Guide to the Papers of Israel Elfenbein (1890-1964) 1911-1970 RG 773

Processed by YIVO staff. Additional processing by Rachel S. Harrison as part of the Leon Levy Archival Processing Initiative, made possible by the Leon Levy Foundation.

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
Email: archives@yivo.cjh.org
URL: http://www.yivo.org

Electronic finding aid was encoded in EAD 2002 by Rachel S. Harrison in February 2012. Description is in English.

Collection Overview

Title: Guide to the Papers of Israel Elfenbein (1890-1964) 1911-1970 RG 773

ID: RG 773 FA

Extent: 5.5 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

The original inventory was completed c.1970s.

The materials in this collection are arranged topically and by format. Personal names of correspondents have been transliterated, journal titles and organization names have been transliterated and translated, and the titles of speeches and writings have been transliterated and translated. Yiddish names have been transliterated according to YIVO standards except when the individual is known in English by another spelling. Hebrew publications and manuscript titles have been transliterated according to Encyclopedia Judaica standards. The language of the materials and number of letters often follows the description of the folder contents in parentheses. The collection is organized in four series, some of which have been further subdivided into subseries.

Languages: English, Hebrew, Yiddish, German, French

Abstract

This collection contains the personal and professional papers of rabbi, Hebrew scholar, author, and editor Israel Elfenbein. These materials include correspondence with and relating to congregations, Hebrew periodicals, organizations, Elfenbein’s writings, personal correspondence, sermons, clippings, and manuscripts by Elfenbein and by other writers.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The materials in the Papers of Israel Elfenbein relate mainly to Rabbi Elfenbein’s work as a congregational rabbi and to his writings, both in published and in manuscript form. The collection consists of correspondence, sermons and lectures relating to congregations in Nashville, Chicago and New York City, including Brooklyn and the Bronx. There is also correspondence with various Jewish periodicals and organizations, materials relating to the Elfenbein Jubilee Volume , Rashi Responsa , and some of Elfenbein’s unpublished manuscripts, as well as writings by others, personal and family correspondence, financial papers, and newspaper clippings.

Correspondents include Cyrus Adler, Shmuel Yosef Agnon, Salo Baron, Chaim Bloch, Yosef Burg, Rabbi I. Goldfarb, Dr. Leo Jung, and Louis Marshall. The material mainly concerns Jewish personalities, Jewish history and liturgy and Elfenbein’s writings. The materials in this collection date from 1911-1970.

Historical Note

Biographical Note Israel Elfenbein was born in Buczacz, Poland on September 15, 1890 to Elyakim and Rivka Henshe Elfenbein. He attended several yeshivot in Buczacz before he immigrated to the U.S. in 1906, where he began his studies at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, later the rabbinical seminary of Yeshiva University. He attended New York University, from where he received his B.A. in 1913, and the Jewish Theological Seminary, from where he received his ordination in 1914 and his Doctor of Hebrew Letters in 1915. His first rabbinate was at Temple Adath Israel in Nashville in 1915-1916. He later served as rabbi at synagogues in Chicago and New York City, including the West 95th Street and the Sea Gate Kneseth Israel synagogue in Brooklyn. Dr. Elfenbein developed an interest in medieval Halachic Responsa early in his student days. He devoted himself to research and published a number of books, as well as many articles in contemporary Jewish journals in Hebrew, Yiddish and English. A good deal of his writings remained in manuscript form, many of which are represented in this collection. Elfenbein was a lecturer at the Herzl Institute in New York City in the late 1950s-early 1960s. He was a member of the United Synagogue of America, the Academicians, the American Oriental Society, the Society of Biblical Literature, the Board of Jewish Rabbis, the American Jewish Congress, and the American Committee for Israeli Affairs. He was the author of The World of Rashi ; Maimonides, The Man and His Times ; Palestine Under Turkish Rule as Reflected in Responsa Literature ; Problems of Jewish Reconstruction in America ; and The Synagogue as a Leavening Force in American Jewry ; among others. He also published under the pseudonyms Dayan al Yahud, Israel Shenhabim, and Ben Elyakim. In 1957, he edited the memorial book dedicated to I.Z. Frischberg. In 1962, he assisted in the compilation of a volume celebrating his own jubilee. Elfenbein was the executive director of the Education and Expansion Department of the Religious Zionists of America, also known as the Mizrachi Organization in the U.S., from 1938-1962, and the editor of Or Hamizrach (Light of the East), a Hebrew publication for rabbis, teachers and students. In addition, he contributed articles to Sinai , Tarbitz (Hit), Talpiot (a neighborhood in Jerusalem), Jewish Quarterly Review , and Jewish Forum . He attempted to publish a journal of Jewish scientific studies, Hameasef (Literary Anthology), in 1923, but was unsuccessful. He was the editor of The Voice of the People from 1932-1944. He was married to Etta Hurwitz Elfenbein, with whom he had daughters Annette (Goldie) Barth and Sarah Rothman and son Ira Lee. Israel Elfenbein died in New York City on September 13, 1964. Israel Elfenbein was born in Buczacz, Poland on September 15, 1890 to Elyakim and Rivka Henshe Elfenbein. He attended several yeshivot in Buczacz before he immigrated to the U.S. in 1906, where he began his studies at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, later the rabbinical seminary of Yeshiva University. He attended New York University, from where he received his B.A. in 1913, and the Jewish Theological Seminary, from where he received his ordination in 1914 and his Doctor of Hebrew Letters in 1915. His first rabbinate was at Temple Adath Israel in Nashville in 1915-1916. He later served as rabbi at synagogues in Chicago and New York City, including the West 95th Street and the Sea Gate Kneseth Israel synagogue in Brooklyn.

