Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
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Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, novellae on Tractate Chulin, and novellae on Talmudic passages in Chulin and other tractates, by an unidentified author – a disciple of the Chatam Sofer, including novellae in the name of leading rabbis of his generation: his teacher the Chatam Sofer, R. Baruch Frankel author of Baruch Taam and R. Mordechai (Maharam) Benet. [Central Europe, ca. 1834-1839]. Written during the lifetime of the Chatam Sofer (who is mentioned with a blessing for the living).
Neat Ashkenazic cursive script, with initial words in square script. Some novellae in the manuscript are the disciple's own ideas, while others are derived from written and oral novellae of his teacher R. Moshe Sofer, Rabbi of Pressburg, the Chatam Sofer; novellae of R. Baruch Teomim-Frankel, Rabbi of Leipnik (Lipník nad Bečvou), author of Baruch Taam; and novellae of R. Mordechai (Maharam) Benet, Rabbi of Nikolsburg (Mikulov).
The author appears to have been a disciple of the Chatam Sofer, as he mentions him several times with the honorific "my master, teacher and rabbi", and cites his oral teachings (see below).
Apparently, most of the novellae in the present manuscript have not been printed, but most of the novellae of the Chatam Sofer cited in the manuscript have already been printed in his books, apart for a few ideas which we did not find (questions and answers in the name of his teacher on leaf 43, and an answer cited from "the great Gaon, phenomenon of the generation, R. Moshe the Rabbi of the community…" on p. 53b).
The manuscript contains:
· Leaves 1-15: The author's novellae on Tractate Chulin ("We will begin to write on Tractate Chulin"). On p. 15a, he mentions his teacher the Chatam Sofer as having had the same idea as him, and immediately afterwards records a question he heard from the Chatam Sofer in the name of another Torah scholar.
· Leaves 16-21a: Novellae on the Talmudic passage of "slaughtering on Shabbat" (Chulin 14) by the Baruch Taam – "What was expounded by the famous illuminator of the diaspora, R. Baruch Frankel, Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Leipnik, on the passage of slaughtering on Shabbat…".
· Leaves 21b-33: Novellae on the Talmud passage of "the crouching animal" (Chulin 40-41), parts of which appear to be the writer's own novellae, while others are copies of those of his teacher the Chatam Sofer. Title on p. 21b: "What G-d granted me regarding the topic of the crouching animal on Chulin leaf 41"; title on p. 23a: "Copy of the novellae of my master, teacher and rabbi on the end of the second chapter of Chulin on the topic of the crouching animal". One of the titles on the following pages: "Treatise on the crouching animal by my master, teacher and rabbi… Rabbi of Pressburg" (p. 31a) – these novellae appear in Chidushei Chatam Sofer on Chulin (19-22, dated 1834).
· Leaves 34-36: Copying of novellae by his teacher the Chatam Sofer "on the topic of the eagle" (Chulin 63b): "Copying from my master teacher and rabbi on halachah on Tosafot on the topic of the eagle, in the chapter Elu Terefot, in 1831" – printed in Responsa Chatam Sofer, Yoreh Deah 74.
· Leaves 37-49: Novellae on various Talmudic passages (by the writer), in Tractates Chulin, Pesachim, Bava Batra, Temurah, Berachot and Bava Metzia.
· Leaf 50a: Novellae on Pesachim in the name of "the head of the Beit Din of the Nikolsburg community and the country, R. Mordechai Benet".
· Leaves 50b-57: Commentary on the Passover Haggadah and novellae on various topics: "Whether mitzvot require intention"; "the double condition" (Gittin 75), preparing for Shabbat (Beitzah 10), "betrothal gifts"; and a sermon for Sukkot (in Yiddish and Hebrew), comparing the four species to four periods in a person's life.
Notebook containing 57 leaves written on both sides, and many blank leaves. 23.5 cm. Bluish paper. Fair-good condition. Few stains. Worming in many places, slightly affecting text. New binding.
