Auction 22Manuscritos

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HEBREW PRINTED BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS
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S ELECTIONS FROM THE RARE B OOK R OOM OF T HE J EW ’ S C OLLEGE L IBRARY, L ONDON

K EST E N B A U M & C O M PA N Y
T HURSDAY, D ECEMBER 4 TH , 2003

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K EST E N B A U M & C O M PA N Y
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Lot 224

Catalogue of

HEBREW PRINTED BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS
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S ELECTIONS FROM THE RARE B OOK R OOM T HE J EWS ’ C OLLEGE L IBRARY, L ONDON
Sold by Order of the Trustees

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(With Additions) To be Offered for Sale by Auction on Thursday, 4th December, 2003 at 3:00 pm precisely
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Viewing Beforehand on
Tuesday, 2nd December: 10:00 am–5:30 pm Wednesday, 3rd December: 10:00 am–5:30 pm Thursday, 4th December: 10:00 am–2:30 pm

Important Notice:
The Exhibition and Sale will take place in out New Galleries located at 12 West 27th Street, 13th floor, New York City.

This Sale may be referred to as “Tokyo (II)” Sale Number Twenty One.
Illustrated Catalogues: $35 • $42 (Overseas)

Auctioneers of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Fine Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 West 27th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001 • Tel: 212 366-1197 • Fax: 212 366-1368 E-mail: [email protected] • World Wide Web Site: www.kestenbaum.net

KESTENBAUM & COMPANY

K EST E N B A U M & C O M PA N Y
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chairman: Client Accounts: Press & Public Relations: Printed Books: Manuscripts & Autographed Letters: Ceremonial Art: Catalogue Photography: Auctioneer:

Daniel E. Kestenbaum Margaret M. Williams Jackie Insel Rabbi Bezalel Naor Rabbi Eliezer Katzman Aviva J. Hoch (Consultant) Anthony Leonardo Harmer F. Johnson
(NYCDCA License no. 0691878)

lll For all inquiries relating to this sale please contact: Daniel E. Kestenbaum lll ORDER OF SALE Printed Books: Lots 1 – 252 Manuscripts: Lot 253 – End of Sale (See Rear of Catalogue for Index in Hebrew)
Front Cover: The Magnificent Interior of the Library The Strahov Abbey Library, Prague

List of prices realized will be posted on our Web site, www.kestenbaum.net, following the sale.

— PREFACE —
We are honored that Jews College has seen fit to c o n t i n u e t o t r u s t i n t h e e x p e r t i s e o f Kestenbaum & Company whereby we will be continuing a series of Sales devoted to selling exceptional Books and Manuscripts selected from the College’s Rare Book Room. It is with great pleasure we will conduct this auction inaugurating a new maturation of Kestenbaum & Company. After conducting more than twenty auctions of Fine Judaica since our first Sale some seven years ago, we have now moved into our own gallery space, custom-fit to conduct Auctions on site - no more Doral Hotel! A final note: For the convenience of our clients, parking is available nearby our galleries on Avenue of the Americas, between 25th and 26th Streets. We look for ward to welcoming you to our new Gallery! D.E.K.

HEBREW PRINTED BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS:
Selections from the Rare Book Room of The Jews’ College Library, London Thursday, 4th December, 2003
— PRINTED BOOKS —

1. AARON SAMUEL BEN MOSES SHALOM OF KREMENETS. Nishmath Adam [ethical treatise on the origin and essence of the Soul, the purpose of human life and concerning Divine retribution]. ff. 32. Second edition. Title within typographic border. Novellae in pen on opening leaf. Owner’s signature on title: “I purchased this volume with ma’aser (tithe) money in the month of Shevat, 1804, Pinhas son of Judah Leib Segal Fried. [Vinograd, Wilhermsdorf 165; Rosenfeld, Jewish Printing in Wilhermsdorf (1995) no. 159 (includes facsimile of title)]. Wilhermsdorf, Zevi Hirsch ben Hayim of Fürth, 1732. * Bound With: Kalmans, Mordechai ben Meir. Tavnith Habayith [ethics in poetic form]. First edition. Title within typographic border. Same owner’s signature on title ff. (4), 56. [Vinograd, Frankfurt on der Oder 304 (typographical variances)]. Frankfurt on der Oder, n.p., 1747. Together two works bound in one volume. Recent boards. 4to. v.p, v.d. $300-500 l In the first work, the Author cites here three unpublished works of his, on ethical and religio-philosophical problems, as well as novellae to the Talmud. R. Aaron Samuel began preaching in Fürth towards the end of 1606, in 1615 he became Rabbi in Fulda. The book bears the endorsement of “Isaiah ben Abraham Segal, Frankfurt” - the celebrated author of Shnei Luhoth Ha-Berith, Rabbi Isaiah Halevi Horowitz (See lot 98). The second work, bears the endorsement of the Rabbi of Berlin, David Frankael, famed author of Korban Ha’edah, commentary on the Talmud Yerushalmi. Otherwise, Frankel’s other achievement was having served as the teacher of Moses of Dessau (Moses Mendelssohn). - More remarkable is the endorsement of R. Joel Baal Shem Tov, who was, as his last name indicates, a famed practitioner of theurgic healing through Divine names. This is one of five endorsements by this Baal Shem Tov. Its’ place alongside that of recognized rabbis of distinguished communities says much of the high standing in which he was held by his contemporaries. See Immanuel Etkes, Baal Hashem (Jerusalem, 2000), p. 42, n. 79.

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2. ABOAB, ISAAC. Nehar Pishon [homilies to the Pentateuch and other Biblical books]. First Edition. Title within architectural arch. Owner’s signature appears on last page. ff. (80). Title and first several leaves with torn and taped corners. Worming affecting text. Modern boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 161; Yaari, Const. 126; Adams I -170; Deinard, Atikoth Yehudah, p. 30]. Constantinople, Eliezer Soncino: 1538. $2000-3000 l Isaac Aboab II (1433-1493) was known as the “last Gaon of Castille. He headed a ” yeshivah in Toledo and later one in Guadalajara, where Isaac Abrabanel studied in the final years of Spanish Jewry. After the Expulsion in July of 1492, Aboab settled in Oporto, Portugal, dying there but seven months later. He was held by Joseph Karo to be one of the greatest scholars of the day. Many of Aboab’s Halachic interpretations appeared in works by later Sephardic authors: His novellae to Beitzah surfaced in the responsa of R. Moses Galante; those to Bava Metzi’a were included by R. Bezalel Aschkenazi in his Shitah Mekubezet. Aboab had two sons: Abraham was one of the forced converts of 1497. The other son, Jacob fled to Constantinople, where in 1538 he brought out this collection of his father’s sermons on the Torah.
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3. ABOAB, SAMUEL. Sepher Hazichronoth. Title within wreathed arch. ff. (4), 86. 4to. [Vinograd, Prague 367; St. Cat. Bodl. col. 1128; Zedner, pp. 363, 670; Friedberg; Vol. I, p. 332 no. 443]. (Prague), (1650). $300-500 l A work of practical halakha (halakha le-ma’aseh).There is some question as to the authorship of the book. It is attributed alternatively to Samuel ben Abraham Aboab or to Isaac ben Abraham Hayim Jesurun of Hamburg (d. 1655). The final four leaves of the book transcribe a lengthy admonition of Rabbi Judah Löw (MaHaRa”L) of Prague concerning the drinking of stam yeinam (non-Jewish wine). Prof. Haym Soloveitchik has shown how lax Italian and also Moravian Jewry were in this respect, and how halakhists dealt with this challenge to traditional observance. See H. Soloveitchik, Principles and Pressures: Jewish Trade in Gentile Wine in the Middle Ages (Hebrew: “Yeinam”) (Tel Aviv, 2003), p. 118, n. 76.

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4. ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC. Nachlath Avoth [commentary to the Ethics of the Fathers, with text and Maimonides’ commentary]. Third Edition. Letters of title richly historiated. Printer’s device on title (Yaari no. 32). On f. 5r Hebrew marginal note: “According to Maimonides this genealogy is inexact. On the final page: ” “Shalem” (complete), and in Spanish, “Visto… non manca cosa alguna” (I have seen…does not lack anything). ff. (23), 25-96. Title repaired, staining. Broad margins. Modern boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 548; not in Adams]. Venice, Giorgio di Cavalli: 1567. $400-600 l In his commentary, Don Isaac struggled to come to terms with the catastrophic suffering that Spanish Jewry had endured. Nachlath Avoth is his testimony to the significance of that suffering. For a detailed biography of Abrabanel’s experiences and philosophical conclusions regarding the Spanish Expulsion, see B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel, Statesman & Philosopher (1968). R. Abraham Chill produced an abridged English translation of Nachlath Avoth: Abrabanel on Pirke Avoth (New York: Sepher-Hermon Press, 1991). Chill considers Abrabanel’s commentary the most profound and comprehensive of all the commentaries to the Ethics of the Fathers. He writes, “Abrabanel is heroic and bold enough to ask questions that are challenging, and then… search for the answers. ” “Abrabanel’s methodology in his commentary to the Pirkei Avoth is much the same as in his betterknown commentary on the Torah. Here, as there, he formulates a number of questions at the beginning of each Mishnah and then proceeds to answer them by an innovative interpretation” (p. 12). Nachlath Avoth was first printed in Constantinople in 1505, and threafter in Venice in 1545. 5. ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC. Per ush Nevi’im Rishonim [commentar y to Former Prophets]. Third edition. Title within woodcut architectural arch incorporating Printer’s mark (cf. Yaari no. 61). ff. (2),112,71. Dampstains in places, taped repair to title, small burn hole on ff. 3-4. Recent roan-backed cloth, lacking spine, upper cover starting. Folio. [Vinograd, Hamburg 30]. Hamburg, Thomas Rose: 1687. $200-300 6. ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC. Perush Al Ha’Torah [commentary to the Pentateuch]. Third edition. Printers device on title. ff. (7),3-343,(9),(1),11. Stained in places, paper repairs to title and first few leaves. Contemporary brown mottled calf , rubbed. Folio. [Vinograd, Hanau 65]. Hanau, Henoch Jacob: 1710. $200-300 l Abrabanel endeavours to explain the general content of the Bible, its principles, views and moral teachings more than the actual meaning of the words and passages. Primarily a philosophical, theological, ethical and to some extent historical commentary, his method as an exegete is entirely novel, prefacing each section of each Book with a number of questions and then interpreting that section in such a manner as to gradually resolve them. See M. Waxman, vol. II, p. 47 and, in general, B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel, Statesman & Philosopher (1968).

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7. ABRABANEL, JUDAH. (“Leone Ebreo”). De Amore Dialogi Tres [“Three Dialogues on Love”]. Latin translation from the Italian by Joannes Carolus Saracenue. FIRST LATIN EDITION. Printer’s device on title. First letter in each of the three sections historiated.On front pastedown, elaborate bookplate of the booksellers, “C.S. Jordani, et Amicorum” (C.S. Jordani and Associates) with their motto “Dulces ante omnia musae” (Sweet before all muses) extoling the virtues of books over all the other muses. This theme is borne out by a rather astonishing scene of two cherubs destroying musical instruments, while a third winged child unrolls a manuscript. Contains two pages of Latin manuscript providing biography of author and a brief description of the book’s contents (between ff. 15-16, and before f.1). ff. (58), 422. Owner’s signature excised from title page. Vellum. 8vo. [Fuerst II, 230-31; this edition not in Adams]. Venice, Francisco Senense: 1564. $600-900 l Judah Abrabanel, born in Lisbon around 1460, and deceased in Italy about 1535, was the eldest son of Don Isaac Abrabanel, erstwhile finance minister of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel of Spain. Judah suffered enormous personal tragedy when his son was kidnapped and forcibly baptized at the behest of King John II of Portugal in 1492. In 1503, Abrabanel composed an elegy on his son’s disappearance. Despite this calamity, once the family had relocated to the humanistic more hospitable climate of Italy, Judah Abrabanel went on to become one of the foremost philosophers of the Renaissance. Commonly known as Leone Ebreo, his reputation rests upon the present Dialoghi di Amore, among the most popular philosophical works of the age. Abrabanel’s philosophy might best be summed up by the felicitous saying, “Love makes the world go round. It is said that Spinoza was ” influenced by the Dialoghi, as his small library contained a copy of the work. See C. Roth, The Jews in the Renaissance (1959) pp.128-36; EJ, Vol. II, cols. 109-111. 8. (ADRET, SOLOMON IBN. (RaSHB”A). Teshuvoth Shailoth Le-RaMBa”N [responsa]. FIRST EDITION. ff. (95).Some staining, slight marginal worming on final leaves not affecting text, scattered marginalia in various hands. Previous owners’ stamps and inscription in Italian cursive hand (crossed out) on title.Small folio. [Vinograd, Venice 14; Habermann, Bomberg 10; Adams S-1409]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1519. $1500-2000 l Although this collection of responsa is ascribed to Nachmanides, careful perusal has determined that with the exception of five or six responsa, the entire collection is by the Rashb”a. As a respondent, he answers inquiries directly, without unneccessary lengthy scholastic discussion. The number of his responsa, including this pseudo-Nachmanides collection, reaches well over three thousand, with inquiries addressed from all parts of the world, and touching upon all phases of law - religious, family and civil, as well as theological concerns. See M. Waxman, History of Jewish Literature (1933) Vol. II pp.165-167. Although an apparently earlier, undated, edition of diferent responsa of the Rashb”a was published in Rome, this is the first edition of these responsa attributed to the Ramba”n.
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9. ALGAZI, SOLOMON BEN ABRAHAM. Retzuph Ahavah [novellae on Talmud]. Also known as “Aperion Shlomo. . second Edition. Title within historiated woodcut border. Owners’ signatures on title. ff. 104. Title ” repaired. Lightly browned, stained in places. Calf backed marbled boards. Portion of spine worn. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt on der Oder 58]. Frankfurt on der Oder, Johann Christoph Beckmann: 1692. $300-500 l The author writes in the title that he composed the book in Magnesia (a town outside Izmir, Turkey) in the year 1634, it was first published in Verona in 1649. Rabbi Hayim David Azulai refers to R. Solomon Algazi as “ha-rav ha-mefulpal,” in appreciation of his powers of pilpul (Talmudic dialectic). (Azulai, Shem ha-Gedolim I, S-23). Algazi (1610?-c.1683) was an outspoken opponent of the pseudo-Messiah of Izmir, Shabbetai Zevi. At the height of Zevi’s power, Algazi, one of Izmir’s distinguished rabbis, was forced to flee the city. (G. Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, p. 414. See further EJ, Vol. 2, col. 610). In his introduction to the present work, the author justifies a particular theorum despite a simpler approach to the problem at hand: “…Since I read that the Maggid (familiar spirit) told the great Gaon, the Beth Joseph (R. Joseph Karo): ‘[Regarding] the two interpretations of Maimonides you wrote - although but one is the true interpretation, this does not eradicate the other interpretationfor it is sharp - and the Holy One takes pleasure in such ingenious approaches.’”. 10. Almoli, Solomon ben Jacob. Halichoth Sheva [Grammatical Laws of Punctuation]. First Edition.Immediately below title inverted alephs. Entire title surrounded by floral motif.Owner’s signature on title: “Yitzhak Dayyan. . ff.14. Immediately below title inverted alephs. Entire title surrounded by floral motif. Modern vellum. 4to. ” [Vinograd, Constantinople 119; Yaari, Constantinople 88]. Constantinople, n.p.: (1520). $10,000-12,000 l - Halichoth Sheva focuses on the application of the Hebrew vowel “sheva” (e). It was intended as a prolegomenon to an exhaustive work on Hebrew grammar, however, as in the case of the Author’s other projected encyclopedic works, this too never reached completion. A critical edition of Halikhoth Sheva was published by H. Yallon. The Author of this short treatise, Solomon Almoli (before 1485 - after 1542), was of Spanish origin. He sojourned for a short while in Salonika, where his first work, a digest of dreams: Pithron Chalomoth was published (c.1515). Eventually, he permanently relocated to Constantinople where earned his livelihood as a physician. This digest of dream interpretation was consulted by both Freud and Jung, and has recently been partially translated into English by Prof. Yaakov Elman. One can only speculate what psychological thread connects the oneirologist to the grammarian. EXTREMELY RARE. Our copy differs from the two copies in JNUL (one a photocopy) and the single copy of JTSA. The differences were described by Chanoch Yallon in his critical edition (Jerusalem, 1945), pp. 86-87. At the end of f. 7 the text promises Introduction III and IV at the conclusion of the book, but they were never forthcoming. F. 9 jumps to Introduction V of the other versions (though it is called “Introduction IV”). See EJ, Vol. II, cols. 663-664.
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11. Almosnino, Moses. Pirkei Moshe [Commentary to the Ethics of the Fathers]. First edition. ff. 111. Some worming. Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Salonica 62]. Salonika, Joseph ben Isaac Ya’avetz: 1563. $2000-3000 l A commentary to the Mishnaic tractate Avoth. Moses ben Baruch Almosnino (c. 1515-c. 1580) was a Salonikan preacher, whose numerous publications demonstrate extensive knowledge of science, philosophy, history, and rhetoric. Almosnino’s halachic responsa appear in the collections of his contemporaries such as Samuel de Medina (MaHaRaSHDa”M), and Jacob di Boton. Besides Hebrew comentaries to the Five Scrolls (Yedei Moshe, 1582), the Pentateuch and prayerbook (Tefillah le-Moshe, 1563), Almosnino also authored works in Judeo-Spanish. See EJ, Vol. II, cols. 669-671. Almosnino historical moment of glory was when he led a successful delegation to Sultan Selim II to secure the rights and privileges of the Salonikan Jewish community. The printer,Joseph ben Isaac, was the grandson of the famous Joseph Ya’avetz, known as “He’Chasid Ya’avetz” (the Pious Ya’avetz), author of several works. The latter blamed rationalist Jewish philosophy for weakening the religious fiber of Spanish Jewry and making them rife for conversion to Christianity at the time of the Spanish Expulsion. He contended that only those Jews whose purity of Faith had not been tainted by intellectual sophistry withstood the theological perils of the time.
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12. ALSHEICH, MOSES. Shoshanath Ha’amakim [commentary to Song of Songs, with text]. * Einei Moshe [commentary to the Book of Ruth, with text]. * Devarim Nechumim [commentary to the Book of Lamentations, with text]. * Devarim Tovim [commentary to the Book of Ecclesiastes, with text]. * Masath Moshe [commentary to the Book of Esther, with text]. * With: Maroth Hatzovoth on Former Prophets, Prague, Moshe b. Betzalel Katz, 1620, [Vinograd, Prague, 289. Ginzei Yisrael 634]. Six works bound in one volume. Printers’ device on verso of title in the style of Giustiniani illustrating the Temple and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy(see variation in Yaari, Printers’ Marks, no. 50). Also with four woodcuts on final leaf. ff. 22, 22 18, 18, 3. Half calf binding, spine cracked, front cover detached with few leaves loose. Folio. [Vinograd Prague 269]. Prague, Abraham Heida: 1618. $600-900

13. ALSHEICH, MOSES. Romemoth E-l [commentary to the Book of Psalms]. A wide-margined copy. [2], 130 ff. Previous owners’ signatures and stamps. Modern cloth. Large folio. [Vinograd Jessnitz 14]. Jessnitz, Israel b. Abraham: 1721. $3000-4000 l Fine, most attractive bibliophilic edition 14. ALSHEICH, MOSES. Rav Peninim [commentary to the Book of Proverbs]. *Bound with Chelkath Mechokek [commentary to the Book of Job]. Two works in one volume. A wide-margined copy. Slight foxing. Modern cloth. Large folio. [Vinograd Jessnitz 20; 16]. Jessnitz, Israel b. Abraham: 1722. $1500-2000 l A fine, wide-margined copy.
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15. (AMERCAN JUDAICA). RAPHALL, MORRIS JACOB. Ruchama [Hebrew]. Devotional Excercises for the Daughters of Israel... Upon the Various Occasions of a Woman’s Life. English text. pp. 139,(2). Modern half morocco over marbled boards, with matching slip-case. 8vo. [Singerman no.1260]. New York, L. Joachimssen: 1852. $5000-7000 l Morris J. Raphall was an active and prolific writer and orator both in his native England and later, in the United States. As well as editing Gal’ed, the first Rabbinical periodical in England, together with David Aaron de Sola he composed the first English translation of portions of the Mishnah. Upon his emigration to the United States in 1849, he was appointed rabbi of Congregation B’nei Jeshurun in New York. In the prelude to the Civil War years, he encountered particular controversy for his stand against Abolitionism. “Raphall was one of the most celebrated orators in the American rabbinate of his time...(his) sermon (on the merits of slavery) aroused more comment and attention than any other sermon ever delivered by an American Rabbi. See B.W. Korn, American Jewry and the Civil War (1951) pp.16-20 ” The present work, both uncommonly traditional in approach as well as unusually directed to the Orthodox American woman was an innovation in its’ place and time.
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16. (AMERICAN JUDAICA). FARISSOL, ABRAHAM. Igereth Orchoth Olam - Itinera Mundi. FIRST LATIN EDITION. Translated by Thomas Hyde. * Bound With: Tractatus Alberti Bobovii [Muslim Liturgy and Religious Practices] (Oxford, 1690). Text in Latin and Osmanli (Turkish in Arabic characters), with notes by the Editor, Thomas Hyde. Numerous Latin marginalia. pp. (16), 196, (4), 31. Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Oxford 4; Wing F-438]. Oxford, Sheldon Theatre: 1691. $800-1200 l The Igereth Orchoth Olam is a pioneering work on geography. First published in Ferrara in 1524, it is the first Hebrew book to contain a description of America (chap. 29). Besides its rudimentary description of the “Erets Hadasha”(The New World), the book also contains a valuable reference to the enigmatic personality David Reubeni (chap. 14). Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol (c. 1451-c. 1525) was born in Avignon, France, but spent most of his life in Ferrara and Mantua. For a thorough account of his life and achievments, see David B. Ruderman, The World of a Renaissance Jew: The Life and Thought of Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol (Cincinnati, 1981); see also André Neher, Jewish Thought and the Scientific Revolution of the Sixteenth Century (Oxford, 1986), pp. 122-135; and EJ, Vol. VI, cols.1184-1185. According to the preface to the second work, Albert Bobowski was a Polish interloper in the Ottoman Empire who, in recognition of his linguistic ability, was given the title “Turjeman Bashi” (chief interpreter) by Sultan Mohammed IV. Bobowski recorded Muslim practices, including the hajj to Mecca and the Muslim rites of circumcision.
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17. (AMERICAN JUDAICA). (LITURGY). Sidur Divrei Tzadikim. The Book of Daily Prayers for Every Day in the Year. According to the Custom of the German andPolish Jews. Edited by Isaac Leeser. FIRST EDITION. ff.(4),243. Lightly browned, few leaves lightly foxed. Contemporary gilt-stamped half-morocco. 4to. [Vinograd, Philadelphia 18; Rosenbach 636; Singerman 1024]. Philadelphia, C. Sherman: 1848. $1000-1500 l First Aschkenazi Prayer Book Printed in America. Prepared by the champion of American Orthodoxy, Isaac Leeser.

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18. (AMERICAN JUDAICA). CHAIM SHABTHAI. (MaHaRCHa”SH). Torath Chaim [responsa]. Parts I, II and III. [Vinograd, Salonika 211, 212 & 223]. Salonika, 1713,1715 and 1722. First edition. Folio. Calf-backed marbled boards. Previous owners stamps and signatures. Folio. v.d. $1500-2000 l The earliest recorded responsa from the New World Torath Chaim, Vol. III, Responsa no.3, discusses the appropriate season to pray for rain. The inquiry was sent to R. Chaim Shabthai, Chief Rabbi of Salonika and one of the outstanding scholars of his time, from the Jewish Community in Recife, Brazil. The circumstances of living in the tropical climate of Brazil created concerns regarding preserving the traditional season to recite the Prayer for Rain. “Thus making the New World’s first contribution to the Responsa Literature. See M.A. Cohen, ” Sephardim in the Americas, American Jewish Archives vol. XLIV (1992) p.218.
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19. ANAV, YECHIEL BEN YEKUTHIEL. Beith Midoth. FIRST EDITION. ff. 72. Scattered marginal notes in various Sephardic and Aschkenazic hands. Various important owners signatures,including Yaakov b. Abraham of Portugal,Yishmael Cohen andAbraham Rovigo. Marbled boards. Edges repaired on a few leaves with some staining otherwise a fine copy. 4to. [St. Cat. Bodl. No. 5660,1; Yaari, Const. 13, Mehlman 976]. [Constantinople], S. Rikomin and Astruc de Toulon: [1511]. $4000-6000 l Anav’s Beith Midoth is renowned for its ethical insights and enumeration of the twenty-four steps necessary for character development. Such Rabbinic luminaries as R. Yaakov Emden highly regarded the work - evident from the fact that he included entire chapters of it in his own work, Migdal Oz. The book was particularly venerated by the adherents of the Mussar movement of Novardok and it has been republished many times to this very day. It should be noted that this Editio Princeps contains textual variants from the later editions. It also contains an introduction and a number of poems by the editor, Joseph Bibas which were similarly not republished in later editions. (See the article by S.H. Kook, Iyunim U-Mechkarim, vol. 2, pp. 268-269). In subsequent editions, the name of of the work was altered to Ma’aloth Ha-midoth. Especially noteworthy in this copy is the signature of R. Abraham Rovigo, the leading disciple of R. Moshe Zacuto, - celebrated for his secret Sabbatian sympathies. A host of important scholarly articles on the activities of Rovigo have been published by J. Mann, G. Scholem, I. Sonne, I. Tishby and M. Benayahu. For most of the bibliographical references for these articles see Sonne’s preface to his final article on Rovigo in Sefunot V (Sonne Memorial Volume), pp. 275-295.
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Lot 21 Lot 20 20. [ANAV, YECHIEL BEN YEKUTHIEL(?) / ANAV, ZEDEKIAH BEN ABRAHAM(?)]. Sepher Tanya. First edition. Endpapers with signatures of previous owner “Todros Debenedetti of Asti” in Italian (front) and Hebrew (back). pp. 2b and 74a, several passages thought to be offensive to Christianity excised by censor’s pen. 100ff. Slight repairs to f. 94. Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 16; not in Adams]. Mantua, Samuel Latif: 1514. $2000-3000 l The Sepher Tanya is a compilation of Jewish law and custom as applied by the Jews of Italy (Minhag Bnei Roma). The work was written in the thirteenth century. There is considerable overlap between the present work and another work of the same genre, Shibolei ha-Leket also composed by Zedekiah. S.Z. Havlin, writing in EJ, sums up the two opposing scholarly views regarding the disputatious authorship of Tanya: S.H. Kook definatively regards Zedekiah ben Abraham Anav as the author. Essentially the material in Tanya is the same as that as Shibolei ha-Leket by Zedekiah with but a few interpolations and additions by the copyist Yechiel Anav. However, S. K. Mirsky regards Yechiel as the true author of Tanya any similarity to Shibolei ha-Leket by his relative Zedekiah, is due to the fact that both studied under the tutelage of their uncle, Judah b. Benjamin Anav. See EJ, Vol. II, cols. 937-938; M. Waxman, Vol. II, pp. 130-132. A genealogical tree of the ancient Italian Jewish Anav Family, may be found in EJ, loc. cit.
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21. (ANTISEMITICA). Pfefferkorn, Johannes. Die Sturmglocke [“The Alarm Bell”]. n.p., 1514 * bound with: Luther, Martin. Dass Jesus Christus ein geborener Jude sei (“That Jesus Christ Was Born A Jew”) (Wittemberg, 1523). Both First Editions. I: Engraving of bell on title; historiated capitals. II: Title within richly floriated columns with cherubs aloft; lengthy German inscription in pen on p. 1v. I: ff. 8; browning. II: ff. 18; dampstaining throughout. Both tracts bound together in 19th century speckled boards. Sm.4to. [Rosenberger Catalogue, Judaica (HUC, 1971) p. 289 (Luther)]. $1500-2000 l Die Sturmglocke was a nexus in the ongoing Pfefferkorn-Reuchlin controversy that lasted a full decade from 1511 to 1521. Johannes (Joseph) Pfefferkorn (1469-after 1521) was a Jewish butcher who converted to Christianity, and published over the years some of the most pernicious anti-Semitic literature ever. His opposite number Johannes Reuchlin was a Christian Hebraist who defended the Talmud and Jewish religion against Pfefferkorn’s onslaughts. Reuchlin inherited from his mentor Pico della Mirandola, the Italian humanist tradition, and, while a firm believer in Christianity, advocated a return to the multiculturalism and pluralism of the Roman Empire. There is no doubt that Reuchlin was the more learned of the two sparring partners. Humanists who defended Reuchlin, consistently accused Pfefferkorn of ignorance of Jewish scholarship and of fronting on behalf of the Dominicans Friars. In 1513, Pope Leo X convened a special Ecclesiastic tribunal at Speyer to adjudicate the Pfefferkorn-Reuchlin controversy. The following year, a judgment favorable to Reuchlin was handed down, only to be torn down by Pfefferkorn in Cologne. In that same year of 1514, he published a further rejoinder, Die Sturmglocke. The net effect of the Pfefferkorn-Reuchlin controversy was a loss of face and undermining of the credibility of the regnant Roman Church. This in turn provided fertile ground for the inroads of reformation and the attacks of MartinLuther, founder of Protestantism. The historic image of Luther (1483-1546) is that of a virulent antisemite. Certainly his career developed into that, but in this embryonic stage of his development, he actually wrote in defense of the Jews. In the present slim pamphlet, Luther presents the Jews—of the same race as Jesus—in a sympathetic light. He understood only too well their refusal to accept the “papal paganism” of the existing church, with its graven images. At this stage in his career he viewed himself as a successor to Reuchlin, and like him, disapproved of the confiscation of the Talmud. See Hans-Martin Kirn, Das Bild vom Juden im Deutschland des Frühen 16. Jarhunderts Dargestellt an den Schriften Johannes Pfefferkorns (Tübingen, 1989), p. 181; Arno Herzig and Julius H. Schoeps (eds)., Reuchlin und die Juden (Sigmaringen, 1993); Elisheva Carlebach, Divided Souls: Converts from Judaism in Germany, 1500-1750 (New Haven, 2001), pp. 52-53; EJ, Vol. XIII, cols. 355-357 and EJ, Vol. XI, cols. 584-586.
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22. (ANTISEMITICA). Chrystostomus Dudulaeus Westphalus. Warhafftige Contrafactur. Chapbook. On title page, engraving of “Jud Ahasverus” - the eternally Wandering Jew, walking stick in hand. Text in German. pp. 22. A . 4to. [Freimann, pp. 316-317; EJ, Vol XVI, col. 261. (Neither has our Augsburg 1618 edition)]. Augsburg, Wilhelm Peter Zimmerman Kupfferstrecher: 1618. $400-600 l Part of the incessant anti-Jewish propaganda in parts of Europe in the Middle Ages - especially Germany, was the dissemination of the legend of the Wandering Jew—in this version named Ahaseuarus—who was doomed to eternally wander the earth for his scorn of Jesus. “Numerous reissues of the chapbook appeared in German in varying versions in the 17th century, nine of which are attributed to the authorship of a (pseudonymous) Chrystostum Dudulaeus Westphalus. See EJ, Vol. ” XVI, cols. 259-263. “According to legend while Christ was carrying his cross to Calvary he paused , hoping to rest on a Jew’s doorstep. The man at once drove him away, crying out, “Go hence! Go hence!” Christ then replied: “I go, but ye will roam the earth until I come again. (Sir Martin Gilbert). ”
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23. (ANTISEMITICA). Eisenmenger, Johann Andrea. Entdecktes Judenthum, Oder Gruendlicher und Wahrhaffter Bericht, Welchergestalt die Verstockte Juden. Second edition. 2 volumes. Vol. I: ff.(10), pp. 1016, (1), in vellum. Vol. II: pp. 1108 in calf, cover loose. Marginal notes in English, plus notes and indices in English on blanks. 4to. Koenigsberg, 1711. $800-1200 l A notorious anti-semitic compendium in German with many Hebrew quotes from a prodigious number of sources from the Talmud through the works of the Mahara”l. Following the table of contents in vol. I the author published a register of the works consulted - replete with accurate bibliographic details. 24. (APOCRYPHA). Megilath Anti’ochus. FIRST EDITION. ff. 6. 16mo. [Vinograd, Mantua 40]. Mantua, Jacob b. Naphtali Ha-Kohen of Gazzolo: 1557. $4000-5000 l A popular account of the Wars of the Hasmoneans and the origin of the Chanukah Festival. This first edition is especially rare indeed the editors of the EJ were unaware of it. See EJ vol. XIV col.1045-47.
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25. ARAMA, MEIR BEN ISAAC. Urim VeTumim [commentary to the Books of Isaiah and Jeremiah]. First edition. Title within typographic border. Owner’s signature on title:. ff. 76. Scattered dampstains. Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 957]. Venice, Daniel Zanetti: 1603. $500-700 l Philosophical commentary to Isaiah and Jeremiah. As appendices, commentaries to Samuel II Chaps. 1 and 23. Meir ben Isaac Arama (1460?-c. 1545) was the son of the famous “Ba’al ha-Akeidah,” author of Akeidath Yitzchak, a favorite commentary to the Pentateuch. It could be suggested that Meir was applying his father’s method to the Prophets and Writings, but his works never gained anywhere near the popularity of his father’s. Born in Saragossa, Meir fled Spain at the time of the Expulsion, after a sort stay in Naples, he eventually sunk roots in Salonika, where he preached to the emigré Aragonian Community. 26. ARCHIVOLTI, SAMUEL D’. Arugath Habosem [grammar, with section on Hebrew cryptography]. Second edition.Title within typographical border. ff. (1), 108. Stained. Vellum-backed marbled boards. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1373.]. Amsterdam, Solomon Proops: 1730. $200-300 27. AROBAS, CHANANIAH. Emeth ve-Emunah [Code of Jewish Law]. Divisional title (Hilkhoth Yom Tov) within typographic border prior to final section. Text in Hebrew and Italian. ff. 7, 288, (16), 36. Missing title page. Vellum boards.Thick 12mo. [Vinograd, Venice 1393]. Venice, Ambrosino-Bragadin: 1672. $300-500 l The author, Hananiah Arobas, who despite designating himself himself “Justice and Leader of some Communities of the Maghreb (Morocco),” sought to present the basic texts of Judaism composed by Maimonides and Joseph Karo in both Hebrew and the vernacular for the Jews of Italy. To this end, he gathered in the Emeth ve-Emunah a digest comprising the Thirteen Principles of Faith from Maimonides’ commentar y to the Mishnah Sanhedrin; Maimonides’ Sepher Hamizvoth; and a popularized version of Karo’s Shulchan Aruch. Thus the layman is provided with the rudiments of halacha, both dogmatic and practical. The last page has an encomium by the Rabbi of Venice, Solomon Chai Saraval, which trails off on a most enigmatic note:”... that Torah not be forgotten from Israel until the Redeemer comes. Only if ” one is aware how mortified Saraval was after learning of pseudo-Messiah Shabbetai Zevi’s conversion to Islam in 1666, will one appreciate this otherwise incomprehensible remark. See Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi (Princeton, 1975), p. 766.

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28. ASCHKENAZI, ELIEZER BEN ELIJAH THE PHYSICIAN. Yoseph Lekach [commentary to the Book of Esther, with text]. second edition(?). (Note that first edition is also 1576.)Title within historiated woodcut architecural arch. ff. 83. Title cropped at top with some minimal loss. ff. 2-4 bound in upside down. Dampstains. Halfcalf over marbled boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Cremona 47; Benayahu, Cremona 45; Adams B-1335; No copy in the JNUL]. Cremona, Christopher Draconi: 1576. $800-1200 l Eliezer Aschkenazi (1513-1586) held influential positions in widely scattered Jewish communites from Egypt, Cyprus and Italy to the major centers of Poland. Indeed he died in Cracow. His Biblical exegesis is permeated with the contemporary rationalistic spirit of rabbinic scholarship. Indeed Aschkenazi attacked Rabbi Judah Löw of Prague’s Gevuroth Hashem in his work on the Torah, Ma’asei Ado-nai. R. Löw was quick to respond, considering Aschkenazi’s rationalist portrayal of the Divinity apposite Kabbalah and therefore in contempt of the authentic Jewish tradition. This edition of Yosef Lekach, was the last Hebrew book printed in Cremona, which for a little over twenty years was a center of Jewish learning and printing, amidst the rigid censorship of the Church. On the Hebrew press at Cremona, see D. Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963), pp. 306-319. Benayahu suggests that the reprint of the book within the same year was not due to a loss or destruction of the first printing. He goes so far as to venture that the year of publication of the second edition is spurious. For an analysis of typographical variances between the two printings, see M. Benayahu, Ha-Dephus ha-’Ivri be-Cremona (Jerusalem, 1971), p. 233. According to Benayahu, this “second edition” is quite rare.

29. ASCHKENAZI, NAPHTALI BEN JOSEPH. Imrei Shepher [“Words of Beauty” [Sermons for various occasions]. ONLY EDITION. Title page and opening words of each chapter within a typographical border. On p.3a, a learned marginalium. There are several signatures of previous owners, including: “Zevi Hirsch ben Shlomo, ritual slaughterer of Norwich [England]; “Il libro del Samuel Anticola, 1746;” Hebrew signature of “Yizhak Itzik Segal Friedbarg. . ff. 220. Title and first few leaves wormed with loss of few letters. Dampstaining. Contemporary ” boards, worn. Spine cracked. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 919]. Venice, Daniel Zanetti: 1601. $300-500 l The author, a preacher in Safed, died in Venice in 1602. See JE, Vol. II, p. 200. The marginalium explains a difficult passage in the Talmud (Pesachim 54a) which concerns “seven things created before the creation of the world. Our glossarist explains why despite God’s acceptance ” of Man’s repentance, the preexistence of the Holy Temple was still necessary. For man would repent only his sins, but not his wayward thoughts - the latter were addressed by the sacrificial order. Interestingly, a former owner of the present copy of this book was the “shochet u-bodek” (ritual slaughterer and inspector) of Norwich, England. Harried by a series of blood libels, the historic community of Norwich numbered only 50 souls by the time of the Expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290. Following the readmission of Jews to England in modern times, the Jewish community of Norwich made a modest comeback. By 1754 there existed a synagogue. The number of Jews in Norwich (roughly 1% of the general population) has held constant between 100-200 for a century. See EJ, Vol. XII, cols. 1226-7.

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30. AUGUST, JACOB MICHAEL. Sepher Simchath Israel/Die Freude Israelis [Missionar y tract]. Head-and tail-pieces. Judeo-German and German. pp. 8, 144. 4to. [Not in Freimann]. Leipzig, Heinrich Christoph Tatte: 1738. $300-500 l This work by a Jewish apostate, on the faculty of the “yeshivah ha-kedoshah” (holy yeshivah, i.e. theological academy) of Leipzig, was written to show his fellow Jews the supposed way to salvation. Elisheva Carlebach has dealt with such converts from Judaism in Germany during this period. See E. Carlebach, Divided Souls: Converts from Judaism in Germany, 15001750 (New Haven, 2001). Our author does not appear there.
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31. BARUCH BEN ISAAC OF WORMS. Sepher haTerumah [Rabbinic Code]. FIRST EDITION. Various owners’ signatures. ff. (139 of 140), lacking final blank only. Small loss to title-page, stained in places. A Wide margined copy. Recent morocco-backed boards, spine detatched. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 91; Haberman, Bomberg 81; Adams B-326]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1523. $800-1200 l Baruch ben Isaac of Worms (late 12thearly 13th century) was a member of the Tosafist school that thrived in France, having studied under R. Isaac of Dampierre. For this reason, relatively few German authorities are cited by him, while citations of the master Tosafists Rabbi Samuel ben Meir (RaSHBa”M) and Rabbi Jacob of Ramrupt (Rabbeinu Tam) abound in his work. One might say the “specialty” of Sepher ha-Terumah is its sustained treatment of the laws pertaining to Eretz Israel. The rulings of Sepher ha-Terumah were picked up in subsequent halachic literature. Among those who invoke its’ authority are: Rabbis Isaac b. Moses (Or Zaru’a), Moses of Coucy (SeMa”G), Zedekiah Anav (Shibbolei haLeket), and Aaron of Lunel (Orchoth Chaim). Besides Sepher ha-Ter umah, another work by the same author that has gained currency are the comments to Tractate Zevachim, which are printed in the standard editions of the Talmud simply as “Tosafoth. See EJ, Vol. IV, col. 278. ” Lot 30 32. BASS, SHABBATHAI. Siphthei Chachamim [super-commentary to Rashi on the Pentateuch]. With glosses by Moses Abraham Treves. FIRST EDITION. Title within decorative border. ff. (1), 133 (i.e. 143). Upper and lower margins cut resulting in some loss of text. Stained and wormed. Calf-backed marbled boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 295]. Frankfurt a/Main, Johannes Koellner: 1712. $300-400 l Though in the judgment of some, not necessarily the best supercommentary on Rashi, Siphthei Chachamim was the one chosen to appear in most editions of Mikra’oth Gedoloth. Thus, for centuries, the minds of Jewish schoolchildren have been honed by Bass’s incisive questions and answers.

