Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
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Displaying 145 - 156 of 200
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,800
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Sefer HaGedarim (Book of Definitions), by R. Menachem son of Avraham, called Bonafos Avraham of Perpignan. Salonika: [Solomon and Joseph Yaavetz], 1567. First edition.
An encyclopedic work on philosophy and medicine, ethics and various disciplines, arranged alphabetically. Also called Michlal Yofi, as stated in the author's introduction to the book.
At the beginning of the book is an introduction by R. Yitzchak son of Moshe ibn Arroyo, stating that some of the definitions were authored by R. Shmuel ibn Tibbon, while others were authored by himself (the additions are incorporated in the main text of the book, with the authors' names indicated by their initials).
On leaves [47]-[50] are printed "Chapters on Happiness by the Rambam" (this is the first printing of these chapters attributed to the Rambam).
On the title page, the printers of the Yaavetz family mention their activities in printing the Talmud: "May G-d mercifully grant us life to merit the completion of the printing of all the Talmud…" (very few tractates survived from this printing, and it is unclear whether they indeed succeeded to print the complete Talmud).
Signature on title page: "Shimon Blin[?], 1754".
[50] leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including many dampstains. Small open tears and worming, slightly affecting text. Early binding with leather spine. Damage to binding (tear to top of spine).
CB, no. 6341,1; Zedner, p. 527.
Category
Early Printed Books – Turkey and the East
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Mishneh LaMelech, novellae according to the order of the Rambam, by R. Yehudah Rosanes. Constantinople: Yonah son of Yaakov [Ashkenazi], [1731]. First edition.
First edition of Mishneh LaMelech, printed as a standalone book (it was later included in standard Rambam editions). The book was edited by the author's disciple, R. Yaakov Culi, author of MeAm Loez and a dayan in R. Yehudah Rosanes' Beit Din, who added his own notes and additions.
Copy of R. Chaim Abulafia (the third), Rishon LeTzion and Rabbi of Izmir, author of Nishmat Chaim, with his handwritten glosses. The book later passed into the possession of R. Refael Elazar Nachmias, author of Hon Rav, who also added his own glosses.
At the top of the title page – stamp of R. Chaim son of R. David Abulafia. Many glosses on margins, including lengthy glosses, handwritten by R. Chaim Abulafia.
At the top of the title page, additional ownership inscription handwritten by R. Eliezer Nachmias, attesting that the glosses in the book are handwritten by R. Chaim Abulafia: "I purchased this book from the perfect scholar R. David Vilna for 14 groschen, Elazar Nachmias. And know that the holy writing inside this book is by R. Ch[aim] A[bulafia]". On p. 74b of the last sequence, he writes at the end of a gloss: "…But this is astonishing, as I wrote in a responsum I sent to Trikala in 1749".
In several places in the book appear lengthy glosses handwritten by R. Elazar Nachmias, one signed "Elazar" (p. 45a of third sequence), and some beginning with his name (p. 22b of fourth sequence) or initial (p. 44b of last sequence).
Glosses by several other writers, one signed "Avraham Eli" (p. 89a of third sequence).
Additional signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page: "Yitzchak son of R. Moshe HaLevi" – apparently R. Yitzchak HaLevi, a rabbi in Sofia, where R. Elazar Nachmias also served as dayan for some time; "Purchased by Shem Tov Yarchi"; "Purchased by me in Sofia, Refael…"; When I was in Sofia I purchased this book with the four parts of the Rambam for 72 groschen, Refael…"; "I purchased this book from the perfect scholar R. Shlomo Chason for 63 groschen, 1836, Meir Benveniste".
Inscription on second leaf: "On loan from the lofty scholar Shmuel Don Abravanel".
R. Chaim son of R. David Abulafia (the third; d. 1775), Rabbi of Izmir and leading halachic authority in his times. Nephew of R. Chaim Abulafia, founder of the Jewish settlement in Tiberias. Born in Jerusalem, he studied under R. Yitzchak HaKohen Rappaport, author of Batei Kehunah. At a young age he was appointed dayan in Safed, and ca. 1740 he was appointed rabbi in Larissa, Greece. In 1755, the Larissa community suffered various persecutions, and R. Chaim Abulafia was compelled to leave the city together with some of his community members. He settled in Salonika, where he remained until his appointment as chief rabbi (Chacham Bashi) of Izmir in 1761. R. Chaim was a prominent posek in his times. R. Elyakim Gattegno, a dayan in his Beit Din, attested that he was its leader. Some of his responsa and rulings are recorded in the books of his contemporaries. His comprehensive and important work on the Smag was destroyed in the great fire in Izmir, 1772. A small part of his rulings, sermons and remnants of his book on the Smag were published in his Nishmat Chaim, Salonika, 1806. Additional remnants of his writings were published at the end of Ashdot HaPisgah by his disciple R. Yosef Nachmoli (Salonika, 1790), including some halachic responsa, homilies and commentary on the Passover Haggadah.