The manuscript is dated to ca. 1834-1839 since the writer mentions the Chatam Sofer (d. 1839) with a blessing for the living and Maharam Benet (d. 1829) with a blessing for the deceased. Additionally, he copies parts of the novellae of the Chatam Sofer on Chulin which were written in 1834.
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Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter (10 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Shaul HaLevi Nathansohn, Rabbi of Lviv and the region. Lviv, Friday of Parashat Shemot [January] 1868.
Continuation of another responsum regarding shaatnez in clothing and identification of the linen forbidden to be worn with wool. Written on the back of a lengthy letter (2 large pages) he had received from R. Shmuel Rosenblatt of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi), to whom the responsum was sent.
R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn, in a previous letter, had said that other Torah scholars should be consulted, since people would be unwilling to accept an innovative stringent ruling. R. Shmuel Rosenblatt writes that he asked the Rabbi of Czernowitz for his opinion, which he provided in a lengthy responsum opposing R. Nathansohn's ruling, provoking a halachic debate in Czernowitz. He asks for R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn's conclusive ruling, and he also asks, in the name of the Rabbi of Czernowitz, for the enclosed letter to be sent back, "in order to send it to a great Torah scholar…".
The Shoel UMeshiv answers with an acknowledgement of receipt of the letters, and a criticism of the Rabbi of Czernowitz for dismissing his view without answering his proofs. He states that he enclosed the letter as requested, and apologizes for writing briefly, signing his name: "Yosef Shaul HaLevi Nathansohn, Rabbi of Lviv and the region". After the signature, he adds several more lines: "I again looked at what the Rabbi wrote…".
The present responsum has not been published, but a responsum written by R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn is printed in Shoel UMeshiv, Mahadura Kama, Part III (apparently printed ca. 1868-1869; see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, entry 000152914), addressed to R. Shmuel Rosenblatt, on the present subject, the identification of the forbidden linen as cannabis or flax.
The first part of the printed responsum appears to have been written before the present correspondence, but its latter part was written after the present letters, since he writes that he retracts his opinion forbidding it and rules that it is permitted: "I now retract my opinion, and in my opinion even if we agree that the cannabis called hemp is a species of linen, it is still not forbidden with wool… Since the linen is called cannabis, it is a byname… And thank G-d, I merited to support the common custom to permit hemp cannabis, which in accordance with what I had said above would appear to be forbidden, but according to what I say now are totally permissible…".
R. Shmuel Rosenblatt of Czernowitz did not retract his opinion forbidding the species of hemp in question, and in 1870 he published a booklet in Czernowitz, She'iltot DiShmuel, with claims on a few matters, including his protest mentioned here, identifying cannabis as the forbidden species in shaatnez mixtures. He mentions the responsum R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn had sent to him: "…agreeing with my above opinion [that it is forbidden], and I also saw it printed in his book called Shoel UMeshiv… in section 154, a complete copying of what was written to me; however, afterwards he wrote 'I retract my opinion'… and in response I wrote to him that the opposite is true…". He goes on at length to claim that the confusion in the names of this species is due to the Satan, "who incited all the nations" to call this species by other names.
Interestingly, in 1872, the Shoel Umeshiv wrote at the end of his approbation to Shev Shemateta a sharp attack on R. Shmuel Rosenblatt's She'iltot DiShmuel: "I hereby make known that one agitator from Czernowitz printed some leaves called She'iltot DiShmuel, full of folly, nonsense and heresy against the words of our Sages. Therefore, let our fellow Jews know not to believe in this author's folly and nonsense…" (see enclosed material).
[1] double leaf (containing: 2 pages handwritten by R. Shmuel Rosenblatt, and a quarter page handwritten by R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn). 34 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and folding marks. Tears to margins and folds.
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Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
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![Lengthy letter (over three pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Yoel Tzvi Roth". [Khust?], Monday of Parashat Balak](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale100/63_1.jpg "Halachic Responsum – Rabbi Yoel Tzvi Roth, Author of Beit HaYotzer (Di")
![Lengthy letter (over three pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Yoel Tzvi Roth". [Khust?], Monday of Parashat Balak](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale100/63_2.jpg "Halachic Responsum – Rabbi Yoel Tzvi Roth, Author of Beit HaYotzer (Di")
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $3,000
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy letter (over three pages) handwritten and signed by R. "Yoel Tzvi Roth". [Khust?], Monday of Parashat Balak [1869].