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33. BENJAMIN BEN JUDAH OF ROME. (Editor). Dikdukim [Grammatical Treatises]. * Bound together with: Elijah Halevi (Elijah Bachur). Sepher Harkavah and Moses ibn Habib’s Marpeh Lashon. FIRST EDITION. Headers within leaf motifs. Replete with notes in Latin in a petite scholarly hand. On title page, two owners’ signatures in Hebrew: “Mordecai ben Joseph …” and “Joseph ben Guigui. Also a Latin ” inscription. I. ff. (5), 236. II. ff. 83, (1). III. ff. 24. Gutter split though a clean copy. Calf gilt, spine repaired (original loose). Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 265]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1546. $800-1200 l Dikdukim contains the following four treatises: 1) Kimchi, Moses. Mahalach Shevilei Hada’ath (with commentar y by Elijah Bachur). 2) Anonymous Spanish author. Pethach Devarai. 3) Ibn Ezra, Abraham. Sepher Tzachuth be-Dikduk. 4)Idem. Sepher Moznei Leshon ha-Kodesh.

34. BENVENISTE, MEIR. Oth Emeth [annotations and emendations to various Midrashic and liturgical texts]. FIRST EDITION. Sixteenth century owner’s signature in a cursive Sephardic hand. ff. 182. Final two leaves inserted from another copy. Final leaf repaired, affecting some words. Boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Salonika 65; St. CAt. Bodl. no. 6294 (Ed. rara); Weiner no. 546]. Salonica, Joseph Ya’avetz: 1564-65. $2000-3000 l Important work containing textual emendations for the correct reading of the various Midrashic texts including Mechilta, Sifre, and Sifra. Includes some lengthier notes and comments from a manuscript by R. Judah Gedaliah and other annonymous commentators. The final section, Seder Kedusha,(pp. 173-181) corrects many mistaken readings in the Sephardic Seder Tephillah, presenting alternate readings with scholarly halachic sources. The Midrashic scholar J. Theodor, greatly praised this work in his article “Maamar Al Peirush Bereishit Rabah” in Tifereth Yisrael, I. Lewy Festschrift (Breslau, 1911), pp. 132-154.
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Lot 35 35. BENVENISTE, SAMUEL. Orach Yamim. . ff. 7. Vellum. 12mo. [Vinograd, Venice no. 890]. Venice, D. Zaniti: [1600]. l CHARMING AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE LITTLE BOOK. NO COPY IN THE JNUL Ethical instruction for both children and parents. The author makes the interesting observation on p.6a that one should learn an example concerning the seriousness of prayer from the Ishmaelites (Moslems) who do not even look at their friends during services - let alone talk to them!
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Lot 36-37 36. (BIBLE, Hebrew. EARLY PROPHETS). With the commentary of David Ben Joseph Kimchi. Letters of initial words within white-on-black decorative vignettes(including Soncino’s famous use of the double rabbit motif.) Some marginalia in various Sephardic hands. Owner’s inscription to the community of “Poli Chadash” (= Napoli, based upon its ancient name, Neopolis i.e. “new city” ) for the “Chacham, Yashish Ve-naalah Raphael Sinai... “. ff. 155 (of 156 leaves). First leaf in facsimile. Some lower edges expertly repaired mostly without loss of text.Slight staining, vellum. Folio. [Vinograd, Pesaro 27, Mehlman 65, Habermann 38; St. Cat. Bodl. 27(Ed. Rarissima)]. Pesaro, Greshom Soncino: 1511. $5000-6000 l The Redak is the most thorough and exhaustive early commentaries to the Prophets.
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37. (BIBLE, Hebrew. LATER PROPHETS). With the commentary of David Ben Joseph Kimchi. Title within four piece white-on-black woodcut border of Renaissance ornament. Letters of initial words within white-on-black decorative vignettes. Folio, 242ff. ff. 5 repaired with slight loss of a few words of text. some small portions censored, Generally, a clean copy with fine, margins. vellum . [Vinograd, Pesaro 11; Adams B-1280]. Pesaro, Sons of Gershom Soncino: 1515-16. $15,000-18,000 l No doubt the leading exegete of the prodigious Kimchis, David wrote on all the Prophetic Books as well as Psalms, Chronicles and Genesis. His method follows that of the Peshat, yet often utilizes Derash, employing aggadic interpretations. As an adherent of Maimonides’ philosophical views, David Kimchi introduces Maimonidian ideas into his commentaries although also expounding certain events as “visions. Notably, in his commentary upon the Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the Divine Chariot (Ezekiel, ” Chap. I), Kimchi presents a lengthy philosophical exposition concerning the Theophany. (See: M. Waxman, Vol. I, pp. 199-200; D. Amram, the Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1909) pp. 60-61. According to the renowned rabbi and bookseller, R. David Frankel - some Pesaro prints are even rarer than incunabula. To our knowledge, no complete copy of this edition has ever appeared at public auction.
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38. (BIBLE, Hebrew. PSALMS). Tehillim with commmentary of Rashi. First edition of Rashi on Psalms. Small folio. ff. 66 (of which ff. 1, 2, 32, 66 are in facsimile) .Some frayed corners expertlly repaired. modern morroccco. [Vinograd, Salonika no. 6, Mehlman 68.]. Salonika, Don Yehudah Gedaliah: 1515. $5000-6000 l Extremely rare. Published without a title page. The first edition of Rashi’s commentary to the Psalms.
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40. (BIBLE, Hebrew). Chamishah Chumshei Torah [end]. Title within ornate arch, 3 divisional titles, initial word of each Book within frame. pp. 506, (3). Dampstained. Calf. [Adams B-1234]. Antwerp, Christopher Plantin: 1580-1582. $1500-2500

39. (BIBLE, Hebrew). Chamishah Chumshei Torah [end]*BOUND TOGETHER WITH Greek New Testament (Geneva: Petrum de la Rouiere, 1619). pp. (8), 16, 453. FIRST HEBREW BIBLE PRINTED BY PLANTIN.Title within ornate arch, 3 divisional titles, initial word of each Book within frame. ff. 507. Modern boards, missing front and spine.Thick 4to. [Adams B-1229; Mehlman 28; cf. Darlow & Moule 5099; C. Sorgeloos, Labore et Constantia (1990) no.134 (includes facsimile of title). According to Sorgeloos: “Copies were sold in the Frankfurt Fair, in London and in the Jewish colonies of Northern Africa. Not in MPM; no copy in Belgium; only 3 copies in Britain and one in Paris. ]. ” Antwerp, Christopher Plantin: 1566. $4000-6000 l Plantin rearranged the type-composition of this Bible, and issued the same year, quarto and sextodecimo editions. See Israel Museum Catalogue, Plantin of Antwerp (1981) pp. 99-100.

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41. (BIBLE, Hebrew. WRITINGS). Five divisional title pages. Additional title for Psalms (supplied from another copy?) Opening four-page register of each of the Chapters of Psalms. Titles within woodcut arch. ff. (138); (48); (64); ((56); (100) (last ff60 misbound at end); (3 blanks); (156); (4 blanks). Damp-stained in places, additional title laid down, chapter and verse noted in mauscript Arabic numerals. Modern morocco. 16mo. [Unknown to Vinograd; cf. Darlow & Moule 5121]. Geneva, Capa Elon (i.e. P. de la Rouvière): 1617. $800-1200 l RARE. WITH: Another Copy of Chronicles 42. (BIBLE, Hebrew. PENTATEUCH). Chamishah Chumshei Torah [-end]. With Nikud. Three divisional title pages. Printed in double columns. ff.369,(1),124. Few light stains in places, marginal repairs to tile and first few leaves. Later blind-tooled brown morocco, clasp and hinge. 4to. [Vinograd, Geneva 11; Darlow & Moule 5118]. Geneva, Capa Elon (i.e. P. de la Rouvière): 1618. $800-1200

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43. (BIBLE, Hebrew). The Sixth Biblia Rabbinica. With Targum and major classical commentaries. Revised by J. Buxtorf. Complete in two volumes. Divisional titles within architectural arches. Folio.ff.[6], 986, 7,[1], 67,pp.108 (Buxtorf’s scholarly comments in Latin.) Magnificent, uniform original binding. Elaborately tooled pigskin over heavy wooden boards, with detailed rolls of mythological, classcal figures, six bands, with central geometric crest, original clasps and hinges, lightly rubbed. [Vinograd, Basle 248; Prijs, Basle 219; Darlow & Moule 5120]. Basle, Ludwig König: 1618-1619. $l MAGNIFICENT COPY OF THE MOST SCHOLARLY EDITION OF THE RABBINIC BIBLES. The publisher was fortunate in obtaining the services of experienced Jewish and non-Jewish scholars, printers and correctors who helped make his endeavor one of the most grammatically correct editions in accordance with the Masorah, as well as more esthetically pleasing than the previous Venetian editions. R. Abraham Braunschweig, the scholarly Jewish editor/printer moved to Basel in 1617 to work exclusively for Konig in conjunction with Buxtorf. He writes (f.696a) in a fine Rabbinic Hebrew, interspersed with halachic references (e,g. Maalin Ba-kodeh ve-ein moridin) about the improvements and additions wrought in this edition (which were omitted from the second and third Venice editions). Buxtorf held the view that the Masoretic text is the genuine version of the Bible. Because of his influence and sympathetic views consistent with traditonal Jewish orthodoxy, he was friendly wth Menashe Ben Yisrael and other Jewish Rabbis and scholars. In addition to his Latin commentary, Buxtorf wrote a fine introduction in Hebrew (Shaar Ha-neginoth, f. 66b at end of vol. 2), concerning the accentuation (“trop”) of the Bible. Braunschweig and the other printer and type setter Eliahu b. Yehudah of Hanau also published an additional full page poem with the acrostic of their names on f. 67b (towards the end of vol.2, before the Latin commentary). The poem, praising the work and efforts of Buxtorf and the other Jewish workers listing them by name, indicates their erudition in the Hebrew language.
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45. (BIBLE, Hebrew. Chamishah Chumshei Torah with Targum, Megilloth and Haftaroth. Vocalized Hebrew text and Targum in two columns. Separate title for Haftaroth. Handwritten marginal numbering of Haftaroth. ff. 255, 47. Elaborately tooled calf over wooden boards rubbed, chipped lacking one clasp. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 25; Fuks, Amsterdam 154]. Amsterdam, Menashe Ben Israel(financed by Henricus Laurentius): 1631. $1500-2000 46. (BIBLE, Hebrew). Esrim Ve’arbah. Printed in double-columns (with Nikud). Title within architectural arch. Final leaf contains handwritten index in English. ff. 112, 166, 94, pp. [7]. Contemporary straight-grain gilt-bordered morocoo. Stylish marbled paper. 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 45; Fuks, Amsterdam 167 (this copy with Latin imprint); Darlow & Moule 5127; Silva Rosa 2]. Amsterdam, Menasseh ben Israel for J. Jansson: 1638-39. $2000-2500 l The third Menasseh ben Israel Bible. Most attractively bound.
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Lot 44 44. (BIBLE, Hebrew). Chamishah Chumshei Torah [end]. Unvocalized Hebrew text in two columns. * Bound With Greek Bible. London, 1633. 8vo. pp.512. Contemporary blind-tooled vellum with clasps and hinges. [Fuks, Amsterdam 152; Darlow & Moule 5123; Silva Rosa 9]. Amsterdam, Menasseh ben Israel for Henricus Laurentius: 1631. $l The first Bible edition prepared by Menasseh ben Israel includes former and latter Prophets and Ketuvim. It is said that these double columned Amsterdam editions were traditionally used by the disciples of the Vilna Gaon for the “Goral Ha-Gra”.
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47. (BIBLE, Hebrew). Biblia Sacra Hebraea. Engraved Hebrew title (often missing) incorporating five Biblical scenes. Latin letterpress title. Divisional titles with biblical scenes. ff. [9], 234, 185, 186, 196, [2]. A few leaves frayed at edges with slight repairs. 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 262; Fuks, Amsterdam 378; Darlow & Moule 5131]. Amsterdam, Joseph Athias: 1659-61. $800-1200 l “The first Hebrew Bible with Arabic numeration of chapters and verses. (Fuks). ”

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48. (BIBLE, /Anonymous (Vinograd writes “Simha ben Isaac”). Sepher Daniel (Daniel Bukh)*Bound together with Judah Leib ben Hillel. Hacham Lev. [An enumeration of 613 commandments of the Torah based on early codifiers: Maimonides, SeMaG, et al]. FIRST EDITION. 28ff. [Vinograd, Fürth 30]. Fürth, Joseph ben Shlomo Zalman Shneur, 1693. Judeo-German text. 40ff. [Vinograd, 493 (No copy in JUNL)]. Prague, Jacob and Joseph, Sons of Judah Bak: 1673 (Vinograd wrongly writes “1674”). $1000-1500 l Judeo-German version of Book of Daniel. A charming poetic retelling of the Biblical story of Daniel intended for “women and children” (so advertises the title page). Israel Zinberg devotes a lengthy discussion to the most famous work of this genre, the Shmuel Bukh (Book of Samuel). There is also a Melokhim Bukh (Book of Kings). Zinberg points out that these were more than a “poetic paraphrase of the Bible. The authors drew on the rich store of Midrashic litera” ture. Zinberg goes on to speculate that the anonymous authors of these works were actually Yiddish bards who would recite their rhymed ballads before audiences: “The poets of the Shmuel-Bukh and the Melokhim-Bukh were undoubtedly Spielmänner who used to declaim their works to the people” (Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. 7 [Old Yiddish Literature], pp. 107-118). The first such book to be published was the Melokhim Bukh (Augsburg, 1543). In the following year, there appeared, again in Augsburg, both the Shmuel Bukh and the Daniel Bukh.
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Lot 46

Lot 48

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49. (BIBLE, - PROPHETS AND HAGIOGRAPHY). Sefer Ha- magid with commentary by Rashi and Agudath Shmuel by Shmuel B. Moshe Dlugatsch plus a Yiddish translation. FIRST EDITION OF COMMENTARY. 12 mo. With all four titlepages bound in 7 volumes.Tear on f. 2. Modern cloth with gilt edging. [Fuks Amsterdam no. 559]. Amsterdam, Caspar Steen: 1699-1700. $1500-2000 l Rare, complete, miniature copy of this unusual commentary. The printer, Caspar Steen was a “unique phenomenon in Amsterdam Hebrew printing... he was the only non-Jew who ever had an independent printing house which only produced Hebrew books... The most remarkable feature of his editions is the small pocket size and the use of extremely small types. (Fuks) ” R. Haim Liberman,the great bibliographer, librarian and secretary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, wrote a fascinating article with the cryptic title “Al Hagah De-R”A” concerning this particular edition and commentary. (Ohel Rachel, vol. 1 pp.310-329). This commentary which is supposed to explain difficult passages in Rashi is not concentrated in one place as a separate commentary, but is scattered throughout Rashi’s entire commenary on the Bible. The author states that he inherited many manuscripts from his ancestors( he states that he is a descendant of R. Moshe Isserles (Rama) of Krakow, he also mentions names of well known rabbis from Poland and Lithuania). He lists names of six (otherwise unknown) sources including the mysterious R. Ovadia Ha-Navi. According to Rabbi Liberman, this commentary contains many highly interesting, original comments, some of which he labels as “curiosities” and anti-Christian in nature. He suggests that they should all be collected and published separately with a proper analysis. He shows how many of these comments crept into later editions with some chopped up, unintelligible versions even existing in standard editions to this very day (citing a number of examples). The publisher of the folio size Wilhermersdorf edition states that he included it in large print in his edition. But Liberman states “it may be good for the eyes but is heavily censored, missing some interesting key passages” Only this miniature Amsterdam edition has the complete set of interpolations. The present copy is complete also in the fact that it contains the uncensored anti-christian passage missing in the censored Yivo Copy, (the Chabad library copy and our copy contain all the anti- Christian elements of this passage in Ezekiel chap. 27, verse 1; see Ohel Rachel p. 316 for a comparitive illustration of both copies) What Liberman does not elaborate on, is the interesting travelogue in the author’s introduction listing numerous countries he visited including Arab countries near the “mountains of darkness” (Ethiopia?) where he met 80,000 people from the tribe of Benjamin who spoke Hebrew “as we Ashkenazim” (!) who settled there after the destruction of the first Temple. They were independent until the Arabs conquered them 300 years ago. He mentions other cities and names of Rabbis that he visited including a place where they showed him a tower supposedly built by Cain, the son of Adam(!) Plus other piquant details. 50. (BIBLE, Hebrew). Chamisha Chumshei Torah [-end]. With Rashi’s commentary. Prepared by David Nunes Torres. Table of Haphtarah readings on last two unnumbered leaves. With Nikud and cantilation points. Commentary in Rabbinic type. Four parts in two volumes. This copy with additional engraved architectural title. Autograph Hebrew signature of David Nunes Torres authenticating the edition on verso of title. This copy without Haphtaroth (as issued). Four divisional titles, half-title for the Five Scrolls, integrally misbound. Decorative head-pieces. I: ff. (1), 402, 205. II: ff. 206-500, 310, (2). Few light stains in places. Contemporary tooled mahogany calf, four bands, gilt edges, marbled endpapers, elaborate bookplate with heraldic crest depicting crow, lion, and knight in armor on horse. 12mo. [Fuks, Amsterdam 411; Darlow & Moule 5140; cf. Vinograd, Amsterdam 795 who notes a similar edition without the commentary issued in the same year]. Amsterdam, Immanuel Athias: 1700-03. $1000-1500 l Fuks miscalculated the date on the final title page, stating that it was printed from 1700-1705.

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Lot 51 51. (BIBLE, Hebrew. PENTATEUCH AND HAPHTAROTH). Tikun Sopherim. Six volumes (Five Books of Moses and Book of Haphtaroth). First 5 volumes with exquisite engraved historiated title by Bernard Picart, first volume with additional title in Spanish and Hebrew, last volume with title within engraved cartouche by Picart. The 6th volume contains an extra title printed on vellum.plus Solomon de Olivera’s Calendario, with a folding table, Amsterdam, 1726. An attractive set, uniform contemporary Dutch mottled calf, gilt, spine in compartments, marbled endpapers, spines lightly rubbed,Final leaf of volume four torn with only a few lines remaining. 12mo. [St. Cat. Bodl. no.865; Kayserling 80-1; not in Darlow & Moule]. Amsterdam, for Samuel Rodrigues Mendes, Moses Sarfati and David Gomes da Silva: 1726. $4000-5000 l “An edition of the Pentateuch famed for its beautiful type and for its accuracy. M.H. Gans, ” Memorbook (1971) p.186, no.10 (illustrated).
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52. (BIBLE, Hebrew and Latin). Biblia Hebraica, Torah, Neviim , u’ kethuvim with Latin translation by Sebastian Schmidt. Second edition, with illustration on title of Moses holding the Tablets and Aaron burning incense, plus illusration of lone sailor in boat with sun shining and two cities on his right and left [ff. 24], pp. 705, [55]. Tooled vellum, spine in compartments. Large 4to. [Darlow and Moule1740]. Leipzig,, Wolfgang Deer: 1740. $500-700 l A reprint of E. van der Hooght’s text with the addition of Schmidt’s Latin translation. The final leaves contain the variant readings obser ved by van der Hooght by comparing the Bomberg, Plantin, Athias and other editions.

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Lot 53 53. (BIBLE, Chamisha Chumshei Torah with five scrolls and Haphtaroth. Includes engraved frontspiece depicting the sacrifice of Isaac. Quarto,ff. 248, 124. Vellum spine, paper boards with a floral patternWith manuscript notation in Italian on p. 159a signed by two of the Rabbis of Mantua. On extra thick paper wih wide margins,. A deluxe, crisp ,clean copy. [Vinograd 545]. Mantua, Eliezer Shlomo M’ Italia: 1785. $4000-6000 l Important, deluxe extra wide-margined copy used in courts of Mantua for the adminisration of oaths. Rabbis Prospero Ariani and Samuel Sinigaglia point out particular verses describing God’s punishment for those who do not heed His commandments. PRISTINE CONDITION.
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55. (BIBLE, Hebrew. PENTATEUCH HAPHTAROTH & FIVE SCROLLS). With numerous commentaries including the Or Hachaim by Chaim ibn Atar. Five volumes. Each vol. with additional title in red and black (vol. 2 conains title only in black). Sabbath morning prayers and 26 Year Calendar at end of each vol. Slight staining. Some marginal repair on lower edge of vol. 1 Modern cloth. 4to. [Not in Vinograd]. Zhitomir, Chanina Lipa and Y.H. Shapira: 1859. $700-1200 56. (BIBLIOGRAPHY). Wolf, Johann Christoph. Bibliotheca Hebraea. FIRST EDITION. Frontispiece portrait of Author in each volume. Vol. I: pp. (8), 40, 1161, (35), 24. Vol. II: (12), 1484. Vol. III: (8), 1226, (60). Vol. IV: (14), 1226, (72). Hamburg, 1715-33. $1000-1500 l “A monumental four-volume bibliography by a German Christian scholar.” S. Brisman, A History and Guide to Judaic Bibliography, Vol. I (1977), pp.13-5.

54. (BIBLE, (PSALMS). Tehillim with commentary Naavah Tehilah by R. Yaakov b. Yosef Ha-rofe of Iraq. First Edition. ff. [3],166, [2]. Modern calf. Some staining and occasional marginalia in a sephardic hand.12mo. [Halevi, Jerusalem 32]. Jerusalem, Yisrael Bak: 1845. $2000-3000 l A VALUABLE JERUSALEM EDITION OF SEPHER TEHILLIM.
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57. BORGIL, ABRAHAM BEN AZIZ. Lechem Avirim [novellea and discourses]. FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural arch. ff. 65; 114. Few light stains in places, gently dampwrinkled, tear on lower portion of final leaf not affecting text, previous owner’s inscription on title. Contemporary vellum, rubbed, spine in compartments. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 989; Haberman, di Gara 234]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1605. $500-700 l Abraham Borgil’s unique approach to the study of the Talmud was pioneered while he was Rosh Yeshiva at Nikopol, Bulgaria. Lechem Avirim incorporates novellea and discourses to the Tractates Bava Kamma, Bava Metzia, Kethuboth and Kidushin. In these novellea, Borgil does not cite his contemporaries nor the Rishonim, but rather bases himself upon the Tosaphists and upon Rashi. In his search for textual accuracy, he consulted the very earliest manuscripts of the Talmud. See M. Benayahu, in Sepher Ha’Yoval Le Chanoch Albeck (1963) pp. 71-80.

58. (CEREMONIES). Tyrnau, Isaac. Minhagim. Title within wreathed columns. ff. 43. (Missing final leaf.) Stained throughout. Worming on final leaf resulting in loss of one word. Later half-calf over marbled boards. 4to. Cracow, n.p.: 1617 (Hebrew year orthographically presented in full: “shin ayin zayin”). $3000-5000 l Religious rites and customs through the year as practiced by the Jews of Germany and Poland. Exceptionally rare edition. Not listed by Vinograd.
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Lot 59 59. (CEREMONIES). Tyrnau, Isaac. Minhagim. Title within wreathed columns, cherubs aloft. ff. 29 (of 31) lacking ff. 2-3. Stained. Tears to final page. Later morocco-backed boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Berlin 33]. Berlin, n.p.: 1703. $300-500
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60. (CEREMONIES). Birchath Hamazon - Dos Benschen. ff. 71. * Bound with: Minhagim. ff. 61. Together, two works in one volume. Both with many woodcut illustrations depicting scenes from Jewish life. Hebrew with Yiddish printed in Wayber-taytsch type. On title, signature of owner: “Moshe Shlomo Zalman ben Asher Anshel Kezir. ” Seven pages torn with resultant loss of text in lower margins. Stained and some browning. Modern boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1203 and 1210]. Amsterdam, Isaac di Cordova: 1723. $1200-1800 l Two differing illustrated compendia of religious rites and customs through the year.
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61. CHABIB, LEVI IBN JACOB. (RaLBa”CH). Shailoth Uteshuvoth [responsa]. FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch. Astrological and calendrical charts. ff. (6),210, 217-328. Few dampstains, marginal repairs to title and first few leaves, previous owner’s inscription on front free-endpaper and on title. Contemporar y mottled calf, rubbed at extremities, rebacked. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 508; Mehlman 715 (noting textual variants); Adams L-607]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1565. $600-900 l Following the author’s move from Spain to Portugal in 1492, Chabib, along with his father, were forcibly baptized. The pair were able to escape to Salonika where they soon supplied a father-and-son team of leadership for the “Gerush Sefarad,” the community of Spanish exiles settled in Salonika. In time, the RaLBa”CH moved to the Holy Land in order to atone for his baptism as a youth, where he later became embroiled over the issue of reconstituting the ancient Sanhedrin in Safed - a concept which he intensely opposed. See M. Benayahu, Chidushah shel Hasemichah Betzfat in: Yitzhak F. Baer Jubilee Volume (1960) pp.248-69.

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Lot 60 62. ( C H A S S I D I S M ) . J A C O B J O S E P H O F POLONOYE. Tzophnath Pane’ach. FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Folio. [Vinograd, Koretz 18]. Koretz, (Tzvi Hirsch Margoliouth): 1782. $3000-4000 l Important text by this outstanding Chassidic thinker. For a short but incisive essay on the significance of the author’s thought and vision see Aaron Zeitlin, “R. Yaakov Yosef Mi-Polnoeh, Sifro VeChazono” in: Bein Emunah Le’Amanut, (Tel Aviv, 1980) pp. 121-8. See also Ch. Liberman, Ohel Rochel (1984) vol. III p.42; Tauber, Kiryat Sepher, vol. I p.305 and S.H. Dresner, The Zaddik (1960).
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63. (CHASSIDISM). Dov Ba’er (“The Maggid of Mezhritch”). Or Torah [Chassidic discourses]. FIRST EDITION. 157 leaves. Previous owner’s mark stemming from Sadigura. Old calf, corners and spine rubbed and chipped. 12mo. [Vinograd, Koretz100; Tauber, Koretz 67]. Koretz, (Avraham b.Yitzchak): 1804. $6000-7000 l The leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. His disciples in turn disseminated Chasssiduth throughout Eastern Europe. This work is one of the most fundamental in Chassidic thought and was subsequently reprinted a dozen times. Although the printer did not state his name on the title, he is cited in the approbations as indicated by Tauber. Lot 64
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64. CHAYUT, ISAAC. Penei Yitzchak [concerning the laws of Issur Ve’heter in rhyme and riddle]. With commentaries Aphei Ravrevei and Aphei Zutrei. FIRST EDITION. Title within garlanded architectural arch. ff. 17, (1),108. Mispaginated. Lacking ff. 53-6 Lacking as usual the 2-page supplementary dirge for the Author’s son. [Vinograd, Cracow 142; Mehlman 823; not in Adams]. Cracow, Isaac Prostitz, 1591. * ISSERLISS, MOSES BEN ISRAEL (RaM”A). Torath Ha’chatath [Rabbinic Law]. Second edition. ff. 78 (of 84), lacking ff. 1-5, 33; 6-16 (of 19), lacking ff. 1-5,17-19 and final unnumbered leaf. [Vinograd, Cracow 47; Melman 697; not in Adams]. Cracow, Isaac Prostitz, 1577. Together, two works bound in one volume, The Salman Schocken Copy. Dampstained in places, previous owners inscriptions on recto and verso of opening title. Later roan-backed cloth, rubbed. Sm. 4to. Cracow, v.d. $2000-2500 l This work which contains the laws of Yoreh Deah in rhyme with a commentary is respectfully quoted by the Shach and the other major commentators on the Shlchan Aruch. Although the official title of this work is Penei Yitzchak(the face of Yitzchak), it is better known and usually quoted as the “Api Ravrivi” (the large face) ,which is one of the titles of the commenaries surrounding the text. The author, who was descended from the “Chassidim of Provence” was described by his contemporary, David Gans in his Tzemach David as “the great Rabbi, Renowned throughout the Diaspora, ...who has spread knowledge of Torah... “ Other scholars ,however criticized his work, especially R. Yair Chaim Bachrach in his Chavot Yair.
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65. CHEZEKIAH BEN MANOACH. Chizkuni [commentary to the Pentateuch]. FIRST SEPARATE EDITION. Title as well as initial letters throughout the book richly historiated. On f. 79r. diagram of the twelve stones in the High Priest’s breastplate. On ff. 2r.-v., 3r., and final leaf, owner’s signature: “Saul Doueck Hakohen. On ” f.157v., censor’s signature from 1679. On verso of final leaf, censor’s signature from 1597. ff. 157, (1). Staining and some worming affecting text. Broad margins. Mottled calf. 4to. [Vinograd, Cremona 26; Benayahu, Cremona, no. 24 (facsimile of colophon on final page in Benyahu, p. 76)]. Cremona, Vicenzo Conti: 1559. $1200-1800 l Chezekiah ben Manoach (mid-13th century), apparently of France, was a Biblical commentator of the School of Rashi. Although his work Chizkuni was earlier included in the Venice 1524 edition of the Pentateuch, it was first printed separately in Cremona in 1559. See EJ, Vol. VIII, cols. 459-60 (illustrated). Meir Benayahu writes that most copies of Chizkuni are lacking ff. 155-156, which were removed by Church censorship; see his Hebrew Printing at Cremona (Jerusalem, 1971), p. 211. Fortunately, our copy is entirely complete. In the early 20th century, the pre-eminent kabbalist of Eretz Israel was R. Saul Hakohen Doueck (originally from Aleppo, Syria). But it is more likely that this copy belonged to an earlier Saul Hakohen Doueck, the wealthy brother of the president of the Jewish community of Aleppo, and author of Emeth me’Eretz (Jerusalem, 1910). The latter died in Aleppo in 1874. See EJ, Vol. VI, col. 325.
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66. COHEN, BENJAMIN. (RaBa”KH). Alon Bachuth. FIRST EDITION .Illustrations on pp.1v and 63r (woman’s head), and p. 28r (man’s head). ff. 92. Dampstained. Half-calf. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 1603]. Venice, Bragadin: 1712. $300-500 l Commentar y to the the Book of Lamentations. The work is divided into four parts: The first, a straightforward commentary; the second, a commentary that attempts to turn all the lamentations to consolations; the third, explanations of several passages from Midrash Lamentations Rabbah; and the fourth, commentary to the Fifteen Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120134) that correspond to the fifteen Biblical generations from Abraham the Patriach to King Solomon The Author, Benjamin Cohen Vitale of Reggio (1651-1730) was the foremost Italian kabbalist of his day and universally held in the greatest reverence. He received the mantle of authority from the Kabbalist Moses Zacuto (RaMa”Z).

67. COHN, TOBIAS. Ma’aseh Tuviah [Medical encyclopedia]. Second Edition. Three parts in one volume. Title within architectural border. Separate title for each part. Woodcut anatomical diagram and numerous scientific text illustrations. ff. (4), 122. Lightly browned, stained in places, corners frayed. Modern boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Jessnitz 13; this edition not in Garrison & Morton]. Jessnitz, Israel ben Abraham: 1721. $400-600 l Celebrated encyclopedia of medical and natural sciences. “Padua’s most distinguished Jewish medical graduate, with the possible exception of Joseph Delmedigo, was Tobias Cohen. Certainly, his Ma’aseh Tuviyyah was the most influential early modern Hebrew textbook of the sciences, especially medicine…No other Hebrew work dealing exclusively with medical and scientific matters, and unrelated directly to concerns of religious law, was so widely read and appreciated. See ” David B. Ruderman, Jewish Thought and Scientific Discovery in Early Modern Europe (New Haven,1995), pp. 229-255.

68. CRESCAS, HASDAI. Or Ado-nai. FIRST EDITION. Famous printer’s mark of Abraham Usque (aka Duarte Pinel): armillary sphere, anchor, and verse from Psalms— both on title and final page. (Facsimile of title page in EJ, Vol.5, col. 1079.) Signature of Isaac Aschkenazi on title (kethav ashuri) and copyright page (embellished Sephardi-style signature). ff. 132. Taped boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Ferrara 31; Amram, p. 302; Adams, p. 525 (no. 79).]. Ferrara, Abraham Usque: 1555. $3000-5000 l Hasdai Crescas (d.1412?) was the disciple of R. Nissim ben Reuben of Gerona (Ra”N) he was one of the last great Spanish Jewish philosophers and set as his goal subjecting Maimonides’ Aristotelian philosophy to a rigorous critique. His Or Ado-nai is an exceptionally important work of Jewish philosophy. It has long been contended that in a sense, Crescas is the antipode to Gersonides: Gersonides sacrificed Divine knowledge for human free will, while Crescas produced a form of religious determinism. However, a careful reading of Crescas will show that his thoughts on this perennial philosophical problem are much more nuanced and complex. In the realm of astrophysics, Crescas’ conception of infinite space is strikingly modern. His physics anticipated that of Newton; while parallels have been drawn as well between Crescas on the one hand, and Galileo Galilei and Giordano Bruno on the other. (Guttman, p. 259; p. 511, n. 250). In the introduction to Or Ado-nai, the author writes that he intended to produce a halakhic work Ner Mitzvah, to compete with Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, however this remained unaccomplished. (See EJ, Vol. V cols. 1079-85). Recently, Rabbi Shlomo Fisher produced an edition of Or Ado-nai (Jerusalem, 1990) with a schematic breakdown of the chapters, a definite desideratum. See also H.A. Wolfson Crescas’ Critique of Aristotle (1929); J. Guttman, Philosophies of Judaism (1973), pp. 269-273.

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69. DE ROSSI, AZARIAH. Me’or Einaim [Philosophy of History]. FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural border. Woodcut diagrams on f.156. This copy with the corrected “mahaduroth” which are in most standard copies, though without the rare “Mahahaduroth Shniyoth” affixed to very few copies. Some scholarly marginal notes in a 20th century hand in English and Hebrew. ff.188. Lightly browned, stained in places, some marginal worming not affecting text. Modern cloth boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 138; Mehlman 1327; not in Adams]. Mantua, n.p: 1574. $1500-2000 l “... The Me’or Einaim became so important that it rendered its author as one of the greatest, or perhaps the very greatest, of Jewish historians who flourished in the seventeen centuries between Josephus and Jost. S. Baron, Azariah de Rossi’s Attitude to Life, in: Studies in Memory of I. Abrahams, ” (1927) p.12. Azariah de Rossi, was a member of an Italian Jewish family that traced its ancestry back to the time of Titus and the destruction of Jerusalem. His controversial Me’or Einaim questioned conventional medieval wisdom and introduced fundamental changes in chronology. De Rossi rehabilitated the works of the Jewish philosopher Philo, who had been ignored by Jewish scholars for almost 1500 years. He exposed the Jossipon as an early Medieval compilation based on the works of Josephus, though with much falsification. In the spirit of the Renaissance, de Rossi turned to critical analysis and made use of the Apocrypha and Jewish-Hellenistic sources in his study of ancient Jewish history and texts. Most contentiously, he suggested that Midrashic literature was employed as a stylistic device “to induce a good state of mind among readers,” and thus should not be understood to be literal. Such statements led the Me’or Einaim to be viewed as heresy and it was banned by the rabbinic authorities upon publication. He reissued the work the same year, making changes to the offending passages and adding an apologetic postscript. However, some prominent rabbis decreed youth below the age of 25 be prevented from consulting the book. De Rossi himself was spared chastisement due to his personal observance of halachic practice. See Carmilly-Weinberger, pp.210-13; I. Mehlman, Gnuzoth Sepharim, (1976) pp.21-39. 70. DI UCEDA, SAMUEL. Midrash Shmuel [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers]. Second Edition. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Opening word of each chapter within floral woodcut border. Owner’s signature on title page: “Simcha Katz Ziskind. . ff. 252. A bright copy. Calf-backed marbled boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice ” 679; Habermann, di Gara 72; Adams S-231]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1585. $800-1200 l This standard work is the classical compilation of early commentaries to the Ethics of the Fathers. Di Uceda quotes some of the early Spanish scholars as well as his contemporaries.

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71. EILENBURG, ISSACHAR BAER. Zedah la-Derekh [“Provision for the Way”]. FIRST EDITION. The R. Nachum Katz copy - He was the brother of R. Shabbetai ben Meir Ha-Kohen (1621-1662) (famed author of Sifthei Kohen [Sha”ch], arguably the most important commentary on Shulchan Arukh, Tur Yoreh Deah). His father-in-law was the then rabbi of Fürth, Germany, Rabbi [Aaron] Samuel Koidonover (Kaidanover) (c. 1614-1676) (famous author of Birchath ha-Zevach, a commentary to the difficult Seder Kodashim [Order of Sacrifices] of the Talmud). On title: “I bought this book from R. Nachum Katz, son-in-law of our Ab Beith Din [chief justice] R. S[amuel]…Meir son of he-haver R. Asher Halevi of the community of Fürth, of the family of Schalkwerd. On verso: “Meir son of he-chaver R. Asher Halevi. I bought this Zedah la-Derech from R. ” Nachum Katz, son-in-law of the great gaon, our Chief Justice R. Samuel, 9 Adar 5422 [1662]. Also on title and ” final pages allusions to a later owner, a philanthropist named “Abraham Shneor. . ff. 217. ff. 177-180 supplied ” from another copy. Calf-backed boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Prague 309]. Prague, Joseph and Judah Bak: 1623. $1000-1500 l An important super-commentary to Rashi, the most famous Jewish Bible exegete. The author, R. Issachar Baer Eilenburg (c.1570-1623) studied under R. Judah Löw in the latter’s yeshivah in Prague. He later studied in Posen in the yeshivah of Rabbi Mordecai Jaffe, author of the Levush. Eilenburg’s most famous work is Be’er Sheva (Venice, 1614), to this day a favorite commentary on several tractates of the Talmud. At the time of his premature death, Eilenburg served as rabbi of Austerlitz, Moravia. JE, Vol. 5, pp. 77-78. R. Nachum Katz stands in the shadows of his illustrious brother R. Shabtai Cohen and father-in-law R. Aaron Samuel Koidonover. The latter two served together as judges in the Beith Din of R. Moses Lima in Vilna. At the time of the Swedish invasion of Poland and the hardships that followed in its aftermath, Koidonover was forced to flee to Kurow near Lublin, where two of his daughters were slaughtered. Eventually he reached safety in Nikolsburg, Moravia, and later served as rabbi and Chief Justice of Fürth. R. Nachum Katz wrote the preface to his father-in-law’s Birchath ha-Zevach (Amsterdam, 1669). See Isaak Markon, “Bemerkungen…über die Wilnaer Flüchtlinge im XVII. Jahrhundert,” in Studies in Jewish Bibliography in Memory of A.S. Freidus (New York, 1929); JE Vol. VII, p. 414; EJ Vol. 10, cols. 1153-1154; Vol. 14, cols. 1217-1219. 72. (ELIJAH, GAON OF VILNA). Seder Olam Raba [the first systematic chronology of world history from Adam until the destruction of the Second Temple] - ascribed to the Mishnaic sage R. Yossi b. Chalaphta. FIRST EDITION of the Gaon’s commentary and new corrected text. 8vo.ff. [49]. Some worming expertly repaired. Few leaves mispaginated or misbound but complete. Marble paper boards with cloth spine. [Vinograd Sklow, 118; Mehlman180; Vinograd, Vilna Gaon (2003) no. 298]. Sklow, Shabetai b. Ben-Zion, et al: 1801. $300-500 l Rare. One of the first of the Gaon’s works to be published showing his original scientific approach to the text.With an important introduction by the editor, Menachem Mendel of Sklov, who states that the Gaon left a legacy of manuscripts containing “thousands of pages” - contrary to the opinion of some modern scholars.

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73. ELIJAH IBN CHAIM of Constantinople. (RANa”CH). Teshuvoth Shailoth [responsa]. FIRST EDITION. This copy with the Signature on the title-page of the ChID”A (Chaim Joseph David Azulai). Folio. ff. 6, 272. . Modern cloth boards. Various owners signatures and stamps on title page. [Vinograd, Venice 1067; Yaari, Const. 242]. .Constaninople, n.p: c.1610. $4000-5000 l THE CHAIM JOSEPH DAVID AZULAI (THE CHID”A) COPY, WITH HIS SIGNATURE ON THE TITLE PAGE. There is some confusion among bibliographers as to the correct place and date of printing of this edition. The preponderance of opinions suggest that it is a Constantinople imprint, as stated on the title page. As regards the date, Yaari suggests between the years 1603-1617, the years of Sultan Ahmed I reign, whose Court is noted on the title page. Page 185 contains an internal title for the author’s novellae to the Talmudic Tractate Kethuvoth - not noted by Yaari. See Y. Hacker, Areshet, vol. V, p. 493. Se also the article by A. M. Habermann on the various transmigrations concerning the publication of this work in Sepher Assaf (Jerusalem,1953) pp. 217-20.
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74. EMDEN, JACOB. Yetziv Pithgam [Eulogy of Emden’s father, Rabbi Zevi Hirsch Aschkenazi “The Chacham Zevi”]. FIRST EDITION. ff. 12. Wrappers. 4to. [Vinograd, Altona 37; St. Cat. Bodl. p. 1207, no. 1; Aresheth III, pp. 261-2, no. 20.]. Altona, (Self-published on Emden’s own press): 1740. $1500-2500 l On the second day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, 1718, R. Zevi Hirsch Aschkenazi passed away aged 58. Emden was not present at the time of his father’s death, arriving sometime later to erect a tombstone upon his grave in Lvov. It was at the time of the “hakamath matzevah” that this eulogy was delivered. The final two leaves include a formula to be recited by the Chachham Zevi’s children every eve of Rosh Chodesh during the year of mourning and the inscription engraved upon the rabbi’s tombstone. What prompted R. Jacob Emden to publish this eulogy was the passing of his seven-year old son Zevi, a child prodigy, on 23rd Shevat 1740. According to the colophon on p. 10b, the printing was completed in precisely one week, 7th-13rd Adar. The impact made on Emden by his father is perhaps reflected in the fact that in Emden’s autobiography, Megillath Sepher, he “devotes roughly the first fifty pages, fully one quarter of the entire book, to a biography of his father. ” See J.J. Schacter, “History and Memory of Self: The Autobiography of Rabbi Jacob Emden,” in: Jewish History and Jewish Memory (Yerushalmi Festschrift) (1998), p. 430. See also Mortimer J. Cohen, Jacob Emden: A Man of Controversy (Philadelphia, 1937), pp. 41-42; Judith Bleich, “Hakham Zebi as Chief Rabbi of the Ashkenazic Kehillah of Amsterdam (1710-1714)” (Master’s thesis, Yeshiva University, 1965); J. J. Schacter, “Rabbi Jacob Emden: Life and Major Works” (Ph.D. dissertation, Harvard University, 1988).