R. Refael Elazar Nachmias (d. 1778), head of the Salonika Beit Din. Near the end of his life, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he passed away. His responsa and novellae are printed in his two-part Hon Rav (Salonika, 1777-1784). R. Yosef Nachmoli was his disciple, and his Ashdot HaPisgah (Salonika, 1790) includes several of his halachic rulings (see ibid., Orach Chaim 2, Choshen Mishpat 7-8; R. Yosef Nachmoli was also a disciple of R. Chaim Abulafia; see above).
[3], 2-27; 80; 112; 46; 89 leaves. 31.5 cm. Some leaves browned. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears to title page and other leaves, slightly affecting title frame and text in several places, partially repaired with paper (margins of title page repaired with paper). Glosses on several leaves slightly affected, apparently by trimming of margins. Worming, affecting text. New binding.
Category
Early Printed Books – Turkey and the East
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,400
Estimate: $1,800 - $2,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Chok LeYisrael, daily study in Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim, Mishnah, Gemara and Kabbalah, based on the Arizal's study routine, arranged by R. Yitzchak Baruch. Egypt (Cairo): Avraham son of Moshe Yatom, [1740]. First edition. Two parts in two volumes.
First edition of the famous Chok LeYisrael – a work that circulated widely in Jewish communities, in particular of Sephardi Jews and Chassidim.
On title page: "For regular study every morning in order to fulfill the commandment to fix times for studying Torah, based on what is found in the writings of… R. Chaim Vital following… R. Yitzchak Luria [the Arizal]. Arranged and prepared by… R. Yitzchak Baruch".
All pages framed and divided into two columns.
Two volumes. Volume I: [6], 116, 112 leaves. Volume II: [2], 102, 102, 116 leaves. 20.5-21 cm. Volume I in fair-good condition, volume II in fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Traces of former dampness and many dark stains to second volume. Wear. Tears and open tears (tears to first leaves in second volume), affecting text; several leaves repaired with paper. In volume II, worming affecting text. Inscriptions to several leaves. New bindings.
One of the first Hebrew books printed in Egypt (apart from two books printed by Gershom Soncino in Cairo in 1557, which are particularly rare, this is the first Hebrew book printed in Egypt).
CB, no. 4715,1; Zedner, p. 178; Roest, p. 266.
The Significance and Segulah of Reciting Chok LeYisrael Daily
The custom of reciting passages daily from the Bible, Mishnah, Talmud and Zohar was established by the Arizal, who observed this custom himself. The order printed in Chok LeYisrael is for the most part based on the writings of the Arizal in various places. The Chida added to this regimen daily halachic passages, taken from the Rambam's Mishneh Torah and Shulchan Aruch, as well as passages from ethical books. The Chida's additions are called Yosef LeChok. The purpose of the Chok LeYisrael order of study, as explained in the writings of the Arizal, is both for the perfection and tikkun of the soul, nourishing it through the study of the various parts of the Torah, and for effecting tikkunim and yichudim in the upper spheres.
Many prominent Chassidic leaders, especially the Tzaddikim of the Chernobyl dynasty, spoke in sublime terms of the segulah of the Chok LeYisrael study regimen, and attested that it provides a tikkun for sins in matters of holiness. Rebbe Yisrael Dov of Vilednik writes in his book She'erit Yisrael (Shaar HaShovavim, homily 1) that studying Chok LeYisrael serves as Tikkun HaBrit, "as I received from my master [Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl], that true tikkun is achieved by attaching the Written Law to the Oral Law through Chok LeYisrael… and therefore in these times with the approach of the Messiah, the Yosef LeChok book has been published, authored by the Chida, disciple of R. Chaim ibn Attar, the Or HaChaim, who embodies the lights of both Mashiach ben David and Mashiach ben Yosef, akin to the kabbalistic concept of an all-encompassing Tzaddik capable of effecting a tikkun for the imperfections of the entire Jewish people".