Halachic responsum sent to his son R. Moshe Shimon Roth (later Rabbi of Gyüre), discussing the topics of yein nesech and workers' wages. At the end of the second page, he concludes the letter with blessings: "May G-d fulfill all your wishes for the good, and may you study, teach, observe and perform in satisfaction and comfort, and may you see children and grandchildren performing the Torah and mitzvot for its own sake… Yoel Tzvi Roth". After the signature are family greetings. On the next pages is an addition (about a page and a half), beginning: "All the above I wrote hastily last night, but this morning I saw that there is still reason to doubt…".
R. Yoel Tzvi Roth (1820-1891), author of Beit HaYotzer. A leading Chassidic rabbi in Hungary, and yeshiva dean who taught many of Hungary's leading Torah scholars. In his youth, he studied in the yeshiva of his teacher R. Meir Ash, Rabbi of Ungvár (Uzhhorod; d. 1852). He was the son-in-law of R. Yaakov Gottlieb, Rabbi of Khust (d. 1860), disciple of the Chatam Sofer. He was close to the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and his son the Divrei Yechezkel of Shinova. He also frequented the courts of other rebbes – the Yismach Moshe of Ujhel, R. Tzvi Hirsh of Liska and R. Shalom of Belz. He served from 1882 as rabbi of Berettyóújfalu, and in 1884, he returned to Khust to serve as rabbi and dean of the yeshiva, succeeding the Maharam Schick and R. Amram Blum (after the passing of Maharam Schick in 1879, R. Amram Blum author of Beit She'arim took his place, until he left the city two years later). After the passing of R. Yoel Tzvi, he was succeeded by R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem, who served as rabbi of Khust in 1893-1910.
[1] double leaf (approx. 3.5 written pages). 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, creases and folding marks.
To the best of our knowledge, this letter has not been published.
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Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
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Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $500
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Lithographically-printed leaf: letter signed by the Netziv of Volozhin, R. Shmuel Mohilever Rabbi of Bialystok and R. Mordechai Eliasberg Rabbi of Bauska, a fundraising appeal for Chovevei Tzion on Erev Yom Kippur 1887, on behalf of the settlers in the colonies in Eretz Israel. [Vilna, Summer 1887].
Circular letter sent to various rabbis (the present letter was sent to the Rabbi of Dzyarechyn), calling to "take part in the enormous mitzvah of supporting colonies established in Eretz Israel. Therefore, please arrange to announce for everyone in your city to give a voluntary donation on the upcoming Erev Yom Kippur on behalf of those colonies…". In addition, the signatories ask the recipient to hang a notice on the walls of the local synagogue (this notice, which was enclosed with the letter, was also printed in HaMelitz, Elul 1887; see enclosed material). The rabbis also request to highlight the importance of the fundraising in the Shabbat Shuvah sermon: "It is quite right for each of the rabbis to expound on the importance of this elevated idea, and to encourage them to express generosity…".
On this fundraising appeal, see the letters of R. Shmuel Mohilever sent to the Netziv (Sefer Shmuel, Jerusalem, 1923, pp. 73-81, "Igrot Tzion"). In a letter dated 28th Tishrei 1887, R. Mohilever writes to the Netziv: "I have come to know… that with G-d's help, our words bore fruit, and almost all of the towns set out collection bowls on Erev Yom Kippur". In another of R. Mohilever's letters, dated 23rd Cheshvan 1887, he writes to the Netziv of his suspicions that the Chovevei Tzion in Liepāja forged his signature, making some change in the (present) letter: "…I know that many letters were sent here and that the local Chovevei Tzion sent to the surrounding areas, but I did not read them… But I thought that those letters were a copy of the letter we wrote when we were together in Vilna, which the three of us signed, when you were with me and with the Rabbi of Bauska together in my lodging. The original letter is undoubtedly still held by the Chovevei Tzion in Liepāja, please ask them for the original letter and see if it is identical with the lithograph copies that were sent…".