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75. EPHRAIM SOLOMON OF LUNTSCHYTZ. Oleloth Ephraim [‘Vines of Ephraim,” sermons for festivals and various occasions]. *Bound together with: Sepher Etz Shathul [Albo, Joseph. Sepher ha-Ikarim with commentar y Shorashim by Gedaliah ben Solomon of Poland] (Venice: Pietro & Lorenzo Bragadin, 1618). ff.144. Vinograd, Venice 1112. ff. 180. Foxed. Modern half calf. Folio. [Vinograd, Prague 281]. Prague, Abraham Heide: 1619. $500-700 l The author (1550-1619), a renowned preacher, studied in his youth in Poland under Rabbi Solomon Luria (MaHaRSHa”L). He later served as Chief Justice of the rabbinical court of Prague. Today Ephraim Luntschytz is best known for his Keli Yakar (“Precious Vessel”), a popular homiletic commentar y to the Pentateuch included in most editions of Mikra’oth Gedoloth.

76. FIGO, MOSES. Zichron Torath Moshe. FIRST EDITION. Title within elegant woodcut foliate border. Owner’s signature on title: “Joseph ben Meir Landa. Polish stamps on several pages. ff.174. ” Lightly browned, stained in places. Title and first leaf laid to size. Slight worming. Handsome calf-backed boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Const. 206; Yaari Const. 154]. Constantinople, Moses Parnes: 1553. $1500-2000 l Important alphabetical subject index of the Talmud including citations to Moreh Nevuchim, Akeidah, Ikkarim, Derech Emunah, Neveh Shalom, Or Hashem, and Derashoth ha-Ra”N. A work that lends significance to the history of scholarship in the 16th century, indicating those works considered at the time to be worthy of study.

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77. (FRENCH JUDAICA). Niemand Soll mit Juden Contrahieren als Allein um Essert - Speiss und Pferd. FIRST EDITION. Broadside printed on fine paper with expert repair on verso, outer edges slightly stained. In German, 14 lines in Latin and Gothic characters, with handwritten signature and date. 30 x 19 cm. [Z. Szajkowski, Franco-Judaica, 1962,p. 56 no. 573, who notes only the reprint (Renov. 1728) based upon this original]. (Strasbourg), 1728. $2000-2500 l Rare document outlawing the residents of Strasbourg and surrounding areas from doing business or trading with Jews - with the exception of trading in foddstuffs and horses. This first edition not seen by Szajkowski. 78. (FRENCH JUDAICA). Lettres patentes du Roi, sur le decret de l’Assemblee Nationale, du 20 Juillet dernier, potent supression des droits d’ habitation, de protection,de tolerance& de redevances semblabes sur les Juifs. Donee a Saint-Cloud. Broadside. Woodcut heraldic crest headpiece at top. 35.5 x 46 cm. Aix, Gibeln and Emeric-David: 1790. $1500-2000 l The ideas of the French Revolution- “liberté, egalité et fraternité” brought equal rights for the Jews of France and the abolition of particular taxes levied against them for generations. The grant of rights of active citizenship to French Jews followed an appeal made by de Talleyrand in Paris 1790. This document was issued both as a broadside and as a pamphlet (See Kestenbaum & Company, Sale XVI: Important Hebrew Printed Books & Manuscripts from the Librar y of the London Beth Din (Fourth Portion), 25th June, 2002, Lot 106). 79. (FRENCH JUDAICA). Tama, Diogene. Raccolta Degli Atti Dell’ Assemblea Degli Israeliti di Francia e del Regno D’Italia... Dai Processi Verbali e Decisioni del Gran Sinedrio. . pp. 316, 116, (4). Few light stains in places. Uncut copy. Stiff wrappers. 4to. Milan, G.G. Destefanis: 1807. $300-400 l Transactions of the Paris Sanhedrin translated into Italian. The “Sanhedrin” was the brainchild of Emperor Napoleon I.

80. (FRENCH JUDAICA). Belais, Abraham (Chief Rabbi of Nice and Algeria). Odes et Priere Hebraiques... En L’Honneur de S.M. LouisPhillipe, Roi des Francais. French text prepared by Lazare Wogue. Printed French text with 13 leaved manuscript Hebrew translation in Belais’s neat square hand on each facing page. 8vo. ff. 13. Exquistely tooled gilt red Royal morocco. Presentation copy to Queen of France.Inscribed “Dedie A. S. Majestie M. A. Reine Des Francais,” with Royal crest above. Paris, J. Smith: 1835. $7000-8000 l Seemingly one of the two copies especially bound and inscribed by the Author for presentation to the (exiled) King and Queen of France. The King’s copy is located in the Bibliotheque Nationale of France, the present copy is apparantly that presented to Her Majesty, The Queen. The Queen of France to whom this volume is personally dedicated to Marie Amelie Therese. Her Majesty (1782-1866), wife of Louis Philippe, belonged to the House of Bourbon. She was the daughter of Ferdinand IV, King of Naples and the Archduchess Maria Carolina, daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa. Born in Caserta, she received a careful education which developed the naturally pious and honorable disposition that earned for her in the family circle the nickname of La Santa. The turbulent history of the time resulted in her exile on at least three separate periods in her life. From I848 to her death she resided at Claremont. See A. Trognon, Vie de Marie Amelie (1872); A. L. Baron Imbert de St Amand, La Jeunesse de Marie Amelie (1891). Abraham Belais (1773-1853) was a prolific author well known in all the countries of his sojourn, his writings included Yad Avshalom published in Livorno and various sermons and booklets in London and Paris. The able translator, Lazare Wogue was a scholar in residence at the Beth Midrash Hagadol of Metz.
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81. (FRENCH JUDAICA). I. Décret Impérial Concernant les Juifs qui n’ont pas de nom de famille et de prénoms fixes. [Imperial Decree concerning the Jews without Family names and fixed first names]. Woodcut headpiece on recto of first leaf. Single leaf. Lightly worn at margins. 4to. [Z. Szajkowski, Judaica-Napoleonica: A Bibliography of Books, Pamphlets and Printed Documents, no. 142, in; Studies in Books and Booklore, June, 1956]. Paris, Rondonneau, July 20th, 1809. II. Mémorial Administratif du Département de la Haute-Garonne. No. 251... Le Préfet du département de la Haute-Garonne, Baron de l’Empire, Chevalier de l’Ordre impérial de la Réunion [By this declaration, it was made illegal to refuse to admit Biblical names for Jewish children. The legalization of non-Saint names for Jews was hereby established]. pp. 221-4. Light dampstains. Wrappers. 8vo. Toulouse, October 12th, 1813. Together, two printed pamphlets. v.p, v.d. $1500-2000 l “Those subjects of our Empire who follow the Hebrew cult and who, up to now, have not had family names and fixed first names, must adopt them during the three months following this decree and declare them in front of a civil officer of the Community where they live. ” A landmark decree, responsible for most of the Family-names now employed by Jews from Central and Eastern Europe.

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82. GANS, DAVID. Nechmad Vena’im [on astronomy, geography, as well as a rejection of astrology in Jewish tradition]. FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch. Numerous astronomical diagrams. Introduction in Latin (often lacking). ff. 82, pp. 20 (Latin). Browned. Vellum. 4to. [Vinograd, Jessnitz 49]. Jessnitz, Israel b. Abraham: 1743. $300-500 l Latin introduction by Christian Hebenstreit, Professor of Hebrew in Leipzig, drawing attention to the keen influence Gans received from the theories of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, with whom Gans worked in Prague. See A. Neher, Jewish Thought and the Scientific Revolution of the Sixteenth Century: David Gans (1541-1613) and His Times (1986), pp. 58-91. Gans was a disciple of R. Judah Löw of Prague. Scientific cooperation between Jewish and non-Jewish savants was unique to the Rudolfine era. The MaHaRa”L himself is said to have been invited to the Hradschin Palace to meet with Emperor Rudolph II, a most enlightened ruler, but the subject of their conversation remains a mystery. Neher, pp. 6, 20, 24. 83. (HAGADAH). Seder Hagadah shel Pesach. According to Roman rite. Hebrew with translation into JudeoItalian.Edited by Israel Ha-zifroni. Accompanied by Leone Modena’s abridged commentary of Isaac Abrabanel’s “Zevach Pesach. . Title within architectural arch. Each page profusely illustrated including histo” riated initial letters all within a fine architectural frame. Folio, ff. 26.Some staining, slight tear on lower left of title, Finely crafted contemporary gilt-tooled calf binding. Folio. [Yudlov 55; Yaari 41; Yerushalmi 49-55]. Venice, J.Calleone: 1629. $6000-8000 l This Hagadah was published in three editions with varying translations and rites - Italian, German and Spanish (Ladino). Although its magnificent highlights follow the great archetype of the Venice1609 Hagadah with its borders, miniature figures, scenes and large woodcuts, (see C. Roth, Printed Illuminated Haggadoth, Areshet 3, pp. 21-22), the addition of a scholarly commentary, necessitated a different format- spreading the illustrations throughout - rather than the previous more concentrated form. These modifications resulted in a definitve, final form serving the future development of the Hagadah illustrative style and layout.
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84. (HAGADAH). Chiluka de-Rabbanan. With commentaries: Shnei Luhoth ha-Berith by Isaiah Halevi Horowitz; Mateh Aharon by Aaron Te’omim Darshan; and Kethoneth Pasim by Joseph ben Moses Hadarshan of Przemysl. Elaborate woodcut title. Printed on blue paper. Marginal note on 35b. ff. 7, 1, 3-45. Final leaf 52 mispaginated and should read “45.” Modern boards. 4to. [Yudlov 92; Yaari 60]. Amsterdam, David Tartas: 1695. $1000-1500 l A biblophilic edition printed on deep blue paper. The practice of printing on blue paper was begun by the famed Christian publisher of Jewish texts, Daniel Bomberg. In the shtetls of Eastern Europe, on the other hand, blue paper was an exigency resorted to by poverty-stricken printers of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. See Brad Sabin Hill, Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana-Treasures of Jewish Booklore (1994) pp. 56-59. Also, Wisso Weiss, “Blaues Papier für Druckzwecke in: Gutenberg-Jahrbuch (1959), pp. 26-35.

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85. (HAGADAH). Haggadah of Passover *Bound together with Isaac ben Reuben of Barcelona. Seder Azharoth [piyutim for Shavu’oth]. First edition of Haggadah published in Jerusalem. Extensive English marginalia. I. ff. 30. Title and f. 5 torn. II. ff. (24). Due to a printer’s error, three pages of the Introduction were left blank. Later boards. 12mo. [Vinograd, Jerusalem 10, 11; Halevi 5, 6; Yudlov, Haggadah 849; not in Yaari]. Jerusalem, Israel Bak: 1842. $3000-5000 l FIRST HAGGADAH PRINTED IN JERUSALEM IN UNUSUALLY FINE CONDITION. On p.19b the English glossator explains that the various expressions of liberation, refer to successive exiles in Jewish history: “From mourning to festivity” refers to the deliverance of Purim, while “from darkness to great light” refers to the miracle of Chanukah, etc. Azharoth are poetic arrangements of the six hundred thirteen commandments, to be recited on Shavu’oth (Pentecost), the festival that celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Some famous authorities who contributed to the Azharoth literature are: Sa’adyah Gaon, R. Elijah the Elder, R. Solomon ibn Gabirol, R. Isaac b. Mordecai Kimhi (Maestre Petit de Nions). Various communities adopted azharoth of different medieval poets. The Azharoth of R. Isaac bar Reuben of Barcelona were adopted by the communities of Morocco. (See R. Hayyim David Azulai, Shem ha-Gedolim II, s.v. Azharoth.) Indeed the present edition was brought out by R. Moses Edre’i of Marrakesh. The work bears the haskamah (encomium) of Rabbi Hayyim Abraham Gaguine, the Rishon le-Zion or Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Eretz Israel.
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86. (HAGADAH). Seder Hagadah. Prepared by Haim Joseph Hallegua of Cochin. Hebrew and Marathi on facing pages. Lithographed throughout. Title flanked by Biblical heroes, further 13 bijou illustrations of the Seder procedure, with a final illustration displaying the required Seder ingredients - all represented in a distinctly Indian style. ff.(5),36. 8vo Modern morrocco, previous owners stamp, small, slight stain on final leaves. 8vo. [Yudlov 895; Yaari 656; Yerushalmi 97-8]. Bombay, Abraham Jemal: 1846. $3500-5000 l The first Hagadah with Marathi translation - the indigenous language of the Bene Israel Community of India.
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Lot 87

Lot 86

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87. (HAGADAH). Hagadah shel Pesach-The Institution of Passover. Prepared by the Brothers Moses Jacob and Aaron David Talker. Hebrew and Marathi on facing pages. Celebrated illustrations depicting local Bene Israel custom on opening nine pages. This copy apparently with an extended Marathi introduction. ff. 2,(9),pp. (1), 5-50 (5). Seemingly with additional pages than noted by Yaari, but in accordance with Yudlov. Owner’s signature on title page. Bottom edge of final leaf repaired without loss, browned and lightly stained in places. Modern half calf, spine slightly chipped. 8vo. [Yudlov 1437; Yaari 1077]. Poona, Vital Sakharam Agnihorty: 1874. $3000-4000 l Unlike the earlier Bombay Hagadah (1846) whose “illustrations were still closely linked to their Amsterdam prototypes, those in the Poona Hagadah have managed to drift into a sphere of their own. Even as they retain the basic pattern, they are now palpably Indian in tone and detail. Yerushalmi ” 107-10. See also Israel Museum Catalogue, The Jews of India (1995) p. 25 (illustrated).
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88. (HAGADAH). Hagadah shel Pesach-The Institution of Passover. Illustrated. With Marathi translation by E. S. Walwatkar. pp.96. Limp boards. 8vo. [Yudlov 1827; Yaari 1341; Yerushalmi 120]. Bombay, A. J. Diweykar: 1891. $[SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 43

89. HAGADAH. Hagadah shel Pesach. Service for the First Two Nights. Translated into Marathi by H.E. Penkar. With photographs of a few generations of Indian Jews (men , women and children) at a Seder table and an Indian Seder plate with thick pancake like matzoth. ff.(1), pp. 118. Modern cloth, back cover loose. Small 8vo. [Yaari 2197, Yudlov 3496]. Bombay, S. J. Kharilkar: 1935. $400-600

90. Hagiz, Jacob ben Samuel. Halachoth Ketanoth [Responsa. Highlights of the work are discussions of the Laws of the Nazirite and shemoth gittin (a list of proper names as they are to be written in a bill of divorce]. ff. (4), 71, (9).Title torn and taped. Minor stains. [Vinograd, Venice 1545]. * Bound with: Moses Galante. Korban Chagigah [Halachic novellae pertaining to the Three Festivals and particularly to the festive sacrifice offered in the Temple] ff. 55, (1). Title taped and stained. f. 40 has torn corner that does not affect text.Title within historiated border. On verso, attractive tailpiece containing vignettes of Elijah and Isaiah. [Vinograd, Venice 1550]. Together two works bound in one volume. BOTH FIRST EDITIONS. Original calf, badly rubbed and cracked. Small folio. Venice, Alvise Bragadin: 1704. $500-700 l Both works were issued by R. Moses Hagiz (who was wont to sign himself MeNIaH, initials of Moses son of Jacob Hagiz). The two books are by his father Jacob, and maternal grandfather Moses Galante (MaGeN), respectively. Moses Hagiz is famous today for his dogged pursuit of crypto-Sabbatians (believers in the pseudo-Messiah Shabbetai Zevi). His father Jacob was head of the yeshivah in Jerusalem where Nathan of Gaza, prophet of Shabbetai Zevi, studied as a young man. In fact, in the prolonged absence of Nathan’s father, Elisha Aschkenazi, a fundraiser for Eretz Israel whose travels took him to faraway Morocco, young Nathan was raised in Jacob Hagiz’s home. When later Nathan became “prophet” of the nascent messianic movement, R. Jacob Hagiz repudiated his former student, to no avail. Hagiz’s son Moses inherited his father’s deep-seated animosity to all forms of Sabbatianism. Moses’ maternal grandfather, also a Jerusalemite, was a very different sort of individual, who for a time at least, was swept up by the hullaballoo of the Sabbatian movement. In early 1666, we find him in Aleppo among the leading Sabbatai “prophets”. See A. Yaari, Sheluchei Eretz Yisrael (1977), pp. 290-291; Gershom Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi (Princeton, 1973), 201-202, 246-248; Elisheva Carlebach, The Pursuit of Heresy: Rabbi Moses Hagiz and the Sabbatian Controversies (New York,1990). A facsimile of the title page of Korban Chagigah appears in Giora Pozielov, Hachmeihen shel Arba ‘Arei ha-Kodesh (Jerusalem, 2001), p.75. Lot 88

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91. HAI BEN SHERIRA. (Gaon of Pumbeditha). Hamekach Vehamemkar [laws of torts and securities]. FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch. ff. 97, (1). Few light stains in placs, scattered marginalia on first few leaves, generally a clean copy. Contemporary vellum. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 950; Habermann, di Gara 214]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1602. $600-900 l The earliest classic of commercial law. A code of practice for Jewish merchants by R. Hai Gaon, who was the last of the great Geonim of Mesopotamia. The work became a classic of commercial literature. Included as an appendix, is a brief formulary for contracts which is probably the most ancient in existence. It includes a “Sepher Mashcon” (Contract of Loan) which shows the methods of Jewish money-lenders.
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93. HALEVI, JOSHUA. Halichoth Olam [Methodology of the Talmud]. Title within architectural arch. ff. 40. Modern morocco. Title and few pages lightly stained. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 185; not in Adams]. Mantua, Ruffinelli: 1593. $500-700 l In the introduction, the author, R. Joshua Halevi, a native of Tlemcen (presently Algeria) bemoans his fate. Forced by persecution to leave his native land in 1467, he arrived in Toledo (Castille). There he made the acquaintance of Don Vidal ibn Levi. The latter gentleman commisioned the present work to explicate “darkhei ha-gemara” (“the ways of the Talmud”). The author goes on to express his gratitude to his teacher R. Jacob Hakohen Ashkenazi, and his indebtedness to the earlier work in the field by R. Samson of Chinon, Sepher haKerituth. Interestingly, the book enjoyed popularity among non-Jewish scholars, going through several Latin editions. See JE, Vol. XII, pp. 600-601.

92. HALEVI, JOSHUA. Halichoth Olam [Talmudic topics and issues with commentary to the Thirteen Divine Attributes of Mercy] Introduction by Samuel HaNagid*Bound together with Shlomo ben Eliezer Halevi. Avodath Halevi [Six hundred thirteen commandments arranged according to the portion of the week] (Venice: Justinian, 1546) ff. 28.Printer’s device on title (Ya’ari’s Printers Marks no. 16). I. Printer’s device on title (Yaari’s Printers Marks no. 26) Owner’s inscription in Hebrew on title: “Inheritance from my father. Fell to my lot, Friday, Erev Rosh Hodesh Nissan, [5]379 (1519). Nathan son of Jeremiah Menahem Hammerschlag. Also a later owner: “Zevi Hirsch b. ” Yitzchak. Also several members of family. ff. 38. ” Dampstaining. Worming on title that affects text. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Sabionetta 52; Benayahu, Cremona 42; Adams J-384*Vinograd, Venice 286; Habermann, Adelkind 29; Mehlman 790]. Sabionetta, Vicenzo Conti: 1567. $800-1200

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94. HALEVI, JUDAH. Sepher ha-Kuzari [philosophy]. Translated from Arabic to Hebrew by Judah ibn Tibbon (With commentary “Kol Yehudah” by Judah Moscato). Third edition, FIRST EDITION WITH COMMENTARY. Title within garlanded architectural arch.On title page, signatures of two owners: “Moshe b. Ephraim Capsouto” and “Abraham Baruch Piperno. The latter was an Italian Jewish poet. ff. 299. Title torn. Dampstained. Original ” vellum, worn. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 794; Habermann- di Gara 144; Adams J-401]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1594. $400-600 l The Kuzari is written in the form of a Socratic dialogue. In this work, Halevi develops a philosophy of history in an attempt to show the insufficiency of theological conclusions arrived at by rationalistic means. His underlying principle is that God cannot be found or conceived by reason, but rather by an intuition peculiar to Semitic peoples. It is this divine intuition (“al-amr al-ilahi” in the Arabic original or “ha-inyan ha-elo-hi” in Tibbonide Hebrew) which may bring one to the highest spiritual level: prophecy. The work has a polemical and apologetic dimension as well, discussing the perceived inadequacies of Christian and Islamic theology, and the superiority of Judaism. See M. Waxman, vol. I, pp. 333-339. In the past century, the study of the Kuzari was encouraged by R. Abraham Isaac Kook, Chief Rabbi of Israel; R. Ezekiel Sarna, dean of the Hebron Yeshivah; and R. Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz of Yeshivah Torah Voda’ath, Brooklyn. They valued its experiential approach over and against the rationalism of Maimonides. For a recently published detailed analysis contrasting Halevi and Maimonides’ attitudes to the problems of Jewish philosophy, see David Hartman, Israelis and the Jewish Tradition (2000); also Diane Lobel, Between Mysticism and Philosophy (Albany, 2000). Kuzari has been referred to as the “philosophy of anti-philosophy. THE COPY OF ABRAHAM BARUCH ” PIPERNO. Piperno published a poem upon the cessation of the plague, Kol Rinah vi-Yeshu’ah (Livorno, 1815); a poem in honor of the nuptials of the King of Italy (Modena, 1842), and edited an anthology of poems by R. Moses Zacuto, R. Moses Hayim Luzzato, and others, entitled Kol Ugav (Livorno, 1846). 95. (HEBRAICA). ISSERLEIN, ISRAEL BEN PETACHIYA. Biurim [super-commentary to RaSH”I on the Pentateuch]. FIRST EDITION. pp. (6 of 34). Fragment. [Vinograd, Venice 9; Habermann-Bomberg 14; Adams I-246]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1519. * SOLOMON BEN ISAAC (RaSh”I) (SCHOOL OF). Likutei Hapardess [Halachah]. FIRST EDITION. ff. (17 of 35). Lacking final blank leaf. [Vinograd, Venice 10; Mehlman 791; Habermann, Bomberg 12; Adams S-1412]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1519. * (Adret, Solomon ben Abraham). (RaSHB”A). Shailoth Uteshuvoth RaMBa”N [responsa]. Third edition. ff. (94 of 95), lacking title. [Vinograd, Venice 14; Habermann, Bomberg 10; Adams S-1409]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1519. * ISSERLEIN, ISRAEL BEN PETHACHIAH. Pesakim Uchethavim [responsa]. FIRST EDITION. ff. (53). [Vinograd, Venice 12; Habermann, Bomberg 13 (unseen); Adams I-244]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1519. Together, four works in one volume. Stained in places, scattered worming, marginalia. Recent morocco-backed marbled boards, gently rubbed. 4to. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1519. * BARUCH BEN ISAAC OF WORMS. Sepher Haterumah [Rabbinic Code]. FIRST EDITION. ff. 119 (of 140). Lacking ff. 10-11,65-80,84,137,140 (blank), title supplied in manuscript. Damp stained, trace foxed in places. Later blind-tooled tan morocco boards, rubbed. Lg. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 91; Haberman, Bomberg 81; Adams B-326]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1523. * NAPHTALI HERTZ BEN MENACHEM OF LUBLIN. Perusch Le’midrash Rabboth Me’ha’torah [commentary to the Midrash Rabbah]. FIRST EDITION. ff. 30 (of 36), lacking ff. 1,3,12,17,21-2. [Vinograd, Cracow 26; Mehlman 895] AND Perusch Le’midrash Chamesh Megiloth Rabbah [commentary to Midrash Rabbah]. FIRST EDITION. ff. 35. Lacking four unnumbered leaves at end. [Vinograd, Cracow 25; Mehlman 894]. Cracow, Isaac Prostitz, 1569. * HALEVI, ISAAC BEN JUDAH. Penach Raza [novellea and discourses on the Pentateuch]. FIRST EDITION. ff.86 (of 88). Lacking f. 85, f. 88 provided in facsimile. [Vinograd, Prague 154]. Prague, Jacob Bak, 1607.* DURAN, SHIMON BEN TZEMACH. (RaSHBa”TZ). Sepher HaTaSHBba”’TZ [responsa]. Second edition. Engraved architectural border depicting Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon. Divisional ornamental woodcut title featuring lions, foliage and crown. ff. (11), 44 (of 91), lacking ff.45-91; ff. 2 (of 69), lacking 1-67, (1); 68,(1); 101,(1). [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1549 (cf. Amsterdam 1490); see D. Yardeni, Alei Seipher vol. X, pp.119-32 regarding typographical variances]. Amsterdam, Naphtali Herz Levi Rofe, (1738). * AMRAM, NATHAN. Kinyan Guph Ve’kinyan Peroth [encyclopeadia of rulings in Choshen Mishpath]. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographical arch. PRINTED ON BLUE TINTED PAPER. Part I (of 2). ff. (1),240,19. [Vingrad, Livorno 789]. Livorno, Eliezer Menachem Ottolonghi, 1820. Together, group of nine works in six volumes. Variously worn. Variously bound. Sold not subject to return. v.p., v.d. $800-1200

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96. HELLER, YOM TOV LIPMANN. Tzurath Beith Hamikdash He’athid [on the design of the third Temple]. Title within elaborate design: Griffin and birds below and cherubs on top. Diagrams of the Temple. ff. (2), 20. Title stained. Some browning. Modern boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 325]. Frankfurt a/ Main, Johann Kelner: 1714. $300-500 97. HOLBERG, LUDWIG. Jüdische Geschichte von Erschaffung der Welt bis auf gegenwärtige Zeiten [“Jewish History from the Creation of the World until Contemporar y Times”]. Translated from Danish to German by Georg August Detharding. Two parts in one. Separate titles for each part. FIRST GERMAN EDITION . Full page engraving of author opposite title. Printer’s mark on title. On f. 4. dedication to and engraving of the Danish Monarch Frederic V. pp. (28), 714, (12), 719. Dampstained. 4to. Altona and Flensburg, 1747. $100-150 l Ludwig Holberg (1684-1754) was a pioneer of modern Danish literature. Jews serve as dramatic characters in his plays. First published in Danish as Den jødiske historie (1742), Holberg’s broadsweep of Jewish history portrays Jews in a sympathetic light. See EJ, Vol. XIV, col. 926. 98. HOROWITZ, ISAIAH BEN ABRAHAM HALEVI. (The SHaLa”H Hakodosh). Shnei Luchoth Habrith. Issued with Vavei Amudim by Horowitz’s son Shabtai Sheftel. Third edition. With finely engraved frontispiece by Abraham ben Jacob. ff.(4),422,44,(12). Outer margin of frontispiece trimmed. Signatures of former owners erased. Blank at end contains a handwritten genealogy of the owner’s family.Contemporary tooled calf over heavy wooden boards with metal clasps (one hinge missing clasp), worn. Folio. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 668; Fuks, Amstersdam 405]. Amsterdam, Immanuel ben Joseph Athias: 1698. $600-900 l This edition of the SHaLa”H’s extensive work on Halachah, Kabbalah and ethical philosophy is considered one of the most beautifully produced Hebrew printed books. Chassidim consider the year of the publication of this edition as especially noteworthy, as it was the year the venerable Baal Shem Tov was born. Many of the teachings of Chassiduth have their source in the SHalaH Ha- kadosh.

99. IBN DAUD, ABRAHAM. Sepher ha-Kabbalah [History]. First edition.On page 3a there is a marginal note taken from manuscript concerning the date of Jesus’ birth: “He was born in the fourth year of Alexander Jannaeus’ (Yannai) reign, the 263rd year of the Hasmonean dynasty. On penulti” mate page, signatures of Church censors, one of whom signs as an inquisitor. ff. 19. Some stains and slight worming. Contemporar y binding. 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 14]. (Mantua), n.p.: (1514). $3000-5000 l Important chronicle of Jewish History by Abraham ibn Daud Halevi (RABa”D the First) c. 1110-1180, Spanish Jewish historian and philosopher. Gerson D. Cohen published a critical edition of the text of this work with English translation and commentary (Sefer ha-Qabbalah, 1967). Ibn Daud’s philosophical work, originally written in Arabic and translated into Hebrew as Emunah Ramah (Exalted Faith), is one of the earlier examples of Jewish Aristotelianism. Sepher ha-Kabbalah is divided into three sections: The first is the chain of transmission of the Torah designed to demonstrate that the tradition of the Oral Law is reliable. (The book begins on an anti-Karaite note.) This history takes the reader up to Spain of Ibn Daud’s day.The second portion of the book entails the line of succession of the Roman Emperors until the time of Muhammad. Finally, the author embarks on a detailed histor y of the Second Temple period - mostly based on that of Josippon.

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100. IBN EZRA, ABARAHAM. De Navitatibus. Henricus Bate: Magistralis compositio astrolabii. FIRST EDITION. Woodcut initials and 16 diagrams. Gothic letter, 38 lines. ff.30. Trace stained, upper corner of f.29 repaired along with 3 tiny worm-holes, outer third of final text page laid down. Magnificent modern gilted morocco, two bands in matching gilt morocco fitted box. 4to. [Goff A-7; BMC V, 291; H. Friedenwald, Jewish Luminaries in Medical History-Catalogue (1946) p.85]. Venice, Erhard Ratdolt: 1485. $l As a Biblical exegete, ibn Ezra’s commentaries contributed to the celebrated Golden Age of Spanish Judaism. As a Neoplatonic philosopher and astronomer he was one of the leaders of the movement which caused the Jews of Provence, Spain and Italy to become the transmitters of Moslem Science to the Christian West. This work of astronomy was known to have been owned by Christopher Colombus. See R. Levi, Johns Hopkins Studies in Romance Literature and Languages, vol. VIII: The Astrological Works of Abraham ibn Ezra (1927); A. Freimann, Incunables about Jews and Judaism in: Essays Presented to J.A. Hertz (c.1940) p.162. And see also A. Marx, The Scientific Work of Some Outstanding Mediaeval Jewish Scholars, in: Essays and Studies in Memory of L.R. Miller (1938) p.140 “The versatility of ibn Ezra... in all branches of mathematics is astonishing. . ”
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101. Ibn Ezra, Abraham. Saphah Berurah (Grammar). FIRST EDITION. Colophon on final page identifies author, place, printer, and year. The book was published “by command of the wise man, the doctor Solomon Almoli. (See Lot 10). ff. 32 (last leaf blank). Some underlining in brown pencil, otherwise excellent condition. Later ” boards. 12mo. [Vinograd, Const. 140; Ya’ari, Const. 104. Not in Adams]. Constantinople, Astruc de Toulon: 1530. $3000-5000 l A grammatical work on the roles of the letters. Abraham ibn Ezra is most famous for his Bible commentary that excels in its devotion to peshat (the simple meaning of the text). Indeed on p. 3a, Ibn Ezra criticizes “Rabbi Solomon (Rashi) who interpreted the Bible homiletically, while thinking it is peshat; but one in a thousand of his commentaries is the simple meaning. Ibn Ezra was a true poly” math. Apart from interpreting Bible, he also excelled as poet, grammarian, scientist (and pseudo-scientist or astrologer), and philosopher. The present work begins with a short poem in praise of the Hebrew language. Ibn Ezra goes on to prove that Hebrew—not the other Semitic languages, Aramaic and Arabic—was man’s original language. He derides the theory that if a child were placed in isolation from infancy, it would emerge speaking Aramaic. (King James IV of Scotland, who was fond of the Hebrew language, is reputed to have actually imposed this hardship on two children to test the veracity of the linguistic theory!) See Hayim Uri Lipschitz, Orei Hayim, V (1993) p. 5. 102. IBN EZRA, ABRAHAM. Yesod Mora. FIRST EDITION. Printed without a title page. ff. 20 (of 24), 4 leaves supplied in manuscript, together with “shinnuyim” (variae lectiones) from a Prague edition. Modern boards. 12mo. [Vinograd, Const. 135]. Constantinople, Astruc de Toulon: 1530. $1000-1500

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103. IBN GABBAI, MEIR. Derech Emunah [“The Way of Faith”- Kabbalah]. Second edition. Title within architectural arch incorporating vignette. Previous owner’s inscription on final page. ff. 28.Trace foxing. Recent cloth-backed marbled boards. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Padua 1; JNUL copy incomplete; not in Adams]. Padua, Lorenzo Pasquato: 1563. $700-900 l THE FIRST HEBREW BOOK PRINTED IN PADUA. Despite the ancient presence of the University—one of the great institutions of learning in Europe—only two Hebrew books were printed in Padua throughout the 16th century. See Amram, pp. 338-341 and 387-388. A kabbalist of the generation of Spanish exiles, the details of Meir ibn Gabbai’s life are uncertain. It is known that he was born in 1480 and died some time after 1539. He was one of the leading proponents of the view that the Sefiroth are the essence of Divinity. In Derech Emunah, which is writen as a Socratic dialogue, ibn Gabbai offers an explanation for the doctrine of the Sefiroth. For a brief biographical overview of the author, see A.Yaari, Kiryath Sepher IX(1933), pp. 388-93. In 1988, Derech Emunah was reprinted by KeHoT, the publishing arm of the Lubavitch movement, to celebrate the return of the 1563 edition that had been famously removed from the Lubavitch Library. Upon the occasion, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson spoke at length concerning this work and encouraged his followers to produce a new edition. The editors of this new, annotated edition speculate that the first edition of the Derech Emunah (Constantinople, 1560), of which to date, only two leaves are extant, was in fact never completed.

Lot 100

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Lot 104

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104. IBN SHU’A’IB, JOSHUA. Midrash Shmuel [Midrash to the Book of Samuel]. Constantinople, 1517 * Bound together with: Ibn Shuaib, Joshua. Derashoth Ibn Shuaib [Sermons on the Pentateuch]. (Constantinople: Shelomo ben Mazal Tov, 1523). I. FIRST EDITION. Printed without a title-page. Contains a few Hebrew marginalia. II. FIRST EDITION. Printed without title-page. First word “Bereshith” (“In the beginning”) surrounded by striking floral motif. Contains several learned Hebrew marginalia, some in an Aschkenazic hand (late 16th century). In the colophon on the final page, the place (Constantinople), ruler (Sultan Suleiman) and year (1523) have been deleted. Censors’ signature from 1626. (One can only guess that relations between Christian Italy and the Ottoman Empire reached a nadir.) On reverse, another censor’s signature from 1567, and that of Camillo Jagel from 1623. (See summary below.). I. ff.12, (4). (Our copy is missing the third of the four unnumbered leaves at the end of the book. It has been copied in a modern hand and tipped in.) Browned. II. ff. (126). A few lines deleted by the censor. At the beginning of the Book of Exodus the page has been torn and the missing lines (in an old hand) tipped in. Browned and some pages taped. Old calf. Folio. [I. Vinograd, Const. 90; Ya’ari, Const. 54; Deinard, Atikoth Yehudah, p. 25. II. Vinograd, Const. 131; Ya’ari, Const. 97]. $6000-9000 l BOTH WORKS ARE EXCESSIVELY RARE - ESPECIALLY IBN SHUAIB. The last two leaves of Midrash Shmuel contain the Responses of Sa’adyah Gaon to Ten Questions Concerning the Resurrection of the Dead. Biographical details of R. Joshua ibn Shuaib are rather scant. He lived in Spain (either Navarra or Tudela) in the first half of the 14th centur y and was a disciple of Rabbi Solomon ben Adret (RaSHB”A). The sermons of Ibn Shuaib are unique inasmuch as they are the only collection of sermons by a Rishon (medieval authority) that span the entire Pentateuch and cycle of the year. Hitherto, RABa”D and Nachmanides’ sermons were restricted to the single festival of Rosh Hashanah. Ibn Shuaib’s sermons exhibit an abiding interest in the Kabbalah and a fondness for Nachmanides, whom he often quotes. (Some go so far as to speculate that Meir ibn Sahula’s supercommentary to Nachmanides’ commentary on the Pentateuch was purloined from Ibn Shuaib.) The Derashoth of Ibn Shuaib are an invaluable source of midrashim that have not come down to us through other sources. EJ, Vol. VIII, cols. 1201-1202. In 1969, a photocopy edition of the Cracow 1575 edition was published in Jerusalem with a scholarly introduction by Prof. Shraga Abramson. The later Cracow edition is inferior due to printer’s oversights, it lacks text found in the editio princeps. In 1992, R. Ze’ev Metzger of Jerusalem published an annotated edition based on the Constantinople 1517 edition. In his introduction, Metzger shows several parallels between Ibn Shuaib and the works of R. Yom Tov ben Abraham (RITB”A) of Seville, another disciple of R. Solomon ibn Adret. The censor Camillo Jagel, as his Hebrew surname indicates, was an apostate Jew. A facsimile of his signature may be found in William Popper, The Censorship of Hebrew Books (New York, 1969), between pages 136-137, no. 2. There is some debate whther the Church censor Camillo Jagel and the Jewish savant Abraham Yagel are one and the same. See David B. Ruderman, Kabbalah, Magic, and Science: The Cultural Universe of a Sixteenth-Century Jewish Physician (Cambridge, MA, 1988), pp. 165-168, Appendix: “Did Abraham Yagel Convert to Christianity?” Ruderman’s conclusion is that Camillo Jagel and Abraham Yagel could not possibly be the same person.
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105. (INDIAN JUDAICA). RAHABI, DAVID. Ohel David [on the Calendar, with astronomical and chronological tables]. FIRST EDITION. ONE OF ONLY FIFTY COPIES. Printer’s device on title. Folding plate at end. ff.(1),18,(1). Title taped. Browned. Modern boards. Oblong 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 2185]. Amsterdam, Joseph Proops: 1791. $3000-4000 l The author was a leader of the Jewish community in Cochin, India and son of the great Ezekiel Rahabi, influential merchant throughout the Malabar Coast and chief representative of the Dutch East India Company. During the years of Dutch rule in Malabar (1663-1795) the Rahabi Family undertook to supply the Jewish community of Cochin with all its literary needs by way of the Proops Family of printers in Amsterdam. Friedberg, Aleph 873, notes only fifty copies were printed of this study on the origin of the Hebrew calendar and its comparison with the Hindu and Muslim calendric systems.
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106. (INDIAN JUDAICA). Eldad Ha-Dani. .ff. 9, [1]. Marbled paper boards.12mo. [Yaari Calcutta 26]. Calcutta, Ebed El Chai Elazar b. Aaron Saadia Iraqi Ha-cohen: 1857.

$500-700

l Concerns the mysterious visitor from the tribe of Dan and the Ten Tribes lost on the far side of the Sambatyon River. 107. (INDIAN JUDAICA). Selichoth [early morning penitential prayers to be recited during the month of Elul]. Text in Hebrew and Marathi. With a special prayer for the English Queen, Victoria, Empress of India. ff. [5], 48, [4]. Boards. 8vo. [Yaari, Poona 5]. Poona, Eliahu Shalom Valodcher: 1874. $500-700

Lot 105

Lot 110

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108. (INDIAN JUDAICA). Two lithographed volumes: 1.Peirush Nechmad al Perek Eizehu Mekoman. p. 9 is printed twice ( p. 11blank). 1857. * Shir Ha-Shirim with Targum and commentar y in Judaeo-Arabic. Yitzchak Eved Al Nabi Tzalach Yosef, 1862,. Together, two works. Variously bound. v.s. [Yaari Bombay 14 (noting the Sassoon copy only); and Yaari Bombay 16]. Bombay, v.d. $1500-2000 109. (INDIAN JUDAICA). Tefilat Bet Almin. Calcutta, 1852. * Ben Sira. Calcutta,1856. *Seder Hatarat Nedarim. Bombay,1885. * Sepher Serach Iyov. Bombay,1891. Together, four works. Variously bound. v.s. [Yaari Calcutta 22; 24; Bombay 35; 66]. v.p, v.d. $1500-2000 110. ISAAC BEN SOLOMON HAKOHEN. Sepher Iyov im Perush [commentary to Book of Job with text]. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographic border. On f.116r. signature of previous owner “Ani Menahem…Finzi-Contini(?). Final page, cen” sor’s signature dated 1609. ff. (146). Stained and a few pages browned. Mottled sheep boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 185; Yaari, Const. 139 (this copy variant B); not in Adams]. Constantinople, Eliezer Soncino: 1545. $1500-2500 l In his introduction, Hakohen writes that in terms of methodology, he follows in the footsteps of Me’iri (Rabbi Menahem Me’iri of Perpignan) (1249-1316). This is an inavaluable reference, as Meiri’s commentar y to the book of Job, unlike his commentaries to Proverbs and Psalms, has not survived. Isaac ben Solomon Hakohen lived in Constantinople in the sixteenth century. Besides his commentary to Job, he left a commentary to the Ethics of the Fathers. See JE, vol. VI, p. 633.
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111. (ITALIAN JUDAICA). Vincenzo Per la Gratia di dio Duca di Mantova et di Monferrato &c. Broadside. 35 x 26.5 cm. With handwritten signature and two lines in Italian cursive script. Wih coat of arms of Duke of Mantua. Casale, 1611. $2000-2500 l Proclamation protecting the Jews of Casale from a blood libel. A Christian boy, age 11, had an altercation with a Jewish lad age, 6. The Christian was seen leaving a Jewish house bleeding. The antisemitic gentiles at the scene made a hue and cry of a blood libel taking place, accusing the Jews of using his blood for religious purposes. The Christians in the Duchy of Monferatto were aroused to do harm to the Jews. However,Vincenzo Gonzaga, the Duke of Mantua and Casale Monferrato intervened issuing this proclamation protecting the Jews, stating that a thorough investigation into the matter proved the allegations to be false. Anyone spreading such false rumors would have to pay a hefty fine. This incident seems to be completely unknown to the historical literature of this area in Italy including S. Simonsohn’s monumental work on the history of the Jews in the Duchy of Mantua.

