Hebrew Books Printed in Keidan

1923

• “Beit Israel,” Innovations on tractate Shabbat by scholars of Beit Hamidrash, edited by Sh. Berlin, Keidan, 1923, 1924, 1925 (72 pages, 72 pages and 149 pages).

1924

• “Le Plagot Reuven.” On rabbinic divisions and connections from the end of each tractate to its beginning or to the adjacent tractate, according to their order… pilpul on laws and legends, by Zelig Reuven Ben Tzvi Bengis, part 1, Kovno (284 pages). Part 4 (288 pages), 1939.

1925

• “Hashlamat HaMidot.” An inspiration to continuously study and research Torah values on relations between man and his creator and between a person and his neighbor, by Sh. Fainsilber, (76 pages).
• “Tzemach David,” Innovations, answers and commentaries on Talmud, collected by Rappoport (158 pages).

1926

• “Khelko Shel Yosef,” Innovations on Talmud and Maimonides, by Yosef Zusmanovich.

1927

• “Higayon Yitzhak,” Clarifications on all declarations in Talmud, by Y. A. Friedman (176 pages).
• “Truat Melech,” Innovations and Clarifications…, by Y. Zusmanovich, (256 pages).

1928

• “Or HaTzafon,” Talks and instruction by our master, teacher and rabbi Nathan Tzvi Finkel. Published periodically in Slabodka by Rabbis Y. A. Sher and A. Grodzensky. Five booklets – Kovno – Keidan, 1928 – 1929, each 12 or 14 pages.
• “HaMedaber Bil’shon Arav,” Part 1, Basics of the Arabic language… for those who know Hebrew, by Akiva Golenfol. (73 pages).
• “Makor Baruch,” Investigations, comments, illuminations, clarifications on difficult issues and regulations in the teaching of Maimonides on matters of sanctity and purity, part 1, by Nachum Baruch Ginzburg. (136 pages).
• “Mishlei im Perush Or Noga,” by Raphael Grushkin. (159 pages).
• “P’nei Avraham,” Legal answers with innovations in Talmud and Maimonides, by A.Y. Perlman. (214 pages).
• “Tisha Prakim LeRambam,” Innovations and explanations on 9 chapters of divorce laws by Maimonides, by Sh. Z. Pines. (108 pages).

1929

• “Erez BeLevanon,” Eulogy on Rabbi Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor, by A.P. Aharonsohn. (31 pages). (1^st edition – Frankfurt am Main, 1897).
• “Derech HaMelech,” Innovations and explanations on Maimonides, by Kh. Y. Khoidinsky. (112 pages).
• “Drashot Eliezer,” part 1. For all seasons of the year and festivals with declarations on completion of tractates, by A. Shapira. (224 pages).
• “HaLeumiyut VeHaam HaYvri” (“On nationality and the Jewish people,”) by P.B. Aleksandrovich. (54 pages).
• “Kheker Yitzhak,” Innovations on Talmud issues and declarations, by Y.A. Friedman. (196 pages). (Addenda to his book: “Higayon Yitzhak“).
• “Lev HaAryeh,” On issues of faith and explanations of the Bible and sayings of the Mishna sages, by A. Meyerovich. (24 pages). (The cover states “Riga,” but it was actually printed in Keidan).
• “A History of Keidan (Kėdainiai) and its rabbis,” by M. Markovich. (13 pages). (1^st edition – Warsaw, 1913).
• “A history of Rassein (Raseiniai) and its rabbis,” by M. Markovich. (40 pages) (1^st edition – Warsaw, 1913)
• “Seder Hakafot KeMinhag Yurburg” (“The order of the [Simchat Torah] procession according to Yurburg tradition”). (24 pages).
• “Tzvi Gaon Yaakov,” Questions and answers with innovations on Mishna tractates, by Y. Oppenheim. (190 pages). (The cover states “Riga” but it was printed in Keidan).
• “Kol Bochim,” Eulogy on the death of Rabbi Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor, by B. Yafit. (18 pages). (1^st edition – Warsaw, 1897).
• “Tvuot Shemesh,” Laws on purifying dishes and references to first and last rabbinic authorities, by M. M. Shapira. (186 pages).
• “Tfilat HaDerech,”. (Redelheim, 1836; Leipzig, 1844; Warsaw, 1885; Vilna, 1903; Lvov, 1913).