R. Mordechai Eliasberg's biography at the beginning of Shevil HaZahav (Warsaw, 1897, p. XXXII) describes his participation in the gathering with the Netziv and R. Shmuel Mohilever at the house of R. Shmuel Yosef Fuenn in Vilna.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, folds and tears. Tape repairs, affecting text in center of leaf. Marginal open tear, slightly affecting text. Stamp. Inscription.
The present letter was published, with minor errors, by Droyanov, Ketavim LeToldot Chibat Tzion, Odessa, 1919, Part I, pp. 296-297, letter 650 (based on the lithograph in the Ussishkin archive).
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Manuscripts and Letters – Prominent Torah Scholars
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Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $16,250
Including buyer's premium
Parchment manuscript, Memorbuch (memorial book) of the Ràppschwihr (Ribeauvillé, Alsace) community, [1731-1867].
Ashkenazic square and cursive scripts, on parchment leaves. Some initial words in red ink, and some decorated.
Illustrated title page. Written within the illustration: "Memorbuch, i.e. memorial for the souls of the righteous and pure… donated by the lofty chief, officer and community leader… R. Meir son of community leader R. Yekel Weil, to the synagogue here in Ràppschwihr in the year 1731".
On p. 19a, colophon of original manuscript (before the later additions): "Memorbuch is completed, 22nd Cheshvan 1731, by the scribe Meir, Torah scribe, prayer leader and official here in Ràppschwihr".
On verso of second leaf, inscription by the scribe "Meir Netter", dated 1853, stating that he went over the manuscript and retraced the letters.
Memorbuchs were commonly used in Ashkenazi communities to commemorate the deceased members of the community in the yizkor prayers on Shabbat. They included the text of the prayers recited between the Torah reading and musaf, with the addition of special lists memorializing the leading German Torah scholars and the many Jews martyred in the numerous massacres suffered in Ashkenazi lands over the generations, as well as lists memorializing the rabbis of the local community.
The present manuscript includes: Yizkor memorial service for early rabbis of Germany and France (leaf 2), yizkor for rabbis and residents of Ràppschwihr, in various hands, until the 1840s (leaves 3-4, 8-10, 19-20); yizkor for martyrs of communities and yeshivas killed and burned "for the unity of G-d's name" (leaves 5-7; contains names of many yeshiva deans); texts of prayers recited on the bimah, including prayers for the government (see below), blessings over the Megillah for Purim and order of blowing the shofar for Rosh Hashanah; high holiday prayer for the prayer leader and order of changing a name.
Many of the deceased are from the famous Weil family. Some of the deceased were martyred; for example, on p. 3b: "The martyr R. Refael son of Yitzchak HaLevi… who sacrificed his life to sanctify G-d's name and was burned alive and suffered harsh affliction and torture… burned in Metz, 25th Shevat 1670".
There existed a Jewish community in medieval Ràppschwihr (Ribeauvillé). The modern history of the Ràppschwihr community begins in the 17th century, and it was the residence of the provincial rabbi from the early 18th century. The rabbis who lived there, who are mentioned in the present manuscript, are: R. Yaakov son of R. Yitzchak HaKohen (d. 1722), R. Shmuel Zanvil Weil (mechutan of R. Yaakov Reischer, the Shevut Yaakov; served from 1711 until his passing in 1753), R. Meshulam Zissel Enosh of Frankfurt am Main (served from 1753 until his passing in 1787), R. Naftali son of R. Yishai (d. 1817), R. Shmuel Blum (d. 1820) and R. Eliezer Lipman Mayer (the first to approve of machine matzot, invented by his fellow townsman R. Itzik Singer in 1838; served from ca. 1820 until his passing in 1849). R. Shlomo Ze'ev (Wolf) Klein, Rabbi of Colmar and the Upper Rhine (d. 1868) is also mentioned.