Dr. Elfenbein developed an interest in medieval Halachic Responsa early in his student days. He devoted himself to research and published a number of books, as well as many articles in contemporary Jewish journals in Hebrew, Yiddish and English. A good deal of his writings remained in manuscript form, many of which are represented in this collection.

Elfenbein was a lecturer at the Herzl Institute in New York City in the late 1950s-early 1960s. He was a member of the United Synagogue of America, the Academicians, the American Oriental Society, the Society of Biblical Literature, the Board of Jewish Rabbis, the American Jewish Congress, and the American Committee for Israeli Affairs. He was the author of The World of Rashi ; Maimonides, The Man and His Times ; Palestine Under Turkish Rule as Reflected in Responsa Literature ; Problems of Jewish Reconstruction in America ; and The Synagogue as a Leavening Force in American Jewry ; among others. He also published under the pseudonyms Dayan al Yahud, Israel Shenhabim, and Ben Elyakim. In 1957, he edited the memorial book dedicated to I.Z. Frischberg. In 1962, he assisted in the compilation of a volume celebrating his own jubilee. Elfenbein was the executive director of the Education and Expansion Department of the Religious Zionists of America, also known as the Mizrachi Organization in the U.S., from 1938-1962, and the editor of Or Hamizrach (Light of the East), a Hebrew publication for rabbis, teachers and students. In addition, he contributed articles to Sinai , Tarbitz (Hit), Talpiot (a neighborhood in Jerusalem), Jewish Quarterly Review , and Jewish Forum . He attempted to publish a journal of Jewish scientific studies, Hameasef (Literary Anthology), in 1923, but was unsuccessful. He was the editor of The Voice of the People from 1932-1944. He was married to Etta Hurwitz Elfenbein, with whom he had daughters Annette (Goldie) Barth and Sarah Rothman and son Ira Lee.

Israel Elfenbein died in New York City on September 13, 1964.

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: Permission to use the collection must be obtained from the YIVO Archivist.

Use Restrictions:

Permission to publish part or parts of the collection must be obtained from the YIVO Archives. For more information, contact:

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: archives@yivo.cjh.org

Acquisition Method: The collection was given to the YIVO Archives by Etta Elfenbein, Israel Elfenbein’s wife, in April 1971.

Separated Materials: There is no information about materials that are associated by provenance to the described materials that have been physically separated or removed.

Related Materials: The YIVO Library has several books by Elfenbein, many of which are represented among the manuscripts in this collection, as well as copies of the Elfenbein Jubilee Volume and the I.Z. Frischberg Memorial Volume . There are also some other materials about the Mizrachi Organization of America, where Elfenbein was executive director of the education department. The American Jewish Historical Society has the American Jewish Congress Records, I-77.

Preferred Citation: Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Papers of Israel Elfenbein; RG 773; folder number; YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

Series 1: Series I: Correspondence, Documents and Clippings, 1912-1965,
Series 2: Series II: Sermons, Speeches, Lectures and Radio Talks, 1914-1960,
Series 3: Series III: Articles and Pamphlets, 1916-1963,
Series 4: Series IV: Manuscripts and Typescripts, 1911-1970, undated,
All

Series IV: Manuscripts and Typescripts 1911-1970, undated

The writings in this series are by Dr. Elfenbein as well as by other authors, including drafts, notes, research materials, and early or alternate versions of later published works, book reviews of works by Elfenbein as well as reviews written by Elfenbein of writings by other authors, and working drafts of essays that may not have ever been published. These works include essays about well-known rabbis and scholars, some historical, such as Maimonides and the Tosafists, and others who were known to Elfenbein personally, such as Rabbi Kook and Solomon Freehof, as well as medieval Responsa and Responsa from Elfenbein’s own time. There are also note cards and clippings that were most likely used as research and organizational materials for Elfenbein’s writings.