1930

• “Eize Neshech,” Innovations and clarifications on Shulchan Aruch, Yore De’ah, by Sh. Z. Pines. (186 pages).
• “Dvar Avraham,” Questions and answers with innovations on Mishna issues, part 1, by Dov Shapira. (327 pages). (1^st edition – Warsaw-Piotrkow, 1906-1913).
• “Sefer Avodat Levi,” Includes innovations on laws and explanations of issues in Maimonides and methods concerning blessings and purifications, by Y. Ruderman. (158 pages).

1931

• “Or HaYashar,” On tractate Chullin, by our Teacher and Rabbi, Shmuel Yitzhak Hillman. (141 pages). (On tractate Zevachim, Jerusalem, 1938; on tractate Menachot, Jerusalem, 1938).
• “Hadarat Israel,” Discussions upon finishing the Mishna and some tractates, (228 pages).
• “Khibbat Shmuel,” Clarifications on division and choice and sentences of Tannaim… by Sh. Rudniya. (170 pages).
• “Kitvei Beit Israel,” Innovations on Mishna issues (on tractate Eruvin), compilers from the Beit Hamidrash Slobodka (Kovno). (168 pages). (part 1, Berlin 1923).
• “Maaseh HaShem,” Clarifications on legends of Talmud, by Yitzhak Aharon of Vilkomir. (24 pages). (1^st edition – Jerusalem 1892).
• “Nativ Meir,” On Maimonides, by Meir Leib Metz.

1932

• “Higayon HaTalmud,” To understand logic and methods of the Talmud sages, by M. Sh. Yefet. (90 pages).
• “Khidushei Halachot,” Setting an accent on Shulchan Aruch, by M. Grodzinsky. (148 pages).
• “Mizrach Shemesh; Ein HaShemesh,” Clarifications on the book of our teacher and rabbi Yaakov Levi Molin, by Moshe Meishel Shmuel Shapira.
• “Mishpatei Yaakov,” On the issues in tractate Kiddushin (order Nashim), by Y. Kastin. Kovno-Keidan 1932-1935.
• “Sde Yitzhak,” Innovations and clarifications with halachic rulings on different issues, by Y. Begun. (366 pages).

1933

• “Meshabeyakh…,” Additions to the book Mashbiakh, to discuss and clarify unclear passages in the Jerusalem Talmud, by M. Sh. Zivitz. (22 pages).

1934

• “HaSefer al Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor,” “The book of Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor,” by D. Biska. (31 pages).
• “HaSefer al mot Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor” “On the death of Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor,” by L. Frumkin. (12 pages). (1^st edition – London 1896).
• “Zera Chaim,” On the book “Zera Yitzhak” of Chaim Yitzhak Shilman, by Yosef Zusmanovich. Printed together with:
• “Zera Yitzhak,” Discussions on the Mishna and declarations, by Chaim Yitzhak Shilman. (368 pages).
• “Khochmat HaEmet VeHaMada” On the essence of the world and nature, and clarification on the act of creation, by A.M. Volkovsky. (80 pages).
• “Yeriyot Shlomo”. Clarification on the order of worship and sacrifices according to Maimonides, by Sh. Fainsilber. (268 pages).
• “Keter Shem Tov,” On the differences in custom and prayers between Sephardic Jews in the East and their Ashkenazic brothers in the West, based on sources and reasoning, starting from Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds and on the books of the first and last sages, by Sh.T. Gagin. (817 pages). (2^nd edition – London 1948, 423 pages).
• “Tzvi Israel,” Clarifications on Torah, by Israel of Baltrimantz (Butrimonys), (160 pages) (1^st edition – Vilna 1898).
• “LeToldot HaYehudim BeKovno VeSlabodka” “On the History of Jews in Kovno and Slobodka,” part 1 includes an introduction on the history of Jews in Zamut, Lithuania, by D.M. Lipman. (31 pages).