The list of German and French rabbis includes: the Maharam of Rottenburg; Rabbeinu Peretz. Rabbeinu Gershon[!] Meor HaGolah; R. Shimon son of R. Yitzchak (R. Shimon HaGadol); Rashi; Rabbeinu Tam, Rashbam and Rivam; Maharil; R. Yisrael author of Terumat HaDeshen; Rabbeinu Chananel; Rivan; Ri HaZaken; R. Shimshon (Rash) of Sens and his brother the Ritzba; and others.
The prayer for the government in the original manuscript is HaNoten Teshuah LaMelachim (p. 13b; the names of the king and his family are deleted). Another version which was adopted in France was added later, beginning "Elohim Chaim Melech Olam" (on which see: HaMaayan, XXXII, pp. 54-55). This formula appears twice in the present manuscript (on p. 19b, with the title: "Prayer for our master the Emperor", and on p. 21a; the names in these prayers are also deleted).
Inscription on binding: "Martyrologe" (record of martyrs; French). The double leaf 10-11 was added at a later date, and is made from a different parchment.
[1], 21 leaves (parchment). 25.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Several tears. Original leather binding, damaged, partially detached.
Category
French Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $12,000 - $20,000
Sold for: $15,000
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, machzor for three festivals and fast days, according to the rite of the communities of Carpentras and southern France. [Provence, latter half of 16th century].
Sephardic (Provençal) semi-cursive script, vocalized. Decorations above headers on several page.
Contains piyyutim for the three festivals and the fast days, without the regular prayers. Contains Hoshanot and the order for Simchat Torah night, as well as Azharot for Shavuot – Shemor Libi Maaneh by R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran (Rashbatz), and LeMinchat HaErev for both days of Shavuot, by "Mestre Petit de Nyons", i.e. R. Yitzchak son of R. Mordechai Kimchi; LeIsh Musar Ani Mivtzar – Yoshev Naaneh Shir Chadash Aneh; and Lu Yesayaacha El VeYagiacha – Ani Pi Melech Shemor. Melodies are noted at the beginning of some piyyutim.
Endpapers and several pages contain a later copying of piyyutim and ownership inscriptions, including: "Yehudah David Vidal" (a Carpentras-rite siddur for Rosh Hashanah written in 1719, "made for my relative R. Yehudah David Vidal son of Azriel Vidal…", is found in JTS Ms. 3307); "Joseph de la Vogue" (or Yosef Cremieux), of Carpentras.
[182] leaves (including several blank pages). 19 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Browning of paper. Open tears from ink erosion to several leaves, affecting text. New leather binding.
One of the earliest known manuscripts attesting to this rite. Most known manuscripts are dated to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Watermarks on paper resemble Briquet index no. 4417, dated 1565; and no. 4418, dated 1589 (see enclosed material).
Category
French Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $10,625
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Yom Kippur machzor, according to the rite of the communities of Carpentras and southern France. Venasque, France, 1653.
Large-format volume. Sephardic semi-cursive (Provençal) script, vocalized; handwritten by scribe R. Eliyahu Dalpuget.
Title page at beginning of manuscript: "Order of Yom Kippur according to the custom of the community of Carpentras".
The machzor contains piyyutim according to the customs of the communities of southern France, with the text of the main prayers. Marginal commentary to some piyyutim, in another hand.
Colophon at end of machzor (leaf 264): "…Order of Yom Kippur completed here in Venasque, by me… Eliyahu Dalpuget, today, 13th of Elul 1653…" (his signature appears twice more there).
The scribe, Eliyahu Dalpuget, copied many Carpentras-rite machzorim between 1645-1664, found in libraries around the world.