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Lot 112 112. (ITALIAN JUDAICA). Notificazione Sopra i pegni rubati nel Banco del gia Abram Rouighi Ebraeo. With illustrated initial woodcut and coatof-arms at top . Broadside 38.5 x 28 cm. slight tear on left margin not affecting text,. Modena, Andrea Cassiani: 1654. $l Notification of a decree concerning a controversy among the heirs of Abraham Rovigo about the liability for collateral securities stolen from the deceased.
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Lot 113 113. (ITALIAN JUDAICA). Notificatione a Mercanti... a Moise & David fuoi figlioi Ebraei... With woodcut crest at top of document and historiated initial. Broadside, 24.5 x 34.5 cm. Some staining, Two official signatures at bottom (one oxidized). Modena, Bartolomeo Soliani: (1660). $l Economic license granting two Jews to trade in Jewelry and other precious commodities in the town of Balen and surrounding areas. Important for the history of Jewish economic activity in Italy in the 17th century.
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114. (ITALIAN JUDAICA). Regie Patenti .Colle quali S.M. accorda agli Edraei di tutti i Regj Stati l’ ensenzione di portare il segno prescrito dalle generali Costituzioni... di uscire dai rispettivi Ghetti... ff 4. With large heraldic crest on title. 4to. Turin, 1816. $1500-2000 l Following the annexation to France in 1798, the Jews of Turin enjoyed greater liberty and were no longer compelled to live in the Ghetto. With the fall of Napoleon in 1814, the new king Victor Emmanuel I returned the Jews to the ghetto but exempted them from wearing the special badge. 115. JAGEL, ABRAHAM BEN CHANANIAH DEI GALICCHI. Eisheth Chayil [on the concluding chapter of Book of Proverbs]. ff. 24. Daniel Zanetti, 1606. * Bound with: Soresina Jacob Ben Joseph. Seder Hanikur [on the porging of meat]. Text with illustrations and translation of terms into Italian, Spanish and German—all in Hebrew characters. ff. 8. (Giovanni di Gara, 1595). * And: Massarani, Abraham ben Isaac. Sepher ha’Galuth Veha’Peduth [“Exile and Deliverance”]. ff. 28. (1634). ALL FIRST EDITIONS. On title, owner’s signature: “Ha-Tza’ir Mordecai Samuel Ghirondi. Ghirondi (1799-1852) was an illustrious Italian ” scholar, author of Toldoth Gedolei Israel. Foxed. Final leaves wormed. Morocco backed marbled boards. 12mo. [Vinograd, Venice 1002; 807;1204]. Venice, v.d. $1500-2000 l A brief summary of each text: I: Commentary to the celebrated song of praise to the “Virtuous Woman” and on the obligations that devolve upon a wife in upholding her household and relations with her husband. II:The procedure of nikur or porging meat. Removing the sciatic nerve from the thigh, is so intricate and time-consuming that it has not been practiced in modern times. (Rather the hindquarters of the animal are sold to the Gentile meat-market). The knowledge of nikur has been retained by some ritual slaughterers In Eretz Israel. Recently, the veterinarian I.M. Levinger has devoted to the subject a monograph complete with photos. III: The worst disaster in the history of Mantuan Jewry occurred in 1629-1630, when the city was sacked by the soldiers of Emperor Ferdinand II and her Jews banished - eventually, the Jews of Mantua were allowed to return. See EJ, vol. XI, col. 896. 116. Joel ben Joseph of Zolkiew. Pilpula Harifta. Third edition. Title within typographic border. ff. 46. Title taped. Foxed. Marbled wrappers over wooden boards, heavily worn. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Homburg 47.]. Homburg, (Aaron of Dessau): 1742. $200-300 l Pilpul (dialectic) on the Talmud garnered from several sources: Joel Sirkes (Ba”CH); Heschel of Krakow; David Oppenheim of Prague, and others. Also includes original insights on Talmud by the editor.

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Lot 117 117. JOSEPH BEN GORION. (Commonly and erroneously attributed to). Yosippon [historical narrative of the Second Temple period]. FIRST EDITION with Yiddish translation (printed in Wayber-taytsch type). Prepared by Michael Adam. Replete with many unusual, finely wrought woodcut illustrations. Wide-margined copy. ff. 262 (of 515). Various owners signatures in Aschkenazi hands on upper left corners of various leaves throughout the book. Final leaf in manuscript. Modern boards. Thick 4to. [Vinograd, Zurich 1; Vischer, Zuriche Druckschriften, no. C-353; E.C. Rudolphi, Die Buchdrucker-familie Froschauer (1869) no. 330; Deinard, Atikoth Yehudah p. 22 (noting the Sulzberger copy in the JTSAL); St. Cat. Bodl. no. 6033. col. 1551 (“Ed. rarissima”); not in Adams]. Zürich, Christoph Froschouer: 1546. $7000-9000 l An exceptionally scarce edition. No copy in the JNUL. Apparantly no complete copy extant. “A truly splendid monument of the Yiddish book-printing art. With its richly illustrated woodcuts, it is in general the most beautiful printed work in Old-Yiddish literature. Zinberg, p. 230. ” The first Hebrew edition of the Yosippon was published in Mantua by Abraham Conat, c.1475. This pseudo-Josephus was the first secular Hebrew book ever printed.
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118. JOSEPH BEN GORION. (Commonly and erroneously attributed to). Yosippon [historical narrative of the Second Temple period]. Yiddish text printed in Wayber-taytsch type. Woodcut illustrations throughout. ff. (1), 244, (1), 151. Some staining. Upper edge of last two leaves frayed affecting few words of text. 19th-century calf-backed boards, loose. Thick 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 2002; M.H. Gans, Memorbook (1977) p. 185 no. 5 (illustrated)]. Amsterdam, Koschmann b. Joseph Baruch: 1771. $500-700 l Two-part edition, sub-titled Kether Kehunah and Kether Malchuth - also known as She’erith Yisrael. The second part written by Menachem Mann Amelander continues the historical chronicle from the fall of Massada to the writer’s own era of 18th century Holland. Amelander garnered material from both Jewish and general historical sources, resulting in a work unusually rich in information regarding the history of Jews in Germany, Poland and especially Holland. The She’erith Yehudah is “the most important work of all of Old-Yiddish historiographical literature. Zinberg p.233. ”
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119. JOSEPH BEN ISSACHAR. Yosef Da’ath [super-commentary to Rashi on the Pentateuch]. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographical border. Map of the Land of Israel together with other woodcut plates and text-illustrations striving to clarify errors in Rashi’s commentary by using an early manuscript text. ff.1-60,(2),65-146 (of 152). Lacking ff.147-152. Browned and lightly stained, neat paper re-enforcement on verso of second unnumbered leaf. Contemporary sheep-backed boards, gently rubbed. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Prague 168]. Prague, Gershom ben Bezalel Katz: 1609. $1000-1500 l This important map of the Land of Israel is based on Mordechai Jaffe’s earlier effort that appeared in his Levushim (1590-1604). R. Joseph’s map however, is more clearly defined, the mountains are easily visible and the cities are shown by towers and decorated with flags - an altogether sophisticated representation. The details of the map were entirely based on information derived from the Bible and its commentaries, for, as E. & G. Wajntraub point out in their Hebrew Maps of the Holy Land (1992) pp.42-3, “it was not possible to draw eye-witness reports, and all geographical data is based on geographical knowledge of the Bible (only). ” See also Z. Vilnay, Hamapah Ha’ivrit shel Eretz Yisrael (1968) p.15 (illustrated).
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120. JOSEPHUS, FLAVIUS. Iosippus de Bello Iudaico (Josephus. Wars of the Jews). Decalogue and commentary of Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra appended. Latin and Hebrew translation by the Christian Hebraist Sebastian Münster face-à-face. Reads right to left. Followed by selections from the Mishnaic tractate of Avoth (Ethics of the Fathers) (left to right). Hebrew with Yiddish and Latin translations. * Bound with: Thomas à Kempis.The Imitation of Christ (Cologne: Arnold Birckmann, 1564). pp. (6),196, (1). Latin text. First letters of text richly historiated. pp. 342, (1), (96). Excellent condition. Elaborately blind-tooled vellum with family crest. 8vo. [Prijs, Basle 105]. Basel, Henricus Petri: 1559. $500-700

Lot 118

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121. JUDAH ARYEH BEN ZEVI HIRSCH. Ohalei Judah. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographic border. On title, owner’s signature: “Meir Cohen. . ff. (4), 57. Foxing. Vellum-backed boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Jessnitz 1]. ” Jessnitz, Israel ben Abraham: 1719. $300-500 l Hebrew dictionary that goes into some depth concerning the derivation of terms. The author was a native of Carpentras, Provence. In his Introduction, R. Judah Aryeh proposes that the name Chavah (Eve) means a conversationalist or talkative creature. He quotes a theory that conversationalism was implanted in woman’s nature so that she would be distracted from the painful labor of childbirth. Thus does he explain the verse in Genesis 3:20: “And the man called his wife’s name Eve because she was the mother of all living. ” 122. JUDAH THE CHASSID. Sepher HaChassidim [pietism]. FIRST EDITION. The Church censor struck in pen several lines found offensive to Christians. Contains a few Hebrew marginalia of a caustic nature, such as the following remark on p. 40b: “A scholar who is unable to respond in any area that he is asked, is not fit to act as rosh yeshivah” (Sepher Chasidim)—”Today this is not the custom, but rather any teacher that is ordained, a gold robe is thrown over him, and he is addressed as ‘moreinu ha-rav.’ “ On p. 9a and on the title there is the Hebrew signature of the owner(s) “Solomon and his four brothers Polisi. A later note on the title page ” states that at the division of the estate in 1766 the book fell to my lot, “Israel Polisi, son of Solomon of blessed memory. Opposite the title there is the Italian inscription of one “David Vittale. . ff. (27), (1), 121. Lightly ” ” browned and stained in places. Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Bologna 10; Adams J-398]. Bologna, Silk Weaver’s Guild: 1538. $2000-3000 l The fifth of only nine books printed by the Jewish Silk Weaver’s Guild. Several of the printers at this press are known by name: Sepher HaChassidim was printed by Abraham b. Moses Cohen. See Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy, pp. 232-35; Ephraim Deinard, Atikoth Yehudah, p. 2. Many of the passages in Sepher HaChassidim are homiletic and exegetic, explaining the philosophical or mystical meanings of Biblical verses and Talmudic sayings. Nonetheless, it is primarily a masterwork of ethical instruction, enjoining how to resist temptation and avoid sin; how to dress, speak, pray and work; how to choose a wife and select companions; how to harmonise the necessities of existence with the requirements of religious life; how to choose a righteous teacher, and many other subjects. No other Hebrew work of ethics devotes such close attention to detail, rendering it an important historical souce for the study of everyday Jewish life in medieval Germany. For an extensive treatment of Ashkenazic Pietism see I. Marcus, Piety and Society: The Jewish Pietists of Medieval Germany (1981). See also H. Soloveitchik, “Three Themes in Sefer Hasidim,” AJS Review I (1976) pp. 311-357. Most recently Prof. Haym Soloveitchik has contended (as did Reifmann, Güdemann, and Marcus) that the Bologna edition of Sepher Hasidim actually consists of two separate and radically dissimilar works. Soloveitchik refers to chaps. 1-152 as “S.H. I,” and chaps. 153-1178 as “Sefer Hasidim. ” Soloveitchik argues for a French provenance for S.H. I (most of the glosses contained therein are French not German). Only the second work, “Sefer Hasidim,” is truly representative of the teachings of the German pietists (Hasidei Ashkenaz). H. Soloveitchik, “Piety, Pietism and German Pietism: Sefer Hasidim I and the Influence of Hasidei Ashkenaz,” JQR, XCII, Nos. 3-4 (2002), pp. 455-493. 123. JUDAH THE CHASSID. Sepher HaChassidim [pietism]. Third edition. Title within decorative typographical border; title word within decorative woodcut frame. ff. (4), 116. Few light stains in places, small tear on title page, scattered marginalia. f. 2 with small paper repair on outer margin resulting in loss of three letters though supplied in manuscript. Modern half calf. 4to. [Vinograd, Basle 168; Prijs, Basle 132; not in Adams]. Basle, Ambrose Froben: 1581. $500-700

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124. (KABBALAH). (Abraham the Patriarch). Sepher Yetzirah (Book of Creation) with Commentary by Rabbi Abraham ben David on the Thirty Two Paths of Wisdom, translated into Latin with notes by Johannes Stephanus Rittangelius. Amsterdam, J. Janson, 1642. * Bound with: Schickard, Wilhelm. Mishpat ha-Melech: Jus Regium Hebraeorum (The Law of Hebrew Kings) (Strasbourg: Lazar Zetzner, 1625). I. Red and black inks alternate on the title page. Title page has printer’s mark. Owner’s signature: “S. Horsley. There are two kabbalistic ” diagrams, one of the ten sephiroth, the other of the divine names. Hebrew and Latin translation face-`a-face. I. pp. (8), 208. Extremely clean copy. [Fuks, Amsterdam 196]. II. FIRST EDITION. Title in Hebrew and Latin. On title page vignette with motto “Scientia Immutabilis” (Immutable Science). Latin interspersed with Hebrew texts. pp.190, (10). Contains Arabic text from the Qur’an (pp. 53, 116, 117) and a kabbalistic diagram on p. 154. Elaborate design on last page. [Freimann, p. 186]. Browning. Modern boards. 4to. v.p, v.d. $1000-1500 l According to Fuks, the text of Sepher Yetzirah should be followed by a page of errata (p. 209), missing in our copy. The commentary attributed to “Rabbi Abraham” (RABaD of Posquieres) is really the work of another. This was already pointed out by Rabbi Hayim Vital back in the sixteenth century. Modern research has uncovered the true identity of the author: R. Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. The latter resided in Barcelona at the beginning of the fourteenth century. See G. Scholem in Kiryat Sefer IV, pp. 286-302; idem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (New York, 1967), p. 407, n. 137. According to the title page,the translator Rittangel (1606?-1652?) was Professor-extraordinary of oriental languages in the University of Königsberg. He seems to have changed his religious profession several times over the years, though there is some question whether he was actually an apostate Jew. At the same time he published his edition of Sepher Yetzirah in 1642, he entered into a polemic with a Spanish Jew of Amsterdam concerning the meaning of the “Shiloh” passage of Genesis 49:10. As could be expected, Rittangel argued for a Christological interpretation. Typical of the Christian kabbalists, the authority of Rabbi Simeon bar Yohai, author of the Zohar, was invoked for Christian polemical purposes. See Oliver Shaw Rankin, Jewish Religious Polemic (Ktav, 1970), pp. 89-106. The author of the second work, Wilhelm Schickard was a professor of Sacred Hebrew Literature at the academy of Tübingen. He produced several Hebrew philological studies. See Julius Fürst, Bibliotheca Judaica III (Hildesheim, 1960), pp. 270-271. Mishpat haMelech, a Latin work interspersed with copious Hebrew quotations, is a study of the laws of kings governing a Hebrew state, culled from the rabbinic literature, Talmud and Maimonides’ code, Hil. Melachim. Elisheva Carlebach sees the book’s subtitle “E tenebris rabbinicis erutum & luci donatum” (plucked from rabbinic darkness and exposed to light) as symptomatic of the mindset of the Christian Hebraists of the era, who rather than approaching Jewish learning with academic impartiality, viewed themselves as conspiratologists uncovering some sinister plot. E. Carlebach, Divided Souls (New Haven, 2001), p. 201.
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125. (KABBALAH). KATZ, REUBEN BEN HOESHKE. Yalkut Reuveni [kabbalistic homilies]. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographic border. ff. (2), 142. (of ff. 162). Missing 2 leaves in signature 23, and at least 12 leaves at end. Some pages repaired. 4to. [Vinograd, Prague 428]. Prague, Joseph and Judah Bak: 1660. $800-1200 l The title, Yalkut Reuveni, is in imitation of the earlier collection on Bible, Yalkut Shim’oni by Simeon of Frankfurt (13th century), but whereas the earlier Yalkut was based on exoteric materials, for the most part Yalkut Reuveni focuses on kabbalistic interpretations. Besides the obvious connection of the title to the author (Reubeni—Reuben), in his introduction, the author turns “Reubeni” into initials for Razei Oraitha Ve-kabbalah Bi-kethivah Ne’imah Yehavith (Mysteries of Torah and Kabbalah in Pleasant Script). The author, Abraham Reuben Hakohen Sofer of Prague (d. 1673), was the grandson of the illustrious preacher and author of Kli Yakar, Rabbi Solomon Ephraim of Luntshits. (Reuben’s father Hoeshke [Joshua] married Luntshits’ daughter.) In addition to Yalkut Reuveni, Katz authored two other works of Kabbalah, Oneg Shabbath and Davar she-bi-Kedusha (both Sulzbach, 1684). Our volume is sometimes referred to as “Ha-Katzar” (the Short) to differentiate it from the longer Yalkut Reuveni (“Ha-Gadol”) published in Wilmersdorf in 1681 after the author’s death. The contents of our volume are arranged topically in alphabetical order, whereas the Wilmersdorf edition is arranged according to the Torah portions of the week. There was a time when scholars were reliant on Yalkut Reuveni for its citations from an alternate version of Sepher Hasidim and from Sodei Razaya by R. El’azar of Worms, but with the rediscovery of these manuscripts, this is no longer the case. Nevertheless, there is still scholarly interest in Katz’s quotations which sometimes turn out to be “creative misreadings” of the source. The enormous popularity of the work is attested to by the sundry editions it went through. EJ, Vol.14, cols. 107-108. 126. (KABBALAH). Tikun Keri’ath Shema. Liturgy/Anonymous. Prima facie FIRST EDITION. Title within unusually elaborate decorative frame with cherubs atop. Letters of key words Shema and Ehad (2b, 3a) ornately illuminated. ff.12. Generally excellent condition. Slight discoloration. Loose in contemporary wrappers. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Prague 477; St. Cat. Bodl., 3085]. (Prague), (Judah ben Jacob Back): 1668. $2000-3000 l The Lurianic kavanoth (intentions) before retiring for the night. By the early seventeenth century, the kabbalah of R. Isaac Luria had penetrated both eastern and western Europe. In Venice 1620, a Sepher Kavanoth was published, based on fragments of both Rabbi Hayim Vital and Rabbi Moshe Yonah. And in the 1640-50s, Rabbi Jacob Zemah composed three Siddurei Kavanoth, at least two of them condensed versions or kitsurei kavanoth. The kavanoth contained in our manual tally with the material in the authoritative Peri Ets Chayim and Sha’ar ha-Kavanoth (both of which were still in manuscript at the time of publication). The tikun keri’ath shema, a small manual of prayers before retiring, complete with Lurianic intentions, became a popular genre. To this day, the Braslav chasidim keep these petite prayerbooks in print (now embellished with tidbits of Braslav philosophy). Our specimen differs from the standard tikun in use today insofar as it provides at the end various incantations: the three angels Sanoi, Sansanoi, and Samangelif (which some hang over a baby’s crib for protection against Lilith)(11b), and a lachash or incantation from Zohar to prevent nocturnal pollution (12b).

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127. [KABBALAH]. Vital, Chaim. Sepher ha-Gilgulim [Book of Transmigrations]. Contains contributions by Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt (R. Meir E”SH). FIRST EDITION. Title in typographical border. ff. (1), 45. Title and first leaf torn. Wrappers. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 59]. Frankfurt a/ Main, David ben Nathan Gruenhut: 1684. $1000-1500 l Sepher ha-Gilgulim contains the Lurianic doctrine concerning the reincarnation of souls, as recorded by Rabbi Hayim Vital, Luria’s most eminent disciple. In the intricate lineages envisioned by Rabbi Isaac Luria, most souls can be traced back to either Cain or Abel. This work is to be differentiated from the other volume on the subject by the same author, Sha’ar ha-Gilgulim (Jerusalem, 1863), one of the Shemonah She’arim (Eight Gates) that make up the Lurianic codex. This does not mean that our work Sepher ha-Gilgulim is any less authoritative. According to Joseph Avivi, Sha’ar ha-Gilgulim was edited by R. Samuel Vital, son of R. Hayyim Vital, while Sepher ha-Gilgulim was redacted by R. Nathan Spira. Avivi, Binyan Ariel (Jerusalem, 1987), p. 48. The first published work of Hayim Vital. The rabbis of Frankfurt took offense to the work’s kabbalistic erotic imagery and opposed its publication due to the Sabbatian movement which still raged rampant. Consequently, the editor, David Gruenhut, a renowned kabbalist and talmudist in his own right, commissioned gentile printers, over whom the rabbis had no influence, to issue the text. See M. Waxman, Vol. II, pp. 417-418. 128. (KABBALAH). RAZIEL HAMALACH. Anonymous. FIRST EDITION. Title within elaborate woodcut architectural border. Unusual Kabbalistic charts and diagrams throughout. A Wide-Margined Copy. ff. 18, [1], 19-45. Lightly foxed. Vellum. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 731; Fuks, Amsterdam 573]. Amsterdam, Moses Mendes Coitinho: 1701. $1200-1800 l A cornucopia of mystical texts and magical recipes. Though the title purports that the book was handed by the angel Raziel to Adam, it has long been known even in the most traditional circles that the work is in fact medieval in origin. The perspicacious Rabbi Zadok Hakohen of Lublin, a hasidic rebbe with a critical faculty, attributes authorship to Rabbi El’azar of Worms, author of Roke’ah. “Sepher Raziel, which is attributed to Adam, was composed by the author of Roke’ah. In the introduction to the book, it is written that he [the author of Roke’ah] signed on it. This means that he is the author [of Raziel], not the copyist, as the writer of the introduction thought. One who studies the book regarding ethics, the root of piety and fear of God, will find these things verbatim in Roke’ah. From the style of many passages it is recognizable that he [the author of Roke’ah] is its author. Rabbi Zadok Hakohen of Lublin, Sepher ” ha-Zichronoth, appended to Divrei Sophrim (Lublin, 1913), 34c-d; Uziel Fuchs, “‘Critical’ comments in the writings of R. Zadok Hakohen of Lublin,” in Gershon Kitsis ed., Me’at la-Tzadik (Jerusalem, 2000), pp. 266-267. (Fuchs does not provide the bibliographic source of the quote.) See further L. Zunz, Sepher ha-Derashot, chap. 9, n. 66; R. David Cohen, Kol ha-Nevu’ah (Jerusalem, 1979), p. 141, n. 15. According to Scholem, pp. 7b-24a are actually the first part of El’azar’s voluminous work Sodei Razaya. Yoseph Dan isolated three strata in Raziel: 1) millenia-old Hekhalot literature; 2) material of the Hasidei Ashkenaz (medieval Rhineland pietists); and 3)collectanea of pre-Lurianic theology. In the introduction, the ba’al magi’ah (editor), “Isaac son of Abraham, justice of K.K. Amsterdam,” writes he had the manuscript in his possession for the longest time but hesitated publishing it until he saw that most of the material was already publicized in a French work “Alphabets of the Entire World. ” (Probably the so-called “angelic script” on ff. 44 of Raziel appears in a compendium of alphabets. We have been unsuccessful in identifying the French title the editor refers to.) Furthermore he checked the accuracy of his manuscript against two others, and discovered that his was the matrix of the others. Its accuracy was attested to by the signature “Ha-Katan El’iezer [sic] ben a[doni] m[ori] R. Judah,” i.e. El’azar ben Judah of Worms, author of Roke’ah. G. Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (New York, 1967), p. 373, n. 66; EJ, Vol.13, cols. 15923; Vol. 6, cols.592-594. Many of the signs or seals (“angelic script”) in Raziel, pp. 41a, 44a-b, show up in amulets from the Arab world as well. Scholem first noticed this. See Edmond Doutté, Magie et Religion dans l’Afrique du Nord (Algiers, 1909), pp. 155,158, 248, 272; Gershom Scholem, Studies in Kabbalah I (Tel Aviv, 1998), p. 155, n. 28. Because of the popular belief that the book is protection from fire, many keep a copy of Raziel in the home, or today, in the automobile.

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129. (KABBALAH). Segal, Jacob ben Ezekiel. Shem Ya’akov. Very rich title page: Tetragrammaton, cherubs, wreathed columns, and depiction of human migration within wings of eagle. ff. (2), 68. (The book is complete though mispaginated. The mispagination occurs from p. 39 on. Page “39” should read “37.”) Contemporary cloth binding. This rare book is in exceptionally fine condition. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt on the Oder 209; St. Cat. Bodl. 5551]. Franfurt on der Oder, Michael Gottschalk: 1716. $600-900 l Shem Ya’akov is an ethical tract with pronouncedly ascetic tendencies, based on the teachings of Kabbalah. The author, R. Jacob ben Ezekiel of Zlotowo, was rabbi of nearby Lobsenz, both towns in NW Poland. Gershom Scholem suspected the author of being a crypto-Sabbatian, which is to say a secret admirer of the false Messiah Shabbetai Zevi. Scholem writes: “there is evidence that not a few of the most influential moral preachers and authors of moral literature of a radical ascetic bent were secret Shabbateans of the moderate…wing. In the list of influential “musar-books” of this period, ” Scholem includes Shem Ya’akov. Kabbalah (Jerusalem, 1974), p. 278. The case for positing that Segal was a Sabbatian rests on a quote from the known Sabbatian visionary Heshel Zoref and also a cryptic reference to the arousal of the planet Shabbetai (Saturn) in 1666, the year Shabbetai Zevi was crowned Messiah. Aside from that, the work is of decided historical value, describing the first Swedish invasion of Poland in 1655, and subsequently, Polish General Charnetzki’s butchery of the Jews in great Poland. See Bezalel Naor, Post-Sabbatian Sabbatianism (1999), pp. 69-71. 130. (KABBALAH). Hakohen, Benjamin Beinish ben Judah Leib. Amtahath Binyamin (Seguloth, Refu’oth uTefiloth/Charms, Cures, and Prayers). FIRST EDITION. Title in typographic border.On title, owner’s signature: “Ezekiel son of R. Abraham Bing. . pp. 4; ff. 5-38. Lightly browned, dampstained in places. Modern boards. 4to. ” [Vinograd, Wilhermsdorf 76]. Wilhermsdorf, Hirsch ben Hayim of Fürth: 1717. $600-900 l The author, Benjamin Beinish Hakohen of Krotoschin, acquired a reputation as a ba’al shem, a wonder-worker. In fact, the earlier published work by the same author is entitled Shem Tov Katan (Sulzbach, 1706). Practical Kabbalah, which was for the most part, virtuously motivated, is preoccupied with the manipulation of the spherical powers to affect the physical, not the spiritual world. Such magical operations are not considered impossible in the Kabbalah. Indeed, they are not categorically forbidden, although numerous Kabbalistic writings stress that only the most perfectly saintly individuals are permitted to perform them, and even then, never for their private advantage, but only in times of emergency and public need. Jewish “white” magic worked largely through the manipulation of the sacred, esoteric names of God and the angels. Those who knew its secrets, were known as “ba’alei shem. ” The book bears the haskamoth (encomia) of R. Meir Eisenstadt of Prossnitz, author of Responsa Panim Me’iroth, and of R. Naphtali Katz of Posen. The latter attests that R. Benjamin Beinish dwelled for some time in his abode, at which time the rabbi of Posen had opportunity to observe his lofty ways and expertise in Kabbalah. As R. Naphtali Katz himself was renowned as a kabbalist and wonder-worker, this constitutes the testimony of an expert. See Immanuel Etkes, Ba’al Hashem: The Besht—Magic, Mysticism, Leadership (Jerusalem, 2000), pp. 35-41. The owner’s father, Abraham Bing (1752-1841) was an extremely important figure in the Orthodox Jewish community of Germany, famous for his relentless opposition to the Reform movement. Bing was a disciple of the saintly Rabbi Nathan Adler of Frankfurt. He attained renown as a master talmudist and rosh yeshivah. He served for many years as rabbi of Würzburg. A volume of R. Abraham Bing’s glosses on Shulhan Arukh, Zichron Avraham, was published posthumously (Pressburg, 1892). JE, Vol. III, p. 215.

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131. (KABBALAH). Aloys Wienner. Or Nogah/Splendor Lucis/Glanz des Lichts. FIRST EDITION. Ornate headpieces and other graphics.The final leaf consists of a foldout: A hermetic chart of the four elements: fire, air, water, and earth. Text in German and Hebrew. (Each Hebrew chapter is followed by German translation.) pp. 219. Contemporary binding. Excellent condition. 8vo. [Freimann, p. 342; Patai, The Jewish Alchemists, pp. 158, 616]. Vienna, Johann Joseph Pentz: 1747. $500-700 l An alchemical text. Aron Freimann had before him a later edition of the book (Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1785). This work, by a Christian kabbalist, focuses on the mythic “philosopher’s stone,” which of course, was the dream of every alchemist, but which psychologists, most notably Jung, have interpreted as a collective archetype. The same goes for the “four elements. The book deals extensively ” with the supposed transmutation of metals. Inevitably, the goal is to transmute base metals into gold. Numerous verses in the Bible are subjected to this reading. We are led to believe that Abraham (imputed author of Sepher Yezirah), Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Moses, Bezalel, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Ezra, and Job are all links in a secret lineage of alchemists. The late Raphael Patai published a work, Jewish Alchemists, which contains much manuscript material in this little-known, and what appears to us, outlandish field. Believe it or not, this branch of applied kabbalah continued into the twentieth century. Makhlouf Amsallem of Fez, Morocco, who at great expense, imported from France the glass retorts and other paraphernalia necessary to set up a “modern” laboratory, was the last of the Jewish alchemists. See Raphael Patai, Jewish Alchemists (Princeton, 1994); Makhlouf Amsallam, Tapuchei Zahav be-Maskiyot Kesef (Jerusalem, 1927).
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132. KALONYMUS BEN KALONYMUS (Maestro Calo). Igereth Ba’alei Chaim [“The Animal’s Collection” fables]. Second edition. Title within typographic border. ff. (4), 60. Several words on the final page stuck to end paper. Calf backed. 8vo. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main, 186]. Frankfurt a/Main, Johann Wurst: 1704. $400-600 l A collection of animal fables. Kalonymus ben Kalonymus of Arles (Provence) translated from the Arabic original in seven days in 1316 the end of the twenty-fifth volume of a Sufi encyclopedia produced in the city of Basra, Iraq. In his introduction, R. Kalonymus makes the point that the present collection should not be misconstrued as being of the same genre as the famous Arabic work Kalila and Dimna (whose origin is Indian) or Mishlei Sendabar, the tales of Sindabar (Sindbad the Sailor) but is rather a deep moral treatise. After much meandering the verdict is pronounced that man is superior to the animal kingdom by virtue of his reason; along the way the various virtues of the different species are presented in a court of justice. Igereth Ba’alei Chaim was first published in Mantua in 1557. For a brief synopsis of the derivation of the fables gathered here, see Meyer Waxman, A History of Jewish Literature II, pp. 600-603; EJ Vol. 6, col.1130. The fables of Igereth Ba’alei Chaim enjoyed immense popularity, witnessed by the fact that the small book was several times published in Yiddish and Ladino translation. In addition to Igereth Ba’alei Chaim, Kalonymus also authored an ethical treatise Even Bohan (Naples, 1489). 133. (KARAITICA). Mordecai ben Nissan the Karaite. Notitia Karaeorum ex Mardochaei/Dod Mordecai (Amicus Mardochaei). Johann Christoph Wolf translator. First edition. Title in red and black monogram. Hebrew and Latin translation face-`a-face. pp. (6), 18, 317, (19). Browning. Modern binding. 4to. [Vinograd, Hamburg 63; Scripture and Schism: Samaritan and Karaite Treasures (New York: JTSA, 2000), nos. 64, 65.]. Hamburg, Christian Liebezeit: 1714. $400-600 l Dod Mordecai is the response of a Karaite, Mordecai ben Nissan, living in Krosni Ostro, province of Lviv (Lemberg), to the questions posed to him by the learned Jacob Trigland, professor of theology at the University of Leiden. Trigland sought information concerning the schism between the Rabbanites and the Karaites. The correspondence between the professor and the Karaite took place in 1699. The second part of the work consists of Trigland’s original treatise, Diatribe de Secta Karaeorum (pp. 161-317). According to J. Fürst, this work was first published in Delft in 1703. [Furst, Bibliotheca Judaica III, p. 447]. One of the topics discussed is the historic linkage of Karaism to the earlier Sadduceanism, a topic still heatedly debated by scholars. Several medieval rabbis, most notably Maimonides, saw Karaitism as the continuation of Sadduceanism, a sect that arose in the Second Temple era. Mordecai the Karaite disputes this by saying that by Karaite standards as well the Sadducees would be considered a heretical sect, as they denied the existence of an afterlife.

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134. KARO, ISAAC BEN JOSEPH. Toldoth Yitzchak [commentary to the Pentateuch]. On page of endorsements a cornucopea; on p. 1 a cherubic face. Owner’s signature on title and final page: “Moshe Hayyim grandson of Aaron. On end paper, lengthy endorsement of a fund-raiser dated [5]469 (1709). pp. (4),136. Vellum. 4to. ” [Vinograd, Amsterdam 872]. Amsterdam, Jacob Alvares Soto, Moshe Ibn Yakar Brandon, and Benjamin de Jonge: 1708. $300-500 l “A concisely written commentary on the Pentateuch, which included literal, homiletical, kabbalistic and philosophical interpretations. [Karo’s] book reveals him as a man of very wide culture. Its extreme popularity is evidenced by the fact that four editions were published in the short period of [44] years. EJ, V col. 193. ” The author, Isaac ben Joseph Caro (not to be confused with his more famous nephew R. Joseph Caro, author of Shulhan ‘Arukh, whom he adopted), was a native of Toledo. Several years before the Spanish Expulsion in 1492, Caro moved his yeshivah to Portugal. With the subsequent expulsion of the Jews from Portugal in 1497, Caro fled to Turkey. He entered the rabbinate of Constantinople, where Toldoth Yitzchak was first published in 1518. Remnants of Karo’s responsa are extant in manuscript at the Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTSA ms. no. 0348). 135. KATZ, SOLOMON ZALMAN (HANAU). Binyan Shlomo [grammar]. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographical border.Title with signature of David ben Nathan Gruenhut, 17th century Rabbi of Wiesbaden and Frankfurt (see EJ, VII cols. 946-7). ff. (8), 108, (1). Title repaired with tape. Dampstained. Modern boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 435; No copy in the JNUL. Frankfurt a/ Main, Mathias Andrea: 1724. $500-700 l Contains last leaf missing in most copies. In this page the author asks forgiveness from all the sages he attacked in his book, namely: Don Isaac Abravanel, Abraham Ibn Ezra, David Kimchi, Elijah Bahur, et al. The owner of our copy, R. David Gruenhut distinguished himself as a talmudist and kabbalist. The dates of his birth and death are uncertain. He published several works: R. Isaac Luria’s Sepher haGilgulim(Book of Transmigrations) (Frankfurt, 1684); Jacob Weil’s Tov Ro’i (laws of ritual slaughter) to which he appended his own commentary to the Book of Genesis, Migdol David (Frankfurt, 1702), Judah he-Hasid’s Sepher Hasidim with his own commentary (Frankfurt, 1712), and Samuel Uceda’s Midrash Shmuel (Frankurt, 1713). EJ, Vol. 7, cols. 946-947. He also penned an explanation of a riddle by Ibn Ezra, Midbar Sin (Frankfurt, 1769). 136. KATZ, SOLOMON ZALMAN (HANAU). Sha’arei Tephilah [grammatical annotations on the prayer-book]. Third Edition. With additional notes. ff. (2); 46 (of 47), lacking f.47. Lightly browned, stained in places, paper marginal repairs to last two leaves. Contemporary roan-backed marbled boards, gently rubbed at extremities. Sm. 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1914]. Amsterdam, Leib Sussmans: 1766. $300-500 l Born at Hanau, hence his last name, R. Solomon Zalman began to critisize the the ancient Hebrew grammarians from an early age. Hanau also criticized the daily prayer-book published by Elijah and Azriel Wilna, though it had received the approbation of the most prominent rabbis of that time. His comments insited much resentment and lead to a serize of polemical exchanges. His grammatical assertions in Sha’arei Tefillah were severely criticized by Jacob Emden in his Luach Erez and by Mordecai of Düsseldorf in Kuntras Hassagoth al Siddur Sha’are Tefillah and resulted in a bitter polemical exchange.

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137. KAUFMANN, JACOB OF METZ. Eduth Ya’akov. FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut of various mythological figures including nude Venus. 8vo ff. 18. Vellum. 4to. [Vinograd Hannau 51]. [Hannau], [Hans Yakup Henne]: 1628. $l Shows how the 613 commandments are alluded to in the Ten Commadments in the order that they appear in the Torah. Each letter alludes to a commandment which is useful as a mnemonic device. Also cites the major codifiers of the Mitzvot- Maimonides, Semag, Rokeach, Kol bo etc. 138. KIMCHI, DAVID. (RaDaK). Commentary on Psalms (Text of Psalms with commentary by Rabbi David Kimchi. On opening blank, a Hebrew inscription: “My father-in-law Joshua ben Judah deceased Wednesday, 25 Teveth, [5]559 (January, 1799). Extensive marginalia in a petite Latin hand. ff. 108. In some copies, there are ” two unnumbered leaves at the end, Teshuvoth ha-RaDaK la-Nozrim (Responses of RaDaK to the Christians). Our copy does not include this addendum. Title and several other leaves laid down. Broad margins. Modern half morocco. Folio. [Vinograd, Isny 18: Haberman, Perakim be-Toldoth ha-Madpisim ha-Ivrim (Jerusalem, 1978), p. 163, no. 8]. Isny, Paulus Bagius: 1542. $1000-1500 l The grammarian and biblical exegete R. David Kimchi (1160?-1235?), known in Hebrew by the initials RaDaK, and in Latin as Maistre Petit, was a native of Narbonne. As a result of the Almohad persecutions in Spain, his father Joseph Kimchi crossed over the Pyrenee mountains, permanently settling in more amicable Provence. During the Maimonidean controversy of 1232, RaDaK took to Maimonides’ defense. Though a rationalist, Kimchi did not hesitate to incorporate in his commentary rabbinic interpretations from the Talmud and Midrash. EJ, Vol. X, cols. 1001-1004. One of the areas in which R. David Kimhi, as his father Joseph before him, excelled was as a polemicist. Specifically, his commentary to Psalms devotes several passages to Christian-Jewish polemics. The so-called Teshuvoth ha-RaDaK la-Nozrim (Responses of RaDaK to the Christians), published as an addendum in some copies, is in reality but an extract of these passages in the commentary to Psalms. See Frank Talmage, Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver (Toronto, 1999), p. 213. In our edition most of the passages that would offend the sensibilities of the Church have been omitted. The one exception would seem to be Psalms 19 (15a) where RaDaK speaks of commandments that the gentiles claim are allegory. Sure enough, this passage caught the eye of an anonymous glossator, who recorded in a petite hand: “Refutat Christianos qui… allegoria (in Greek characters) exponent. Regarding the importance of this particular passage in RaDaK’s commentary, see Frank ” Talmage, HUCA 38:219, and David Berger, The Jewish-Christian Debate in the High Middle Ages (Philadelphia, 1979), p. 359, n. 23. This is one of 18 books to be produced at the short-lived Hebrew press at Isny (department of Wurtemburg, Germany) during the years 1541-1542. The press was the brainchild of the Christian Hebraist Paulus Bagius (Fagius), a Protestant minister. Proofreader of the press was the incomparable grammarian Elijah Bahur (Elijah Levita). Bahur had acquired a considerable reputation in Christian circles, having been the teacher of such famous men as Egidius da Viterbo, Sebastian Münster, and others. Bahur worked for Daniel Bomberg in Venice, but his relations with Bomberg’s successor Cornelius Adelkind soon soured. It was at this point that the invitation arrived from Bagius. Elijhah Bahur arrived in Isny with his two grandsons Joseph and Elijah, who worked as typesetters. We are told that Bahur found life in Germany dreary after having tasted of the more colorful Italian lifestyle. When subsequently Bagius was called to teach at the University of Strasburg, Bahur returned with his family to sunny Italy. See Haberman, Perakim be-Toldoth ha-Madpisim ha-Ivrim (Jerusalem, 1978), pp. 149-166.