1935

• “Divrei Yechezkel,” Halachic innovations and clarifications on Mishna issues, Y. Bernstein. (308 pages).
• “Dorot Rishonim,” On the Tannaim and Amoraim (Talmudic sages), letters aleph and beth, by A.Sh. Kushes. 1935-1937.
• “Drashot VeHespedim” by Hillel, son of Rabbi Ze’ev of Kovno… (184 pages) (1^st edition – Warsaw 1804).
• “Mlechet Avodat HaKodesh,” On the order of worship and prayer by Y.L. Yafo. (86 pages).
• “Sefer Nachalat Shmuel,” Includes deep halachic issues and regulations and clarifies Maimonides’ method concerning sanctifications and forbidden foods… by Sh. Melamed. (140 pages). Accompanied by a pamphlet: “Divrei Bina” by his brother, the honorable Rabbi Yitzhak Ze’ev Melamed).
• “Nishmat Yaakov,” Clarifications on legends of the Talmudic sages, by M. Kvit. (68 pages).
• “Takanot Ezra,” Clarifications and innovations on Maimonidies and the tractate Meyla, by E.Altshuler. (168 pages). (1^st edition – Piotrkow 1931, 216 pages).

1936

• “Divrei Chaim,” Matters of halacha and legends in tractate “Avoda Zara” by Z. Sherel. (120 pages) (The cover states “Riga,” but it was printed in Keidan).
• “Zichron Yekutiel,” A history of Lithuania’s rabbis and prominent men, by Z. Levitas. (198 pages).
• “Maor Aggada,” Explanations of legends, by M. Rabinovich. (180 pages).
• “Shaar Yehoshua,” Israel’s law in theory and practice, by Meir Hacohen Kaplan.

1937

• “Yesodot Hinuch HaDat LeDor,” Based on Torah studies and scientific research…, (208 pages) . (“Riga” on the cover, but printed in Keidan).
• “Tilei Denezikin,” Innovations on three babaot [of tractate Baba Metzia, order Nezikin], by B.Y. Gindon. (192 pages). (1^st edition – Eydtkuhnen,1873).
• “Maalot HaTorah VeHaMitzvot” On acceptance of destiny and being ready for self-sacrifice, by M. Sh. Erdman. (112 pages).
• “Sipurim Ktzarim” (“Short Stories”) First collection, by Yosef Liebenzon. (60 pages).
• “Pirkei Shira…,” Various prayers, songs of praise and joy, mourning and lamentation, sayings on wisdom and ethics and an explanation of seeking material benefit from heaven, by Shem Tov Gagin. (193 pages plus three pictures). (see “Keter Shem Tov,” 1934; “Letters of adoration,” 1939).
• “Kol Avot,” Commentaries on tractate Avot, by Y. Litvin. (226 pages). (“Riga” on the cover, but printed in Keidan.)
• “Truat Melech,” Innovations and clarifications on tractate Rosh Hashana, by Y. Zusmanovich. (256 pages).

