Bibliography of the works of Rabbi Yaakov Hayim Sofer, rosh Yeshivat Kaf ha-Hayim - Part II

The Bibliography

As I mentioned in a post on 7/18/2011, I have prepared a preliminary bibliography of the works of the contemporary rabbinic scholar, Rabbi Yaakov Hayim Sofer (rosh Yeshivat Kaf ha-Hayim in Israel). See that post for more information about Rabbi Sofer's writings and the methodology of the bibliography. Here is a link to a downloadable PDF of the bibliography:

https://www.yousendit.com/sharedFolder?phi_action=app/orchestrateSharedFolder&id=A4Y6wi9CEaUcHSVZD-Mk2ckQtjWm0JQWme6o8gT8lUU

Bibliography of the works of Rabbi Yaakov Hayim Sofer, rosh Yeshivat Kaf ha-Hayim - Part I

Introduction

Rabbi Yaakov Hayim Sofer, rosh yeshivah of Yeshivat Kaf ha-Hayim in Yerushalayim (http://kafhahaim.streenet.com/he/home.htm), is a prolific author who writes on a myriad of topics relating to all aspects of Torah study (including important bio-bibliographic studies). His works are distinguished by a very impressive command of the entire corpus of rabbinic writings - from the writings of the Tanaim up until the writings of present day scholars.

Although Rabbi Sofer has published many works containing his own essays, much of his output has been in the form of extensive notes written on the works of previous scholars. These notes have often been published at the backs of new editions of these scholars’ publications. Contemporary scholars who receive approbations from Rabbi Sofer for their works are often rewarded with his comments on their book’s subject, appended to his approbation. These practices make the identification and collation of all Rabbi Sofer’s writings difficult. In addition, Rabbi Sofer shares his name with his grandfather, the famous posek and kabbalist who wrote Kaf ha-Hayim and other works. This may confuse some people.

In order to distinguish them, the Library of Congress authority file lists the contemporary rosh yeshivah as: “Sofer, Yaakov Haim”. The author of Kaf ha-Hayim is identified in the authority record as: “Sofer, Ya‘akov Hayim, 1869 or 70-1939”. Another difference recorded by the Library of Congress is that the contemporary rosh yeshivah is “ben Yitshak Shalom” whereas the author of Kaf ha-Hayim is “ben Yitshak Barukh”.

In order to assist in the recognition of the contemporary Rabbi Sofer’s writings, I have prepared a bibliography of his publications. It can only be said to be a preliminary bibliography since I have been unable to personally examine some of the works and editions. Furthermore, I have not taken what would, surely, be the great amount of time necessary to compare the contents of all the books and note what, if any, essays or notes appear in multiple publications. It is, also, to be presumed that many of Rabbi Sofer’s articles that have been published in periodical literature, have been reprinted in his self-published works. Again, I have not taken the time to ascertain when this has occurred. Finally, I am certain that due to their lack of mention in the databases I have consulted, I have completely omitted many of Rabbi Sofer’s articles printed in periodical literature.

I have divided the bibliography into three sections:
1) Books containing primarily Rabbi Sofer’s own writings
2) Books written primarily by other authors that have been published together with Rabbi Sofer’s notes and comments. Each section is arranged alphabetically. I have generally listed only the latest edition of each work, except where the Jewish Theological Seminary Library has only an earlier edition, in which case I have listed the edition that we have and the later edition. Where the JTS Library owns a copy of the work, I have noted the call number assigned to the item. Where the JTS Library does not own a copy, I have so noted.
3) Periodicals (and other collections of articles, such as festschriften) containing articles and notes written by Rabbi Sofer. The periodicals have been arranged alphabetically by periodical title and the articles within each periodical have been arranged alphabetically by article title.

In preparing the bibliography I made use of the list of Rabbi Sofer’s works published at the back of the various volumes of his work, Sefer Hadar Yaakov. I have also used the following catalogs and databases: JTS Library catalogue, JNUL catalogue, RAMBI, RAMBISH, COTAR, and the index to periodicals (and other collections of articles), on the "Bar Ilan ShuT Project CD" (version 15). I have also made use of the index to the journal Mekabtsiel (issues 1-30) published in v.30 (Adar II 5765) of that journal. I have, also, examined many of the works and items personally. I would like to thank my colleague, Ina Rubin Cohen, for her helpful suggestions of databases to search.