There is a fair amount of material in note and draft form that seems to relate to Rashi Responsa , which are mainly undated. Rashi Responsa was published in 1943, so the draft materials are most likely from around that time. There are also other materials concerning Rashi that seem to date from after Rashi Responsa was published. These materials are generally all labeled as Rashi Responsa, even when they do not say that on the materials themselves. Folder 206-212 are labeled Pirke Avot, while folders 213-224 are labeled The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot). However, these materials may all refer to the same work.

Elfenbein’s notes in folders 238-245 are generally in English and Hebrew on 3x5 cards or on scraps of paper. Some of the notes have been classified and placed in envelopes while others are included in folders but are not arranged or classified. The notes in the main refer to bibliographic references. Manuscripts and transcriptions by other authors can be found in the middle of the series and, as they may have been used as research for Elfenbein’s own work, they have not been separated out into a subseries.

Folders: 127

Folder 119: Essay on Political and Social Conditions of the Jews as Reflected in the Responsa of Solomon Ben Adriet 1911: other title: Jewish Communal Life in Spain in the Later Part of the XIII Century
79 pp., handwritten on notebook paper
Folder 120: Essay on Political and Social Conditions of the Jews as Reflected in the Responsa of Solomon Ben Adriet 1911: rewritten on 79 pp.
Folder 121: The Inner Organization of the Jewish Community of Spain During the XIII Century undated: typescript carbon
32pp.
Folder 122: Isaac ben Meir Halevi of Duren 1915: manuscript, pp. 3-33 (pp. 1-2 missing), plus pp. xliv-lx, English, c. 1915
typescript carbon of article with same title, 17 pp.
1 p. of Hebrew manuscript, same title, undated
Folder 123: The Future of the American Synagogue 1919: 7 pp. typewritten, English
Folder 124: Miracles in Present Day Thought 1920: 9 pp. typewritten, English
Folder 125: Life - a Blessing or a Burden 1923: 8 pp. typewritten, English, 1923 or earlier
Folder 126: The Empire of Palestine 1939: 2 pp. typewritten, English
Folder 127: Chief Rabbi Kook - the Man as I Knew Him 1944: English (see folder 107)
original and carbon, 5 pp. typewritten
another version, carbon copy, 4 pp.
Yiddish manuscript of same, 4 pp. handwritten
Folder 128: Professor Tchernowitz and Toldot Haposkim (History of the Jewish Judges) c.1947: book review, 6 pp. typewritten, English with some Hebrew references
Folder 129: The Responsa Literature by Dr. Solomon B. Freehof 1955: book review, carbon copies of two versions, 4 pp., 5 pp., English
Folder 130: Introduction to the Anthology of Responsa 1956: carbon copy of 3 pp. typewritten, English
Folder 131: Ghettoizing the American Jewish School System 1956: carbon copy, 3 pp. typewritten, English
Folder 132: A Solitary Liberal Voice in South Africa 1956: carbon copy, 3 pp. typewritten, English
Folder 133: The Story of Maimon - the Man of Destiny 1956: mimeographed, 3 pp., English
Folder 134: L'hakar Baalei Hatosefot (Review of The Tosafists) 1956: review in Hebrew, of book by Dr. E. Urbach, carbon copy, 4 pp. typewritten, plus 2 pp. revised version
Folder 135: L'hakar Netivot Hatalmud (Review of In the Paths of the Talmud) 1957: review in Hebrew, of book by Dr. S. Federbush, 6 pp. carbon copy of typewritten material, plus several pp. other versions of the review, plus 3 cards of notations
Folder 136: Hashpaat Medinat Yisrael al Hokhmat Yisrael (The Influence of the State of Israel on the Wisdom of Israel) undated: essay in Hebrew, 3 pp. typewritten
Folder 137: Haim Shoys - Ishiuto V'yitzirato (Chayim Shauss - Personality and Work) 1956: essay, Hebrew, 9 pp., typewritten
bibliography submitted by Yefim Yeshurun, 6 pp. typewritten
12 pp. of penciled notes and additional notes on index cards
Folder 138: Kavim Lidmuto shel Harav Zev Gold (Main Characteristics of Rabbi Zev Gold) 1956: essay, Hebrew, carbon copy of 3 pp., typed
Folder 139: Yung Izrael (Young Israel) undated: essay, Yiddish manuscript in reply to Rabbi Ebbin, 4 pp.
Folder 140: Rashi Responsa undated: Rashi Responsa was published in New York, 1943, 412 pp.
essay, Hebrew, 10 pp. typewritten plus 3 pp. remarks, plus envelope of miscellaneous notes
Folder 141: Rashi Responsa undated: student notebook with transcriptions from the Rashi manuscript at the Jewish Theological Seminary library and other libraries, Hebrew
5 pp. notes by Elfenbein