Rebbe Avraham of Trisk, son of Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl, writes: "And following the prayers, one should recite Chok LeYisrael, every single day unfailingly… and through this he causes G-d to be filled with mercy for the Jewish people" (Magen Avraham, 96a).
Great rabbis of previous generations have spoken of great segulot attained by reciting Chok LeYisrael. Some wrote that it is also a segulah for livelihood (the Rebbe of Shinova is said to have based this on the statement of the Talmud, "Chok means sustenance").
R. Yaakov Rokach, in his foreword Maaseh Rokeach to Chok LeYisrael, wrote: "It is a mitzvah for every Jew to buy himself a Chok LeYisrael, to read from it every day…".
Category
Early Printed Books – Turkey and the East
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $9,375
Including buyer's premium
Torat HaOlah, philosophical-kabbalistic explanations of the Temple and sacrifices, by R. Moshe Isserles – the Rama. Prague: Mordechai (son of Gershom) Katz, 1570. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Torat HaOlah is a philosophical-kabbalistic work discussing the Temple and sacrifices. The book is divided into three parts: Part I (titled "Har" – mountain) pertains to the structure of the Temple and its utensils; Part II ("Sadeh" – field) explains the meaning of the sacrifices and the laws of the kohanim in general; and Part III ("Bayit" – house) discusses each sacrifice in detail.
In his preface, the Rama explains that the purposes of his work are to achieve true appreciation of the great benefit gained from the Temple and what we lost with its destruction, and for it to be constantly available to perform sacrifices in thought. The title of the work was chosen by the Rama, who explains that since the Olah offering was brought to atone for improper thoughts, he desires his work to serve as an atonement for his sins, and to help purify his ideas and thoughts, in order that his love and worship of G-d should be more complete (introduction, ibid.).
The book provides a philosophical interpretation of the Temple laws, combined with corresponding kabbalistic concepts, as he writes in his book: "Kabbalah is philosophy, but they speak in different terminologies" (Torat HaOlah 3:4). In one of his responsa, he speaks similarly of the relation between philosophy and kabbalah: "Both are the word of G-d… and are equally good…" (Responsa of the Rama, section 7). In another letter, the Rama writes to a student: "I beg you to buy a copy of Torat HaOlah which I have in Poznań, where you will see amazing things in all facets of the Torah" (Responsa of the Rama, section 121).
The philosophy in this work is greatly influenced by the teachings of the Rambam, who is mentioned in almost every chapter. The structure of the book is also reminiscent of the Rambam's Moreh Nevuchim. He tends toward intellectual investigation in the spirit of the Rambam: "It is better to examine things and to know them by induction and intellectual investigation, and this is human perfection" (3:7); "The wisdom of sages in every generation stands in for ruach hakodesh" (ibid.).
Fine illustrated title frame.
The preface is preceded by a poem in praise of the author, authored by "Monnes". On the final leaf, two poems in praise of the author and the book, by "Shmuel son of Reuven, known as Shmuel Setzer of Frankfurt am Main".
Concluding words by the Rama on leaf 172, with a commentary on Baruch SheAmar.
Ownership inscriptions on title page: "To the Lord belongs the earth and all that is in it, and He gave a gift to His servant, Itzik Grishaber" –
R. Yitzchak Itzik Grishaber-Freund (1741-1822), a disciple of the Noda BiYehudah, and served as rabbi of Paks (Hungary) from 1782. He corresponded on halachic matters with the Chatam Sofer, who highly praised him in his writings. In 1797, he strongly opposed the Reform rabbi Aharon Chorin who permitted eating the non-kosher sturgeon fish. His correspondence on the subject with his contemporary rabbis was printed in his book Makal Noam (Vienna, 1799).
R. Yitzchak Itzik Grishaber-Freund (1741-1822), a disciple of the Noda BiYehudah, and served as rabbi of Paks (Hungary) from 1782. He corresponded on halachic matters with the Chatam Sofer, who highly praised him in his writings. In 1797, he strongly opposed the Reform rabbi Aharon Chorin who permitted eating the non-kosher sturgeon fish. His correspondence on the subject with his contemporary rabbis was printed in his book Makal Noam (Vienna, 1799).