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139. KIMCHI, DAVID. (RaDaK). Sepher Michlol [grammar]. Edited by Elijah Levita. Title within architectural arch. Extensive marginalia in a petite Latin hand. On title page, Greek and Latin inscriptions: “Ex libris… July 1568. Jacobus Cappellus 1591. On final page, owner’s signature: “Jacobi Cappelli 1603. ff. 268, (1). Some minor worming ” ” and occasional stains. Modern boards. Small 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 246; Haberman, Bomberg 172; check Adams]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1545. $1000-1500 l The Michlol was David Kimchi’s chief grammatical work. The Michlol treats verbs comprehensively, covering the rules governing conjugation, changes of pronunciation and accents. It also contains complete tables of conjugations and is distinguished by the clarity of its style and its conciseness. Indeed, these qualities resulted in the Michlol’s supremacy over previous works. For centuries it was considered the leading grammar. See M. Waxman, Vol. I, p. 179. The penultimate page consists of an appreciation by R. Solomon ben Mazal Tov, who puns on the adage in Ethics of the Fathers, “If there is no flour (kemach), there is no Torah. . ” 140. KOLON, JOSEPH. (MaHaRY”K). (Shailoth Uteshuvoth) [responsa]. FIRST EDITION. Owner’s Hebrew signature on title page: “Meir ben Nathan Otolengo. On pp. 150b, 151a, 168b and 169a, the censor has stricken in pen a ” few words found offensive to the Church. On p.159a and again on final leaf, some fanciful artwork in pen. ff.(10), 233. Wide margined copy. Some staining and worming. Morocco-backed cloth; spine cracked. Folio. [Both Vinograd (Venice 15) and Habermann (Bomberg 16) erroneously note only 1 preliminary leaf; not in Adams]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1519. $1200-1800 l Important collection of responsa that had a seminal influence upon the development of the Halachah in Italy.
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141. KOPPELMAN, JACOB BEN SAMUEL BUNIM. Omek Halacha [elucidations on the laws pertaining to Kilayim, Eruvin, etc.]. Second edition. Numerous woodcut illustrations and mathematical and astronomical charts, diagrams and symbols. Including woodcut illustration of the Temple Candelabra on verso of f.32 and of the High Priest’s vestiments on verso of final unnumbered leaf. Printers device on title. ff. (2),36,(1). Few light stains in places. Later cloth-backed boards, gently rubbed at extremities. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 920]. Amsterdam, Jacob Aleris Soto: 1710. $400-600 l Born in the Baden town of Freiburg im Breisgau, the Talmudic scholar Jacob ben Samuel Bunim Koppelman, was distinguished for his broad knowledge of secular sciences. A child prodigy, and student of Mordechai Jaffe, Koppelman studied mathematics and astrology in addition to intense occupation with traditional Jewish learning. In Omek Halacha he discusses the talmudic references to mathematics, botony, engineering and geography; establishes the weights and measures of the Talmud and draws the site of the Temple, the Candelabrum and the Table of Showbread, all with the aid of vivid and vibrant diagrams and models. Lot 140

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142. (LAND OF ISRAEL). BEIRAV , JACOB. Zimrath Ha’aretz. FIRST EDITION. ff. 16. Modern cloth. 8vo. [Vinograd Mantua 411; Yaarri Ladino 355]. Mantua, Raphael Chaim: 1745. $800-1000 l In 1740 helped Jacob Beirav founded a colony in Tiberias. In this work he records all the events of his journey and the trials and tribulations of establishing the new settlement. The purpose of the book was to call attention to the importance of settling Tiberias, one of the Four Holy Cities of the Land of Israel, in which continuous Jewish presence has remained since the era of the Bible. Appended are twelve of his poems in Hebrew and Ladino which were sung until recently in the Balkan countries praising the resettlement of Tiberias. The author was the son-in-law of Chaim Abulafia.
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143. (LAND OF ISRAEL). ISRAEL BEN SAMUEL OF SHKLOV. Pe’ath ha-Shulchan (Agricultural Laws of Eretz Israel). FIRST EDITION. Printer’s device on title page.The inscription on the title informs us the book was given as a gift by R. Moses Joseph to his son Israel. ff. (5), 2-108. (According to Ya’ari, there should appear at the end of the book a single leaf signed by the supervisor of the printing R. Shemayah ben Issachar Halevi. Our copy does not have this addendum.) Staining. The final pages have been taped resulting in some loss of text. Calf-backed marbled boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Safed 12; Vinograd, Vilna Gaon (Jerusalem, 2003), no. 1543; Yaari, Hebrew Printing in the East (1940), p. 22, no. 11; Halevy, The First Hebrew Books Published in Jerusalem, p. 20, n. 5]. Safed, Israel Bak: 1836. $600-900 l Laws applicable to the Holy Land, based on Maimonides and in particular the rulings of the author’s mentor R. Elijah, the Gaon of Vilna. These are written in a style approximating that of Joseph Karo’s code Shulhan ‘Arukh (Prepared Table), hence the name Pe’ath ha-Shulchan (Corner of the Table).The book was printed just in the nick of time. On January 1, 1837, an earthquake all but destroyed the Jewish community of Safed. R. Israel of Shklov happened to be in Jerusalem at the time, attempting to revamp the Ashkenazic community of the city. He organized relief efforts for the sur vivors of the catastrophe.Yaari, Sheluchei Eretz Israel (Jerusalem, 1977), p. 781. Rabbi Israel ben Samuel of Shklov(1770-1839) was the leader of the Kollel Perushim, the followers of the Vilna Gaon in Eretz Israel. After the death of his first wife in 1813, R. Israel remarried Yuta Beila, daughter of R. David of Yampola, of the Kollel Chasidim in Safed. This marriage took place at a time when relations between the Chasidim and Mithnagdim were far from congenial. Cynics justified R. Israel’s actions based on the Talmudic saying, “A Moabite may not enter into the congregation—A Moabite but not a Moabitess.” Bezalel Landau, cited in Ar yeh Morgenstern, Ge’ulah be-Derekh ha-Teva (Jerusalem, 1989), p. 182, n. 55. See further JE, Vol VI, p. 669; S. Levi, “Rabbi Israel of Shklov,” Sinai III(1939):30-37; L. Jung ed., Men of the Spirit (1964), pp. 63-81. This is one of six books Israel Bak, a recent immigrant from Berdichev, managed to publish in Safed between the years 1832-1836. Eventually, he would set up press once again—in Jerusalem. But five years would pass in the interim. See Shoshanna Halevy, The First Hebrew Books Published in Jerusalem (Jerusalem, 1975), pp. 15-21. Lot 142

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144. (LAND OF ISRAEL). SCHWARZ, JOSEPH. Divrei Yoseph - (Toldoth Yoseph) In 4 sections, including the physical history of the Holy Land, the cycle of the sun and the calculation of sunrise and sunset * Tevuot Ha-aretz - Part 2 of Divrei Yoseph, [geography, geology, produce of the Holy Land (with a separate title page - Totzaat Ha-aretz), chronology(with a separate tltle page - Ma’aseh Ha-aretz), etc.] , Jerusalem, [Y. Bak], 1845. Halevy 31. FIRST EDITIONS. With astronomical diagrams and tables. 8vo ff. [8], 70, [6]. [Halevy 17]. Jerusalem, Yisrael Bak: 1843. $800-1200 l The author was the greatest authority on all matters pertaining to the Holy Land. He was decorated by the Austrian Emperor when the work was translated into German (see Lot 146). 145. (LAND OF ISRAEL). HOROWITZ, CHAIM BEN DOV BER HALEVI. Sepher Chivath Yerushalayim [descriptions of the holy sites of Eretz Israel]. FIRST EDITION. Woodcut printer’s device on title (Yaari, Printer’s Marks, no. 201). ff. (3), 63 (i.e. 60). Dampstained in places, upper corner of title repaired with loss of a few words, paper repairs to lower margins of first and last few leaves. Contemporary cloth-backed boards, gently rubbed. Sm.4to. [Vinograd, Jerusalem 29; Halevi 23]. Jerusalem, Israel Bak: 1844. $800-1200 l Hibath Jerusalem is a Jewish traveler’s guide to the Holy Land.This is one of the first Hebrew books published in Jerusalem (the earliest being 1841), printed by Israel Bak on the new press sent to him from London by Sir Moses Montefiore. (See a photo of the press in Halevy’s foreword, p. 23.) The author does not restrict himself to the present state of the sites he discusses but scours the entire corpus of rabbinic literature, as well as earlier reports by Jewish travelers, and provides rich historic background. Haskamoth (encomia) of the Rishon le-Zion, R. Hayyim Abraham Gagin, and of R. Jacob Anteby of Damascus. The book was edited by the author’s relative, Mordecai Segal Horowitz, recently arrived in Jerusalem in 1839. 146. (LAND OF ISRAEL). SCHWARZ, JOSEPH. Das Heilige Land. FIRST GERMAN EDITION. Frontispiece portrait of the author, tinted illustrated plates of the Cave of Machpelah, Bethlehem and the Western Wall, folding panoramic view of Jerusalem and folding map of the Holy Land prepared by the Author. German text with extensive use of Hebrew. Morrocco gilt. 8vo. [Freimann 171; not in Blackmer]. Frankfurt a/Main, J. Kaufmann: 1852. $1000-1500 l German translation of Tevu’ath Ha’aretz (1845) prepared by the author’s nephew, Israel Schwarz. The book deals with the borders and division of the Holy Land (according to both Biblical and Rabbinic tradition), its topography, history, genealogy of inhabitants, botany, and climate - including incidents of earthquakes through history. Joseph Schwarz was born in Bavaria and emmigrated to Jerusalem in1833, whereupon he adopted the rituals and customs of the local Sephardic Jews. Following the appearance of this German edition, Schwarz revisited his native country in order to receive a decoration bestowed upon him by the Austrian Emperor. Schwarz is considered the first Jewish geographer of modern times. “[His] work is significant in that it became the basis and model for all subsequent Hebrew writing on Palestine exploration, taking Jewish sources into account. Y. Ben-Arieh, The Rediscovery of the Holy Land in the ” Nineteenth Century (1979) pp.104-07.
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Lot 146 147. (LAND OF ISRAEL). Papo, Judah. Shever Poshim [controversy concerning the administration of the Kollels of Hebron]. FIRST EDITION. 8o ff. 33 (i.e. 34). Modern cloth. 4to. [Vinograd, Jerusalem 105; Halevi 69]. Jerusalem, Israel Bak: 1862. $700-900 l Concerns the refusal of the emissary Joseph Shalom to present an audit of expenses and monies collected to the Rabbis of Hebron. Shalom was a wealthy individual who volunteered to administer the fund raising activities pro bono. The Rabbis accused him of being a charlatan and using the funds for his own private concerns, while the Kollel was colapsing under the burden of debt. Shalom enlisted the British Consul, James Finn, to have two of the Rabbis of Hebron arrested (these Rabbis are depicted as “gedolei Yisrael”). Shalom was excommunicated by both the Sefardic and Ashkenazic Rabbis of Hebron, Jerusalem Safed and Tiberias. The two Rabbis were finally released three months later. Details of this controversy were reported at length in the Jewish Chronicle, July 5th, 1861.

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148. (LAND OF ISRAEL). Aryeh Leib Charif. Sepher Em la-Masoroth*Printed together with Shneur Zalman ben Menachem Mendel [Mendelevich]. Sepher Zikhron Yerusahalayim. (The first work deals with masoretic issues, i.e. the proper spelling of various words in the Pentateuch. The second work is a travel guide to various cities inside and outside of Eretz Israel. Includes descriptions of Beirut, Damascus, Aleppo, Baghdad, Bombay, Alexandria, Izmir and Istanbul and London.). ONLY EDITION. Two titles within typographic borders.The books are replete with woodcuts of traditional scenes from the Holy Land. On the front endpaper, the author “Zalman Mendelevich” has inscribed the copy as a gift to Nathan Hakohen Adler, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, with the wish that the recipient help him to marry off his son, “the son of his old age. ” (On p. 113 of her book, Halevy discusses a similar copy sent by the author to Montefiore. From the author’s inscription, she settles once and for all that the author’s last-name was “Mendelevich” and not “Schneersohn” as erroneously asserted by Frumkin). ff. 16, 28. Brittle. Boards. Sm. 4to. [Halevy, 266]. Jerusalem, Nissan ben Israel Bak & Grandson: 1876. $700-900 l Both books were issued by Zalman Mendelevich.The first is by Mendelevich’s grandfather, the famous R. Aryeh Leib Charif, author of Kol Aryeh. Zalman Mendelevich was a HaBaD hasid and acted as an emissary on behalf of Kollel HaBaD in Hebron and Jerusalem. His travels took him to Baghdad and Bombay, where he benefited from the munificence of the legendary Sassoon family. As for the gallery of contemporary rabbis mentioned by Mendelevich, the book reads like a Who’s Who in Eretz Israel. Zikhron Yerushalayim, pp. 20b and 23a. See Ya’ari, Sheluhei Eretz Israel (1977), pp. 695-696; Halevy, The First Hebrew Books Printed in Jerusalem (1975), p. 113. Em la-Masoroth is graced by the encomia of many famous rabbis: the Rishon le-Zion, Abraham Ashkenazi; Elijah Mani and Shimon Menashe, respectively Sephardic and HaBaD hasidic rabbis of Hebron; Rabbi Aaron of Chernobyl and his three sons. 149. LANDAU, JACOB BEN JUDAH. Sepher Agur [Jewish laws and precepts]. Second edition. Title within ornate arches. Initial letters of opening word within white on black decorative woodcut vignettes. Signatures of several owners. On title in Italian hand: “Abraham b. Joseph of Pisa. In Ashkenazic hand: “Inherited from the ” rabbinical judges here from the estate of R. Samuel Cohen…” On f. 2r. another ex libris. This copy has only ff. 96. (According to Vinograd, there should be ff. 102. Missing pages of table of contents at end.) Title torn. Dampstaining. Half morocco boards. Part of spine missing. 4to. [Vinograd, Rimini 6; Adams L-107; no copy in the JNUL]. Rimini, Gershom Soncino: 1525. $5000-7000 l The Agur contains fourteen hundred and thirty nine sections, following the order of the Tur. It deals largely with ritual, the laws of Sabbath and the Festivals. It was the last rabbinic code written by a German scholar before the Shulchan Aruch was compiled. R. Jacob Landau’s purpose was to add the decisions of the later German scholars, such as R. Jacob Moelin (Maharil) and R. Israel Isserlein, which were omitted by Jacob ben Asher in his Tur.

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150. LEON, MESSER DAVID BEN JUDAH. Tehilah le-David [philosophy]. FIRST EDITION. ff. 108. At end, one leaf of manuscript. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 269; Yaari, Const. 194; Mehlman 1194; not in Adams]. Constantinople, Joseph Javetz: 1576. $4000-6000 l David Messer Leon (c. 1470-1526), ordained rabbi aged eighteen, devoted Kabbalist ,as well as admirer of Maimonides, boasted a comprehensive knowledge of general culture, particularly philosophy, and an affection for poetry and music. Tehilah Le-David, which was published by the author’s grandson, comprises three parts: The first deals with the prominence of the Law; the second with the elements of faith - which the author regards as superior to speculative reasoning; while the third focuses upon the principles of the Divine Attributes, Providence and Free Will. This is the only work of philosophy of Messer Leon to be published. Other works still in manuscript are Magen David, dealing with the problem of the nature of the sephiroth, and Ein ha-Kore, a commentary on Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed. See I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. IV (Italian Jewry in the Renaissance Era) (1974), pp. 91-98; EJ, Vol.11, cols. 27-28.
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Lot 151 Lot 150

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151. LEUSDEN, JOHANN. Philologus Hebraeo-Mixtus. * Bound With: Pirke Aboth (Hebrew and Latin), and the Book of Daniel (Aramaic text with Hebrew and Latin translations). Meinard `a Dreunen, 1665. Second edition. Nine engraved plates (including frontispiece) depicting Biblical and 17th century Jewish customs (home and synagogue). A facsimile of the frontispiece appears in EJ Vol. 11, col. 63. The frontispiece shows the destruction of the Temple with Israel depicted as a queen being carried off into captivity. Latin text interspersed with Hebrew and Greek. I: pp. (16), 463, (9). II: pp. (8),129, (1). Vellum. 4to. [Rubens 291-98 (without frontispiece); EJ, XI 63 (illustrating frontispiece); Furst II, p. 235.]. Utrecht, F. Halma: 1682. $1000-1500 l Johann Leusden (1624-1699) was a professor of Hebrew at Utrecht University. He is most famous for having produced in collaboration with the Amsterdam publisher Joseph Athias the magnificent Biblia Hebraica (1661) which served as a model for publications of the Bible up to the 19th century. Leusden also translated the register of 613 commandments that heads Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah (Utrecht, 1656). EJ, Vol. 11, cols. 63-64.
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152. Lev, Joseph ben David Ibn. Shailoth Uteshuvoth MeHaR”I ibn Lev [responsa]. Parts I. FIRST EDITION. ff. (162 of 163); (11). Lacking f.(128) blank. [Vinograd, Salonika 55; Mehlman 746; Ya’ari, Const. 162; not in Adams]. (Salonika, Joseph ben Isaac Ya’avetz, 1558). * Part III. FIRST EDITION . ff. 120,133-175 (i.e. 174),(1),187-190,(5). [Vinograd, Const. 243; Mehlman 748; Ya’ari, Const. 182]. Constantinople, Solomon & Jacob Ya’avetz, 1573. Together, two works in one volume. Stained in places, light marginal wear to first few leaves, paper marginal repair to last leaf. Recent cloth, rubbed at extremities. Sm. folio. v.p., v.d. $3000-4000 l There is some confusion among bibliographers concerning the place and date of publication of Part I of this collection of responsa. Conventional wisdom placed its printing to Constantinople in 1561, where the remaining parts of this multi-volumed responsa were published. However, Yudlov in his catalogue of the Mehlman Collection suggests that the first part was in fact published in Salonika in 1558. As proof for this assertion, he points out in Genuzoth Sepharim, p.106, no. 162 that the author himself makes reference to this in the second part of this collection. On this issue, see also the discussion by Hacker in Areshet vol. V, p. 485, no. 162. The author dedicated this work to the illustrious Dona Gracia Nasi, whose printing-press in her Palace at Belvedere outside Constantinople, kept Hebrew literary endeavors alive in the Ottoman Empire at the time. Indeed the printer of the present work states here his intention to undertake the printing of a new edition of the Talmud following the recent calamitous public-burning of the Talmud in Italy The author was one of the greatest scholars of his generation. The Chida in his Shem Ha-Gedolim states that three scholars of that generation (all coincidentally named Yoseph) were capable of penning a work of the magnitude of the Beith Yoseph: R. Yoseph Karo, R. Yoseph ibn Lev and R.Yoseph Taitatzak.

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153. LEVI BEN GERSHON (GERSONIDES/. RaLBaG). Milchamoth Hashem [“Wars of the Lord”: philosophy]. FIRST EDITION. Title within ornamental border and featuring Cardinal Madrucci’s device - patron of the printing enterprise (see Amram pp. 296-97; Yaari, Hebrew Printers’ Marks, no. 28). Facsimile of title in EJ, Vol. 11, col. 93. On final page owner’s inscription: “You saved my soul from death…Chaim ben R. Samuel Olmo z”l. . ff. 75. ” Dampstains. Repairs to title page. Contemporary boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Riva di Trento 20; Adams L-606]. Riva di Trento, Jacob Marcaria: 1560(-1561). $800-1200 l Milchamoth Hashem is the classic work of Gersonides, whose philosophy is even more Aristotelian than that of his predecessor Maimonides. Levi ben Gershom (1288-1344), a native of Languedoc in the south of France, was a true polymath, excelling in the fields of Biblical exegesis, philosophy, mathematics and astronomy. There are even a few halakhic responsa of Gersonides. The last distinguished Aristotelian not only in the Jewish world, but in all of Medieval Europe, Gersonides was also the only one among the Jewish disciples of Aristotle who accepted the entire Aristotelian system, including those particulars that seemingly contradict aspects of the Jewish world view. As a philosopher, Gersonides was not satisfied with the solutions the Arabic and Jewish Aristotelians had presented to the problems that most disturbed medieval minds, namely the immortality of the soul, the nature of prophecy, divine omniscience and providence, the nature of the heavenly spheres and the question of the eternity of matter. In Milchamoth Hashem, a work on which he laboured for twelve years, he attempts to provide his own answers to these problems. For a detailed analysis of Gersonides’ inquires in Milchamoth Hashem and critical comparison to Aristotle’s beliefs, see I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. III, pp.129-139. Of late, there is renewed interest in Gersonides’ philosophy, as well as his astronomy and mathematics. Charles Touati translated the Milchamoth into French, while Seymour Feldman produced an English version brought out in three volumes by the Jewish Publication Society of Philadelphia (19941999). In 1993, several distinguished scholars contributed to G. Freudenthal ed., Studies on Gersonides: A Fourteenth-Centur y Jewish Philosopher-Scientist (Brill). 154. (LITURGY). Viduy Karov Lemalkoth. Composed by Baruch b. Moses ibn Baruch. FIRST EDITION. Printed without a title-page. ff.(8). 16mo. [Vinograd, Venice 892, Habermann, di Gara no. 195, Rare - not in JNUL]. Venice, Di Gara: [1600]. $2500-3000 l A beautiful penitential poem to be recited prior to the symbolic “malkoth” (lashes) administered onYom Kippur Eve. Composed at the request of the leading members of the Shomrim La-Boker Society.

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155. (LITURGY). Seder Meah Berachot -Minhag Sepharad. With signature, index and note in the hand of the previous owner, R. Abraham Joseph Shlomo Graziano with his pseudonym “Ish Ger. ” (His note on f.2 states that he purchased this volume in 1660, which proves that the earlier date is correct.) Concerning Graziano, see Abraham J. Karp, From the Ends of the Earth: Judaic Treasures of the Librar y of Congress (Washington, 1991), pp. 155-156 (includes facsimile of “Ish Ger” signature and marginalia to Zohar). ff. 78,[2]. Contemporary boards rubbed and chipped. 32 mo. [Vinograd Venice 1340]. Venice, Antonio Riccini-Vindramin: 1663 (Vinograd gives 1658). $2000-2500 l Contains a collection of 100 blessings, prayers and instructions for various occasions. Includes full text of the Haggadah. With instructions in Hebrew and Ladino plus Kavanoth by R. Moshe Zacuto based upon the Ari za”l.
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157. (LITURGY). Tefilat Yesharim. . 8vo. ff. [4],112, 213-277, 142 (Vinograd mistakenly writes 124) Contemporary calf backed boards, rubbed, chipped and loose. Owners signature Pinchas b. Abraham Rocca. [Vinograd, Amsterdam,1538 Yaari, Ladino, 166]. Amsterdam, Naftali Hertz Rofe: 1740. $2000-5000 l An important early kabbalistic prayer-book with Lurianic kavanoth based upon the writings of R. Moshe Zacuto. Although a Siddur with kavanoth of Zacuto was previously published in 1712, under the name Beth Tefilah, this edition contains many additions in a host of areas: halacha, kavanoth, “minhagei chassidim” etc. ff. 122b-125 contains a Ladino translation and commentary. ff. 130-142 contains astronomical tables with a commentary by the editor R. David Meldola. The importance of these additions are highlighted in the approbation of Meldola’s father, the Chief Rabbi of Bayonne, France.
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156. (LITURGY). Machzor - German Polish rite Krovetz. Text in Yiddish. 4to [1], ff. 156 Woodcut on verso of title. title loose, some staining and foxing. Vellum backed boards, rubbed, in modern slipcase. [Vinograd Amsterdam 1166 , Mehlman 327]. Amsterdam, S. Proops: 1721. $500-700 l Apparently published for women who said their prayers in Yiddish.The Willy Lindwer copy.

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158. (LITURGY). Seder le-Arba Zomoth u-le-Arba Parshiyoth ke-Minhag Carpentras (The Carpentras Rite for Four Fasts and Four Special Readings). FIRST EDITION. On p. 4, coat-of-arms showing a lion with a tower, which was originally the printer’s mark of Immanuel Benveniste during the years 1641-1659. See Ya’ari, Hebrew Printers’ Marks, no. 60; Fuks,pp.146-147. Owner’s Hebrew inscription opposite p. 1, and on pp. 25a and 48b: “Gad de Carcassonne. (According to EJ, Vol. 5, col. 160, the Family name “Carcassonne” was ” retained by several families in the region of Comtat-Venaissin, though the Jews were expelled from Carcassonne in 1394.). ff. (3), 151, (1). Waxstains on pages of section entitled “Night of Tish’ah be-Av.” Vellum. 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1811]. Amsterdam, Hertz Levi Rofe and his Son-in-law Kosman: 1762. $800-1200 l The editor of this liturgy, Abraham Monteil, was a native of L’Isle (L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue), smallest of “the four holy communities” of Comtat Venaissin, the papal territory in Southern France that historically provided a safe haven for Jews fleeing the provinces of Languedoc and Provence, from whence they were expelled by the French monarchs. (The other three communities in this tetrapolis were: Avignon, Carpentras, and Cavaillon.) The Jews of the Comtat had their own synagogue rite, now fallen into disuse. See C.Roth, “The Liturgy of Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin,” Journal of Jewish Bibliography I (1939) p. 99-105; reprinted in Cecil Roth, Studies in Books and Booklore (1972), pp. 8187; EJ, Vol. 5, cols. 208, 859; Vol. 9, col.105; Vol. 11, col. 402.

159. (LITURGY). RICCHI, RAPHAEL IMMANUEL HAI (1688-1743). Mishnath Chassidim (Liturgy and Kabbalah). Complete full edition combining al the corrections and additions of previous editions. 8to. ff. [4], 230, Morrocco in fitted box. Some staining on outer edges. Handwritten kabbalistic prayers on front and final blanks. Corner frayed on p.94 affecting a few words of text.Owners stamps. [Vinograd Amsterdam 1847, Mehlmman 619]. Amsterdam, Leib Sussmans: 1764. $l Rare kabbalistic prayer book. Contains the order of prayers for the entire year (including the Passover Haggadah) with the Kavannoth of the Arizal with explanations of the author. One of the great Italian Rabbis who later emigrated to Safed. He was murdered by pirates on his final trip as is related in the introducton to his lengthy commentary to Tehillim, Chozeh Zion.
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160. (LITURGY). Seder shel Yom Kippur [Festival prayer for the Day of Atonement]. According to the rite of Avignon. Edited by Abraham Monteil. Title within typographical border. Floral woodcut on last page. Owner’s Hebrew signature on title: “Abraham Asher ben Yitzhak Berlin. Another owner’s French signature ” on p. 16a: “Carcassone Lejeune. . ff. 89. Marbled endpapers. Browning. Dampstained in places. Calf. Large 4to. ” [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1900]. Amsterdam, Hertz Levi the Physician and his Son-in-Law Kosman: 1766. $800-1200 l A distinctively emblematic text of the particular species of Jewish culture and practice that evolved in the Jewish Communities of Avignon and the neighboring territory. See C. Roth, The Liturgies of Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin in: Journal of Jewish Bibliography I (1939) pp. 99-105. 161. LUZZATTO, MOSES CHAIM. (RaMCHa”L). Leshon Limudim (Rules of poetry). FIRST EDITION. Title within typographic border. Hebrew with Latin and Italian printed side-bars. ff.56. Excellent condition. Contemporary boards. 8vo. [Vinograd, Mantua 340]. Mantua, Raphael Hayim D’Italia: 1727. $600-900 l Leshon Limudim was Luzzatto’s first appearance in print, the book composed when the author was but seventeen years old. Carlebach writes that Leshon Limudim “was published when he was seventeen. Elisheva Carlebach, The Pursuit of Heresy (New York, 1990), p. 195. Actually, Luzzatto was ” twenty years old at the time of publication in 1727. That same year Luzzatto’s life would undergo dramatic change with the revelation of the “maggid” or familiar spirit Shamuel, subsequent to which Luzzatto would be embroiled in controversy for many years to come. His days as a peaceful poet, typical of his Italian countrymen, were over. The work is dedicated to Luzzatto’s mentor, Rabbi Isaiah Bassani. There is a poem in honor of the author by David Finzi, who would eventually become Luzzatto’s father-in-law. This is the first of three parts of the work. Parts Two and Three of Leshon Limudim were published from manuscript by Haberman (Jerusalem: Mossad Harav Kook, 1945). EJ, Vol.11, col. 603; Meyer Waxman, History of Jewish Literature III, pp. 104-105. One of the complaints against Luzzatto by his detractors was that from youth he was enamored of non-Jewish literature. Rabbi Samson Morpurgo wrote to R. Moses Hagiz, “they pleased themselves with the children of strangers” (Isaiah 2:5). Typically, David Finzi defended Luzzatto against this charge. It was also said in jest that he had married the “sister of Lotan” (i.e. Latin) (a pun on Genesis 36:21). Indeed, our own text comes complete with Latin sidebars. See Simon Ginzburg, RaMHaL u-B’nei Doro: Igrot u-Te’udot (Tel-Aviv, 1937), I, pp. 129, 146; II, p. 273; Mordecai Chriqui, Igrot RaMHaL u-B’nei Doro (Jerusalem, 2001), pp. 186, 191; R. David Cohen, Kol ha-Nevu’ah (Jerusalem, 1979), p. 308, n. 452.

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162. LUZZATTO, SIMONE. Discorso circa il stato de gl’ Hebrei, et in particolar dimoranti nell’inclita Citt`a di Venetia (“Discourse on the Jews of Venice”). On title printer’s mark. Italian text. On opening blank bookplate with British royal emblem and motto: “Honi soit qui mal y pense. . ff. 92. Calf with “Aldus” printer’s mark ” of dolphin and anchor on both front and back covers in gilt. 4to. [St. Cat. Bodl. col. 2597 no. 7191]. Venice, Gioanne Calleoni: 1638. $800-1200 l Simone (Simcha) Luzzatto (1583-1663) was appointed senior Rabbi of Venice following the death of Leone Modena. Among his responsa was one (no longer preserved) which permitted travel by gondola in Venice on the Sabbath. EJ, Vol. XI, cols. 607-608. It is believed that Luzzatto’s Discorso was spurred by the threat of the imminent expulsion of the Jews of Venice. Luzzatto devoted the first part of the Discorso to a demonstration of the ecomonic utility of the Jews of Venice. Perforce, he defends moneylending, which the Venetian Senate had required the Jews to engage in. In defense of the Jews, the author argues that due to their political quietism since the desctruction of their State, they pose no threat to the security of the Venetian Republic. Prof. Bernard Septimus has argued that Luzzatto did not truly subscribe to these quietistic beliefs but merely adopted this pose for apologetic purposes. His true belief would have been much closer to that of Spinoza who expressed the thought that one day the Jews would reestablish their own State. See Benjamin Ravid, “Moneylending in Seventeenth Century Jewish Vernacular Apologetica,” and Bernard Septimus, “Biblical Religion and Political Rationality in Simone Luzzatto, Maimonides and Spinoza” in: Twersky and Septimus eds., Jewish Thought in the Seventeenth Century (Cambridge, MA, 1987), pp. 257-275; 399-433. Evidently Christian resentment of Venetian Jewish moneylenders was festering for some time. In 1596, William Shakespeare issued The Merchant of Venice, whose villainous central character Shylock, a Jewish usurer, has continued to serve antisemites to the present day.

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163. (MAIMONIDES, MOSES (MAIMONIDES/. RaMBa”M). Hilchoth Ma’aseroth / Commentarius Philologicus de Decimis Judaeorum. Johannis Conrad Hottinger. f.1 is a montage of several scenes pertaining to tithes: fruits, fields, and flocks. Printer’s mark on title. Final page fold-out to a list of the Tractates in theTalmud. Latin text interspersed with Hebrew. pp. (20), 253, (12). Stained. Stiff wrappers. 4to. [Vinograd, Leiden 58; Freimann, p. 183 lists a later edition (Venice, 1757)]. Leiden, Isaac Severin: 1713. $l Philological commentary on the Jewish Laws of Tithes based on Maimonides.
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165. MENACHEM AZARIAH OF FANO. Amaroth Tehoroth [Kabbalah]. With commentary “Yad Yehudah” by R. Judah Leib ben Shimon. FIRST EDITION. Title within fine engraved border including arches and cherubs aloft. Owner’s signature on title in Hebrew: “A gift from my brother-in-law the philanthropist Jonathan ben Moses Levi— Moses ben Elhanan Halevi of Leverdin. . ff. (2), ” 143, 98. Several pages detached including title. Lightly stained. Contemporary calf badly worn and spine taped. 4to. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 148]. Frankfurt a/Main, Vorst: 1698. $700-900 l Part One of Amaroth Tehoroth, a compendium of five kabbalistic treatises by R. Menahem Azariah of Fano: Ma’amar Hikkur Din, Ma’amar Em Kol Hai, Ma’amar ha-Middoth, Ma’amar Olam Katan, and Ma’amar ha-Ittim. Today, this work is generally known by the title Asarah Ma’amaroth (though the other five treatises are missing). 166. MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL. Sepher Penei Rabah [concordance of Biblical verses recorded in the Midrash Rabbah]. ONLY EDITION. Two parts in one, divisional title prior to Five Scrolls. ff.(2),53,(1),25. Dampstained. Later boards. 4to. [Silva Rosa 4; Fuks, Amsterdam 148]. Amsterdam, Menasseh ben Israel: 1628. $400-600 l Menasseh ben Israel’s first published work. The printing was subsidized by Menasseh’s friends, Messrs. Ephraim Bueno and Jonah Abarbanel. The work is prefaced by a commendatory poem of Isaac Aboab.

164. MALKIEL HEZEKIAH BEN ABRAHAM. Malkiel. Third edition. (The book was first published in Tuebingen in 1560, next in Cracow, 1580.) The first word “Malkiel” is within a typographic border. Book preceded by 6ff. of manuscript followed by several blank leaves. The ms. was penned by “Pinhas b. Judah Leib Segal” at the beginning of the nineteenth century and contains a few novel interpretations of verses from the Bible. ff. 23. Lacking title page. 8vo. [Vinograd, Offenbach 10]. Offenbach, Seligman Reiz: 1715. $600-900 l Malkiel discusses the topics of reward and punishment, the afterlife, the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge, and demons. On 22b the author embellishes on the Talmudic statement that when Elijah comes to town, the dogs are glad, by saying that Sama’l on the other hand, is accompanied by cats.

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167. MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL. Conciliator. text. Original calf. 4to. [Silva Rosa 16].

FIRST EDITION IN LATIN.

pp.(8), 240. Title slightly charred with no loss of Amsterdam, by the Author: 1633. $800-1200

l Written with a Marrano readership in mind, offering an insight into Rabbinic Judaism by reconciling seemingly discordant passages in the Bible. Menasseh’s magnum opus, the Conciliator—first printed in Spanish, and a year later in Latin translation—assured its author a place of prominence in Amsterdam’s Jewish community. The Spanish edition received the hearty endorsement of Frankfurt’s rabbi, Sheftel Hurwitz. The volume attempts resolutions of no less than 180 seeming discrepancies in the Pentateuch. The breadth of Menasseh’s encyclopedic knowledge is breathtaking. There are citations from no fewer than 221 Jewish and 54 non-Jewish authorities. “No reader could fail to be impressed by the amazing range of titles which the author proudly appended to the work” (Cecil Roth, A Life of Menasseh ben Israel: Rabbi, Printer, and Diplomat [Philadelphia, 1945], p. 88).
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168. MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL. De Resurrectione Mortuorum [on the resurrection of the dead]. FIRST EDITION. Printer’s Hebrew device on title. On f.1v. deaccession date from British Museum, 1787. pp.(24),346,(6). Latin. Title page frayed. Some faint underlining of text. Later boards. 12mo. [Silva Rosa 25]. Amsterdam, by the Author: 1636. $400-600 l The Amsterdam Jewish community at this time was comprised primarily of Marranos, who in their Iberian homeland knew Judaism, if at all, only through the lenses of the Old Testament. Since the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is not clearly explained in the Bible, some of the newly arrived Marranos came to doubt the belief in an afterlife. The most well-known of these modern-day “Sadducees” was one Uriel Acosta. In response to these sceptics, Menasseh marshaled proofs from throughout Judaic literature as to the existence of an afterlife. See Cecil Roth, A Life of Menasseh ben Israel (Philadeplhia, 1945), pp. 92-94.

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169. (MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL). LARA, DAVID COHEN DE. Ir David. Sive De Convenienta vocabulorum Rabbinicorum [rabbinical lexicon]. FIRST EDITION. Printer’s device on title. pp.(8), 92. Light stains in places. Limp boards.4to. [Fuks, Amsterdam 203]. Amsterdam, Nicolaes van Ravesteyn: 1638. $500-700 l Lists and explains words of Greek and Latin origin found in the Talmud and Midrash. Hacham of the Spanish-Portuguese Community in Hamburg, de Lara (c.1602-1674) was an expert on classical literature and the writings of the Church Fathers. The only book with Hebrew types produced by Van Ravesteyn. “The book presents a bibliographic puzzle. Although Van Ravesteyn states on his title-page that he printed the book ‘with his own types,’ the same book is also listed as a work from the presses of Menasseh Ben Israel. In the sales catalogue of the Ben Israel-officina which Menasseh’s son Semuel Ben Israel Soeiro published in 1652, the work is listed as ‘Hir david dictionario.’ As no further data about the issue of Cohen de Lara’s work have come to light yet, it remains uncertain whether Menasseh really printed the work for Van Ravesteyn, or van Ravesteyn hired Menasseh’s Hebrew types. There certainly must have been a connection with the officina of Menasseh Ben Israel. See Fuks I, p. 145. ” 170. MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL. Tzeror Hachaim. De Termino Vitae. pp.(16), 237,(50). Title within wreathed columns. Title torn and signature of owner cropped from lower margin. Light stains * Bound together with: Muller, Philip. Miracula, Chymica et Misteria Medica (1611), pp. (24), 189. Contains figures of retorts and other instruments likely to be found in a chemistry laboratory. Few pages have been expertly repaired. Contemporary vellum. 12mo. [Coppenhagen, Menasseh 211; Silva Rosa 35]. Amsterdam, By the Author: 1639. $1000-1500 l A discussion whether death is brought on by natural causes or divinely ordained. The Dutch intellectual Jan van Beverwyck had opened the discussion in his work Epistolica Quaestio de Vitae Termino, fatali an mobili (Dordrecht, 1634). Our own work, Menasseh’s response, argues, based on Jewish sources, that the span of life is not predetermined by the Deity but depends on constitutional, temperamental, and climatic influences. The book concludes with Carmen Intellectuale, a panegyric in honor of Menasseh by Jacob Rosales of Hamburg. “Of all Menasseh’s Latin works, this was the most successful. Cecil Roth, A Life of Menasseh ben Israel ” (Philadelphia,1945), p. 95. As for the second work, the non-Jewish author, Philip Muller, would seem to have been influenced by the Kabbalah. Patai writes: “This reliance on the Kabbalah being the general trend of sixteenth- to eighteenth century alchemy, it was inevitable that Hebrew words should be found frequently in the texts, notably in those of Bang, Muller, Maulius, Sallwigt, and Wienner” (R. Patai, The Jewish Alchemists [Princeton, 1994], p. 158).