38 pp. of transcriptions of manuscript material, source not given and not Elfenbein's handwriting, paragraphs 130-170 of the manuscript, also enumerated as 1-37
Folder 142: Rashi Responsa undated: student notebook with repetition of most of the material transcribed as in previous folder, all in Elfenbein's handwriting, paragraphs 141-164, also enumerated as paragraphs 10-33, tarnscribed material is both in ink and in pencil with some notations, Hebrew
pp. 20a-45b, 23 pp.
5 pp. manuscript in ink and pencil
Folder 143: Rashi Responsa undated: 28 pp., manuscript transcribed in pencil, paragraphs 134-161
Folder 144: Rashi Responsa undated: 32 pp. of addenda, Hebrew, not arranged, 2 pp. typewritten, 30 pp. handwritten, ink and pencil, containing transcriptions and notations
Folder 145: Rashi Responsa undated: typescript in Hebrew, with revisions in ink, 32 pp., pp. 201-237
Folder 146: Rashi Responsa undated: typed material, addenda and corregenda, with many duplicate pp., revisions appear on most copies, pp. 17-63 on legal sized paper, in all, 50 pp., some originals, but mainly carbons and multiple copies
second set of addenda with different pagination, 18 pp., multiple copies
Folder 147: Rashi Responsa undated: typed material, original material that was not edited out by Elfenbein, 21 pp.
Folder 148: Rashi Responsa undated: introductory material to the volume, Hebrew, typed and manuscript
1 p. introduction
3 pp. listing abbreviations (acronyms) of references
2 pp. of references to local French words appearing in the original Rashi material
2 pp. of definitions of words and idioms
8 pp. listing the names of scholars who are mentioned in the Rashi manuscript
Folder 149: Rashi Responsa undated: carbon copies of typed Hebrew material listing extensive bibliographies and indices of source material
Folder 150: Rashi Responsa undated: fragments, notes, duplicate material
Hebrew, English
Folder 151: Sefer Haseforim L'Rashi - Seder V'halachot Tfilah (The Torah of Rashi - Order and Laws of Prayer) 1948-1951: transcription from an original Rashi manuscript in Munich, with annotations by Elfenbein, Hebrew
16 pp. typed, preface and 9 pp. of materials, pp. 1a-16, including carbon copies of some pp., almost all pp. have revisions in ink, paragraphs 1-40 of the original manuscript, 1948
another version of above, original, typed in Hebrew, may have been prepared earlier, paragraphs 1-61 or original manuscript appear to have been completely transcribed, revisions in ink appear on pp., notations on reverse of some pp.
preface, 1 p., typed and prepared after 1951
4 photostats of manuscript in Munich Library
Folder 152: Sefer Haseforim L'Rashi - Halachot Netilat Yadayim (The Torah of Rashi - Laws of Washing Hands) undated: annotated tarnscription of Munich manuscript (cont.), Hebrew
14 pp. of typed material with revisions in ink and pencil, paragraphs 46-92, pp. 157-167
12 pp. of carbon copies of above with revisions
10 pp. of carbon copies of above with some revisions
Folder 153: Rashi Responsa undated: manuscript, Hebrew, incomplete, 13 pp. letter sized paper plus 5 cards
Folder 154: Rashi Responsa undated: typescripts of above
2 pp. of introduction, 12 pp., 2pp.
carbon copies of above, incomplete and with revisions
another version, original typescript with carbons and revisions
Folder 155: Rashi Responsa undated: 14 pp., pencil and ink, Hebrew
47 pp., largely pencil, some ink, a few typed pages, English
Folder 156: Rashi in his Responsa undated: published as a chapter in Simon Federbush's "Rashi, his Teachings and Personality," New York, 1958, pp. 63-98
reprint to be found in folder 111 as well as YIVO Library #6/53189
carbon of typescript, multiple copies of some pages, including revisions, 69pp., undated (original typescript apparently consisted of 27 pp. plus additional pp. of appendices, etc.)
notes in ink, English, 6 index cards
Folder 157: Sefer Hamussar L'Reb Judah Khalaz (The Book of Morals by Rabbi Judah Khalaz) 1914: manuscript, Hebrew, 6 pp., chapter I
Folder 158: Sefer Hamussar L'Reb Judah Khalaz (The Book of Morals by Rabbi Judah Khalaz) 1914: manuscripts, English
"Essay on the Sefer Hamussar of Rabbi Judah Khalaz," 16 pp. in a student notebook, paginated 1-8, 1914
"Some Contributions to the Hermeneutics of the Talmud," 2 pp. in same notebook
Folder 159: Sefer Hamussar L'Reb Judah Khalaz (The Book of Morals by Rabbi Judah Khalaz) c.1915: manuscript, English, 37 pp. on notebook paper
Folder 160: Sefer Haminhagim (Book of Customs) c.1938: galley proofs of introductory chapter, pp. XVII-XLVIII, Hebrew