On leaf following colophon, the scribe copied a historical document dated 1596 relating to the recitation of piyyutim, containing a "communal agreement" of Carpentras not to recite piyyutim in the festival and high holiday Amidah prayer or in the blessings of the Shema, "but permission is granted to recite all piyyutim after the Amidah…". The reason given is that "it appeared to us, in consultation with our local Torah scholars and R. Avraham Tzahalon, a sage of Safed, that the early custom contradicted the law…". This decision was made in Adar II 1596, and it is signed by the community leaders as well as the emissary from Safed: "Avraham Tzahalon, Shmuel Dalpuget Barur, Yisrael de Monteux Barur, David Vidal, David Karmi, Crescas Bendig". The scribe of the present machzor confirms with his own signature: "Copied word for word by the undersigned, today, 13th Elul 1653… Eliyahu Dalpuget". Further down on the leaf, the scribe copies another, later decision, dated 1618: "The community agreed to recite Pitum HaKetoret twice daily, morning and afternoon, both on Shabbat, holidays, and the preceding days, as well as on weekdays, whereas it was previously the custom to recite it only on weekdays. And it was agreed to annul the previous custom in consultation with our local Torah scholars, R. Shaul Kaspi and R. Shlomo Ezovi, since they saw the virtue of Pitum HaKetoret in many places…". The agreement is signed by: "Moshe Leon Barur, Yosef de Monteux Barur, Yeshayah de Basilea, Yaakov de Lunel, Yechezkel de Digne, Yisrael d'Agde, Eliyahu Shmuel, Crescas Karmi, Yosef de Monteux, Shmuel Alfadari". This copying is also signed for confirmation by the scribe Eliyahu Dalpuget (on Yosef de Montel [de Monteux], see: Henri Gross, Gallia Judaica, Paris, 1897, p. 322; on R. Shlomo Ezovi, see: ibid., p. 611).
On back endpaper appears an inscription (in another hand) of names of community members and their place in the synagogue (the locations are given relative to the Torah ark).
Additional inscriptions on title page and colophon, including: "Immanuel de Meyrargues son of Yitzchak Chaim…", "I the writer Yitzchak Chaim de Meyrargues", "Yaakov de Roquemartine".
Censorship expuragtions to one leaf. On colophon leaf, signature of censor dated 1687.
[267] leaves. 27 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including large dampstains, with faded ink in several places. Few tears. Detached or loose gatherings. Original leather binding, with tears and damage.
Category
French Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Seder HaTamid, "siddur according to the rite of the four communities", Part I with weekday, Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim and other prayers, and Part II with Shabbat and festival prayers, Pirkei Avot, songs and piyyutim, edited by R. Eliyahu Karmi. Avignon: printer not indicated, 1767. Two volumes.
Siddur according to rite of four communities in the Venaissin region in southern France: Carpentras, Avignon, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon.
In the first volume, gilt inscriptions of owner's name on both sides of binding. On front of binding: "Meyr—" (rest deleted); on back side: "David De".
At beginning of first volume, approbations of Carpentras rabbis.
Two volumes. Volume I: [3], 136, 136-143, [10]; 6 leaves. Leaves 57-60 bound after leaf 52. Volume II: [1], 104, 106-228; 33, [1] leaves. Misfoliation. Approx. 19 cm. Gilt edges to first volume, and colorful edges to second volume. Good condition. Stains (somewhat dark stains to margins of some leaves of second volume). Close trimming, slightly affecting title frame of second volume. Original leather bindings (non-uniform), with gilt decorations. Wear and damage to bindings.
Zedner, p. 456; Roest, p. 724.
Category
French Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Set of Machzorim for high holidays. Part I: Seder Ashmurot, selichot for Elul and ten days of repentance, "according to the rite of the Carpentras, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon rite"; Part II, Rosh Hashanah service; and Part III, Yom Kippur service, "according to the Avignon rite", edited by R. Avraham Montel. Amsterdam: Hertz Levi Rofe and his son-in-law Kashman, 1763-1766.
Three volumes in original leather bindings (non-uniform).
Gilt inscriptions on both sides of second volume: "Eliezer De Carcassonne" [Eliezer of Carcassonne, southern France].
Gilt inscription on front of third volume: "Israel Ravail".
Handwritten prayer mounted on endpaper of Rosh Hashanah volume.
Signature on title page of second volume: "Joseph Vallabrègue".