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171. MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL. Thesouro dos Dinim (Thesaurus of Laws). FIRST EDITION. Title within wreathed columns. Text in Portuguese. On 1v. owner’s inscription in Spanish: “Jacob Israel Bernal…London…5492…1732. Signature “Isaac Isr. Bernal” on p. 625. pp. (30), 625, 210, (8). All five parts in ” one volume. Separate titles for each part. Parts I-IV were printed in 1645 by Elijah Aboab; Part V in 1647 by Joseph ben Israel. At end of Part V, a few leaves out of sequence (pp. 85-86, 91-92, 209-210). 8vo. [Kayserling, p. 69; Fuks, p. 135, no. 16; Catalogue Ets Haim 412; not in Kayserling or Silva Rosa]. Amsterdam, Elijah Aboab; Joseph ben Israel: 1645; 1647. $1500-2000 l A Thesaurus of Laws which appeared in five parts between 1645 and 1647. This religious guide intended for Marranos rejoining the Jewish faith sets out all the precepts required to observe Judaism. Parts I-IV are dedicated to Abraham Ferrar, Emanuel Franco, Abraham del Prado, David Abarbanel Dormido, Jacob Bueno, Jacob Atias, and Jacob del Soto; Part V to Abraham and Isaac Pereira. Approbia of Hakhamim Saul Levi Morteira and David Pardo. Menasseh ben Israel (1604-1657) whose face is known to many thanks to his friend Rembrandt’s portrait of him, is certainly the most famous of Amsterdam’s Jewish sages, though he never served in an official capacity as rabbi of that city, contrary to common opinion. The Thesouro is one of many books produced on Menasseh Israel’s press, Amsterdam’s first Hebrew press, which he established in 1626. In 1643 Menasseh gave his printing office to Elijah Aboab. Three years later, in 1646, Menasseh’s gifted youngest son, Joseph ben Israel, assumed directorship of the press (Fuks, pp. 108-109). Menasseh’s was a colorful life. Born a marrano on the isle of Madeira (Portugal) and baptized “Manoel Dias Soeiro,” as a child, he escaped with his father to Amsterdam. He soon excelled in rabbinic studies and a knowledge of languages, which later enabled him to produce works of Judaica in Hebrew as well as Latin, Spanish and Portuguese. Toward the end of his life, Menasseh petitoned Oliver Cromwell to allow the Jews to once again settle in England, a request which was only partially fulfilled during the rabbi’s lifetime. Fuks, Hebrew Typography in the Northern Netherlands I (Leiden, , 1984), pp. 99-135; EJ, Vol.11, cols. 855-857. The owners of the book, Jacob Israel Bernal and later his son Isaac Israel Bernal, were prominent players in Anglo-Jewish history, both active in communal affairs, as well as in the West Indies trade. The father, Jacob Israel, gabay of the Bevis Marks synagogue, scandalized the Sephardic or SpanishPortuguese community when in 1745 he took as wife a “Tudesca” (German or Ashkenazic Jewess), Jochabed Bar uch, daughter of one Gershon Levy. See Albert M. Hyamson, The Sephardim of England (London, 1951), pp. 170, 197-198; James Picciotto, Sketches of Anglo-Jewish History (London, 1956), pp. 149,198-201.
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173. (MIDRASH). MIDRASH TANCHUMA. Hanikra Yelamdeinu [Midrashic homilies to the Pentateuch]. Attributed to Tanchuma bar Abba. Second Edition. ff. 73 (i.e. 98). [Vinograd, Venice 243; Haberman, Bomberg 177; Adams M-1432]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1545. * TUVIA BEN ELIEZER. Pesikta Zutarata Midrash Lekach Tov [midrash]. FIRST EDITION. ff. 93. [Vinograd, Venice, 269; Haberman, Bomberg 187; Adams T- 766]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1546. Titles within woodcut architectural boarders. Opening words within decorative woodcut border pieces. Together, two works in one volume. Dampstains in places, paper repairs to opening title and first leaf, scattered marginalia. Recent roan-backed boards, gently rubbed. Sm. folio. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1545-46. $1000-1500 l The collections of Halachic Midrashim emanated from the third and fourth generations of Tannaim. The methodology of these collections, known as motivated Halachah gives the rules together with their basis, the interpretation of the Biblical verse, and are arranged as a commentary to the Books of the Pentateuch. R. Ishmael’s Mechilta was the first collection of such motivated Halachoth. R. Judah and R. Shimons’ collections were stimulated by their great mentor, R. Akiva. The Halachic Midrashim which we possess, emanated from later anonymous hands but undoubtedly contain the Tannaic collections as their nucleus. The Tanchuma-Yelamdainu Midrashic cycle is one of the earliest collections of homilies wherein the Halacha is conjoined to the Agada. Commencing with questions of Halachic matter the discussion whereupon turns to Agada and homiletic interpretation. The name given to the work refers to the numerous homiletic interpretations quoted in the name of Tanchuma, the son of Abba, a Palestinian agadist who lived towards the end of the fourth century. The second name, Yelamdeinu, arises from the fact that a large number of homilies open with the formula “Yelamdeinu Rabbeinu” (“May our master teach us”). The Midrash Lekach Tov, dates towards the end of the eleventh century and is a Midrash to the Pentateuch and some of the Scrolls. It draws on both Aggadic and Halachic sources, giving both interpretations. Only a part of the Lekach Tov was preserved, the final three Books of the Pentateuch and a short midrash on the Book of Ruth. See: M. Waxman, Vol. I pp. 66-69 & 149-150. 174. (MIDRASH). MIDRASH TANCHUMA. Hanikra Yelamdeinu [Midrashic homilies to the Pentateuch]. Attributed to Tanchuma bar Abba. ANOTHER COPY. Second Edition. ff. 73 (i.e. 98). Few light stains in places. Later blind-tooled morcco morocco borads. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 243; Haberman, Bomberg 177; Adams M-1432]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1545. $400-600

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175. (MIDRASH). Midrash Tehilim Rabatha. [Midrashic commentary to the Book of Psalms] * Midrash Shmuel [Midrashic commentary to the Book of Samuel] * Midrash Mishlei [Midrashic commentary to the Book of Proverbs]. Third edition. (Midrash Tehilim was published in Constantinople in 1512 [until Psalm 119]; and in Salonika in 1515 [Psalms 119-150]. Thus, this is the first complete edition.) Title within architectural arch. Divisional title. Opening word of each part within an elaborate floral woodcut border. I: ff. 1-66, Midrash Tehilim; II: ff. 50-62, Midrash Shmuel, missing from our copy (12 ff.); III: ff. 68-76 (mispaginated, “76” should read “74”), Midrash Mishlei. Facsimile title page on old paper. Contemporary binding. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 273; Habermann, Bomberg 193; Adams M-1426]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1546. $800-1200 l The Midrash Tehilim was most likely composed towards the end of the tenth-century, probably in Southern Italy. It is chiefly a compilation of sayings relating to the verses of the Psalms scattered throughout the Agadah, but it also contains some original material. Midrash Tehilim is followed by R. Mattathias Ha-Yizhari’s commentary to the 119th Psalm, Perush ha-Alpha Beta (58d-66b). Ha-Yizhari (Spain, 14th-15th century) was descended from a Narbonne family which emigrated to Aragon after the expulsion from France in 1306. This is the only work of the Spanish philosopher to be published. He left in manuscript a commentary on Avoth. Concerning HaYizhari, see EJ, Vol.11, cols. 1129-1130. The Midrash Mishlei is more in the form of an Aggadic commentary to the Book and contains sayings, parables, proverbs and short homiletic interpretations on each chapter. Its date of composition is approximately the same as that of Midrash Tehilim. M. Waxman, A History of Jewish Literature I, p. 143. The middle segment of Midrash Shmuel has been excised from our copy.

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176. MISHNAH. Mishnayoth with commentar y of Maimonides and R. Ovadiah of Bertinoro. This copy with the rare f.8 - lacking from most all other copies. Folio. Elaborate gilt tooling with 5 bands and fitted box. ff. 206, 302. With censors’ signatures on final leaf. Some corners frayed but repaired with some words written in by hand.Some pages misbound otherwise complete. [Vinograd Venice 1016, M. Benayahu, Ed. Asufot, vil.13, 2001,p.86]. Venice, Zanito Zaniti: 1606. $3000-4000 l The first publication of these commentaries in square letters - rather than Rashi letters - (thus anticipating the current trend by approximately 400 years!). The publisher/ editor was R. Abraham b. Reuven ibn Nachman, a scholar from the city of Marrekesh in Barbria. Tragically, he fell ill in the midddle of publication. On his death bed he gathered all his employees and admonished them to continue to do their work faithfully under the editorial supervision of his friend R. Yitzchak Gershon and R. Abraham B Shlomo (See his note on p.164). Includes the rare leaf inserted between pp. 84 and 85 (It seems that the printers mistakenly omitted a page of text and later inserted this leaf to correct the matter). The order of the final mishnayot is unusual in this edition with Kelim following Uktzin.
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178. (MODENA, LEON DE). Talmid Tzachkan Musari [Dialogue in Hebrew and Yiddish against gambling and card playing based upon Jewish sources.]. 8vo. ff. 36.Some penciled corrections on final leaf. Cloth boards. [Vinograd, Frankfurt on der Oder, 446. Yodea Sefer1436; Mehlman1403; I. Rivkind, Der Kampf Kegn Azartshpilen By Yidden (NY, 1946) (“The Fight Against Gambling Amongst Jews”)]. Frankfurt On der Oder, Daughter of Professor Grilo: 1795. $1000-1200 l With introduction by the puported translator, Eliahu B. Leizer Chazan of the “Kutnim “ family of Amsterdam, who states that although the author of the Hebrew version is annonymous, he seems to have been a great scholar. L. Rosenthal, however, has already shown in his Yodea Sefer, that the real author is Modena (the original title is Sur Mera, Venice 1596) and that the translation was “stolen” from the convert Friedrich Albert Christian (Leipzig, 1683). The word “stolen” is too harsh, as that translation was in German, not Yiddish. Although in this book the gambler repents and returns to his scholarly and other business activities, in real life, however, Modena remained an inveterate gambler consorting with disreputable company and was constantly in debt because of his vice.
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177. MODENA, LEON DE. Galuth Yehudah [Italian dictionary of the difficult words in the Bible, Hagadah of Passover and Pirkei Avot]. FIRST EDITION . Quarto.ff. 113 [1]. In Hebrew and Italian. Elaborate tooling with some gilt, rubbed and chipped. [Vinograd Venice,1069]. Venice, Giacomo Sarzina: 1612. $1000-1200 l Unlike usual dictionaries which are in alphabetical order, this work follows the order of the Bible and the other works in order to facilitate understanding of these works for the aspring student. With Hebrew and Italian poetr y by the author’s son, Mordecai (Marc Antonio).
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179. MORDECAI BEN HILLEL ASCHKENAZI. Sefer Rav Mordeccai. FIRST SEPERATE EDITION. Elaborately tooled calf over wooden boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Riva di Trento 9]. Riva di Trento, [Y. Marcaria]: 1559. $5000-7000 l The first seperate edtion of the Mordecai. The earlier editions were always appended to edition of the Rif (see Benayahu,Cremona p. 114.), Abraham Halperin, “Sefer Ha- Mordecai Be-Rei Hadfasotav”, published in Iyunim Be- Sifrut Chazal... Melamed Festschrift,Ramat Gan,1982,pp.323-338. WITH EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, EXTENSIVE MARGINAL NOTES WRITTEN IN A FEW 16TH CENTURY ASKENAZIC HANDS. The author of most of these notes and comments was apparently a disciple of the Mahra”l of Prague. These notes contain extensive explanations and variant readings in the name of the writer’s teacher and master whom he refers to as “Mori”. This can be ascertained from at least two citations: firstly in tractate Gittin (ff. 116b of this volume) he explicitly states “I found in the name of Mori Mahral”; secondly,there is evidence that even when he cites “Mori” without any identification, he means the Mahra”l -see Tractate Shabbat (ff. 13a in this volume) where he cites a correction of the text in the name of”Mori”. This very same correction is cited the commentary “Chidushei Anshei Shem” (a compendium of comments and variant readings of the text of the Mordecai collected from various sources and scholars published in the standard Vilna edition) in the name of the Mahral of Prague! The 16th century writer of these marginal notes obviously had access to old manuscript versions of the Mordecai, as he constantly refers to “mem yud” which is the acronym for “Mordecai Yoshon”- an old Mordecai (see f. 168b and f. 106a- “my manuscript Mordecai”) He frequently cites decisions, comments and corrections in the name of the greatest scholars of his time- R. Shlomo Luria (Mahrsha”l), R. Moshe Isserles(Ram”a), R. Nathan (probably R. Nahan Shapiro, the author of Mevo Shearim) -see ff. 9b, 12a, 13a,162a, 169b etc. He also cites lesser known scholars e.g. R. Veidel (f. 159a) R. Chaim Katz (In the name of an old Mordecai, f. 24b). The writer obviously was a great scholar in his own right and seems to have authored a number of other independent works. He constantly refes to his longer commentary- “Biuri” for alternate explanations. He also wrote a commentary on the “Rosh” (“Biuri al Ashri “, see f. 159a) and the “Ittur” (see f. 181b). He was an outstanding independent thinker and many times disagrees with his teacher and the other classical commentators. These notes abound in many original textual corrections, variant readings and interesting comments. For example, on f. 10b he discusses a responsa of R. David of Corfu which pertains to the Mordecai. It is interesting to note that the text of this responsa (without the author’s disussion), is now reproduced in the standard Vilna editon as an annonymous note. The other notes in a different, smaller hand also contain important citations e.g. “Kitvei R. Yisrael” (f. 2b), “Kibalti mi-Mahral”(f. 6a). (f. 8b contains a signature “Binyamin”, in a slightly different hand. The Mordecai was one of the most popular halachic texts studied in the Polish and German Yeshivoth in the 16th century. See Asher Siev,”Hagahot Ha-Rama Al Ha-Mordecai”, in Hagut Ivrit BeAmerica, vol. I (Jerusalem,1972) pp.426-439; Abraham Halperin, “Sefer Ha- Mordecai Be-Rei Hadfasotav” in: Iyunim Be- Sifrut Chazal... Melamed Festschrift, (Ramat Gan,1982) pp.323-338. These marginalia bear a striking resemblence to other marginalia in the hand of R. Yom Tov Lipman Heller, the Tosfoth Yom Tov, (see the recently published marginalia to R. Bachya on theTorah). Although the “Pe” in his signature (as reproduced in B. Wachstein, Hebraische Autographen... Wien, 1927, no. 22) is different than the “Pe” here, there are other manuscripts (in private hands) attributed to him where the “pe” is similar . The Tosfoth Yom Tov was a disciple of the Mahra”l.
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180. MOSES BEN JACOB OF COUCY. Mitzvoth Lo Ta’aseh u-Mitzvoth Aseh ‘im Per usheihen Ketzarim (Kitzur Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol)/Praecepta Mosaica (Hebrew text followed by Latin translation of Sebastian Münster). Hebrew: ff. 166 (our copy is missing the final two leaves which have been supplied by hand). Latin: ff. 80 (last 3 leaves blank).Hebrew title and text read right to left; Latin title and text read left to right. A clean copy with ever so minor stains. Modern boards. 8vo. [Vinograd, Basle 40; Prijs, 37; Adams, M-1871.]. Basel, Henricus Petri: 1533. $600-900 l ff. 167 and 168 have been deliberately removed from our copy because the owner, evidently a Jew, found offensive the remark by Münster which occurs there: “The Creator Who gave the Torah is one God— but by miracle was born of a virgin. ”

181. MOSES BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES/. RaMBa”M). Igroth [letters and responsa]. Second edition. ff. 95. Title repaired. Missing spine. 8vo. [Vinograd, Venice 211; Habermann, Adelkind 5; Adams M-157]. Venice, Cornelio Adelkind for Giovanni di Farri: 1544. $600-900 l Contains the ethical will of Maimonides as well as responsa by the great master. Much of the material in our volume concerns the Maimonidean controversy surrounding the philosophic work Guide of the Perplexed. These letters by various authors postdate Maimonides, so the title is misleading. This material should be crossreferenced to the exchange of letters in Ktab al-Raseil of R. Meir Halevi Abulafia of Toledo, edited by Brill (Paris, 1871), and Minhath Kena’oth by R. Abba Mari b. Moses of Lunel (Pressburg, 1838). Most of the letters of Maimonides were originally written in Arabic and later translated to Hebrew. Over the centuries, there have been many such collections of Maimonides’ halakhic responsa, including the much vaunted Pe’er ha-Dor. See EJ, Vol. 11, cols. 765-766. 182. MOSES BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES/. RaMBa”M). Mishneh Torah [Rabbinic Code]. Four volumes. Engraved frontispiece. Text illustrations. ff.(9),176,(2),177-327,(4); (2),227,(4); (1),120,(1),121-368,(9); (1),309,(13) Elaborately tooled calf over heavy wooden boards with clasps and hinges, some rubbed. Folio. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 744; Fuks, Amsterdam 418]. Amsterdam, Immanuel Athias: 1702. $1000-1500

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183. MOSHE BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES/. RaMBa”M). Mishneh Torah (codification of Jewish Law). Second edition. The second book produced by Gershom Soncino. Folio, mostly in eights. 198 leaves (of 380 leaves of text including one interior and one final blank). Text in 2 columns, square type. f. 2a with the famous Soncino border Incipit woodcut, some chapter headings with woodcut initials. This copy lacking ff.1 with seven lines of introductory text on verso, ff.8, ff. 17 misbound after ff. 20.Left hand part of woodcut and some text of ff. 1 in facsimile. A few leaves repaired mostly without loss of text, marginal notes in various Sefardic and Ashkenazic hands with citations of differing opinions of the Rosh and Maimonides’ responsa to the scholars of Lunil. Modern tooled and gilt morocco with 5 bands. A.E.G. within fitted box. Soncino, Gershom ben Moshe Soncino [Menzlein Soncino]: 1 Nisan 5250 = 23 March, 1490. $30,000-40,000 l RARE, NOT LISTED IN D. GOLDSTEIN, HEBREW INCUNABLES IN THE BRITISH ISLES, 1985. The Mishneh Torah is Maimonides’ most famous work, written about 1180 C.E. Maimonides was the most important Jewish philosopher and Halachic codifier of Talmudic jurisprudence of the 12th century and one of the most illustrious Jewish historical figures of all time. Contains: The first seven of the fourteen books of the Yad (14) Ha-Chazakah - Sefer Mada,Ahavah, Zemanim, Nashim, Kedushah, Haflaah and Zeraim. It is interesting to note that the Mendel Gottesman copy in Yeshiva University Library, starts where this copy ends. St. Cat. Bodl. 6513, 2; Zedner p. 582; Freimann Thesaurus A. 55; Goff Heb-77 Schwab 58; I. Adler, Les Incunables Hebraiques de la Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, 1962, pp. 32-34; A. Berliner,”aus meiner Bibliothek, Beitrage zur Hebraischen Bibliographie u. Typographie” Frankfurt AM. J. Kaufmann, 1898, pp.32-33; M. Marx, Studies in Bibliography and Booklore 1(1953) p. 41 no. 50; A. M. Habermann, Studies in the History of Hebrew Printers and Books,Jerusalem, 1978, pp. 49-50; On the textual variants of this edition see: M. Lutzki, Afterword, Shulsinger edition, NY 1947, who states that manuscript sources were used for the preparation of the text of this edition; however, Prof, S.Z. Havlin in the introduction to the facsimile of the Constantinople edition, Jerusalem, 1973 pp. 14-18 suggests that the present edition may have been produced on the basis of the Rome editon and marginal glosses therein. For typographical differences in various copies of this edition, see I. Rivkind, Kiryat Sefer, 4, 1927, pp.275-276, Idem, Sefer Ha-Yovel... Marx NY, 1950, p.404, See also I. Dienstag, Mishne Torah... pp. 23-25 in Studies... in Honor of I.E. Kiev, NY, 1971; G. Cohen, Hebrew Incunabula... Yeshiva University, NY, 1984, pp. 49-50. 184. MOSHE BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES. RaMBa”M). Constitutiones de Fundamentis Legis (Hilkhoth Yesodei ha-Torah). pp. (8),148 Guglielmus Vorstius (Willem Hendrik Voorst) translator. * Bound together with: Abrabanel, Isaac. De Capite Fidei (Rosh Amanah). pp. 118, (10). (Amsterdam: 1638). * AND: Gans, David. Germen Davidis (Zemach David). pp. (8), 314, (18). (Leiden, 1644). * AND: Capitula R. Elieser (Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer). pp. (8), 254, (16). (Leiden, 1644). On titles of first two works, printer’s mark showing astrolabe flanked by angel and man. On titles of last two works printer’s mark has agricultutral scene with Hebrew Tetragramatton in background. First work has Hebrew text and Latin translation face`aface. Last three works have only Latin text. Some minor staining. Otherwise excellent condition. Modern binding. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 43; Fuks, 200; Aaron L. Katchen, Christian Hebraists and Dutch Rabbis (Cambridge, MA, 1984), pp. 235-247]. Amsterdam, G. & J. Blaeu: 1638. $1000-1500 l The Latin translations of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah and Isaac Abravanel’s Rosh Amanah were issued simultaneously in Amsterdam in 1638. The Latin translations of David Ganz’s Zemah David and Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer were issued together in Leiden in 1644. All four works were translated by the same Christian Hebraist, Willem Voorst (Guglielmus Vorstius). Aaron Katchen has analyzed Vorstius’ translations of the four works in great detail. Katchen’s conclusion is that Voorst’s agenda was quite clearcut: to promote the Christian faith through the sources of Judaism. Fuks writes: “As we have not been able to see copies of the work, we cannot give the description of the contents nor the enumeration of the types which have been used. According to Vinograd, JNUL ” does not possess a copy.

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185. MUELHAUSEN, YOM-TOV LIPMANN. Sepher Nitzachon-Liber Nizachon. * Bound with: Gans, David. Zemach David. First Part (Frankfurt, 1692), ff. 47, (5). Second Part (Amsterdam, n.d.), ff. 95, (8). Foxed. [Vinograd, Frankfurt A.M. 103]. FIRST EDITION. Edited by Theodor Hackspan. Engraved Hebrew title with additional Latin letterpress title. Hebrew text followed by Latin translation. pp.16, 512, 24. Both Hebrew and Latin titles tattered but complete. Contemporary vellum. 4to. [Vinograd, Altdorf 1; J.Rosenthal, Anti-Christian Polemics from its Beginnings to the End of the 18th Century, Areshet II, pp.148-51(illustrated)]. Altdorf-Nürnberg, Wolfgang Endter: 1644. $1000-1500 l An important polemic. A defense of Rabbinic Judaism and an attack upon Christianity. Yom-Tov Lipmann Muelhausen was one of the great rabbis of Prague, who began his activities as a polemicist early in life. His best-known disputation was with the apostate Peter in connection to the edict of apostasy issued against the Jews of Prague in 1389. The intent of Muelhausen’s Sepher Nitzachon, composed in 1390, was to serve as a handbook for the ordinary Jew compelled at times to wrestle with complex theological problems. Written in a rationalistic vein, it sets forth a systematic debate against Christianity, following the biblical order in the presentation of its arguments. Muelhausen refutes the Christian interpretation of the Bible and the doctrines derived from them, and in so doing, incidentally provides many exegetic insights. His method is to expose the Christian lack of understanding of Hebrew sources with their linguistic and contextual associations and to ridicule aspects of the Christian religion. Muelhausen’s great superiority over other polemicists was his fluency in Latin and an intimate knowledge of Christian literature including the Evangelion, the Vulgate, the leading Church Fathers, as well as the works of the late Christian scholars. Sepher Nitzachon was much copied in manuscript, but was first published by a Christian, the priest Theodore Hackspan, who strove to edit it with maximum faithfulness to the source, with the aim of enabling Christian scholars to oppose it. However, neither he nor the workers at his press had a full understanding of the language of the sources or of their subject matter, and as a result, this edition is full of errors. Yom Tov Lipmann’s activities as a polemicist gave him lasting renown. Over the years a complete and ramified body of literature in refutation of him was produced, known by the general name of “Anti-Lipmanniana. Among the Christian scholars who applied themselves to this task were Bodker, ” Muenster, Buxtorf, Wagenseil and Hackspan. The present volume contains two works in rebuttal by J. H. Hottinger, the Swiss Protestant theologian and Hebraist. See J. Rosenthal, Anti-Christian Polemics from Its Beginnings to the End of the 18th Century, Areshet II, pp.142-146; Carmilly-Weinberger, pp.186-87; EJ XI, cols. 499-502. R. Yom-Tov Lipmann Muelhausen’s Sepher Nizahon is not to be confused with the older Sepher Nizahon which it is assumed was composed in Germany in the latter part of the thirteenth century. The Nizahon Vetus (Old Nizahon), as it has come to be known in the scholarly literature, was first published by Wagenseil as part of his Tela Ignea Satanae (Altdorf, 1681). Jewish Publication Society of America published a critical edition and English translation of the anonymous Nizahon Vetus by Prof. David Berger (Philadelphia, 1979). 186. MÜNSTER, SEBASTIAN. Aruch/Dictionarium Chaldaicum (Aramaic-Latin Dictionary). FIRST EDITION. Title surrounded by cherubs and a few netherworld figures (facsimile in Prijs, p. 50). Opening letter of book richly historiated. Printer’s mark on last page. pp. (8), 434, (1). Stained. Calf-backed marbled boards, gilt (peeking out, an old vellum manuscript). 4to. [Prijs, Basle 26]. Basel, Johann Froben: 1527. $1000-1500 l For an appraisal of the Christian Hebraist Sebastian Münster’s scholarly acumen, see Erwin Rosenthal, “Sebastian Muenster’s Knowledge and Use of Jewish Exegesis,” in: Essays Presented to J.H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi (London, 1942), pp. 351-369.
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187. MÜNSTER, SEBASTIAN. Sepher ha-Shorashim ‘im Nigzarim (Dictionary of Hebrew roots and derivatives). Second edition. Text in Latin. Latin marginalia and underlining. ff. (496).(A previous owner has included Hebrew pagination, employing a most eccentric method of pagination using the Hebrew alphabet.) Reads from right to left. Portion of title removed. Calf, distressed. 8vo. [Prijs, 112.]. Basle, Froben: 1564. $500-700 l Münster translated Rabbi David Kimchi’s Sepher ha-Shorashim from Hebrew to Latin, all the while embellishing upon the original work.

188. (MUSIC). SHIREI YISRAEL, ...Canti liturgici del ritto degli ebrei spagnoli raccoti e notati Federico Consolo (compositions with musical notes). . Large folio.[2],pp. 231. first leaf loose.Modern cloth. Florence, Ezioni Brattieci: [1892]. $300-500 l The author was a noted violinist and composer.

189. NAJARA, ISRAEL. Zemiroth Israel [religiouspoetry]. Three parts subtitled Olath Tamid, Olath Shabbath, Olath Hodesh. Includes separate title page for each part. Hebrew text with instructions in Judeo-Italian. Appended another work Meimei Israel, collected letters by same author, again with separate title page. The latter work ends with brief moral exhortation entitled Mesaheketh ba-Tevel. At conclusion of third part, 4ff. of manuscript, piyutim (poems) by various authors for holidays, followed by several blank leaves. At end, signature of owner “Elijah ben Asher Malachi Cohen of Monselice, 1793. . ff.171. Appears to be original binding. Half of spine missing. Slight worming. Condition other” wise good. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 872; Habermann, di Gara 188; Mehlman 1282; not in Adams]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1599. $1000-1500 l First appearance of Ya-h Ribon Olam (f.7r), one of the most popular Sabbath Zemiroth (table hymns) and since set to innumerable melodies. Najara was the first poet to compose and organize his piyutim according to the Near Eastern “maqam” style of musical composition. Born in Damascus c.1555, his compositions are distinguished by their deep religiosity, references to Jewish suffering and yearning for redemption. Najara learned much from the great Jewish poets of the Spanish-Arabic period, but nevertheless frequently employed original forms and themes. Despite the wide circulation of his poetry, particularly among oriental communities, his occasional imitation of foreign styles and use of erotic terminology was attacked by Menachem di Lonzano and especially Chaim Vital who indeed forbade the singing of Najara’s songs entirely. See I. Zinberg, The Jewish Center of Culture in the Ottoman Empire (1974) pp.94-106; Carmilly-Weinberger pp.217-8; EJ, XII cols.798-9. Israel Najara served as rabbi of Gaza. Upon his death, he was succeeded by his son Moses. Moses’ son, Jacob Najara, inherited the rabbinate of Gaza, and was instrumental in the early days of the Messianic movement surrounding Shabbetai Zevi and his “prophet” Nathan of Gaza. Zevi was especially fond of Israel Najara’s hymns. One of these hymns, Yigaleh Kevod Malkhutho, became a kind of anthem which Sabbatian believers used for over a century. The Frankists, a Polish branch of the Sabbatian movement who converted to Catholicism, sang the Hebrew song “Yiguleh” (Galician pronunciation) within the walls of the Catholic Church in Lublin! See Gershom Scholem in Ignace Goldziher Memorial Volume I (Budapest, 1948), p. 41-44; idem, Sabbatai Sevi, pp. 355-6.
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Lot 189

Lot 190

190. NATHAN BEN YECHIEL OF ROME. Sepher Ha’aruch [Talmudic dictionary]. Second Edition. Various owners’ signatures on the rare title page. ff. 196. Modern elaborate tooled morrocco. Lower left corner of title-page repaired. Some marginal notes. Slight worming on a few leaves not affecting text. Generally a fine, crisp, wide-margined copy. Folio. [Vinograd, Pesaro 44; Adams N-59]. Pesaro, Gershom Soncino: 1517. $8000-10,000 l R. Nathan’s Aruch is “a manifestation not only of its author’s brilliance and deep acquaintance with sources, but also of his encyclopaedic knowledge. Indeed, in some instances it is the sole source for ancient traditions of Talmudic interpretation. S. B. Linderman, Sefer Sarid Be’arachin (1972), intro” duction. It is important for its many citations of Geonic sources, descriptions of Jewish customs, and citations of Midrashim which are not found in the extant editions. In addition, it is historically noteworthy as the only literary production of the Italian Jews of this era. It is thus a significant monument in the history of Jewish culture.
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191. NICOLAI, JOHANNES. De Sepulchris Hebraeorum (Of Hebrew Sepulchers: burial practices and locations). FIRST EDITION. Title in red and black inks, includes engraving of cornucopea. Chapter headings illuminated. Numerous engravings and foldouts of Hebrew sepulchers, including tombs of Biblical personalities (e.g Rachel, Samuel, David, and Asael). pp. 239-245 contain transcriptions from german Jewish tombstones of the medieval period and later. Text in Latin. Pp. (16), 285, (2). Vellum. Board detached. 4to. [Freimann, p. 189]. Leiden, Henrik Teering: 1706. $1000-1500 l This is an an encyclopedic work on the topic of Hebrew burial practices, culled from Jewish and non-Jewish sources. It is interspersed with citations in Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, and Greek script, typical of such books of that period. It is difficult to determine whether the grotesquerie on p. 243—nismatah tehei arurah be-gan eden (may her soul be cursed in the Garden of Eden)—is sheer ignorance of the Hebrew language or just a printer’s error. (Arurah, cursed, should of course read tserurah, bound.)
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192. PAGNINI, SANTES. Otzar Leshon Hakodesh-Thesaurus Linguae Sanctae. Printer’s device on opening page. On title: “Ex libris Sebastiani Tennagel. On p. 1065, a Latin marginalium concerning an ancient manuscript ” of R. Menachem ben Seruk. pp. 1495, (56). Few stains. Contemporary calf. Thick folio. [Adams P-37]. [Paris], Roberti Stephani: 1548. $1000-1500 l A massive reworking of R. David Kimchi’s Sepher ha-Shorashim.

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193. PAGNINUS, SANCTES. Kotzer Otzar Leshon Hakodesh - Epitome Thesauri Linguae Sanctae. Printer’s device (golden compasses) on title. In Latin. D. H. de Castro copy. Several signatures on title: “Gomes,” “Bends,” “Adams. On final page, ” signature of previous owner: “John Shane.” pp.(16),447, (8). Some browning. Recased in later vellum. 8vo. [Unrecorded by Vinograd; Adams P-43; C. Sorgeloos, Labore et Constantia (1990), no. 352 (includes facsimile of title).]. Antwerp, Christopher Plantin: 1578. $500-700 l Dictionary of Hebrew. This is the second of three Plantin editions of the work (1570, 1578, and 1588). The work was adapted from the dictionar y of the Dominican Hebraist Sante Pagnino (Lyon, 1529) by a German-Jewish scholar Isaac Levita, who worked in the employ of Plantin for less than a year 1563-1564. See Sorgeloos, Labore et Constantia: 1555-1589 (Brussels, 1990), pp. 341-342. 194. PARDO, JACOB BEN DAVID. Minchath Aharon [novellae and discourses on Orach Chaim]. FIRST EDITION. ff. (4),196,(1). Few light stains in places. Generally a clean copy. Recent boards. Lg. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 2170]. Venice, Gad ben Issac Foa: 1809. $200-300 l Jacob ben David Pardo served as Rabbi at Ragusa and Spalato in the eighteenth century. The illustrious Pardo family, deriving its name from Prado in Castile, produced many distunguished members. Indeed, Jacob’s father and grandfather both served tenures with the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation London. In Minchath Aharon, Jacob ben David expounds on the precepts for the religious ritual upon awakening, for the three daily prayers, and moral precepts. See: A. Hyamson, The Sephardim of England (1951), pp. 78-9. See also I. Solomons, David Nieto and Some of His Contemporaries, in JHSET, Vol. XII pp.88-90

195. PARDO, JOSEPH. Shulchan Tahor [anthology of Halachic rules from the Shulchan Aruch]. Postumously edited by his son, David Pardo. FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural arch incorporating printers device (cf. Ya’ari’s Printers Marks no.66). ff. (7), 96, (3). Introductory leaves bound in at end (complete as issued). Title slightly torn and missing. Lightly stained in places. Tops of pages cropped, resulting in loss of some headings and a bit of text. Contemporary cloth backed marble boards.12mo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 534; Fuks, Amsterdam 362]. Amsterdam, Uri Phoebus ben Aaron Halevi: 1686. $600-900 l In his introduction, David Pardo explains that he found the text of the work among the manuscripts of his deceased father. Despite the fact Amsterdam’s rabbis supposedly protected the rights of translation for a period of ten years, a Spanish translation did appear in Amsterdam in 1689. Joseph Pardo served as Hazzan of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation, London, a post to which his son succeeded him. According to A. Hyamson: “The two Pardos were the most scholarly occupants of the office until the time of David de Sola... The younger Pardo was... a remarkably accurate reader of the prayers, and throughout the twenty years of his tenure of office, there is no record of his having been fined for errors for which members of the concregation were always on the watch.“ A. Hyamson, The Sephardim of England (1951), pp. 78-9. Dedication to Officers of Maamad of Kaal Kados of London: Abraham Israel Enriques, Jacob Gomez Serra, and Aaron Franco Pacheco. Approbations of Hahamim of Amsterdam, Isaac Aboab, Jacob Sasportas, and Solomon de Oliveira, followed by the haskamah of Moses Judah Hakohen of the Ashkenazic congregation of Amsterdam.

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196. (PARODY). Haggadah Le-Leil Shikurim. Second Edition. Two illustrations, one depicting the lifting of the ninth (!) cup. pp. 24. 8to. [Rare. This edition not recorded in Israel Davidson, Parody in Jewish Literature, NY, 1907.]. Vienna, Adalbert della Torre: 1850. $250-350 l One of the earliest parodies of the Haggaddah adapted for the night of Purim (originally published in 1552). Discusses champagne, barrels of wine, etc. 197. (PHILOSOPHY). Goren Nachon. Includes: Solomon ibn Gabirol, Tikun Midoth Ha-Nephesh (Ethics); Hanin bin Ishak, Musarei ha-Philosophim. FIRST EDITION. The diagram on the first page (of our copy) illustrates grouping of the basic characteristics of human nature. A facsimile of the page appears in EJ, Vol. VII, col. 238. Rare. Missing title page, and several leaves at beginning and end. Fair condition. Staining. Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Riva di Trento 37, 39, 40; EJ, Vol. VII, col. 238; Amram, p. 305]. Riva di Trento, (Joseph Ashkenazi of Padua): 1562. $600-900 l Goren Nachon is a collection of three classic philosophic works: Ibn Gabirol’s Tikun Middoth haNephesh; ibn Ishak’s Musarei ha-Philosophim; and Sepher ha-Tapu’ach, attributed to Aristotle (which unfortunately, our copy does not contain). All three works were translated from Arabic. Ibn Gabirol was translated by Judah ibn Tibbon; bin Ishak by Judah al-Harizi, and pseudo-Aristotle by Abraham b. Hisdai Halevi. Friedberg, Beth Eked Sepharim, Vol. I, p. 193, no. 212. Solomon ibn Gabirol (c. 1020-c.1057) was a native of Malaga, Spain. (A statue of the poet and philosopher stands in the city.) Ibn Gabirol is most famous as a poet, his Kether Malkhuth being recited in many congregations on the solemn Day of Atonement. It was only after the French scholar Solomon Munk’s startling discovery that the Latin work Fons Vitae by “Avicebron” was in fact the work of ibn Gabirol, did he begin to receive his due as a neoplatonist philosopher of note. Tikun Midoth ha-Nephesh is one of two books that can be attributed with certainty to ibn Gabirol. The other being his Mekor Hayim (in Latin, Fons Vitae). Though in one of his poems, ibn Gabirol boasts he authored twenty books. In Tikun Midoth Ha-Nefesh, ibn Gabirol develops the theory that various character traits should be assigned to one or other of the five senses: Pride, meekness, modesty, and impudence belong to sight; love, mercy, hate, and cruelty, to hearing; anger, goodwill, envy, and diligence to smell; joy, anxiety, contentedness, and regret, to taste; and generosity, stinginess, courage, and cowardice to touch. Israel Zinberg remarks that Tikun Midoth Ha-Nephesh is one of the first sources for color mysticism, which later gains prominence in works of Kabbalah. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. III, p. 46, n.11. Cf. Scholem, “The Footprints of Gabirol in Kabbalah,” in Gershom Scholem, Studies in Kabbalah I (Tel Aviv, 1998), p. 57. Al-Harizi translated Hunain ibn Ishak’s Adab al-Falasifa (Dicta of the Philosophers), a collection of proverbs synthesizing Greek and Arabic wisdom literature, under the Hebrew title Musarei haPhilosophim. Chaps. 18-20 of Part One are of especial interest to students of music history. Since the original Arabic manuscript has not yet been published from the manuscripts, al-Harizi’s Hebrew version is invaluable in this respect. Meyer Waxman, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. I, pp. 355-358; EJ, Vol. II, cols. 628-629; VII, cols. 236, 238, 243. 198. PINTO, JOSIAH. Keseph Zaruph [commentary to the Book of Proverbs]. FIRST EDITION. Title within typographical border. At conclusion of book a floral design. Spanish dedication by Isaac Lopez Pereira to Moses Pinto. ff.(2),99,(1). Browned and stained in places. Calf-backed boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 1350]. Amsterdam, Isaac Leon Templo: 1729. $300-400 l Rabbi Isaiah Pinto (1565-1648), was a leading Talmudist and Kabbalist in Damascus. He is the author of the commentary RIF to Eyn Yaakov. EJ, Vol. 13, col. 554.

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199. PIRKEI RABBI ELIEZER. [Midrashim]. Anonymous. (Attributed to Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus). Title in typographical border. Spanish dedication of publisher Moses Gomes Mesquita to Moses Abarbanel Aredes (f. 2). Owners’ signatures: “Jacob Ralton” (10a); “The brothers Jacob and Joseph Ralton” (45a). On f. 21r. a single scholarly marginalium. ff. (2), 66, (2). Browned. Wide margins. Blind-tooled vellum. Sm 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 864.]. Amsterdam, Isaac de Cordova: 1708. $200-300 l One of the earliest aggadic books, Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer aims to inculcate ethical teachings for daily life, by demonstrating moral values deduced from the beauty of the Biblical narrative. Embellished with many stories, the works’ style at times waxes poetic, especially concerning the coming of the Messiah, a subject to which many passages are devoted. According to Waxman, “The book is of a peculiar character; it cannot be said to be a strictly ethical book as it contains a good deal of extraneous matters, such as chapters on astronomy, the calculation of the calendar, and many exotic legends. It is best characterized... an ethical narrative book. See M. Waxman, Vol. I, pp.144-145. ”

200. (POETRY). Zarco, Judah. Lehem Yehudah. ONLY EDITION. Rare. On title page signature “Shabtai. . ” 36ff. Repairs to several pages. Missing 4 leaves at end. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 214; Ya’ari Const. 160]. Constantinople, Solomon Ya’abets: 1560. $2000-3000 l This is a maqama with a lengthy acrostic that runs the entire length of the poem, concerning a princess and her suitors. Zarco (16th century) was a native of Rhodes, who eventually settled in Salonika, where he was much acclaimed by the local poets. A.M. Haberman issued a critical edition of Lehem Yehudah in 1970. EJ, Vol.16, col. 936.

