BERENSTEIN, SAMUEL

AUCTION 27 | Tuesday, February 08th, 2005 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Autographed Letters, Manuscripts, Ceremonial & Graphic Art

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Lot 249

BERENSTEIN, SAMUEL

Autograph Document Signed, in Hebrew. Kethav Chaver [Ordination as “Chaver”]. In this document Chief Rabbi Berenstein confers upon one “Samuel ben Joseph” the honorary title of “Chaver,” indicating that the conferee was a man of learning. This honorific was in vogue in Germany and Holland

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $750

The accomplished Talmudist, Samuel Berenstein (1773-1839) replaced his father-in-law, R. Jacob Moses Löwenstam, as Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam in 1815. Though strictly Orthodox in outlook and practice, he conceeded to make concessions to modernity, such as preaching in Dutch and donning the official dress prescribed by the Central Consistory (the three-cornered hat, and bands and gown). See Gans, Memorbook (1977), pp. 164, 314 (includes portrait); N.Z. Friedmann, Otzar Harabanim, p. 394, no. 19067.