Folder 161: Sefer Haminhagim (Book of Customs) c.1938: handwritten copy of manuscript material in bound ledger, manuscript from JTS archives, 34/88, of Book of Customs by Rabbi Meir of Rothenberg
copy is entered on pp. 25-159 of the ledger, additional pagination is provided by numbers MS 1-30b
material is arranged as text on right hand page, left page as well as extreme right column are utilized for notations and references
Folder 162: Sefer Haminhagim (Book of Customs) c.1938: handwritten copy of manuscript materials as above, 36 pp. of copy, paginated as 15a-69
Folder 163: Sefer Haminhagim (Book of Customs) 1935: typescripts of portions
pp. I-XIV, XXXI of Introduction, Hebrew
carbon copy of typescript of Title Page and 4 pp. of Preface, Hebrew
Folder 164: Teshuvot Rabbi Chananel (Responsa of Rabbi Chananel) undated: copy of manuscript with notes by Elfenbein
26 pp. original typewritten copy material, pagination irregular and incomplete, Hebrew
12 pp. carbon copies of above
5 pp. a third copy of above
Folder 165: Teshuvot Rabbi Chananel (Responsa of Rabbi Chananel) undated: 2 photostats of portion of manuscript, Hebrew
Folder 166: Teshuvot Rabbi Chananel (Responsa of Rabbi Chananel) undated: notebook with additional handwritten copy of material, 10 pp.
4 pp. notes, envelopes with scraps and notes, Hebrew
Folder 167: Teshuvot Rabbi Chananel (Responsa of Rabbi Chananel) undated: additional scraps and notes, 33 pp. of handwritten copy material in pencil and ink, notes, also 5 cards of notes, Hebrew
Folder 168: Shvilei Haleket (Paths of the Gleanings) undated: manuscript, Hebrew, handwritten, Medieval Italy
27 pp., numbered 67a-71a, Hebrew paragraphs
additional copy, 8 pp., numbered 13c-19a, Hebrew paragraphs
17 pp., numbered 1-17, ink and pencil, copied from Florence manuscript, Plut 88-Coc 33 (1-69)
4 pp., paginated irregularly 1, 1a, 10, 10a, Florence manuscript
Folder 169: Paskei Proventza (Halachic Decisions of Provence) undated: photostat of manuscript MICH 46, f101a, Oxford University
handwritten copy prepared by David Frankel, 6 pp., c. 1920s
typed copy of above, along with carbon copy
2 sets of revised copies, each 5 pp., irregular pagination
7 pp. scraps and notes
Folder 170: Teshuvot Rabbi Gershom Me'or Hagolah (Responsa of Rabbi Gershom the Light of the Exile) undated: Hebrew transcription from several manuscript sources, 86 pp., largely handwritten, some typewritten, occasional carbon copies, containing Elfenbein's notes and remarks, paginated 1-25b
transcriptions from the following manuscripts: Oxford 397, 844; Ferenzi 33; Goldschmidt 177; Sulzberger 85, 85c-d, 90
Folder 171: Teshuvot Rabbi Gershom Me'or Hagolah (Responsa of Rabbi Gershom the Light of the Exile) undated: continuation of above, 46 pp., paginated 25-51a
additional manuscript sources: Goldschmidt 160, 161; Sulzberger 80b, 77
Folder 172: Teshuvot Rabbi Gershom Me'or Hagolah (Responsa of Rabbi Gershom the Light of the Exile) undated: 10 pp. of typewritten drafts, manila envelopes with notes, scraps and fragments
Folder 173: Miscellaneous transcriptions undated: "Lekutei Mekhilta Dr. Simon ben Yochoi L'sefer Shmot" (Collection of Commentaries of Rabbi Simon ben Yochoi on the Book of Exodus), typed transcription of manuscript in Paris, 15 (originally) typed pp. with penciled notes by Elfenbein, Hebrew
"Bundle of Letters Relating to Palestine and Egypt," 2 typed pp. of transcription material of manuscript in Adler Collection (BMu) #2740, letter #3, 16th century, Hebrew
"Igeret Teman" (Letter from Yemen), typed transcription of manuscript, with reference to Jesus, transcription is in Hebrew characters, but language is apparently Arabic, additional comments in Hebrew by two scholars of the Middle Ages, all on one sheet of boxed paper
also handwritten transcription of "Igeret Teman" in Elfenbein's handwriting, 2 4x6 cards
Folder 174: Rabbi Menahem Ziembe of Praga (1882-1943) 1959: manuscript, Hebrew, 8 pp., handwritten, with revisions
2 pp., carbon copy of typescript, plus 2 additional carbons of slightly different version
Folder 175: Rabbi Menahem Ziembe of Praga (1882-1943) 1959: English version of above article:
carbon copy of typescript, 19 pp.
carbon copies of previous drafts and revisions, 23 pp.
carbon copies of drafts and revisions, 13 pp.
Folder 176: Rabbi Menahem Ziembe of Praga (1882-1943) 1959-1960: polemics about Elfenbein's article:
typewritten draft of essay in defense of article, Hebrew
letter from Hadoar (Mail) apparently rejecting this or similar essays, Hebrew
Dos Yidishe Vort (The Yiddish Word): "Vos iz Yidisher Koved" (What is Jewish Honor), by Rabbi Simcha Elberg, Adar 2, 5709 (1949), article attacking Elfenbein's Ziemba article, Yiddish