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201. (POETRY). al-Harizi, Judah ben Solomon. Tachkemoni. Second edition. Copy of the great historian of Italian Jewry, and author of Toldoth Gedolei Israel, Mordecai Samuel Gerondi. Gerondi’s signature appears on the title. Contains many extensive marginal notes and corrections in an earlier Italian hand from late 16th-early 17th century. On p. 37, signature of Shmuel Shmayah Papo. On last page, censor’s signature, 1629. At end, addendum of six manuscript leaves in square and cursive Italian script containing poetry not included in this edition. ff. 76, (2). Title repaired. Vellum. 4to. [Vinograd, Copnstantinople 270; Yaari, Const. 196; Adams J-402.]. Constantinople, Solomon and Joseph Yaabetz: 1578. $3000-5000 l Sepher Tahkemoni is al-Harizi’s major work of poetry, completed after 1220, during the poet’s travels abroad. Judah ben Solomon al-Harizi (1170-1235) was a preeminent poet and translator from Arabic to Hebrew. Born in Spain, al-Harizi traveled extensively in the Middle East. He is most famous for his translations of Maimonides’ works Commentary to the Mishnah and Guide of the Perplexed. He also translated Hunain ibn Ishak’s Adab al-Falasifa (Dicta of the Philosophers) as Musarei ha-Philosophim. “The most important work of this kind [Maqama] is the collection of humorous pieces by the name of Tahkemoni, an assembly of wise men—the closest approach to the Arabic word, Maqama—written by the poet, Judah al-Harizi” (Waxman, A History of Jewish Literature I, p. 462). Chapter 46 is a travelog that traces al-Harizi’s itinerary from Spain through Provence to Egypt, Syria, and Babylonia. It complements the travels of Benjamin of Tudela fifty years earlier. The focus is on the famous personalities encountered in the various cities along the way. Thus it serves as an invaluable historical document of the period, though highly opinionated and much colored by al-Harizi’s strong likes and dislikes. One blushes when reading that such an eminent personality as Rabbi Meir Halevi (RaMaH) Abulafia of Toledo described as “incomprable in wisdom, but haughty, and his haughtiness lowers him” (p. 63a). Other famous personalities discussed include: R. Sheshet of Barcelona, the princes of Narbonne, Kalonymus ha-Nasi of Beaucaire, and Abraham Maimonides of Cairo. See Waxman, Vol. I, pp. 462-465; EJ, Vol. 2, cols. 627-628; Judith Dishon, “Medieval Panorama in the Book of Tahkemoni,” PAAJR, Vol. LVI (1990), pp. 11-27.
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202. (POETRY). Abraham ben Shabthai Hakohen. Kehunath Avraham. FIRST EDITION. Six parts in one, each preceded by individual title page (featuring cherubs sounding trumpets). On the first page (before the title page) a cameo portrait of the author: “Abraham Hakohen the Doctor, the Philosopher, in the year 1719, aged 49 years. (The subtitles Minhath Bikurim and Pirhei Kehunah are not separate works but refer to the ” indices at the end.). Excellent condition. Calf missing half of spine. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 1660]. Venice, Bragadin: 1719. $1200-1800 l A poetical paraphrase of the Psalms, to which is appended “Benei Keturah,” rhymed verses to Perek Shirah. The author, a native of Zante, one of the Ionian isles of Greece, then part of the Venetian Republic, issued this work with a most uncommon engraved self-portrait. See A. Rubens, A Jewish Iconography (1981), no. 8. According to Cecil Roth, Cohen was probably responsible for the other engravings in the book as well. A rare copy, complete with all title pages and engravings. Part of the diatribe against Rabbi Moses Hayim Luzzatto (RaMHaL) was that he had composed his own Psalms, which it was asserted by his enemies, were designed to usurp those of King David. Actually, in Italy in that period of the early eighteenth century, this was a genre taken up by several talented poets. It was not considered a sacrilege to compose one’s own psalms. Witness the encomia to our work by Rabbi Joseph Piameta of Ancona; the rabbis of Venice, Moses Hakohen and Isaac Pacifico; and Jacob ben Samuel Aboab. Meir Benayahu has shown that Luzzatto was influenced by the circle of physician-poets in his native Padua, which included Abraham Hakohen of Zante. Another poetic influence on young Luzzatto was Isaac Hayim Kohen min ha-Hazanim (YeHKaM) or Cantarini, who devoted a lifetime to composing “psalms. See “R. Abraham Hakohen of Zante and the circle of physi” cian-poets in Padua,” Ha-Sifrut, 26(5738/1978):115; Meir Benayahu, Kabbalistic Writings of R. Moses Hayyim Luzzatto (Jerusalem, 1979), p. 239.
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203. (POETRY). Modon, Simcha Cohen. Kol Musar. Title in woodcut border. Extensive use of headpieces and other decorative elements. Large typeface. Corrections to text on pages 14a, 17a, 27b, perhaps in the author’s own hand. On 31a, a “wheel of fortune” of various human characteristics. ff. 32. Very fine condition.Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 330]. Mantua, Raphael Haim D’Italia: 1725. $300-500 l Appreciations by David Finzi, father-inlaw of Moses Hayim Luzzatto (RaMHaL), and Dr. Kalonymos D’Italia. Cecil Roth gives high marks to the poetic achievement of Modon, “renewer of the Hebrew sonnet, who won golden opinions when he was sent on a congratulator y mission to the Emperor Charles VI. C. Roth,The History ” of the Jews of Italy (Philadelphia, 1946), p. 400. Our volume contains fifty sonnets (poems of fourteen lines). Many of the poems are based on motifs found in Talmud and rabbinic literature throughout the ages. Those interested in the history of printing will appreciate sonnet 46, “On the Three Types of Writing. The poet sings the ” virtues of paper, vellum, and rag.

204. (POLEMICS). Milchemeth Chovah. FIRST EDITION . pp.[6], 69, 12. [Yaari, Const. 272, J. Rosenthal, “Anti-Christian Polemics ...” in Areshet,vol. II pp. 130-179, O. Rankin, Jewish Religious Polemic (1970) pp. 157-228]. 12mo. Contstantinople, Naftali Hertz B. Azriel of Vilna and Yonah B. Yaakov: 1710. $400-600 l The rare, important first edition of the most famous Medieval anti-Christian polemical debates . Includes Nachmanides debate with the notorious convert Fra Paulo (Pablo Christiani) held before the king of Aragon in July, 1263, plus the introduction to Sela Hamachloket by R. Abraham Roman. The twelve final leave contains Reamim Vereashim by R. Yitzchak Luria (the Ari Zal) on the significance of various seasonal thunder storms and other phenomena. The so-called Viku’ach le-ha-RaDaK (pp. 13a-18b) was falsely attributed to Rabbi David Kimchi. The late Prof. Frank Talmage thought it likely the work was written by a Jew living in northern Italy, perhaps Milan. This peculiar disputation adopts the old strategy of “divide and conquer” by playing off the Cathar heretics and the Catholic Church, one against the another. Frank Ephraim Talmage, Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver (Toronto, 1999), pp. 212-237.

205. POMIS, DAVID DE. Tzemach David-Dittionario Novo Hebraico [trilingual lexicon]. FIRST EDITION. Arms of Pope Sixtus V on f. 2r and heraldic crest of the de Pomis (“Min Hatapuchim”) Family on f.5v (Yaari Printers’ Marks no. 41).On opening blank Latin and English inscriptions. On rear blank, Italian inscription. On f.71v. a learned marginalium referring to Buxtorf. ff. 5,(2),5-62, 238. Minor stains. Recent boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 717; Habermann, di Gara 97a; Adams P-1823]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1587. $400-600 l Celebrated Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin and Italian dictionary presenting definitions from Kimchi’s Shorashim, Levita’s Tishbi, and Nathan benYechiel’s Aruch, within which are numerous historical and scientific observations and discourses. Trained as a medical doctor, de Pomis’s expositions of biblical and talmudic terms comprise a good deal of curious and interesting medieval scientific lore. The introductory pages embody the author’s genealogy and autobiography, and recount the remakable history of the ancient de Pomis family, brought in chains to Italy from the Land of Israel by Emperor Titus following his destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E. The work is dedicated to Pope Sextius V, in gratitude for the restoration of the concession permitting Jewish physicians to attend to Christian paitents for the years 1585-1590. See C. Roth, The Jews in the Renaissance (1950), pp. 223-225. In his memoirs, the distinguished historian Arnaldo Momigliano recalls as a child having used daily the Hebrew-Latin-Italian dictionary Zemah David by the famous Renaissance Jewish doctor of Spoleto, David De Pomis. Arnaldo Momigliano, Essays on Ancient and Modern Judaism (Chicago, 1994), p. 124.

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206. PORTALEONE, ABRAHAM. De Auro Dialogi Tres. In Quibus non solum de Auri re Medica facultate, verum etiam de specifica eius, & caetarium reum forma, ac duplici potestate, qua mixtis in omnibus illa operatur, copiose disputatur. FIRST EDITION, Printer’s large woodcut device on frontspiece. Magnificent full page engraving on verso of f. C2 (p. 12)with coat of arms of author (confrontation of a lion and a cock), bookplate of William Morehead, signature of Charles Singer(1876-1960), noted medical historian and W. Motherwell. 4to. pp. (8),178, (28), Except for some stains to a few early blank margins a fine, crisp copy. Contemporary calf, rubbed. [AdamsA32; Caillet 33; Marx, Rare Books In The Library of JTSA p. 20; Friedenwald, The Jews and Medicine II, p. 578]. Venice, Apud Io. Baptistam A Porta: 1584. $1000-1500 l The author (1542-1612), was one of the most prominent Jewish Physicians as the personal doctor of the Duke of Mantua. At the Duke’s request he composed this work on the then prevalent internal use of gold in medicine. In accordance with proper medical practice he denies that the use of gold will prolong life (the expense will just lead to penury!). It contains interesting information for the historian of chemistry. Although this is a purely medical work, the author is entitled “Medico Hebraeo Auctore” on the title page.

207. PORTALEONE, ABRAHAM. Shiltei Hagiborim (“Shields of the Mighty”) [on the Second Temple]. FIRST EDITION. Four parts in one. Three divisional titles all within a decorative typographical border. On title, signature of owner: “Jacob Kopel b. Samuel Ashkenazi. . ff. 12, 186. Title stained with ” minor tear. Top marginal repairs to final 8 leaves. Modern boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Mantua 196]. Mantua, Vicenzo Gonzaga: 1612. $1000-1500 l An encyclopedic work on war, music, numismatics, weaponry, architecture - all discussed in order to elucidate the details of the Temple in Jerusalem. “Portaleone’s treatment is so discursive as to make the work a compendium of all branches of science known in his day, in which all of the ten languages he knew were amply used. ” EJ, XIII, cols. 908-909. See C. Roth, Jews in the Renaissance (1959), pp. 315-319. In 1964, Jerusalem scholar Shaul Shefer reprinted several chapters from the rare Shiltei ha-Giborim in Bigdei Kehunah (“Priestly Vestments”), one of several volumes of his own encyclopedia of the Temple, complete with color photographs.

208. (PRAGUE). Nusach Ha- Shavuah Al Capital. In Yiddish (Judaeo-German). pp. 3. folio. [Rare. Unrecorded. Not in Vinograd.]. [Prague], 18th century. $2000-3000 l Historically important text of oath to be administered by husband and wife, declaring ownership of all personal possessions and capital, as well as loans. Apparently used to determine financial profile for internal, communal tax purposes. The oath was declared before the open Synagogue Ark emphasizing the severity of the oath. The couple were to state that the financial document given to the “Commisaria” of the community, delineating all their possessions and financial worth was true and written without any tricker y or consultation with a “Lamdan” (scholar) residing “here in Prague” or elsewhere. They affirm, if they swear falsely, all the curses written in the Bible will fall upon them and they will have no part in the “community of Israel” in this world or the hereafter. The wife swore that she does not possess any independent property or cash with or without the knowledge of her husband, A similar oath, printed in a different format (with a variant title), was sold by Kestenbaum & Company, Important Hebrew Printed Books & Manuscripts. Tuesday, June 25th, 2002, Lot 198.

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209. RAPA, ABRAHAM MENACHEM BEN JACOB HAKOHEN OF PORTO. Minchah Belulah [commentary on the Pentateuch]. FIRST EDITION. Original printed title missing and replaced with an ornate title drawn by hand in black and red pen. On title, stamp of “L.I. Manson” and “minchath shai” (a gift). On 2r. owner’s inscription: “Solomon Rosale. (Concerning the distinguished Rosales/Rosanes Family, see EJ, XIV, cols. ” 261-262.) The first word in each of the Five Books of Moses is surrounded by a rich vignette. ff. (3), 13, 15207. f. 28 of the original printed text missing and supplied in manuscript. Dampstained.19th-century marbled boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Verona 3; Adams A-27]. Verona, Francesco delle Donne: 1594. $400-600 l Whilst a young man, the author was apprenticed as a proof-reader at the House of Bragadin in Venice. There he witnessed the violent Burning of the Talmud pursuant to the Papal Bull of 1553. On f.203r of the present work, Rapaport records the tragic event and notes his decision to commemorate the anniversary of the Auto-da-Fe as a personal fast-day for the rest of his life. See A. Yaari, Sereiphath Hatalmud B’Italia in: Mechkarei Sepher (1958) pp. 198-233. The previous owner, Rabbi Levi Isaac Manson of Ozierna (1807-1917), was a grandson of the famed Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin, and author of a hasidic work Becha Yevorech Yisrael (Przemysl, 1908). R. Levi Isaac, as his more famous relative R. Nachum Dov of Sadigora, adopted the custom of printing the words “minchath shai” (“a gift”) [from his admirers] on the title of various books in his collection. 210. (RUSSIA). Nevakhovich, Judah Leib. Kol Shav’ath Bath Yehudah (“The Lament of the Daughter of Judah”) An Appeal to the Russian Government for Tolerance of the Jews. . pp. (2), 36. Slight staining. Modern boards. 8vo. [Vinograd, Shklov, 138; Fishman, Russia’s First Modern Jews (1995), between pp. 16-17, no. 9 (facsimile of title); Saul Ginsburg, Historical Works, Vol. II: Converts from Judaism in Tsarist Russia (New York, 1946), pp. 34-54.]. Shklov, [Aryeh Leib b. Shneor Faivish]: 1804. $300-500 l The preeminent Jewish - Russian historian, Saul Ginsburg, states that this pamphlet “has already long become a great rarity and can only be found in significant libraries” (Historical Works, II, p. 44) Judah Leib Nevakhovich (1776-1831) was one of the first maskilim (enlightened Jews) of Russia. Born in Letichev, Volhynia, he eventually settled in Shklov, Mogilev province (today Belarus), then a center of Haskalah. Nevakhovich served as a government translator of Hebrew documents. It was he who translated into Russian the petitions and written testimony of R. Shneur Zalman Boruchovich (the “Alter Rebbe”) during the hasidic master’s second arrest and imprisonment in 1801. Nevakhovich first published his appeal in Russian as Vopl dshcheri iudeiskoi (St. Petersburg, 1803). A year later he published his Hebrew translation, Kol Shav’ath Bath Yehudah in Shklov. In the pamphlet, the author shows how unfounded were the various libels raised against the Jewish People. He also presents a survey of Tsarist Russian history. In his brief tract, Nevakhovich argued against the conversion of the Jews to Christianity. The book is dedicated to Count V.P. Kochubei. The pamphleteer went on to become a celebrated Russian playright. The climax of his career came in 1809 when a drama of his was performed at the Imperial State Theater in St. Petersburg with Tsar Alexander I in the audience. Following the performance, Alexander presented him with a gold snuffbox adorned with jewels, and featuring the Tsar’s own image engraved on the exterior. Around the year 1813 Nevakhovich converted to Lutheranism and married a German woman, Catherine Michelson. He was buried in 1831 in St. Petersburg’s German Lutheran cemetery. See David E. Fishman, Russia’s First Modern Jews: The Jews of Shklov (New York: New York University Press, 1995), pp. 94-100, 127-128; EJ, Vol. XII, cols. 1018-1019.

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211. SA’ADIAH GAON. Ha’emunoth Vehade’oth [philosophy]. Translated into Hebrew by Judah ibn Tibon. Additional Latin title with Menasseh ben Israel’s woodcut device. Hebrew title within elaborate architectural columns. Contains scholarly Hebrew marginalia in a modern hand. (See p. 13c.). ff. (2), 3-53. Latin title taped. Dampstained. Later boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 143; Fuks, Amsterdam 186; Silva Rosa 51; JNUL copy incomplete.]. Amsterdam, David de Castro Tartas for Joseph ben Israel: 1648. $600-900 l Originally written in Arabic, Emunoth Vehade’oth was the first systematic treatise of religious Jewish philosophic literature. Saadiah Gaon’s purpose is two-fold: to demonstrate that the principles of Judaism are compatible with reason and to interpret these principles in a manner that their rationality be evident. The book is divided into ten sections each of which is subdivided into chapters. The first nine sections philosophically establish the ten fundamental principles of faith and the tenth is devoted to ethics. For a brief overview of Saadiah’s philosophic arguments in this work, see M. Waxman, vol. I pp. 322-7.

212. (SABBATIANA). Tikun Keri’ah Lechol Yom [selected prayers]. FIRST EDITION . Title within architectural woodcut. Squirrel device as pagebreaks. ff. 59. Modern boards. 12mo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 347; Fuks, Amsterdam 448; Scholem, p. 937, no. 30.]. Amsterdam, David de Castro Tartas: 1666 (“Moshi’a”/Savior). $1000-1500 l Prayerbook published at the height of Sabbatian fervor, as reflected in the chronogram on the title page: “Behold I shall SAVE [=5426] my people. See Fuks p. 341; ” Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, pp. 937. In the popular imagination today, the Sabbatian movement is associated with the antinomianism and debauchery into which it eventually disintegrated. Historically, It is important to remeber that the Messianic movement started as a call to repentance, witnessed by the many minute tikkunim or collections of penitential prayers. Scholem describes in great detail the frenzied activity of Amsterdam’s presses turning out these books prescribed by Nathan of Gaza, pseudo-prophet of Shabbetai Zevi, in order to hasten the redeemer’s arrival. Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, pp. 524-527.

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213. (SABBATIANA). Anonymous. Historis Verhael van den nieuwen gemeynden Koning der Joden, Sabatha Sebi, als mede sign by hebbende Propheet Nathan Levi. Opgestaen in den jare 1666. ONLY EDITION. Dutch. Supposedly the first year of the “Messiah”’s reign, 1666. Frontispiece complete with picture of Shabbetai Zevi in foreground; in background two scenes of Messiah riding on donkey and being anointed by Prophet Elijah. On page 2, picture of the Sabbatian prophet Nathan of Gaza at head of presumedly Jewish troops marching to battle . Neither picture appears in Alfred Rubens, A Jewish Iconography. 16 pp. Later boards. 4to. (Scholem mistakenly writes “8vo”). [G. Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, p. 946 (no. 89)]. n.p., n.p.: 1666 (Scholem mistakenly writes “no date”). $2000-3000 l A contemporary account of the activities of pseudo-messiah Shabbetai Zevi (1626-1676). In the update on page 6, “Waer sabatha nu is” (Where Sabatha is now), the journalist describes Zevi’s sea voyage on December 31,1665 from Smyrna (Izmir) to Constantinople (Istanbul) to meet with the Turkish sultan and induce him to hand the Holy Land over to the Jews. According to Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi (p. 432) the pseudo-Messiah and his entourage set sail on December 30. Thus, the report in the book possesses a good degree of accuracy. The misnomer “Nathan Levy” for Nathan of Gaza, whose true surname was “Ashkenazi,” is to be forgiven. Scholem writes: “Christian sources often wrote Nathan Levi, and their mistake was taken over by some historians. The form Nathan Levi is an amalgamation of the names of the two chief protagonists Nathan Ashkenazi and Sabbatai Sevi. The latter name being unfamiliar to Christians, it was automatically ‘corrected’ to Levi. (Ibid., p. 200, n. 1). It seems Scholem overlooked the ” obvious: By fabricating the surname “Levi” for Nathan, journalists created a rhyme: Sabbatai Sevi and Nathan Levi. Christian readers would have found this spoof on the dynamic duo laughable. The second part of the fascicle addresses the broader issue of “Jewish Messiahs. Sabbatai Sevi is put ” in historical perspective against the backdrop of earlier pseudo-Messiahs, such as Bar Cochba (Bar Kosiba), David Alroy, and other less famous personalities.
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214. (SABBATIANA). Tikun Hamidoth [Midnight and midday devotional prayers]. . ff.68. Title and f.8 expertly repaired affecting some text. Contemporary calf,rubbed, deatched.12mo. [Vinograd Mantua 249. G. Scholem, Sabatai Sevi, p. 510.]. Mantua, Yehudah Shmuel Prusha: 1667. $1500-2000 l This order is different than the standard version. According to Scholem this tract follows the order instituted by Shabbatai Tzvi’s “prophet” Nathan of Gaza.The Sabbathians could not recite the standard version, as in their opinion the Shechinah is no longer in exile with the advent of Shabbetai Tzvi.The poem on f. 53 was composed by Yosef Karmy, see Davidson, Otzar,.p.281, no. 6152. With addendum Derech Yashar on Repentence.
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215. (SABBATIANA). Hazard, Cornelius. Kerckelycke Historie van de Gheheele Werelt, Vol. IV (only) [History of Turkey, Palestine, Syria, Greece, Muscovy, Persia, Morocco, and Tartary]. ONLY EDITION. Between pages 236-237, and again between pp. 242-243, engraved plates of Shabbetai Zevi (false Messiah of Izmir) and Nathan of Gaza (Zevi’s prophet) and other personalities. pp. (12), 412, (23). Stained. Morocco backed modern boards. Folio. [Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi (Princeton, 1975), p. 940, no. 50]. Antwerp, Michiel Cnobbaert: 1671. $2000-3000 l A world history which contains invaluable plates of and information concerning the saga of Shabbatai Zevi (1626-1676), certainly one of the most famous (or infamous) of pseudo-Messiahs. According to Scholem, the data provided in our work concerning Shabbetai Zevi was compiled from the testimonies of Sir Paul Rycaut (British consul at Smyrna/Izmir) and an anonymous Christian who happened to be present in Constantinople at the time of the momentous events of 1666, when Zevi went public with his claim to be Messiah.
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216. (SABBATIANA). Anonymous. Chemdath Yamim [Liturgy]. According to the title page, this is the third edition (the first being Izmir, 1731, and the second Constantinople, 1735). Actually, this is the second printing in Zolkiew, the first being two years earlier in 1742 (Vinograd, Zolkiew 105). Marginalium in Vol II, p. 106c. Vol. I: ff.104. Vol. II: ff.110. Two leaves at end of first volume have frayed edges that afffect text. Second volume missing two leaves at end. Some slight worming that affects text. Vellum backed boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Zolkiew 115]. Zolkiew, Aaron and Gershon, Sons of Hayim David Segal: 1744. $500-700 l On the surface, Chemdath Yamim (Delight of Days) is an extremely esthetic distillation of Lurianic kabbalah applied to the cycle of the Jewish year. Israel Zinberg could not lavish enough praise on the literary style of Chemdath Yamim. The popularity of the work is attested to by the many editions it went through within a very short amount of time. Below the smooth surface, there is an undercurrent of crypto-Sabbatianism. Rabbi Jacob Emden discovered in the collection three songs for the festivals composed and signed by Nathan of Gaza, the notorious “prophet” of the pseudo-Messiah of Izmir, Shabbetai Zevi. But Emden went too far when he ascribed authorship of the entire work to Nathan. For years, authorship of Chemdath Yamim remained one of the whodunits of Jewish History, until in the 1980s, Prof. Isaiah Tishby was able to demonstrate conclusively that the approbator of the book, Rabbi Chayim Abulafia, was actually instrumental in inspiring the work, probably executed by one or more of his close disciples. Several pasages in Chemdath Yamim reflect takanoth, or halakhic enactments, Abulafia instituted during his stint in the rabbinate of Izmir. The book was greatly revered in the Sephardic world. In the Ashkenazic world, due to the untiring efforts and influence of Rabbi Jacob Emden, it was destined to fall into disrepute in some quarters. Our own edition stems from Zolkiew in eastern Galicia. Yaari found that the Zolkiew edition differs from its Turkish predecessors in several respects: the omission of the word “Zevi”; of one of Nathan of Gaza’s poems; and finally, of the different version of one of the stanzas of Lekha Dodi. All these omissions constitute a clumsy attempt to deflect critics’ claim that the book is Sabbatian in character. Yaari attributed the printers’ caution to the fact that the city of Zolkiew itself was under scrutiny as a center of crypto-Sabbatianism. It was yet too early for Emden’s opposition to be a factor in these editorial changes. Though Emden expressed some mild criticism of Chemdath Yamim as early as 1737, he would not unleash his wrath until 1752. See A.Yaari, p. 88; M. Fogel, pp. 368-370. See Israel Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. V (The Jewish Center of Culture in the Ottoman Empire), pp. 151-160; Abraham Yaari, Ta’alumath Sepher (Jerusalem, 1954); Isaiah Tishby, Kiryat Sefer 54:586, n. 7; Tarbiz 50(1981):463-514; Y. Barnai, The Jews in Eretz-Israel in the Eighteenth Century (Jerusalem, 1982), p. 78, n. 32; p. 82, n. 46; Bezalel Naor, Post-Sabbatian Sabbatianism (Spring Valley, 1999), pp. 58-68; Moshe Fogel, “The Sabbatian Character of Hemdat Yamim: A Reexamination,” in Rachel Elior ed., The Sabbatian Movement and Its Aftermath: Messianism, Sabbatianism and Frankism II [Heb. Ha-Halom ve-Shivro] (Jerusalem, 2001), pp. 365-422. 217. SAMSON BEN ISAAC OF CHINON. Sepher Kerithoth [Talmudic methodology]. FIRST EDITION. Title within four-piece historiated woodcut border.On reverse of final page, signature of censor: “Camillo Jagel 1629. ff. ” (59) of 64. Missing title page. Staining and worming. Final two leaves fragmentary. Tooled calf. Sm. 4to. [Yaari, Const. no. 47; Deinard, Atikoth Yehudah, p. 23; Adams, S-228 (p. 175).]. Constantinople, 1516. $1500-2500 l Although last of the French Tosafists, Samson of Chinon was the first Tosafist to write on Talmudic methodology. Sepher Kerithoth is an all-comprehensive work divided into five parts:The opening four parts deal with the hermeneutic rules which are the basis of Tannaic Halachic derivation; the chronology of the Tanaim and Amoraim and the principles upon which Halachah is decided when difference of opinion exists. The fifth part is particulalrly important, devoted to the deduction of new rules applied by the Talmudists in their interpretation of the Bible, and to an extensive elucidation upon the methods and terminology of both parts of the Talmud. “This portal throws light upon many a knotty passage in the Talmud by clarifying the peculiar expressions and likewise helps to understand the complicated Talmudic discussions by supplying the key to their methods. See M. Waxman, Vol. II pp.191-2 ”

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218. (SEPHARDICA). Orden de los Cinco Tahaniot (Prayers for the Five Fasts: Tenth of Tevet, Fast of Esther, Seventeenth of Tammuz, Ninth of Av, and Fast of Gedaliah). Title within typographic border. Elaborately designed bookplate. ff. 222. Lightly stained.Vellum. 8vo. [Kayserling, p. 64]. Amsterdam, Menasseh ben Israel: 1630. $1500-2000 219. (SEPHARDICA). Orden de Ros Asanah y Kipur (Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Spanish. Title within typographic border. ff. 234. Stained. Tooled calf with clasps (broken). 8vo. [Kayserling, p. 61]. (Amsterdam), n.p.: 1630. $600-900 220. (SEPHARDICA). (LITURGY, SPANISH). Orden de Ros Asanah y Kuyper (Order for New Year and Day of Atonement). Includes celebrated poem by Solomon ibn Gabirol, Keter Malchut. Publisher’s printed overslip on title.On opening blank, Spanish inscription: “Este livro de Binyamin de…Benveniste, Hamburgo” (This book belongs to Benjamin de Benveniste, Hamburg). On rear blank “Lionel Lony, given August 10, 1870. ff.478. ” Dampstained throughout. Badly rubbed tooled calf with clasps. 8vo. [Kayserling, p. 61]. Amsterdam, Efraim Bueno y Jona Abravanel en casa de Joris Trigg: 1652. $1000-1500 l An early liturgical publication entirely in Spanish, for Marrano Jews whose history caused a loss of familiarity with the Hebrew language. 221. (SEPHARDICA). (BIBLE). Spanish, PENTATEUCH AND HAPHTAROTH. Humas, O Cinco Libros de la Ley Divina. Juntas las Aphtarot del ao. Edited by Menasseh ben Israel. Two parts in one. Divisional title. With final leaf of Calendar (usually lacking). pp.(8),451,(5),127(5). Title and several leaves foxed. Sharkskin. Clasps. 8vo. [Kayserling 29; Silva Rosa 62]. Amsterdam, Menasseh ben Israel: 1654-55. $1000-1500 l An important edition of the Pentateuch in Spanish, each verse numbered and with lengthy summaries of the contents at the head of each chapter by Menasseh ben Israel.

222. (SEPHARDICA). Orden de las Oraciones del mes [prayers]. On title, “Ex libris Sam. Depas. (Is ” this the Samuel de Paz who was a major follower of Sabbatai Zevi in Livorno? See Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi [Princeton, 1975], p. 347, n. 30.). Minor stains. Contemporary morocco, a.e.g. 16mo. [Not in Kayserling]. Amsterdam, Daniel Vaez & Joseph Athias: 1657. $1000-1500 l Unusual size Spanish prayerbook.
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Lot 224 223. (SEPHARDICA). (BIBLE. Hebrew and Spanish. PSALMS). Kodesh Hillulim - Alabancas de Santidad traducion de los Psalmos de David. Hebrew text with Spanish translation and notes by Jacob Judah Leon Templo. pp. [32], 458, [6]. Some staining, with slightly frayed edges. Modern cloth. 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 393; Fuks, Amsterdam 628; Kayserling 58 not in Darlow & Moule]. Amsterdam, n,p.: 1670-71. $600-900 l The name “Templo,” (Spanish for Temple), was added to Jacob Judah Leon’s family name on account of the celebrated copper engravings of Solomon’s Temple that Jacob Judah prepared for his Spanish work on the Temple, Retrato del Templo de Selomoh (1642). 224. (SEPHARDICA). Sermo’s que pregaraõ os doctors ingenios do K.K. de Talmud Torah, desta Cidade de Amsterdam (Sermons preached by doctors of Congregation Talmud Torah of the City of Amsterdam). At beginning of book, exquisite engravings of architecture and layout, exterior and interior of the synagogue (8 illustrations on 4 leaves). One of these illustrations appears in Mozes Heiman Ganz, Memorbook, p. 104. Landwehr attributes the etching to Romeyn de Hooghe. John Landwehr, Romeyn de Hooghe as Book Illustrator (Amsterdam, 1970), p. 103 (no. 43). Portuguese text. pp.155 pp. Some worming that does not affect the text. Otherwise excellent condition. later boards. 4to. [Kayserling, p. 100. See also Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana, pp. 44-45 (no. 19)]. Amsterdam, David de Castro Tartaz: 1675. $2000-3000 l Seven sermons preached at the dedication service of the newly built Spanish-Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam, 1675.The synagogue, still standing today, has remained the revered shrine of the Portuguese Jews. Mozes Heiman Ganz describes the festivities: “The opening ceremony was held on the eve of Shabbat Nachamu (the Sabbath following the Fast of the Ninth of Av)…The celebrations enlivened by a choir and an orchestra, continued for eight days, as long as the reconsecration of the Temple in the days of the Maccabees. Memorbook (Baarn, 1977), p. 101. “The Sermo’s comprised a collection of the ser” mons delivered during the week of celebration…All the orations were in Portuguese…in 1685, Chacham d’Oliveira called Spanish ‘the language into which we usually translate in our schools’ and Portuguese ‘the language we usually speak.’” Ibid. p. 104. Sermons by Rabbis Isaac Aboab, Solomon Oliveira, Isaac Nieto, Isaac Orobio de Castro, et al. A seminal landmark in the Sephardic treasury.
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225. (SEPHARDICA). Orden de Selihoth de…Bispora de Ros-hodes, que llamamos Kipur Pequeno (Penitential Prayers for the Eve of Rosh Hodesh known as Yom Kippur Katan). Title within typographical border. On title: “Rebecca Mocatta. ” The owner was a member of the aristocratic Anglo-Jewish family of Mocatta. Spanish text. Pp. 142. Vellum. 12mo. Amsterdam, Joshua Sarfatti: 1676 (?). $800-1200 l There are numerous editions of Orden (Spanish prayerbooks) issued in Amsterdam for the various festivals of the Jewish year and targeted for Spanish exiles unfamilair with Hebrew. However the Orden for Yom Kippur Katan (Small Day of Atonement), the rite prescribed by the kabbalists to be recited on the eve of the New Moon, is extremely rare. Perhaps there is significance in the fact that the book was owned by a woman, Rebecca Mocatta. According to the rabbis, Rosh Hodesh (New Moon) is to be celebrated as a women’s holiday, a phenomenon popularly revived in recent years.

226. (SEPHARDICA). Vaez, Abraham. Discursos Predicables y Avisos Espirituales. FIRST EDITION. Spanish text. pp. 7, 128. Title page, first page, and final page damaged and lacking some text. Mispagination (p. 122=p.125). Contemporary binding. [Kayserling, pp. 107-108]. (Amsterdam), Jacob Vaez (author’s brother): 1710. $800-1200 l Sermons.The author Abraham Vaez was hakham of the Spanish-Portuguese congregation Nephusot Yehudah of Bayonne, France. Typical of Spanish-Portuguese sermons of the period, in his discourses the hakham weaves Biblical texts with copious citations from Greek and Latin literature. Dedication to Rabbi Isaac Aboab of Amsterdam, who provided a prologue to the book.
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227. (SEPHARDICA). (BIBLE, Spanish. PENTATEUCH AND HAPHTAROTH). Los Cinco Libros de la Ley Divina de Nuevo Corregidos, y Bueltos a Imprimir. Two parts in one volume. Fine engraved title depicting Moses and Aaron, the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and the Temple in Jer usalem. Separate title for Haphtaroth with a woodcut architectural border. Copy of Rebecca Mocatta, an Anglo-Jewish patrician. pp. (2), 528. Very light stains. A.E.G. Morocco boards. 8vo. [Darlow & Moule 8484]. Amsterdam, Solomon Proops: 1718. $600-900
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228. (SEPHARDICA). Laguna, Daniel Israel Lopez. Espejo Fidel de Vidas que Contiene los Psalmos de David en Verso. Vignette of King David playing harp on title page, most unusual allegorical engraved frontispiece, and additional plate, all executed by Abraham Lopes de Oliveira. Spanish text. pp. 54, 286. Very good condition. Cloth binding. 4to. [Kayserling, pp. 55-56]. London, 1719 (see engraving by Oliveira). $4000-6000 l A poetic rendition in Spanish of the Book of Psalms. “The translation is perhaps one of the most remarkable productions of Jewish-Spanish literature. G.A. Kohut, Early ” Jewish Literature in America in: AJHSP (1915) p.112. Laguna was a Portuguese marrano, who persecuted by the Inquisition, fled to Jamaica, where he openly professed Judaism, and was naturalized in 1693. In the New World, Laguna was motivated to “make the Book of Psalms accessible to such of his co-religionists as had escaped from the Inquisition, but who, in their ignorance of the Hebrew tongue, did not know what they read... “ M. Kayserling, The Jews in Jamaica in: JQR (1900) pp.708-17. Spanish approbation of David Nieto, hakham of London, and Hebrew approbation of Joseph ibn Danon. The book is dedicated to Mordecai Nunes Almeyda. “At Jamaica, Laguna completed the poetical work which he had begun in prison, a Spanish paraphrase of the Psalms. In the introductor y poem he relates his varied experiences, and in several of his versions of the Psalms he alludes to his sufferings in the dungeons of the Inquisition. With this work, the fruit of 23 years of labor, he went to London… Here he found a patron in Mordecai Nunes Almeyda, who arranged to have the work printed…Laguna subsequently returned to Jamaica and died at the age of seventy. A. Rosenthal Ltd., Catalog ” XI (1948), p. 32 (no. 511).
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229. (SEPHARDICA). Orden de las Oraciones Cotidianas [prayers]. . pp. (8), 557. Minor stains. Calf, distressed. a.e.g. 12mo. [Not in Kayserling]. Amsterdam, Aaron Mendes: 1735. $800-1200 l Unusual size Spanish prayerbook.

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230. (SEPHARDICA). Vitas, Shabetai. Meshivath Nephesh (613 Commandments). FIRST EDITION. Two titles within typographical borders.Text in Hebrew and Ladino (Judeo-Espanol). In two parts: Part I (Positive Commandments) (1748), ff. 54; Part II (Negative Commandments) (1743), ff. 76. Missing part of f. 33 and final two leaves of Part I; final three leaves of Part II.Contemporary boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 527, 533; Yaari, Const. 397, 404; Kayseling, p. 109.]. Constantinople, Reuben and Nissim, Sons of Jonah Ashkenazi; Abraham Yatom: 1743 (colophon reads “1748”)1744. $400-600 l The book comments in the vernacular at great length upon the Hebrew rhymed Azharot of Solomon ibn Gabirol, recited on Pentecost (Shavu’ot). In his introduction, Vitas alludes to wanderings, possibly even escape from the Spanish Inquisition (“Saphna me-ar’a”). He goes on to express his gratitude to two savants who helped with his work, R. Solomon Algaze and R. Samuel Palache, both prominent names in the Turkish Jewish community. 231. SEPHER YETZIRAH. [on cosmogony and thaumaturgy]. Anonymous (Attributed to Abraham the Patriach). FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Numerous spherical charts and Kabbalistic diagrams. Lacking folding chart. Previous owner’s inscription on title: “Yohanan Yeranen. Extensive margin” alia in an Italian hand. On title: “It is written in Sepher Otzroth Hayim by R. Hayim Vital in the name of his master R. Isaac Luria that the commentary to Sepher Yetzirah ascribed to RABaD is not by RABaD but rather by another great kabbalist. Tziyoni wrote that we have a tradition that Abraham our father composed Sepher Yetzirah. On page 78b, a passage has been stricken and supplied in the magin by hand. On the final ” page a censor’s date of 1611. On rear blank the owner records the births of his several children. ff. 105, (1). Light stains in places. Modern boards. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 86; not in Adams]. Mantua, Jacob ben Naphtali Hacohen: 1562. $1000-1500 l “The earliest extant Hebrew text of systematic speculative thought” (Scholem). The central subject of the Sepher Yetzirah is a compact discourse on cosmology and cosmogony (speculation on the act of Creation). The work is outstanding for its clearly mystical character. It opens with the declaration that God created the world with “32 secret paths of wisdom. These 32 paths are defined as “the ten sephi” roth and the 22 elemental letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The first chapter deals with the Sephiroth ” and the remaining five chapters with the function of the letters. The final leaf contains a bibliographical listing of 23 kabbalistic works which are cited in the commentaries, prepared by the publishers. According to G. Scholem, the commentary attributed to Nachmanides, is actually the work of Azriel ben Menachem of Gerona. See Kiryat Sepher, vol. VI (1930), pp. 385-410. 232. SHALOM, ABRAHAM BEN ISAAC. Neveh Shalom [philosophy]. Second edition. Title within architectural arch. A few marginalia in Hebrew and French. ff.(4),213,(15). Margin of title torn and repaired. Dampstaining and worming. Later morocco backed boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 607; Habermann, di Gara 37; not in Adams]. Venice, Giovanni di Gara: 1575. $300-500 l A series of homilies on various aggadic passages from the Talmud, interwoven with a philosophical discussion meant to serve as a defense of Maimonides’ reconciliation of Greek philosophy and Jewish thought. The author had a thorough command of the fields of knowledge of his time, for this work is rich in quotations from Greek and Arabic philosophical literature. See EJ, XIV, cols. 1270-1.