Additional signature on title page: "Moshe Wolf". Signature on second leaf: "Menachem of ---". Stamps on p. 87a and several other leaves: "Avraham son of R. Tzvi". Gloss in early Ashkenazic script on p. 20b.
[6], 173 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains to title page and first leaves. Tears, including marginal open tears to title page and elsewhere, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper (first leaves repaired with large paper strips). Worming. Stamps. New binding.
CB, no. 6483,22; Zedner, p. 576; Roest, p. 849.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $2,500
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Torat HaChatat, laws of issur and heter, as practiced in Poland and Ashkenaz, by R. Moshe Isserles, the Rama. Kraków: Yitzchak Prostitz, 1577. Second edition with supplements by the author.
An early edition of the classic halachic work written by the Rama. The first edition was printed in the author's lifetime in Kraków in 1570. This edition was printed a few years after the Rama's death in 1572 and contains supplements and notations added by the Rama to the first edition copy he possessed, as written on the title page: "Improving on the first ones, printed from the book proofread by R. Moshe Isserles in his handwriting before his passing".
84; 19, [1] leaves. 20 cm. Varying condition; most leaves in good condition, title page and first leaves in fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves, and large open tears to title page, heavily affecting title frame, repaired with paper filling (with photocopy replacement of title frame). Inscriptions. New binding.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $600
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
Derashot (homilies) on the Torah, by R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib. Kraków: Yitzchak son of Aharon Prostitz, 1573-1575. Second edition.
Colophon on last page by the famous proofreader of the Kraków press, R. Shmuel Pihm: "Due to dishonest people I was obliged to pause this holy labor for a year and a half, until… I recovered and returned, began and completed… Shmuel son of R. Yitzchak Pihm… 14th Menachem [Av], 1575, Kraków ".
Signature deleted by ink on title page, and additional inscription: "Let kabbalistic scholars rejoice", in early Ashkenazic script. On the leaves of the book, several inscriptions in early Ashkenazic script (summarized contents of book), and several glosses and inscriptions in later script.
96 leaves. Leaves 66-73 bound after leaf 59. 29.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear to first leaves. Tears, including marginal open tears to title page (tear slightly affecting frame), and tears affecting text of several leaves, repaired with paper. Worming in a few places, slightly affecting text. Several leaves repaired with tape, around margins and on text in several places. Stamps. New binding.
The scholar Shraga Abramson, in his preface to the facsimile edition of this book published in Jerusalem 1969, argues from a comparison between the two editions that the present edition published in Kraków was based on a different manuscript of the work than the Constantinople edition.
One of the first books printed in Kraków in the press of Yitzchak Prostitz established in the city in the second half of the 16th century (following several titles printed by the Helicz family in the first half of the century).
CB, no. 6050,2.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Lot 151 Tolaat Yaakov by Rabbi Meir ibn Gabbai – Kraków, 1581 – Asarah Maamarot V-VI – Hamburg, 1662
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,200
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Tolaat Yaakov, commentary on the prayers according to the methods of "peshat, remez, din and sod", and secrets of the festivals, by kabbalist R. Meir ibn Gabbai. Kraków: Yitzchak Prostitz, 1581. Second edition.
The author, R. Meir ibn Gabbai, was a prominent kabbalist at the time of the Spanish expulsion. He authored other important kabbalistic works, including Avodat HaKodesh and Derech Emunah.
Glosses in early Ashkenazic script (ca. the date of printing). Most glosses trimmed.
CB, no. 6303,7 18; Zedner, p. 519; Roest, p. 779.
Bound with:
The fifth and sixth discourse of Asarah Maamarot by R. Menachem Azariah (Rama) of Fano. Hamburg: [Georg Rebenlin], 1662.
Tolaat Yaakov: 83, [1] leaves. Asarah Maamarot V-VI: [11], 32 pages. 17.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dark stains to title page and first leaves of Tolaat Yaakov, and dampstains. Light wear. Worming, slightly affecting text. Close trimming, slightly affecting frames of title pages of both books. Early leather binding, worn and damaged.
CB, no. 6342, 18; Zedner, p. 530; Roest, p. 794.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $800
Estimate: $1,200 - $1,400
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
Igeret HaTeshuvah by Rabbenu Yonah Gerondi, "which the Rosh instructed to read every week of Rosh Chodesh". Kraków: printer not indicated, [1586]. Second edition.