Inscription on endpaper of first volume: "Yosef son of Pinchas".
In some copies of Seder Ashmurot, including the present copy, the title page reads "according to the rite of the Carpentras, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon" instead of "according to the Avignon rite"; apart from this, the two editions are entirely identical (on the differences between the selichot rites of Carpentras and Avignon, see: Zunz, Rites of Synagogue Liturgy, Breuer-Fraenkel Hebrew translation, Jerusalem, 2016, pp. 137-138, 291-294).
The Carpentras prayer and piyyut rites are unique to the southeast French community. Its text was copied in manuscript machzorim for community members until the local scribes were unable to meet the demand. At that point a young local Torah scholar named R. Avraham son of Shmuel de Monteux (Montel) began to print the unique Carpentras prayer rite.
On the background to the publication and the work of the publisher Avraham son of Shmuel de Monteux (here called Montel), see: Sh. Schwartzfuchs, Documents on the Printing of "Mahzor Karpentrats", Alei Sefer, 6-7, 1979, pp. 145-147 (Hebrew).
Three volumes. Volume I (Selichot): [1], 82 leaves. Leaves 81-82 appear twice. Volume II (Rosh Hashanah): 60, 65-68 leaves. Volume III (Yom Kippur): 89 leaves. 24-25.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Original leather bindings (non-uniform). Wear and damage to bindings (tears to spines and corners).
Before title page of first volume is bound [1] additional leaf not mentioned in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, with approbations of Carpentras rabbis, identical to those appearing in the other two volumes.
Zedner, p. 456; C. Roth, The Liturgy of Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin, in: Journal of Jewish Bibliography (1939), pages 102-103.
Category
French Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
Ho'il Moshe Be'er, by R. Moshe Karmi (Crémieu), supercommentary on Ibn Ezra's commentary on the Torah, Part IV – Bamidbar. Aix (Aix-en-Provence, southern France): [Augustin] Pontier, 1836.
Ho'il Moshe Be'er is a thirteen-part work, in two series: the first series, in six parts, is a commentary to the year-round prayers according to the rite of the communities of the Carpentras region (Carpentras, Cavaillon, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Avignon). The second series, in seven parts, comprises a supercommentary to Ibn Ezra's commentary on the Torah, the Five Megillot and the books of Mishlei and Iyov. Five additional parts, reserved for commentaries on other works by the Ibn Ezra, were never printed, due to the passing of the author in 1837, and the manuscript has evidently been lost. The present volume, with the supercommentary to Bamidbar, is the fourth of the seven printed volumes of commentary to the Ibn Ezra.
The series is held to have been printed in twenty-five copies only, which may have been intended to be distributed to the close friends of the author, which would explain the extreme rarity of these volumes.
The author, R. Moshe Karmi (Crémieu; 1766-1837), born in Carpentras, a Torah scholar who dealt in biblical commentary and early piyyut. He presumably held an important private library in his home, comprising rare manuscripts and printed books. His father, R. Shlomo Chaim, authored a supercommentary to Rashi on the Torah named Cheshek Shlomo, and R. Moshe frequently quotes Torah insights in his name. His father-in-law and uncle, R. Mordechai Karmi, authored Maamar Mordechai and Divrei Mordechai. In 1790, R. Moshe, his father and father-in-law left Carpentras for Aix.
See: N. Ben-Menachem, BeShaarei Sefer, Jerusalem, 1967, pp. 164-172, for a detailed description of the various parts of this work, and other details regarding this work and its author.
[2], 132, [4] leaves. 18.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains. New binding.
One of the only Hebrew books ever printed in Aix.
The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book and the NLI catalogue list only [3] leaves at the end of the Bamidbar volume, while this copy features [4] leaves at the end.
Zedner, p. 193.
Category
French Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $30,000
Including buyer's premium
Tehillim, "with roots in margins". Leipzig: Melchior Lotter by Anton Margaritha, 1533.
Vocalized, with roots of words in the margins.
