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Judaica and Hasidic Books and Manuscripts

Lot 89:

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Historic 1931 Polish Rabbinic Autograph Memo – Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Braunrot, Chief Rabbi of Ciechanów, later in Tel Aviv (Author of Otzar HaChaim & Satirat Zekenim)

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Start price: £100

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Description

An exceptional and deeply evocative primary rabbinic artifact from pre-war Poland, penned by one of the prominent halachic authors of the Mazovian district who later rebuilt his life in the Land of Israel.

  • Author: Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Braunrot (הגאון רבי חיים מרדכי ברונרוט זצ"ל; d. 1958), the esteemed communal Chief Rabbi of Ciechanów, Poland (טשעכאנאוו). Following his miraculous escape to Mandate Palestine, he was appointed to serve as the highly respected Rosh Av Beit Din (Head of the Rabbinic Court) for the Chief Rabbinate of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
  • Celebrated Rabbinic Works: Adding tremendous bibliographic value and prestige to this lot, Rabbi Braunrot was a celebrated author who published several complex halachic and homiletic treatises, including:
    • Otzar HaChaim (ספר אוצר החיים) – A sophisticated two-part volume consisting of advanced homiletic studies, scriptural exposition, and deep insights into the laws of ritual purity (Mikvaot).
    • Satirat Zekenim (ספר סתירת זקנים) – An intensive and rare analytical work resolving seemingly contradictory passages across Talmudic and Aggadic literature.
  • Overview & Content: A complete, beautifully drafted rabbinic letter written on his official personal bilingual stationery, explicitly dated 5691 (תרצ"א 1931). Written in a sharp, elegant Polish-rabbinic cursive, the letter discusses pressing community matters and family updates. Per standard cataloging practices, the body text remains untranscribed.
  • Collector’s Highlight: Original pre-war correspondence from the lost rabbinic world of the Warsaw-Mazovian district is highly sought after by collectors of European rabbinica. Because the vibrant Jewish community of Ciechanów was completely liquidated at the hands of the Nazis, any physical item carrying the town’s name alongside its rabbi’s signature represents a vital piece of historical memory and museum-quality heritage.

Condition report:

Status: Fine Archival Condition.


Physical Dimensions: Approx. 15×21 cm (5.9×8.3 inches) — horizontal memo size sheet.

Details: The single official stationery sheet is structurally secure, complete, and exceptionally clean, showing its two original binder filing holes along the top margin, well removed from any text blocks. The paper exhibits a soft, light natural cream patina. The printed bilingual letterhead is crisp, and the extensive handwritten ink text, margins, and beautiful calligraphic signature are 100% bold and fully legible throughout.