1938

• “Be’al Pe” (“By word of mouth”), A response on halacha dealing with fictitious sanctification by V. Levi. (42 pages). (2^nd edition – Jerusalem 1941) (48 pages).
• “Dinei Netilat Yadayim” (“Laws of hand washing”), by Rabbi Naftali Hirtz of Riteve (Retavas). (16 pages). (1^st edition – Koenigsberg 1860).
• “Zmirot LeShabbat VeYom Tov,” written and sung by Eliezer Lieberman… (264 pages). (1^st edition – Prague 1657).
• “Likutei Mohara’m” by Rabbi Meir, head of the rabbinical court in Schwerin. Short and simple explanations of legends told by Talmud sages with commentaries (“Minchat Shai”) by Rabbi Shalom Yitzhak Levitan. (122 pages). (Berlin edition 1717). “Minchat Shai,” also issued separately.
• “MeZichronot Yemei Yalduti Be Ir Dvinsk” (“Memoir of my childhood days in Dvinsk”), by Mrs. Sarah Feige Paner (Meinkin). (64 pages). (1^st edition – Warsaw 1903). See “Habat Yesharim,” A story of modern times – Vilna, 1881 (149 pages); “Beged Bogdim,” A story of the days of Shimon Hacohen, the Great – Warsaw, 1891 (36 pages); “Derech Yeladim,” A story of Jerusalem, during the days of King Herod – Vienna, 1882.
• “Sefer MiKolot Hadmama,” Including songs based on holy blessings, by Tuvia Meirovich. (80 pages).
• “Avodat HaMelech,” Explanations of Maimonides’ book of science, by M. Krakovsky. (250 pages). (Another edition – Vilna, 1931, 238 pages).
• “Ateret Mordechai,” Questions and answers, stressing the issue of the “Oven of Aknai” by A. Zelbovich. (220 pages). (“Riga” on the cover, but printed in Keidan).
• “Aliyot Eliyahu,” Life history of Eliyahu of Vilna (HaGra) and his books, by Y. H. Levin . (108 pages). (Vilna, 1856, 120 ,pages; Stettin (now Poland) 1856; Stettin 1861; Vilna 1875; Warsaw 1881; Vilna 1885; Warsaw 1903; Vilna 1913).
• “Emek HaBacha” Concerning burning of the dead and miscarriage, clearing water, haircutting the beard, etc… by Sh. M. Adler. (359 pages).
• “Rabbi Israel Salanter,” His life, activities and books, by Sh. Rozenfeld. (88 pages). (1^st edition – Warsaw 1914).

1939

• “Imrei Chaim,” Various innovations and clarifications, by Shimshon Markovich. (104 pages).
• “Binat Mikra,” On Biblical melodies and cantillation, by Menashe ben Yosef Ben Porat of Ilia (now Belarus). (56 pages). (1^st edition – Grodno 1818). See “Shekel Hakodesh,” Clarifications on sayings of Talmud sages about three groups of people on the Day of Judgement and sayings of Maimonides on this issue, Kopust (now Kopys, Belarus), 1823.
• “De’at Mordechai,” Questions and answers, clarifications, illuminations and notes on different halachic fields, on four parts of the “Shulchan Aruch” concerning sanctifications… part 1, edited and arranged by M.Y. Rabinovich, together with a pamphlet “Ein Yitzhak”. (212 pages).
• “Khovat Haaretz,” Law regulations, donations, tithings and bread donations in the Land of Israel and outside of it, at the end of the book – explanations on growing citrus and subtle issues of observing commandments, by M. Kravitz. (48 pages).
• “Yom Kippur Katan,” Prayers for Rosh Khodesh according to Ashkenazic tradition, (84 pages). (According to the editions of Prague 1692 and Karlsruhe 1799). (148 pages).
• “Likutei Shoshanim,” On family purity and other issues, by Meir Hacohen Kaplan..
• “Mizmorei Tehilim LeMotzaei Shabbat” (“Psalms and songs for the end of Shabbat”), (112 pages) (According to the Vilna editions of 1877).
• “Michtavei Tehila” (“Letters of Glory”) about the book “Keter Shem Tov” (about customs), by Sh.T. Gagin. (116 pages). (Cover states “London,” but printed in Keidan).
• “Nakhal Yitzhak,” Innovations and clarifications on Shulchan Aruch, by Rabbi Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor z’ts’l[1]. (360 pages).
• “Slichot miKol haShana keMinhag Polin VeLita VeRassein VeZamot” (“Repentance prayers for the whole year in the traditions of Poland, Lithuania, Raseiniai and Zamut”) (164 pages).
• “Slikhot Minhag Lita VeRassein” (“Repentance traditions of Lithuania and Raseiniai”) (According to the Direnfort edition 1861).
• “Kinot leTish’a b’Av keMinhag Lita veRassein” (“Lamentations for the 9^th of Av, in the traditions of Lithuania and Raseiniai”) (82 pages).
• “Sha’arei HaVestot,” On family purity, by Meir Hacohen Kaplan.
• “Shefa Yamim,” Innovations on Mishna issues in tractates Shabbat, Eruvin and Pesahim, by Y.A. Kastin. (120 pages).