Hapardes (Orchard): "Marad Hagito, R' Menahem Ziemba" (Ghetto Uprising, Rabbi Menahem Ziemba), by Rabbi Simcha Elberg, volume 33, issue 7, Nisan 5719 (1959), Hebrew
articles critical of Elfenbein with reference to his article on Ziemba, Hebrew:
Hapardes (Orchard): "Hitkomemut b'gito Varshe" (Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto), by Rabbi I.A. Henkin
Hapardes (Orchard): "Hamarad b'gito Varshe" (The Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto), by Rabbi M. Schwartzman, year 33, volume 9, Sivan 5719 (1959)
clippings from Jewish Day (Tog), 5/8/59, 6/5/59, 9/1/60
Folder 177: Menahem Ziemba material undated: scraps and fragments
Folder 178: Letter by Rabbi Chaim Wolozin c.1920: manuscript, Hebrew, handwritten transcription of manuscript in the archives of the Judische Nationale Bibliotek in Jerusalem (now known as the Jewish National and University Library)
transcription is of letter written by Rabbi Wolozin in 1814, addressed to "adorers and supporters of Torah" deploring the neglect of the study of Torah
transcription is on the stationary of the library, 4 pp., with some pencil markings by Elfenbein, probably just prior to 1920 or in the early 1920s
Folder 179: Responsa by Rabbi Wolf Pohorilla undated: manuscript, Hebrew, 6pp., letter from Rabbi Pohorilla to Rabbi Nahum Esrog on halachic subject, one third of pp. 5-6 are missing, undated but probably written somewhere between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century
photostats of pp. 1, 2, 6
Folder 180: Hearot al Shir Hashirim (Notes on Song of Songs) c.1921-1922: manuscript, Hebrew, by Rabbi David de Sola Pool, undated but written about 1921 or 1922, 11 pp. with remarks and notations by Elfenbein, was to have appeared in the scholarly journal Hameasef (Literary Anthology)
see folder 30 for correspondence with Dr. de Sola Pool
Folder 181: Responsa by Rabbi A.D. Burack c.1960: manuscript, Hebrew, on halacha, 8 pp. out of 11, first 3 pp. missing
included in this folder is biographical sketch of Rabbi Burack for Jewish Horizon prepared by Elfenbein, 2 pp. of carbon copy of English typescript
Folder 182: Keter Torah V'shem Tov (Good Name and Good Crown) c.1959: typescript, Hebrew, by Rabbi Aaron Pichenik, profile of the late Chief Rabbi I.A. Herzog
Folder 183: Rabbi Jechiel Michael Charlop file 1927-1962: handwritten copy of letter from Rabbi Charlop to his son, Rabbi Ch. S. Charlop, containing halachic responsa, Hebrew, 4 pp., 1938
letter from Rabbi Charlop to Rabbi J.A. Breisman about halachic responsa involving Passover, Hebrew, 1 p., 1927
postcard from Rabbi Ch. S. Charlop to Or Hamizrach (Light of the East) about his father, J.M. Charlop, Hebrew, 1962
brief sketch of Rabbi J.M. Charlop, Hebrew, 2 pp., undated, attached are two pages of bibliography of Rabbi J.M. Charlop's writings, the sketch is handwritten by Dayan al Yahud (Elfenbein) in the 1960s
typescript of above
typescript by Elfenbein of extracts from Rabbi Charlop's writings, 1 p., 3 paragraphs
manuscript, Hebrew, Tiferet Tzion v'Yerushalayim (Pride of Zion and Jerusalem - a profile of the late Rabbi J.M. Charlop), written by Rabbi Israel Porath, Cleveland, 3 pp. legal-sized paper
typescript, Hebrew, Partzufi shel Rabbeinu HaRav (The Character of Rabbi J.M. Charlop), by Rabbi J.D. Charlop, 2 pp.
Folder 184: Akhilat Poel B'shaat Avodah (Eating While Working - the Laborer Partaking of Food he is Producing) 1960s: manuscript, Hebrew, a halachic essay by Rabbi Jechiel Michael Charlop, 13 pp. legal-sized paper
Folder 185: Torato shel Rabbeinu (Our Rabbi's Teachings) 1960s: manuscript, Hebrew, by Rabbi I. Porath, 2 pp. legal-size paper, extracts from a lecture given at Haichal Shelomo, Jerusalem
Folder 186: Hearot B'rambam - Halkhut Shmitah V'yovl (Remarks by Maimonides on the Laws Pertaining to the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilee) 1960s: typescript, Hebrew, by Rabbi Baruch Rakover, Haifa, 8 pp.
Folder 187: Biographical sketch of Rabbi Eliezer Halevi Rosenfeld (1862-1942) undated: typescript, Hebrew, author unknown, 4 pp.
Folder 188: Biographical sketch of Rabbi J.S. Singer (1899-1942) undated: typescript, Hebrew, untitled, author unknown, Rabbi Singer was killed in the Holocaust
Folder 189: Biographical sketch of Rabbi Naphtali Mariles (1828-1890), rabbi in Litovsk 1970: typescript, Hebrew, untitled, author unknown, included is a carbon copy of above, editorial revisions appear on both original and copy
Folder 190: Hamelamed V'lomed B'darshut Hatorah (Teacher and Learner in the Interpretation of the Torah) undated: by Rabbi Jonah Marzbach, 3 pp.