On verso of title page, interesting preface by the publisher, "so-and-so the prayer leader of the community of a foreign land", who relates "the tremendous dangers" which befell him on his way to Kraków, the printing of this book being a tribute of thanks for his rescue.
This edition contains the "third sermon" which was printed at first under the name "sermon for women" in Sefer HaYirah by Rabbenu Yonah (Salonika, 1529), which henceforth became an integral part and direct continuation of Igeret HaTeshuvah. This edition also contains "Divrei Musar Chachamim" – which is the first section of the ethical will attributed to the Rambam (written to his son R. Avraham), as well as "Derech Tovah" – an ethical book by R. Yosef ibn Tzaddik.
12 leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dark dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears to title page and other leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired with tape. Close trimming, affecting text. New binding.
CB, no. 5859,1; Zedner, p. 326.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,200
Estimate: $2,000 - $2,500
Sold for: $4,250
Including buyer's premium
Mateh Moshe, laws, customs and ethics by R. Moshe of Przemyśl, disciple of the Maharshal. Kraków: Yitzchak son of Aharon of Prostitz, [1591]. First edition, printed in the lifetime of the author.
First edition of important work of halachah and customs, extensively cited by later halachic authorities. The book comprises three parts, corresponding to the "pillars upon which the world stands": Part I contains homilies on the virtue of the Torah (Amud HaTorah), Part II contains laws and customs relating to Orach Chaim (Amud HaAvodah), and Part III contains homilies and halachot relating to Yoreh Deah matters (Amud Gemilut Chasadim).
In his approbation to the second edition of the book, printed in Frankfurt am Main, 1620, R. Shmuel Schotten (Maharsheshach) calls the book "very valuable, as it is based on practicing service of G-d all year long".
The author, R. Moshe Mat of Przemyśl (ca. 1551-1606), was a leading Polish rabbi and disciple of the Maharshal. Rabbi of Belz (Galicia) his hometown Przemyśl, Opatów and Kraków. For further information on the author and his book, see preface to new edition of Mateh Moshe, Zichron Aharon (Jerusalem) 2011, pp. 1-7.
On verso of title page appears a poem in praise of the book by the author's disciple, R. Shabtai Sofer.
Ownership inscription in early Ashkenazic script on title page: "G-d also granted me this, so says the kohen Yaakov son of Moshe Eliezer Yitzchak Tein in Bohe[mia]". Additional ownership inscription of his on p. 128b (apparently to be identified as the R. Yaakov Tein of Prague mentioned with a blessing for the deceased on his wife's gravestone in the Prague cemetery; see: Bondy, Michtevei Sefat Kodesh, Prague 1857, p. 123). Additional inscriptions on back endpaper.
Later inscription on p. 13b in Western script (from Tunisia): "This book was given to me by my close friend R. Yitzchak Zarka to study for the merit of the perfect scholar… R. Yaakov Tayyib…".
213 leaves. Misfoliation. Additional copy of last leaf enclosed, detached and damaged. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming, especially to title page and last leaves, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Tears, including small open tears to title page, affecting text. New binding.
Rare edition.
CB, no. 6416,2; Zedner, p. 566; Cowley, p. 460.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
![Aruch HaKatzur, summary of the Aruch by R. Natan son of Yechiel. Kraków: Yitzchak son of Aharon of Prostitz, [1592]](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale100/154_1.jpg "Aruch HaKatzur – Kraków, 1592 – Signatures and Glosses")
![Aruch HaKatzur, summary of the Aruch by R. Natan son of Yechiel. Kraków: Yitzchak son of Aharon of Prostitz, [1592]](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale100/154_2.jpg "Aruch HaKatzur – Kraków, 1592 – Signatures and Glosses")
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $800
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Sold for: $1,000
Including buyer's premium
Aruch HaKatzur, summary of the Aruch by R. Natan son of Yechiel. Kraków: Yitzchak son of Aharon of Prostitz, [1592]. Second edition.
