Seforimchatter AuctionChatter: Tavin Auction 1 (with R' Moshe Kravetz)
Jan 18, 2026
R' Moshe (Ramesha) Kravetz, a historian and editor, dives into the fascinating world of seforim research. He reveals how a mysterious box led to the founding of the Tavin auction house. Engaging tales include the tracing of a New Shalem copy's journey from Suvalk to Jerusalem, and riveting details about Rabbi Kirshenbaum's connections within the publishing world. The discussion also covers enigmatic marginalia, a polemic against cremation, and the significance of authentic signatures, giving listeners a rare glimpse into the historical context of these precious texts.
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Episode notes
Books As Living History
- Researching auction lots uncovers living stories and networks, not just texts.
- R' Moshe Kravetz treats each sefer as a doorway into real people and history.
An Old Sefer Revealed Global Networks
- A New Shalem copy traces an entrepreneur sent by proto-Zionists who lost his funds and befriended Rav Shmuel Salant.
- The book contains a worldwide subscribers' list from 1890s America, Europe and Egypt, revealing broad support.
Haskamot Reveal Networks And Careers
- Early rabbinic periodicals and haskamot can expose networks of correspondence and publishing ambitions.
- Signatures and stamps often timestamp a work within an author's early career and connections.