I intend, be-ezrat HaShem, to publish the bibliography on this blog over the coming weeks.

As mentioned above, there are certainly many lacunae to be found in this preliminary bibliography. (One desideratum is articles by Rabbi Sofer published in v.35-36 of Mekabtsiel, which I have been unable to examine.) I welcome any additions or corrections that can be supplied by our readers. I also welcome any biographical information regarding Rabbi Yaakov Hayim Sofer that can be supplied by our readers.

Articles on Jewish Prayers

Question:

Where can I find articles about the history of weekday shaharit prayers? I have identified many articles published since the mid-1960's in RAMBI, but I would also like to find articles published earlier in the 20th century.

Answer:

Joseph Tabory's magnificent bibliography Jewish Prayer and the Yearly Cycle רשימת מאמרים בענייני תפילה ומועדים , published as a Supplement to volume 64 of Kiryat Sefer (The Jewish National and University Library, 1993) is a comprehensive listing of articles, in Hebrew and European languages, published from the mid-1800's up to the 1990's.

It covers not only individual prayers and prayer services, but also historical aspects of Jewish prayer, prayer in specific geographic and ethnic communities, Shabbat and the holidays, the reading the Torah, the language of prayer, concepts expressed in the liturgy, and more.

Tabory has compiled corrections and additions to this bibliography, published with his facsimile edition of the 1628 Siddur Hanau סידור הנאו שפ"ח : מהדורה פקסימילית : עם פרקי מבוא ונספח ביבליוגרפי (Bar Ilan University, 1994). Reference BM 656 S5

Jewish Prayer and the Yearly Cycle is located in the JTS Library’s Reference collection at Z6371.L5 T3 1993

JTS Professors - Bibliographies of their writings

Patrons often have queries that require access to bibliographies of the writings of JTS professors. Here is a list of such bibliographies for six of our most noted professors. As you can see, some of the bibliographies are incomplete because they were written during their subject’s lifetime. We ask you to join the conversation by suggesting more comprehensive bibliographies or listing works that were published after the years covered in the given bibliographies. Thank you.

Prof. Louis Finkelstein (1895-1991)

Visotzky, Burton L.; Oppenheim, Micha Falk.
A bibliography of the writings of Louis Finkelstein
New York : Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1977.
Z8297.4 .J48 1977 (REF, CIR)
[only covers through 1974]

Hamelsdorf, Ora.
The writings of Louis Finkelstein, 1975-1985 : a supplement to A bibliography of the writings of Louis Finkelstein
[Typescript – prepared for the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, 1985]
Oversize Z8297.4 .J48 1977 Suppl (REF, CIR)
[only covers 1975-1985]

Prof. Louis Ginzberg (1873-1953)

Cohen, Boaz, 1899-1968.
Louis Ginzberg ; jubilee volume on the occasion of his seventieth birthday [English section]
New York : The American Academy for Jewish Research, 1945.
BM42.A2 G5 (REF, CIR)
p.19-47
[only covers through 1945]

Prof. Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972)

Rothschild, Fritz A.
Between God and man : an interpretation of Judaism from the writings of Abraham Joshua Heschel
New York : Free Press Paperbacks, 1997.
BM561 .H45 1997 (CIR)
p.275 -298

Prof. Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881-1983)

Cohen, Gerson D. ; Newman, Roberta
The American Judaism of Mordecai M. Kaplan
New York : New York University Press, c1990.
BM755.K289 A84 1990 (CIR)
p.415-452

Prof. Saul Lieberman (1898 -1983)

Preschel, Tovia ; Friedman, Shamma.
Sefer ha-ziḳaron le-Rabi Shaʾul Liberman - Saul Lieberman Memorial Volume
Nyu Yorḳ : Bet ha-sefarim le-rabanim be-Ameriḳah, 1993.

BM42.A2. L562 1993 (REF, CIR)
p. [1]-28

Prof. Solomon Schechter (1849?-1915)

Oko, Adolph S., 1883-1944.
Solomon Schechter : a bibliography
Cambridge [Eng.] : The University Press, 1938.
Z8789.3 .O42 (REF,CIR, SRR)