Many ownership inscriptions and signatures on title page and other leaves, some deleted with ink, including: "Chaim son of Yaakov of ---" and another signature of his on verso of last leaf; "Avraham son of Yosef Ettingen"; "Yehoshua Segal of Bechhofen, 1662", and another ownership inscription of his on verso of last leaf; "Yitzchak son of R. N. Segal Binswangen", and another ownership inscription of his dated 1703 on verso of leaf; additional deleted inscriptions from Binswangen; "Meir Bishitz". Signature on p. 40a: "Meir son of R. Shlomo Bishitz", and on p. 41a: "Meir Bishitz of Prague". On back endpaper: "Belongs to me, Meir Bishitz of the Gantz family on my father's side and Katzenellenbogen family on my mother's side; I purchased it in Vienna, 1802"; "Moshe Yehudah son of Yekutiel of Demb---"; birth inscriptions from the 1760s.
Marginal glosses by an unidentified writer.
36, [47] leaves (misfoliation). 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Marginal tears, and open tears to title page and several other leaves, slightly affecting title frame and text. Worming, affecting text in several places. New binding.
CB, no. 6632,9.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $700
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Tzror HaMor, commentary on the Torah, following the peshat and kabbalistic approaches, by R. Avraham Saba, a Spanish exile. Kraków: Yitzchak son of Aharon Prostitz, 1595.
The author,
R. Avraham Saba (1440-1509), a rabbi, preacher and kabbalist at the time of the Spanish expulsion. Born in Castile, he was a disciple of R. Yitzchak de Leon. After the expulsion, he fled with his community to Guimarães (near Porto, Portugal). During the Portuguese persecutions of Jews in 1497, his two children were kidnapped and forcibly baptized. After he was jailed and tortured in Lisbon, he managed to escape to Fez, leaving his manuscripts behind in Portugal. He eventually reached Adrianople (Edirne), where he settled and rewrote his works. He passed away on a ship on his way to Italy in 1509, and was buried in Verona (his passing on the ship is recounted by the Chida in Shem HaGedolim, citing Divrei Yosef, according to whom R. Avraham Saba promised the captain that if he would be buried in a Jewish cemetery the storm would subside). His other works (most of which remained in manuscript and were lost) include: Eshkol HaKofer on the Books of Esther and Ruth; Tzror HaKesef on the laws of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and idolatry; Tzror HaChaim on Tractate Avot.
R. Avraham Saba (1440-1509), a rabbi, preacher and kabbalist at the time of the Spanish expulsion. Born in Castile, he was a disciple of R. Yitzchak de Leon. After the expulsion, he fled with his community to Guimarães (near Porto, Portugal). During the Portuguese persecutions of Jews in 1497, his two children were kidnapped and forcibly baptized. After he was jailed and tortured in Lisbon, he managed to escape to Fez, leaving his manuscripts behind in Portugal. He eventually reached Adrianople (Edirne), where he settled and rewrote his works. He passed away on a ship on his way to Italy in 1509, and was buried in Verona (his passing on the ship is recounted by the Chida in Shem HaGedolim, citing Divrei Yosef, according to whom R. Avraham Saba promised the captain that if he would be buried in a Jewish cemetery the storm would subside). His other works (most of which remained in manuscript and were lost) include: Eshkol HaKofer on the Books of Esther and Ruth; Tzror HaKesef on the laws of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and idolatry; Tzror HaChaim on Tractate Avot.
Ownership inscriptions and signatures on title page, in early Ashkenazic script. Poetic inscription with the acrostic "Eizek", dated "Wednesday, 28th Adar 1595". Signatures: "Naftali son of Yitzchak HaLevi… Tuesday, 4th Tevet 1628", "Yitzchak son of R. Moshe Naftali HaLevi"; "Avraham son of R. Moshe Naftali HaLevi"; "Aharon son of R. Avraham Moshe"; "Moshe son of R. Yehudah Segal Horowitz"; "Avraham Rintel…".
165, [1] leaves. 30.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. Small marginal tears to title page and several other leaves, partially repaired with paper. Large marginal open tear to top of last leaf, affecting text (the entire upper paragraph at the beginning of the colophon is missing), repaired with paper. New binding.
CB, no. 4301,4; Zedner, p. 33; Roest, p. 46.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium
Sefer HaIkarim, principles of Jewish faith, by R. Yosef Albo. Lublin: Kalonymus son of Mordechai Yaffe, 1597.
On verso of title page, introduction signed by publishers of Venice 1544 edition.
Deleted signatures on title page.
[166] leaves. 17.5 cm. Some browned leaves. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Tears, including open tears affecting text on several leaves, repaired with paper. Close trimming, slightly affecting bottom of title frame and affecting headers of several leaves. New binding.
CB, no. 5882,6.
Category
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Catalogue