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233. SHEM TOV IBN SHEM TOV. Sepher ha-Emunoth. FIRST EDITION. Printer’s mark (armillary sphere, verse from Psalms, anchor, and initials AU) appears both on title and final page. ff. 116. Mispagination. Two leaves at end contain a passage from Zohar, which the printer says followed all copies of the manuscript of Sepher haEmunoth.Title stained and laid down. Otherwise exceptionally clean copy. Modern calf-backed boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Ferrara 37; Fürst III, p. 266; not in Adams.]. Ferrara, Abraham Usque: 1556. $2000-3000 l Anti-Maimonidean work of philosophy. Shem Tov has been maligned as a fanatic opponent of rationalist philosophy. One of his choice remarks is: “The opinions of the rabbi [Maimonides] are even worse than the opinions of Aristotle, because he is a Jew” (Sepher ha-Emunoth, 15b, 112a). Shem Tov meant by this that common Jews would be led astray by Maimonides’ views whereas there was no such danger vis-`a-vis those of Aristotle. Freud would have had a field day psychoanalyzing the Shem Tov Family. Both sons of the somewhat notorious anti-Maimonidean penned complimentary commentaries to Maimonides’ philosophic work, Guide of the Perplexed, while his grandson Shem Tov ben Joseph ben Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov wrote the commentary “Shem Tov” still printed in the standard Hebrew editions of the Guide to this day! See EJ, Vol. 8, cols.1195-1199. Shem Tov would replace Maimonides’ cosmology with the sephirotic world of the Kabbalah. Shem Tov restores the demons (shedim) to the universe after Maimonides denied their existence (Part V); argues for reincarnation (gilgul) (Part VII); and makes a case for astrology (Part IX). The folllowing year (1557) the same printer Abraham Usque of Ferrara would publish the Hasagot or animadversions of Rabbi Moses Alashkar to Sepher ha-Emunoth, in defense of Maimonides. Abraham Usque aka Duarte Pinel was a Marrano who escaped from Portugal to Italy. According to David Amram, his printer’s mark reflects his marranic past: “The motto that is entwined around his printer’s mark, taken from the 130th Psalm, might well express his thought when he was abiding in Portugal, waiting for the happy day when he might publicly avow the faith of his fathers: ‘I wait for the Lord; my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. …He preserved the memory of the ” seafaring prowess of his native Portugal in his printer’s mark, where a globe encircled by the ecliptic and zodiacal marks is supported by an anchor. His initials A.U. defiantly seem to proclaim his release from the tyranny of the personality of Duarte Pinel, whom he had shaken off. David Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books ” in Italy, p. 282.
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234. SHIMON B”R YOCHAI. (traditionally attributed to). Sepher Hazohar [“The Book of Splendor”]. FIRST EDITION. Five parts in three volumes. Complete with four titles each within architectural arch. ff.(8), 251, 269, 300. Some staining, some leaves inserted from other copies.Important marginal notes in various Sefardic and Ashkenazic hands. Modern blind-stamped morocco, fitted case 4to. [Vinograd, Mantua 51,61 and 69; Wiener 3384; not in Adams]. Mantua, Meir b. Ephraim of Padua and Jacob Hakohen of Gazolo: 1558-60. $l This, the most classic of Jewish mystical texts was printed amidst fierce controversy. Many among Rabbinic and Kabbalistic circles feared the printing of such an esoteric work; its meaning might be distorted by Christians in support of their faith, and the majority of Jews themselves would be confused by the implications of the Zohar’s mystical teachings. A textually inferior reprint by Vincenzo Conti of Cremona immediately followed this Mantua edition. See G. Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (1941) pp.156-243; D. Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963) pp.325-27; Carmilly-Weinberger, pp.53-55 Volume 3 contains very important apparently unpublished marginal annotations in the hand of R. Yaakov Zemach, the author of Nagid Umetzaveh and other works. His notes are usually preceded by the name - Zemach. Although a member of a converso family in Portugal, he studied in Salonica,Safed and Damascus attaining the stature as one of the leading disseminators of Kabbaah of his time . He studied under R. Shmuel Vital and was one of the first to recognize the falsity of Shabbetai Tzvi and excommunicated him in1665. See G. Scholem’s biography and literary appreciation in Kiryat Sefer 26,1950, pp.185-94, I. Sonne’s comments in KS, 27,195, pp. 97-106 and Scholem’s rejoinder pp.107110.A sample of one of his manuscript works was published by N. Ben Menachem, Areshet, 2, 1960, pp. 379-83. This Zohar belonged to the sefardic Kabbalist R. Yeshuah Adani, one of the leading scholars of Aden and contains many extensive notes by him as well. For more details on the Adani family see Nachlat Yosef By R. Shmuel b. Yosef Yeshuah Adani, Jerusalem, 1907. Volume 1 contains various interesting marginal notes in an Ashkenazic hand.
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235. SHIMON B”R YOCHAI. (Traditionally attributed to). Zohar Chadash u-Midrash Hane’elam [kabbalah]. Includes glosses of R. Isaac Luria that had been in the possession of R. Menahem di Lonzano. Third edition. Title within ornate architectural columns than include lions, cherubs, and vignettes of Jeremiah and Solomon. ff. (2), 96. Title page and first leaf repaired. Dampstained. Wide margins. Vellum. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 1339, 1360; St. Cat. Bodl. 3499; Scholem, Bibliographica Kabbalistica, p. 175, no. 3.]. Venice, Bragadin: 1658. $1000-1500 l The compiler of the Zohar Chadash was Abraham Halevi Beruchim, a disciple of Moses Cordovero and Isaac Luria. This edition was brought out by Joseph Hamiz and proofed by the preeminent Italian kabbalist R. Moses Zacuto. The physician Joseph Hamiz had been an outstanding disciple of the rationalist and foe of kabbalah Leone Modena. Modena was aghast when his erstwhile disciple embraced the study of kabbalah. Hamiz was drawn to kabbalah by the influence of R. Aaron Berechyah Modena (author of Ma’avar Yabok), a disciple of R. Israel Sarug. See Nehemiah S. Libawitsch, Extant Fragments from the Writings of the Philosopher, Physician, and Kabbalist Joseph Hamiz (Jerusalem, 1938); Gershom Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi (Princeton, 1989), p. 744; EJ, Vol. 7, cols. 1239-1240. Although the colophon “Tihyeh” would indicate the date of publication is 1663, Scholem argues that since the Second Part (on the three scrolls of Song of Songs, Ruth and Lamentations) is clearly dated “Notzer Hesed” (1658), the earlier part must also be from that year and not 1663. Scholem, Bibliographia Kabbalistica, p. 175, no. 3. Hamiz and Zacuto also collaborated on glosses on the Zohar entitled Derekh Emeth (Venice, 1658). Hamiz’s commentary on the Zohar, Yod’ei Binah (also a collaborative effort of Hamiz and Zacuto) was preserved in manuscript. See G. Scholem, Kitvei Yad be-Kabbalah (Jerusalem, 1930), p. 151. R. Hayim Joseph David Azulai writes that he saw one copy of Yod’ei Binah in which the beginning and end were manuscript, while the middle portion consisted of about 100 printed leaves. Azulai, Shem ha-Gedolim II, s.v. Yod’ei Binah. This printed edition of Yod’ei Binah was presumed lost until Gershom Scholem discovered a copy in London. He writes: “I was fortunate enough to discover a copy of the printed work in the library of the London Beth Din (formerly the library of Jews College, as the original collection of R. Solomon Hirschel of London came to be called later). This unfortunately incomplete copy (title page + fols. 144) also contains the part of the commentary composed by Hamis. It is possible that no more was printed and the volume was never finished” (Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, p. 744, n. 154). In his book Paths of Faith and Heresy (Jerusalem, 1994), Prof. Isaiah Tishby makes the assertion that Joseph Hamiz, whose whereabouts are unknown after 1658, settled on the Ionian island of Zante (then under the Venetian Republic) and became a key figure in the Sabbatian underground. Supposedly, the incriminating piece of evidence is Oxford ms. 2239. On pp. 66-67 Tishby published face-`a-face an authentic autograph of Joseph Hamiz and the Oxford ms. whose contents are riveted with Sabbatian elements. Tishby writes: “The handwriting is so distinctive, that at first glance the similarity is noted” (p. 65). Of course, anyone who glances a second time will observe that there are crucial differences betwen the two specimens of handwriting, most notably the final letter of the Hebrew alphabet, tav. Hamiz’s tav consists of a long tail and resembles a final nun, whereas in the Oxford ms. the tav is the conventional type.

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236. SHIMON B”R YOCHAI. (Traditionally attributed to). Tikunei Zohar. ff. 110. With Kabbalistic diagrams on f. 63, 90; some marginal notes in a Sephardic hand (f. 92a). 4to. Calf-backed boards. [Vinograd Paritzk 23]. Poritzk, Shlomo b. Chanina: 1808. $200-300 237. SHIMON B”R YOCHAI. (Traditionally attributed to). Tikunei Zohar. . 8vo ff. [2] 182. title slightly repaired. Morocco backed boards. Zhitomir, Chanina Lipa and Yehoshua Heschel Shapira: 1865. $200-300 238. SHIMON BAR YOCHAI (Attributed to. “Revealed” to Moses b. Shem Tov de Leon). Sepher Hazohar [“The Book of Splendor”]. Four parts in three volumes. Four title pages each with typographical border. ff. (6), 251, (19); 280, (1); 310, (1). Ex-librar y, lightly stained in places. Contemporary calf-backed patterned boards, lacking spine. Large 8vo. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 2338]. Amsterdam, Yochanan Levi Rophé and Son: 1805. $1500-2000 l The Amsterdam editions of the Zohar were renowned amongst Chassidim. The Chozeh of Lublin exhorted his Chassidim to use only the Amsterdam edition of the Zohar.

239. SOLOMON BEN ELIEZER HALEVI. Avodath Halevi [listing of the precepts with reference to sources throughout Rabbinical literature]. FIRST EDITION. Two title words offset by three clover leaf designs.Owner’s signature on title: “Yitzhak Dayyan. ff. 28. Tears and wormholes almost impercep” tible. Modern velllum. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 66; Yaari 81. Vinograd lists the year as 1515, but according to Yaari, there is a “window” of five years (1515-1520)]. (Constantinople), n.p.: (1515-1520). $10000-12000 l Avodath Halevi lists the commandments contained in each Torah portion of the week. Provided are not only the definitions of the commandments in succint language (following Maimonides’ lead) but also invaluable reference notes to the entire corpus of Jewish law: Mishnah, Mekhilta, Sifra, Sifre, Mishneh Torah, SeMaG, SeMaK, Tur, Rabbenu Yeruham, Kolbo, Roke’ah, Agur, and RIF. Extremely rare.
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240. SOLOMON IBN ADRET. (RaSHB”A). Shailoth Uteshuvoth [responsa]. Second edition. Present with indices (missing from most copies), additional title. Wide-margined copy. ff. (16), 216. Signed by censors. Early owners signatures inclding the communal leader Yeshaia Vermeiz of Metz. Scattered marginal notes in a 20th century hand citing the Shaagat Aryeh. Modern boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Bologna 14; Mehlman 693 (incomplete); Adams S-1407]. Bologna, The Company of Silk-Weavers: 1539. $1000-1500 l The author was the foremost Spanish rabbi of the late 13th-14th century. As a respondent, the RaSHB”A answers inquiries directly, without unneccessar y lengthy scholastic discussion. The number of his responsa, including this pseudoNachmanides collection, reaches well over three thousand, with inquries addressed from all parts of the world, and touching upon all phases of law - religious, family and civil, as well as theological concerns. See M. Waxman, Histor y of Jewish Literature (1933) Vol. II pp.165-167.
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241. SOLOMON IBN ADRET. (RaSHB”A). Shailoth Uteshuvoth [responsa]. Initial letters of title historiated. Printer’s device on title (Yaari, Printer’s Marks no. 16). ff. 192. title mounted with tear in lower left corner not affecting text. some pagesslightly stained,some marginal notes in a20th centur y Ashkenazic hand.Modern cloth with calf spine. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 255; Haberman, Adelkind 30; Mehlman 694; not in Adams]. Venice, Justinian-Adelkind: 1545. $600-900 242. SOLOMON IBN MELECH. Michlal Yoffi [linguistic commentary to the Bible]. Third Edition. Title within an elaborate woodcut arch depicting King David with his harp. Additional Latin title. ff. 4, 220. Damp stains in places. Later cloth, gently rubbed. Sm. folio. [Vinograd, Amsterdam 508; Fuks, Amsterdam 482]. Amsterdam, David de Castro: 1684. $200-300

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243. (TALMUD, BABYLONIAN). Masechta Me’ilah, Kinim, Midoth, Tamid, etc. With commentaries by Rashi, Tosafoth, etc. FIRST BOMBERG EDITION Opening letters within white on black decorative woodcut vignettes. ff. 47. Dampstained in places, title laid down. Modern vellum-backed boards. Folio. [Vinograd, Venice 127; Habermann, Bomberg 118/119; not in Adams; Rabinowitz pp. 36]. Venice, Daniel Bomberg: 1523. $8000-10,000 l The first edition of Bomberg’s Talmud sold out quickly, necessitating reissues of various tractates in 1527-30, 1538-9 and 1548. According to R.N. Rabinowitz, this volume heralded the completion of Bomberg’s first edition of the Talmud.
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244. (TALMUD, BABYLONIAN). Masechta Eiruvin. Large folio.ff. [4], 132,17, 2, 91-130(Final leaves of Rif mispaginated but complete) Contemporary tooled calf, loose. slight marginal worming not affecting text. With extra title not noted by Vinograd. [Vinograd Slavita 283 (Not in Hebrew University, only Bar Ilan), R. N. Rabinowitz, Maamar Al Hadfasat Ha- Talmud p. 138, Y. Rivkind, Kiryat Sefer vol. 11, pp.100-101, C. Shapiro, “Ha- Aachim MeSlavita”, Ha-shiloach, vol.30,pp. 541-554.]. Slavita, Shmuel Abraham Shapira: 1836. $300-500 l This volume of Eiruvin was the final volume of this Slavita edition. It has great historical importance as the publication of this edition of the Talmud resulted in a controversy that ultimately caused the Russian government to ban Hebrew printing throughout Russia. This was due to the intense rivalry between the printing firm of Shapira in Slavita and Romm in Vilna who both attempted to malign each other. 245. (TALMUD, BABYLONIAN). Complete in 12 volumes. With numerous commentaries.Includes commentary Meir Netiv not published in standard Vilna Shas * Plus sets of seven volumes of Zhitomir Alfasi and Talmud Yerushalmi -total of 19 volumes. Each volume with two individual titles within typographical and architectural borders printed in red and black. Lightly browned and stained in places. Alternate calf-backed and cloth boards in various condition. Folio With previous owners’ signature and stamp -Cong. Kehilas Moshe of the Bronx -Ozsherver Rebbe. [Vinograd, Zhitomir 235; Rabbinovicz, Talmud pp. 140-1]. Zhitomir, Chanina Lipa and Yehoshuah Heschel Shapira: 1858-1864. $1000-2000 l After the fiasco of the Slavita - Vilna controversy, the third generation of the Shapira family moved their press and produced their edition of the Talmud in Zhitomir. Many Chassidic Rabbis encouraged their followers only to study the Talmud printed by the Shapira Brothers as they were of impeccable Chassidic stock - the grandchildren of R. Pinchos of Koretz.

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246. (TALMUD, POLEMICS). Petach Einayim Ve-Aspaklariah Ha- meirah. ONLY EDITION. pp.46; 26. Two titles. [Vinograd, Amsterdam no. 1849 (Although listed by Vinograd, he obviously did not see a copy as no pagination is given). R.N.N. Rabinowitz, Mamar Al Hadfasat Ha-Talmud (p. 123) states that he did not see a copy of this rare pamphlet and bases his description on the British Museum listing.]. 8vo. Amsterdam, Proops Brothers: 1764. $400-600 l A “cause celebre” in the annals of the publication of the Talmud. Concerns the controversy between the Amsterdam and Sulzbach printers pertaining to the rights of publication of the Talmud. Written in an interesting mixture of Hebrew and Yiddish. Delineates the claims and counter claims of Proops and R. Meshulam Zalman, the printer of Sulzbach. Each side claimed that the competion transgressed the decisions issued by various Rabbis in their favor. The Parnasim of Amsterdam claimed that Holland was under a democratic rule and not subject to the injunctions of the German Rabbis. The second part contains the “Cherem” issued by the Rabbi of Prague, R. Yechezkel Landau in favor of the Proops brothers of Amsterdam (dated 1764), as well as a host of other previous letters and approbations, dated 1715, from over 75 of the greatest Rabbis of the generation from various countries (Poland, LIthuania, Russia, Holland and Italy siding wth the Amsterdam printers and the Rabbis of Germany siding with the Sulzbach printer). Included are R. Yonathan Eibuschetz, R. Chaim Ha-cohen Rapoport of Lvov, the representatives of the Vaad Arba Aratzot (The Council of the Four Lands) and many other prominent Rabbinical leaders. According to Rabinowitz, the Amsterdam Talmud was known as the “Rich man’s shas” and the Sulzbach edition was labeled the “Poor man’s shas”. Details concerning this controversy are also cited by R. Yosef Steinhardt of Furth in his responsa ZichronYosef Choshen Mishpat, no. 2. The differing opinions of the Rabbis in this case were very similar to the differences of opinion voiced by the leading Rabbis 70 years later during the Slavita - Vilna controversy. 247. Trillinger, Eliezer. Mishnath Rabbi Eliezer (Sermons on the Pentateuch). On title, elaborate frontispiece. Owner’s signature: “Aberle ben Elkanah Segal. Floral device for divisions between five books of Moses. ff. ” 142, (2). Light stains. Worming. Modern boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Franfort on the Oder 180]. Frankfort-on-Oder, Michael Gottschalk: 1707. $500-700 l Rabbi Eliezer Trillinger was a native of Nicholsburg. His son Joseph writes that his father was passing through the city of Vilna on his way to Eretz Israel when he took ill and died. The book bears the haskamah (encomium) of Rabbi David Oppenheim of Prague, among many others. Mishnath Rabbi Eliezer is a major source for the interpretations of the legendary Abraham Joshua Heschel (Rebbe Heschel) of Cracow (d. 1664), whose disciples became the luminaries of the following generation: Shabbetai b. Meir Hakohen, Aaaron Samuel Koidanover, et al. Eventually, these brilliant interpretations were gathered in E.J. Ersohn, Hanukath ha-Torah (1900). THE COPY OF RABBI ABERLE SEGAL. R. Abraham or Aberle, a native of Hamburg, was the first Parnas of the Great Synagogue, London. C. Duschinsky, The Rabbinate of the Great Synagogue, London (London, 1921), p. 2. He became embroiled in controversy with Chief Rabbi Aaron Hart over a get, or bill of divorce granted to one Ansel Katz of London prior to his sailing for the Caribbean. This decision was publicly criticized by Mordecai Hamburger who was promptly placed under the communal ban of “herem. Additionally, Hart set out the matter in the pamphlet “Urim Ve-Tumim” (London, ” 1707). To defend his position, Hamburger (wealthy son-in-law of the diarist Glückel of Hameln) had R. Johanan b. Isaac of Holleschau prepare his defense in a book “Ma’aseh Rav” (London, 1707).The historical background to the affair is presented by David Kaufmann in JHSET, Vol. III, pp.102-125.

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248. (URI BEN SIMON). Calendarium Palaestinorum et Universorum Judaeorum, ad annos quadraginta (40-Year Palestinian and Universal Jewish Calendar). On title, vignette of saint holding key. Numerous calendric charts and tables. In Latin. Contains many Latin marginalia. 159 pp. Contemporary calf, distressed. 4to. [Freimann, p. 191]. Frankfurt, Peter Kopff: 1594. $600-900 l Polish-born Uri ben Simon’s Hebrew calendar for the Jews of Eretz Israel was published in Venice in 1575. Ours is a Latin translation executed by Jacob Christmann, Professor of Aristotelian Logic at the Academy of Heidelberg. In the introduction to our work, Christmann demolishes a bizarre theory of Scaliger that the Jews of Palestine have a different calendric system than those of Europe. Christmann shows how Scaliger’s slavish dependence upon and piteous misreading of Uri ben Simon’s Palestinian calendar led him to this grotesquerie. It seems Christmann sustained an interest in the Jewish calendric system. A year earlier he published a polemic work Epistola Chronologica (Frankfurt, 1593). See Freimann, p. 191, s.v. Christmann, Jakob. 249. WEIL, JACOB. (MaHaR”Y Weil). Shailoth Uteshuvoth [responsa]. With glosses. Title within typographical border. Opening words within typographical frame. ff. 92. Lightly browned. Later cloth-backed marbled boards, gently rubbed at extremites. Sm. 4to. [Vinograd, Hanau 8]. Hanau, Hans Jakob Hanau: 1610. $400-600 250. ZACUTO, ABRAHAM. Sepher Yuchasin [onomasticon and history]. FIRST EDITION. Title words within typographic border. ff. 172. (Printer’s signature 42 and the final signature 45 have two leaves each.) Lower left corner of title supplied by hand. ff. 3 and 4 taped. Some stains; also worming on final leaf. Signature of owner on title has been cropped. Calf, gilt. 4to. [Vinograd, Const. 228; Yaari, Const. 169]. Constantinople, (Solomon Ya’avetz): 1566. $4000-6000 l Outlines the historical development of the Oral Law and establishes the chronology of the Sages who transmitted it. Also chronicles the history of various nations along with the state of scientific research and scholarship. The narrative reaches the author’s day (the Spanish Expulsion).
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251. (ZIONISM). Imber, Naphtali Herz. Sepher Barkai. FIRST EDITION. 8to. pp. [10], 128 ,modern cloth. [Halevy, Jerusalem 545]. Jerusalem, M. Meyuchas (i.e. Mord. Edelman): 1886;. $1000-1500 l The first volume of poetr y by Imber. Barkai (“Dawn”) contains the first appearance of the poem “Tikvateinu,” unofficial anthem of the early Zionist Movement and later adapted as the national anthem of the State of Israe with the name changed to HaTikvah. For a detailed history of Imber’s historic poem and the course of its evolution and change of title to Ha-tikvah,, see M. Ravina, Hatikvah (1969).

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252. (ZIONISM). Herzl, Theodor. Medinat Ha-yehudim Der Judenstaat. [“The Jewish State, An Attempt at a Modern Solution to the Jewish Question”]. FIRST HEBREW EDITION. pp.82,[5], Disbound. Slight tear on titl page and first leaf. Warsaw, Halter and Eisenstadt: 1896. $3000-4000 l FIRST HEBREW EDITION OF HERZL'S HERALD OF MODERN ZIONISM. Theodor Herzl founded political Zionism in this slim tract. An epochal call for the establishment of a Jewish State as a National Home for the Jewish People “Herzl’s Der Judenstaat has remained the single most important manifesto of modern Zionism and is one of the most important books in the history of the Jewish People. See Michael Heymann, ” Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana-Treasures of Jewish Booklore (1994) no. 46, pp.102-3 (illustrated).
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— MANUSCRIPTS AND AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS —
253. (ANGLO-JUDAICA). R. Nathan Nata, Rabbi of Hambro synagogue, London. Shechita Certificate. Signed manuscript on vellum. one leaf. In a finely executed Ashkenazic cursive hand. London, 1754. $1500-2000 l Certificate attesting to the competence of the Bachur Yechiel b. Zalman, both in the theoretical and practical aspects of ritual slaughter. The author makes reference to a previous certificate issued by the Sefardic Bet Din which stated that he did not faint (due to the blood). Of historic importance as to the dates of the early Rabbis of the Hambro Synoagogue. 254. (CHASSIDISM. R. YECHIEL MEIR LIPSCHITZ OF GOSTYNIN ). Shailoth Uteshuvoth Mahrit. With signature of the famous Chassidic Rebbe, R. Yechiel Maier of Gostynin (1810-1888), author of Mei Ha-Yam upside down on blank and stamp of his son R. Yisrael Moshe. Two parts bound in one volume. Calf-backed boards, chipped. Folio. Furth, Yosef B. Mendl Ber, 1768. $2000-2500 l The Rebbe of Gostynin was one the foremost disciples of the Rebbe of Kotzk. He was famed as a miracle worker and was popularly known as the “Guter Yid” (the Good Jew) or the “Tehillim Yid”. His master, the Kotzker Rebbe regarded him as being one of the 36 Tzadikim - righteous saints of the generation upon whose merit the world is sustained. He was a great halachic scholar as well, and served as the official Rabbi of his town, receiving a salary, and therefore refused to take “pidyonot” or presents from his Chasidim. 255. HIRSCH, SAMSON RAPHAEL. (Foremost Rabbinic leader in Germany, 1808-1888). Autograph Letter Signed, in Hebrew, to R. Elijah Menachem Goitein, concerning the status of an orphan; as well as a Halachic response and an explanation concerning the yetzer hara (evil inclination). 1p., 8vo. Frankfurt a/Main, 1st Adar, 1870. $3000-4000 l The recipient was a member of one of the most prominent Rabbinical families in Hungary. His grandfather R. Baruch Bendit was famous for his compendium Kesef Nivchar on the Talmud. Rabbi Hirsch states that he is proud that his previous words found favor in the eyes of such a great scholar as Rabbi Goitein. This letter is published in Zichron Avot pp. 167-68. 256. (INQUISITION). Relacao das pessoas que sairao penitenciadas no Auto da Fee que se celebrou na praca da cidade de cidade de Coimbra Domingo vinte e seis de Dezembro de [1] 623. . Manuscript on paper, 7 leaves. (foliated 51-57). Portuguese . Portugal, 1623. $3000-5000 l EXTREMELY RARE DOCUMENT OF THE PORTUGUESE INQUISITION. List of 73 persons condemned by the Holy Inquisition of Portugal in an Auto-daFe on December 26,1623. States their sex, age and status (old or new Christians), their crimes(blasphemy, heresy, judaizing etc.), and their punishment.In this Auto-da-Fe, nine judaisers (9 men 3 women) were burned at the stake.One of the condemned, Fernao Diaas da Sylva confessed that he was a priest... and performed ceremonies of the Law [of Moses] No published edition of this list is known. Not mentioned by Van der Vekne, Cassuto, or Glaser. Together with collection of five rare printed sermons preached at various Autosda-Fe, published in Lisbon 1642-1666 by B.D, Siqveira, F.A. Chagas, F.N. Viegas, F.C. Almeida and A. Leitao.

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257. (KABBALAH). Vital, Chaim. 1,Derush Nukva De-zeir (with unpublished comments by R. Nathan Shapiro) 2. Shaar Ha- tzelem. . Manuscript on paper. 96 leaves (including blanks). 4to, vellum binding (with Latin inscription dated 1745). In a neat Sefardic Italian cursive hand, 21-24 lines per page. Italy, Ca. 1680- 90. $1500-2000 l Contains two works by the foremost exponent of Lurianic kabbalah. 1. Derush Nukva De-zeir was first published in Mavo Shearim, Koretz,1782-83 (sixth shaar) .The standard edition was published in Jerusalem, 1988 with notes and corrections based upon all the previous editions by R. Yehudah Tzvi Brandwein. The text contans slight textual variations and some better readings than the published version. This ms. contains eight unpublished important, comprehensive notes and comments by the noted kabbalist R; Nathan B. Reuven Shapiro, (the author of Matzat Shimurim, Yayin Ha-meshumar etc.) who was one of the main editors and disseminators of R. Chaim Vitals writings. These profound comments are not published in the standard edition and are extant only in manuscript. R. Nathan Shapiro (b. Cracow, d. Italy, 1666), served as Rabbi in Poland and later emigrated to Israel serving as the Rabbi of the Ashkenazic community of Jerusalem. 2. The second work Shaar Hatzelem contains 30 chapters, Chapter one is similar to the version found in Etz Chaim, Shaar 10. The following chapters are not published in Etz Chaim which contains only four chapters in this Shaar, Indeed, R. Shalom Sharabi states in his commentary Ha-shemesh that the chapters of this shaar in the Etz Chaim have no connection and are all pieces of various subjects without any order. The 30 chapters in this Manuscript, however, are in a logical order with thorough explanations of this esoteric subject. According to the kabbilistic scholar Y. Avivi,these chapters folow the order of MS Frankfurt A.M. 80 132. 258. KAGAN, YISROEL MEIR OF RADIN (CHOFETZ CHAIM). . . Signed letter on his stationery, with his stamp, to the Achuzat Olam society in N.Y. thanking them for a donation. Radin, 21 Shevat,1931. $2000-2500

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259. (LAND OF ISRAEL). Letter from the community leaders of Hebron to the Renowned Haham R. Judah Mireli in Egypt concerning funds collected by the emissary R. David Cohen which did not reach their proper destination because the emissary had no place to keep them(!) They request that the money be sent to R. Yaakov Najara to alleviate the plight of the widows , orphans and other unfotunate members of the community. Manuscript on paper. Two leaves mounted on a folio leaf. Sefardic cursive script Lower left hand corner of one leaf torn affecting text. Hebron, CA 1630. $2000-2500
THE EARLIEST KNOWN MENTION OF AN OFFICAL SHALIACH (EMISSARY) TO GATHER FUNDS FOR THE HEBRON COMMUNITY.

260. (LITURGY). Seder Tekiath Shofar [Kabbalistic prayers and Kavanoth for the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashana. with Tashlich on final two leaves]. 16 leaves. Large, neat square Italian script with marginal kavanot in a smaller square script. Owners signature and institutional stamp. 4to. $1500-2000 l The kabbalistic marginal kavanoth cite the anonymous Sefer Ha-Cheshek (a lengthy citation) and R. Menachem Azariah of Fano. With signature and inscription of the bookseller R. Yosef Chaim Biegeleisen of Oshpitsin (Auschwitz) to his friend the gaon and tzadik... chassida u perisha R. Michoel Ha-Cohen (Forshlager), author of Torath Michoel. Rabbi Forshlager, a longtime resident of Baltimore, Maryland, was a disciple of R. Abraham Bornstein of Sochatchev, and one of the greatest Talmudists of his day. He left a profound influence on the rabbinical leaders of the next generation such as Rabbi Mordecai Gifter, rosh yeshivah of Telz-Wickliffe, and Rabbi Shimon Schwab of Kahal Adath Jeshurun, New York.
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An important historical letter containing interesting information concerning the beginning of the Jewish community in Hebron in the latter half of the 17th centur y.The earliest known emissar y cited by Yaari (Shluchei Eretz Yisrael p. 464) was R. Moshe Peretz who left Hebron in 1650. R. Yehudah Mireli was a well known scholar and leader of the Jerusalem community during the 17th century. See M. Benayahu, Ha-Mekoroth Ha-Chashuvim Le-Toldoteha Shel Yerushalayim , Asufot. 7, 1993, pp. 305379. He probably resided in Egypt during this period. R. Yaakov Najara is probably the grandson of the poet R. Yisrael Najara, who served as Rabbi of Gaza in 1660.

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Lot 261 261. MOSHE BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES/. RaMBaM). Mishneh Torah. Manuscript on paper 147 leaves, a few other leaves repaired not affecting text, Modern cloth. 4to. Yemen, 1591-1592. $5000-7000 l Scribe: David B. Shlomo Berav Yosef Berav Shmarya ha-yadua al Nadaf (on f. 82b and final leaf). Text: Starts in middle of introduction, listing of the Mitzvot, Sefer Ha-Mada (ff. 1-82b); Sefer Ahavah (ff. 84b- 147b). The colphons contain the date acording to the shtarot calcualtion prevalent in Yemenite manuscripts. This ms contains a number of textual variances from the standard published editions. Yemenite scholars believe that their Maimonides manuscripts are more exact than the printed editions.
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262. MOSHE BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES/. RaMBaM). Mishneh Torah. Hebrew manuscript. Folio. on Oriental (Yemenite) paper. 330 leaves. (f.184 is counted twice.) Some leaves damaged, torn or repaired. Compilation of three different major manuscripts bound together with missing parts supplied from other Yemenite manuscripts dating from the15th to 20th centuries. In various large square Yemenite hands. Some headings of sections and paragraphs outlined in red ink. [M. Beit Arie and C. Sirat, Manuscrits medievaux en carateres hebraiques portant..de date jusqua 1540 vol. 1, Jerusalem- Paris ,1972, nos.163, 172]. Tawil, Yemen, 15th - 20th centuries. $15,000-20,000 l SCRIBES AND COLOPHONS: Khalaf ben Daoud(Chjalfon Ben David) al-Tawili in1509 (1820 le-shtarot) in the town of Tawil (f. 105b).He states, God should forgive me for my mistakes. Folio 184r contains a short colophon with the date Tuesday, 19 Elul. 1491 (1802 le-shtarot), at the top there is a faint colophpon with the name of another scribe from Tawil. The lengthy colophon on f. 184r states that the ms. was copied in the Town Of Suda (Al sud) in Yemen in 1491 for Yeter ha-Levi ben Kokhav. This interesting colophon includes the genealogy of the owner for 23 generations back to the patriarch Jacob! (Many Yemenite families traced their lineage back to the patriarchs. However, in order to protect those who could not trace their descent that far back from being consideed second class citizens, the Yemenite Rabbis in the 19th century ordered all such lineage documents destroyed. This is one of the few remaining genealogical documents which escaped this decree.) TEXT: SEFER NEZIKIN (TORTS) -ff. 1-105. f.1 starts in the middle of Chapter 2, halacha 1. f. .3 starts from chapter 5, halacha 3. This section was written in1509. SEFER KINYAN (ACQUISITIONS) - ff.106b-183. Some text is missing especially towads the end of the book.This section is in a similar but different hand written approximately the same time ( ca. 1500). Some folios are inserted from a later ms. to complete missing text in the original ms. SEFER MISHPATIM (CIVIL LAWS) AND SEFER SHOFTIM (JUDGES) - ff. 184-329. Most of this section is written in a similar hand as the previous sections, with missing text provided from an apparrently even earlier ms.(according to Dr. B. Richler perhaps even from the 14th century). A few folios are supplied from other manusripts, some from the 20th century. This manuscript belonged to the late Rabbi Yihya Kapach. As is well known, Yemenite scholars regarded their Maimonides manuscripts to have the most accurate readings. This ms in many cases has a fuller text and contains variances from the standard published editions. With thanks to Dr. Binyamin Richler, Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts, Jerusalem, for his scholarship in researching this manuscript.
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263. MOSHE BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES. RaMBaM). IBN SHEM TOV, SHEM TOV BEN YOSEF (15th Century). Peirush al Moreh Nevuchim. . Manuscript on paper. 129 leaves. in a few 15th century Spanish cursive hands. Chapter headings and certain paragraph headings in a square hand A number of pages repaired with some worming and foxing. Vellum binding.Starts in the middle of part 2, chapter 33 and ends with chapter 49 of part 3 which is the final chapter of the reasons for the mitzvot. 4to. [Spain], 15th Century. $5000-7000 l The author was a prominent Spanish rabbi, philosopher and preacher. He is the author of Derashot Ha-Torah (Salonica,1525) and this classical commentary on Maimonides Moreh Nevuchim (Guide For The Perplexed), composed in 1488 and first published in Venice, 1551. According to Professor Warren Harvey, of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, this commentary is a clear and extensive work which for centuries has been helpful to students of the Guide. According to Dr. Benjamin Richler of the Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts of The Jewish National Library at the Hebrew University, no other manuscript of this commentary is listed in the catalogue of the Institute or extant in the collections of other major libraries. This important manuscript contains a number of variances and in many cases a fuller and more correct text than the published version. For example, see p.13b of this manuscript concerning Maimonides comments on the wrestling of Jacob with the angel - the ms. correctly uses the term He avkut (wrestling) whereas the printed version (part 2, p. 87b) reads zeh ha-hisdabkut (cleaving) hu bemareh ha-nevuah. The ms correctly cites the Maimonidean view that this event actually occurred in a prophetic vision. Page. 116b, lines 12-17 contain an entire paragraph explaining the significance of the four species (minim) used on Sukkot which does not appear in the standard published version (see part 3, p.55b of the Jerusalem,1960 edition). A close comparison of this ms. with the published version will greatly enhance our understanding of Maimomides and result in a definitve scholarly text of this work.
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264. (PERSIAN JUDAICA). Foa Ben Yair Ha-Levy. Chayei Yosef. Manuscript on paper. 235 leaves In square and semi-cursive Juaeo- Persian script First few leaves slightly frayed not affecting text. 4to. Persia, 1725. $2000-3000 l A translation of the tales of the Bible into Judaeo- Persian in the style of the Tzenah U re’enah.
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265. (YEMENITE JUDAICA). Yoseph ben Matzliach. Sefer Zikkaron - commentary on Bereishit and Shemot followed by halachic responsa. ff. 125. In a fine, square and cursive Yemenite script. Some poetry vocalized; with scholarly marginal notes in another hand. Old calf over boards. Covers detached. 4to. Yemen, 19th century. $500-700 l Final leaf contains a poem in Judaeo-Arabic on the Luchot. f. 107a cites the Dayan Yachya Al-Zaadi and the auhor’s father that one should not issue any legal rulings based upon the Shulchan Aruch without being familiar with the original sources. The author states (f.3b) that one of the great scholars of Tiberias, R. David Mimran, visited Yemen and approved of his work. He encouraged him and told him that he knows of a tradition that he heard from the “scholars of the” Holy City that if your colleagues are jealous of your work, then know that you are descended from Yoseph Ha- tzadik especially since your name is Yoseph. The author states that he explains matters which were left unclear by Rashi. He utilizes extensively the works of R. Moshe Alsheich and R. Abraham Cuenque, the author of Avak Sofrim. 266. (ZIONISM). Theodor Herzl. Signed, typewritten letter (in German) on stationery of Bureau of the Zionist Congress stationery concerning appointment of a Secretary for the Commission. Vienna, 1900. $1000-1500



END OF SALE



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— SELECTIVE INDEX TO PRINTING LOCATIONS —

Aix 78 Altdorf-Nürnberg 185 Altona 74, 97 Amsterdam 26, 44-47, 49-51, 60, 84, 98, 105, 118, 128, 134, 136, 141, 156-160, 166-171, 182, 184, 195, 198, 199, 211, 212, 218-227, 229, 238, 242, 246 Antwerp 39, 40, 193, 215 Augsburg 22 Basel 43, 120, 123, 180, 186, 187 Berlin 59 Bologna 122, 240 Bombay 86, 88, 89, 108 Calcutta 106 Casale 111 Constantinople 2, 10 , 19, 73, 76, 101, 102, 110, 150, 200, 201, 204, 217, 230, 239, 250 Cracow 58, 64 Cremona 28, 65 Ferrara 68, 233 Florence 188 Franfurt on der Oder 9, 129, 178, 247, 248 Frankfurt a/ Main 32, 96, 127, 132, 135, 146, 165, 255 Furth 254 Geneva 41, 42 Hamburg 5, 56, 133 Hanau 6, 137, 249 Homburg 116 Isny 138 Italy 257 Jerusalem 54, 85, 144, 145, 147, 148 Jessnitz 13, 14, 67, 82, 121 Koenigsberg 23 Koretz 62-63 Leiden 163, 191 Leipzig 30, 52 London 228, 253

Mantua 20, 24, 53, 69, 93, 99, 142, 161, 203, 207, 213, 231, 234 Milan 79 Modena 112, 113 New York 15 Offenbach 164 Oxford 16 Padua 103 Paris 80, 192 Pesaro 36, 37, 190 Philadelphia 17 Poona 87, 107 Poritzk 236 Prague 3, 12, 48, 71, 75, 119, 125, 126, 208 Rimini 149 Riva di Trento 153, 179, 197 Sabionetta 92 Safed 143 Salonica 11, 34, 38 Shklov 72, 210 Slavita 244 Soncino 183, Strasbourg 77 Turin114 Utrecht 151 Venice 4, 7, 8, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 57, 61, 66, 70, 83, 90, 91, 94, 100, 115, 139, 140, 154, 155, 162, 173177, 181, 189, 194, 202, 205, 206, 232, 235, 241, 243 Verona 209 Vienna 131, 196, 266 Warsaw 252 Wilhermsdorf 130 Zhitomir 55, 237, 245 Zolkiew 216 Zürich 117

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— ABSENTEE BID FORM —
KESTENBAUM & COMPANY 12 West 27th Street New York, NY 10011 Tel: 212 366-1197 • Fax: 212 366-1368 I desire to place the following bid(s) toward Kestenbaum & Company Auction Sale Number Twenty Two, Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts: Selections from the Rare Book Room of The Jews’ College Library. London, to be held December 4th, 2003. These bids are made subject to the Conditions of Sale and Advice to Prospective Purchasers printed in the catalogue. I understand that if my bid is successful a premium of 15% will be added to the hammer price. Name: Address:

Telephone Number: Signature: LOT NUMBER FIRST WORD $BID (EXCLUDING PREMIUM)

l IN ORDER TO AVOID DELAYS BUYERS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE THE SALE FOR PAYMENT. IF SUCH ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOT MADE,
CHECKS WILL BE CLEARED BEFORE PURCHASES ARE RELEASED.

l TRADE REFERENCE OR 25% DEPOSIT REQUIRED IF BIDDER IS NOT KNOWN TO KESTENBAUM & COMPANY.

LOT NUMBER

FIRST WORD

$BID (EXCLUDING PREMIUM)

— CONDITIONS OF SALE —
Property is offered for sale by Kestenbaum & Company as agent for the Consignor. By bidding at auction, the buyer agrees to be bound by these conditions of sale. 1. All property is sold “as is,” and any representation or statement in the auction catalogue or elsewhere as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price is a statement of opinion only. All interested parties should exercise their own judgement as to such matters, Kestenbaum & Company shall not bear responsibility for the correctness of such opinions. 2. Notwithstanding the previous condition, property may be returned by the purchaser should such property prove to be defective, incomplete or not genuine (provided such defects are not indicated in the catalogue or at the sale). Written notice of the cause for return must be received by Kestenbaum & Company within fourteen (14) days from the date of the sale of the property, and the property must be returned to Kestenbaum & Company in the same condition as it was at the time of sale. Any lot containing three or more items will be sold “as is” and is not subject to return. 3. The highest bidder acknowledged by the Auctioneer shall be the buyer. The Auctioneer has the right to reject any bid and to advance the bidding at his absolute discretion and, in the event of any dispute between bidders, to determine the successful bidder or to reoffer and resell the article in dispute. Should there be any dispute after the sale, the Auctioneer’s record of final sale shall be conclusive. On the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer, title to the offered lot shall pass to the buyer, who shall forthwith assume full risk and responsibility for the lot and may be required to sign confirmation of purchase, supply his/her name and address and pay the full purchase price or any part thereof. If the buyer fails to comply with any such requirement, the lot may at the Auctioneer’s discretion, be put up again and sold. 4. Kestenbaum & Company reserves the absolute right to withdraw any property at any time before its actual final sale. 5. All lots in this catalogue are subject to a reserve, which is the confidential minimum price acceptable to the Consignor. No reserve will exceed the low presale estimate stated in the catalogue. 6. The purchase price paid by the purchaser shall be the sum of the final bid and a buyer’s premium of 15% of the first $100,000 of the final bid on each lot, and 10% of the final bid price above $100,000, plus all applicable sales tax. 7. All property must be paid for and removed from our premises by the purchaser at his expense not later than ten days following its sale. If not so removed, storage charges may be charged of $5.00 per lot per day. In addition, a late charge of 11⁄2% per month of the total purchase price may be imposed if payment is not made. 8. Kestenbaum & Company accepts no responsibility for errors relating to the execution of commission bids.

— ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS —
1. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to inspect property prior to the sale. We would be pleased to answer all queries and describe items in greater detail. 2. Those unable to attend the sale, Kestenbaum & Company will execute bids on the buyer’s behalf with care and discretion at the lowest possible price as allowed by other bids and any reserves. Commission bids must be received no less than two hours before the auction commences. Successful bidder will be notified and invoiced following the sale. 3. Bidding may also be placed via telephone. The number of telephone bidding lines is limited, therefore all such arrangements must be made 24 hours before the sale commences. 4. In order to avoid delays, buyers are advised to make arrangements before the sale for payment. If such arrangements are not made, checks will be cleared before purchases are released. Invoice details cannot be changed once issued. 5. We have made arrangements with an independent shipping company to provide service. Please inquire should this be required.

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Kestenbaum & Company undertakes Collection Appraisals for insurance, estate tax, charitable and other purposes. Relevant fees will be refunded should items be subsequently consigned for sale.

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We are currently accepting consignments for future auctions. Terms are highly attractive and payment timely. To discuss a consignment, please contact: Daniel E. Kestenbaum Tel: 212 366-1197 • Fax: 212-366-1368

— FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS OF FINE JUDAICA — 2004 SEASON Mid-Winter Sale (With a Strong Concentration on Illustrated Books and Graphic Art): 27th January, 2004 Early Spring Sale (Early Hebrew Printed Books & Manuscripts): 16th March, 2004 Early Summer Sale (Including Judaic Ceremonial Art): 29th June, 2004 Mid Summer Sale Arcade Auction Date to be announced Fall. 2004 Date to be announced
Detailed illustrated Catalogues are available 3-4 weeks prior to each sale and may be purchased individually or at a special subscription rate.

K EST E N B A U M & C O M PA N Y
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Auctioneers of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Fine Art
12 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001 • Tel: 212 366-1197 • Fax: 212 366-1368

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