1940

• “Even Israel,” Sermons, innovations and questions and answers, by Rabbi Israel (Lipkin) Salanter. (48 pages). A disciple of Rabbi Salanter, Shneur Zalman Hirshovich, Rabbi of Goldingen (now Kuldiga, Latvia), collected the material and had it published in Warsaw in 1883, with his own addendum “Even Bokhan,” however, the Keidan edition contains only the teaching of Rabbi Salanter.
• “Or Israel,” Essays on the study of piety and ethics, by Israel (Lipkin) Salanter; “Netivot Or,” Essays on ethics, by his disciple Rabbi Yitzhak Blezer with additions – “Kochvei Or” and “Shaarei Or” on the way of repentance, (184 pages) (1^st edition – Vilna 1900, final edition, Munich 1947). See A.R. Malachi: “Di shefer fun der musar bavegung” (The founder of the Musar movement) in the anthology “Lita,” New York, 1951.
• “Khidushei HaRabad” (Rabbi Avraham ben David of Posquieres in Provence). On tractate Baba Kama. Published according to a single manuscript in the British Museum, with introduction, notes and commentaries by Shmuel Atlas. (478 pages). (Cover states “London” but published in Keidan.) “It was my intention to broaden the discussion on the “Rabad” in general, and on the book in particular, but due to the complex political situation of the time and because of the fear of war that dominated, I hurried to complete the book, based on the words of our sages, of blessed memory. “It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task”[2] – From the introduction (page 46) by Mr. Atlas dated 1^st day of Rosh Khodesh Elul, 1939; critique in “Kiriat Sefer” (volume 2, pages 25-28) by A. Kh. Freiman. Likely the last (Hebrew) book printed in Lithuania.
• “Khidushei U’beurei HaGra meVilna” (“Innovations and clarifications by the Vilna Gaon”), collected from his books by A. Drushkevich. (136 pages). (1^st edition – Vilna 1926).
• “Khidushim BeSugiyot HaShas VeHadrushim” (“Innovations on the Mishna, issues and sermons”), by Aharon of Riga. (98 pages). (He also wrote “Minkhat Aharon” Koenigsberg, 1859, 252 pages.
• “Taharat Hamishpakha” On purity issues, by A.D. Kahana. (136 pages).
• “Ma’amarim MiSikhotav shel Rabenu Hgh”kh Maran Yerucham Halevy” (Articles on discussions with our Rabbi and Teacher, Gaon Yerucham Halevy”), recorded in Yiddish and translated to the holy language (Booklet 4, by Yerucham Lebovich. (64 pages).
• “More Nevuchei Hazman,” Research on divinity, eternity of soul, principles of faith, religion and choice, by Sh.Z. Aharonsohn. (386 pages) (1^st edition – Vilna 1908).
• “Pri Yitzhak,” Questions and answers with comments… by Yitzhak Blazer (Rabbi Yichele Peterburger). (424 pages). (1^st edition, part 1 – Vilna, 1881, part 2 – Jerusalem, 1913).

Number of books printed by town (in alphabetic order):

Keidan (Kėdainiai)	109
Kovno (Kaunas)	109
Mariample (Marijampolė)	3
Rassein (Raseiniai)	1
Shavli (Šiauliai)	1
Telz (Telšiai)	3
Vilkomir (Ukmergė)	1
Vilkovishk (Vilkaviškis)	2
Virbein (Virbalis)	1
total	230

Remarks:

• 1919: First Hebrew book appeared in independent Lithuania in Mariampole.
• 1921: First Hebrew book printed in Kovno.
• 1924: First Hebrew book printed in Keidan.
• 1940: The last Hebrew book printed in Keidan.
  

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  Translated by Bella Golubchik

[1] Zekher tzadik lebracha – let the memory of the righteous be blessed

[2] Ethics of the Fathers, 2:16