Folder 191: Halikhot Olam (The Walk of Life) c.1961: typescript, Hebrew, essay by Rabbi Isaac Stahlman, 7 pp.
Folder 192: Responsa of Rashi 1944: copy of typescript, English, review by Abraham Burstein, 2 pp.
Folder 193: Palestine in the 16th Century 1926: typescript, English, title page plus pp. 5g-5k, (5 pp., table of contents), part I, chapter I, pp. 1-10 (15 pp., version 1), pp. 6-10k (16 pp., version 2)
part I, chapter II, pp. 11-30, 26 pp.
part II, chapters I, II, III, pp. 31-59, 29 pp.
part II, chapter IV, pp. 60-89, 30 pp.
Folder 194: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part III, chapters II-III, pp. 110-139 (28 pp., p. 128 missing)
part III, chapter IV, pp. 140-150, 11 pp.
part III, pp. 165-168, pp. 170-180, 14 pp.
Folder 195: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part IV, chapter I, pp. 200a-203, 9 pp.
pp. 210-229a, 75 pp., several versions with mixed numeration
Folder 196: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part IV, chapter II, pp. 228-243, 58 pp., several versions, mixed pagination
Folder 197: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, appendix A, 3 pp.
appendix I, 11 pp.
appendix IIA, 2 pp.
appendix D, 10 pp., B1-B16a
appendix D, 4 pp., D1-D4
addenda and corrigenda (errata), 18 pp., AC 7-24
Folder 198: Palestine in the 16th Century 1956, undated: fragments:
typescript, English, 2 documents "Relating to Napoleon and Restoration of Jews in Palestine, 1799," 2 pp. and 1 p., undated, presumably prepared by Elfenbein
typescript, Hebrew, essay by Elfenbein on Palestine under Turkish Rule to Napoleonic Wars, 1956
manuscript, Hebrew in pencil, by Elfenbein, on above subject
10 pp. of miscellaneous scraps, original typescript and carbon copies
Folder 199: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, table of contents, preface, part I, chapters I and II, some pages of previous version, not paginated sequentially
Folder 200: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part II, chapters I, II, IV, VII, IX, pp. 20-89
Folder 201: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part III, chapters I-IV, VI-VIII, plus another version of chapter VI, not paginated sequentially
Folder 202: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part IV, chapter I, pp. 200a-227, pagination irregular, includes some pages of addenda
Folder 203: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, part IV, chapter II, pp. 228-249, some pages missing
chapter III, pp. 250-250d
Folder 204: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: typescript, English, appendices and bibliography, not paginated completely
Folder 205: Palestine in the 16th Century undated: miscellaneous fragments, English, handwritten in pencil and ink, typed, some notes on scraps and cards
Folder 206: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 1952: Elfenbein's translation
typescript, Hebrew, from microfilm of manuscript in Leningrad (Father Antonin Collection), typescript prepared by Dr. A.I. Katsch, NYU, 6 chapters, 25 pp.
typescript, Hebrew, Katsch's introduction to above material, indicating variation from other versions of Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), 5 pp.
clipping of article by Katsch, "Ethics of the Father," Message for World Leadership, English, from Jewish Forum, Nov. 1952, pp. 174-176
letter to Elfenbein from Rabbi Jacob Kohn of Congregation Sinai, L.A., detailing variations in the text of Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), English, 10/9/52
Folder 207: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) undated: chapter I, 21 pp., Hebrew typescript, drafts, notes, duplicate pp., incomplete
Folder 208: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) undated: chapter II, 24 pp., Hebrew typescript, drafts, notes, duplicate pp., incomplete
Folder 209: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) undated: chapter III, 7 pp., Hebrew typescript, drafts, notes, duplicate pp., incomplete
Folder 210: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) undated: chapter IV, 9 pp., Hebrew typescript, drafts, notes, duplicate pp., incomplete
Folder 211: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) undated: chapter V, 13 pp., Hebrew typescript, drafts, notes, duplicate pp., incomplete
Folder 212: Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) undated: chapter VI, 12 pp., Hebrew typescript, drafts, notes, duplicate pp., incomplete
Folder 213: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) 1953: title page, introduction, bibliography, 21 pp., English typescript, possibly the same as above, carbon copies with corrections
