple Volozhin Yeshiva stamps. Historic and exceptionally important artifacts – original volumes from the Volozhin Yeshiva library, used during the era of the Netziv and Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, the giants who shaped the path of Talmudic study for all generations.