Folder 214: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter I, 21 pp., English typescript, carbon copies with corrections
Folder 215: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter II, 22 pp., English typescript, carbon copies with corrections
Folder 216: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter II, 23 pp., English typescript, carbon copies with corrections
Folder 217: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter IV, 20 pp., English typescript, carbon copies with corrections
Folder 218: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter I, English, notes and previous drafts of above material, generally carbon copies
Folder 219: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter II, English, notes and previous drafts of above material, generally carbon copies
Folder 220: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter III, English, notes and previous drafts of above material, generally carbon copies
Folder 221: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter IV, English, notes and previous drafts of above material, generally carbon copies
Folder 222: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter V, English, notes and previous drafts of above material, generally carbon copies
Folder 223: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: chapter VI, English, notes and previous drafts of above material, generally carbon copies
Folder 224: The Foundations of the Ethics of the Pharisees (Avot) undated: miscellaneous notes, drafts of above, English
Folder 225: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: ascribed to the Maharsham (Sholom Mordechai Schwadron), a nineteenth-century Rabbinic scholar known as the Last of the Poskim - Rabbinic Authorities
1057 individual pp., each 9x6 inches, in 10 folders
each consists of a halachic ruling in the form of a responsa
occasionally there is more than one ruling on a page
Hebrew
100 pp.
Folder 226: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 227: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 228: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 229: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 230: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 231: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 232: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 233: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 234: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
100 pp.
Folder 235: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch undated: same as above
57 pp.
Folder 236: Poskei Din - Halachic Decisions collected by Rabbi Chaim Bloch 1963: miscellaneous materials
letter by Rabbi Bloch to Elfenbein attesting to the fact that none of the above responsa have ever been published
letter is undated, but was probably written in 1962-1963
photocopy of letter by Rabbi N. Grauman to Elfenbein, 11/12/63 postmark, intimating that Rabbi Chaim Bloch had been accused of forging letters and responsa and cautioning Elfenbein against publishing any of the material ascribed to Maharsham, original of letter in folder 72
Hebrew manuscript by Elfenbein, Practices of the Maharsham in the Synagogue, 1 p., undated
9 selections of Responsa of Maharsham prepared by Elfenbein
Folder 237: Copybook of Responsa material undated: copybook apparently copied by Rabbi David Frankel from several manuscript sources, the cover bears the title in Hebrew, apparently in Elfenbein's handwriting, translated it reads: Manuscript of Rabbi David Frankel of Vienna
one notation refers to 1931
30 numbered pp. are handwritten copies from original manuscripts, additionally numbered 1-63C, some paragraphs refer to specific scholars and their responsa
miscellaneous pencilled notes on other pages of the copybook in German, English, Hebrew referring to bibliography
Folder 238: Notes on Rashi Material 1939-1943, undated: Rashi the Man, Rashi Responsa, Oriental Names and Places in Responsa
some envelopes of materials
clipping, 1939
Folder 239: Notes on the Lives of Rabbinic Authorities undated: Hebrew title, envelopes and fragments
Folder 240: Notes on Ritualistic Customs (Minhagim) undated: Hebrew title, English, envelopes and fragments
Folder 241: Notes on Palestine undated: 10 envelopes with notes on various subjects
Folder 242: Notes on Palestine undated: (minhagim) customs, cities, economics
Folder 243: Notes on Palestine undated: unorganized
Folder 244: Notes on Palestine undated: unorganized
Folder 245: Notes and clippings on Hasidism 1922-1926, undated: Hebrew, Yiddish, English