Four additional leaves are bound at the end of the present copy, with a Hebrew translation of several verses from the Gospel of Matthew. Some copies were bound originally without these leaves, possibly because they were intended for sale to Jews (see Kedem Catalogue 53, Lot 11).
Colophon on last leaf (Hebrew with Latin translation below): "…here in the capital city of Leipzig, in the press of Melchior Lotter by Anton Margaritha of Jewish stalk".
[120] leaves. 15.5 cm. Fine margins. Good condition. Light stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Handwritten inscription on title page. Fine new leather binding, with light damage.
The first Hebrew book printed in Leipzig. Listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book based on the copy of the Schocken library. That copy is listed as having [80] leaves, whereas the copy offered here has [120] leaves.
CB, no. 73.
Category
Bible and Tehillim
Catalogue
Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Jan 21, 2025
Opening: $20,000
Estimate: $25,000 - $50,000
Sold for: $93,750
Including buyer's premium
Five Books of the Torah, with five Megilot and year-round Haftarot according to the Ashkenazic custom, in Yiddish translation. Konstanz (Germany): [Paul Fagius], 1544. First printed translation of the Torah and five Megilot into Yiddish.
Fine, complete copy in elaborate early leather binding, decorated with clasps.
The present book is the first printing of a Yiddish translation of the Torah and five Megilot. Another edition of the Torah in Yiddish translation was published in Augsburg the same year (June 1544), but the present edition was printed several months earlier (evidently in March 1544; see Rosenfeld's article, below).
Most of the text is printed in Yiddish, in semi-cursive Ashkenazic script (later known as Tzenah URenah script, after its common use in printings of that book). Initial panels, titles and Hebrew words in main text printed in square Ashkenazic script.
Title page printed in Hebrew, followed by a Yiddish introduction spanning several leaves. The introduction begins with an explanation of the need for and importance of a Yiddish translation of the Torah, followed by basic explanations of Hebrew grammar. The introduction adds that the book was primarily intended for women and girls who spent their time reading worthless books.
Hebrew and Yiddish explanations on margins.
Divisional title page for five Megilot.
Some copies of this edition were intended for a Christian audience, with a title page and introduction printed in German (as opposed to the present edition, which was intended for a Jewish audience, the introduction of the edition for Christians was signed in print by Fagius).
Some attributed this translation to R. Eliyahu Bachur, who worked for Fagius in the years leading up to this printing in his Isny press, where some of his books were printed. This attribution is given already in Siftei Yeshenim by R. Shabtai Bass, followed by other bibliographers. However, according to Morris Faierstein (cited below), R. Eliyahu Bachur did not follow Fagius when he moved from Isny to Konstanz in 1543, instead returning to Venice, and did not take part in the present work. Nevertheless, R. Eliyahu Bachur notably printed several books in Yiddish, including a Yiddish translation of Tehillim (Venice, 1545), approximately a year after the printing of the present book.
Inscriptions on title page and last leaf, some test scrawls and some in Yiddish.
Complete copy. [304] leaves. Misfoliation of leaves [2]-[3]. 19.5 cm. Decorated gilt edges. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains to several leaves. Inner margins of title page and several other leaves repaired with paper. Close trimming, slightly affecting marginal notes in several places. Early gilt-decorated leather binding, with clasps (one clasp detached). Damage to binding.
Very few books in Hebrew type were printed in Konstanz.
Complete copy of an especially rare edition. One complete copy is known to exist in the Bodleian collection. The British Library contains a copy missing the title page (see: Zedner Catalogue, reference below). The copy appearing in the NLI catalogue is missing the first four leaves and four more leaves in the middle.
Reference:
· A.M. Haberman, HaMadpis Paulus Fagius VeSifrei Beit Defuso, in: Perakim BeToldot HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, Jerusalem, 1978, pp. 149-166, no. 17.
· Morris M. Faierstein, Paulus Fagius and the first published Yiddish translation of the "Humash" – Constance, 1544, Judaica: Beiträge zum Verstehen des Judentums, 73, 1, 2017, p. 1-35.
· Moshe N. Rosenfeld, The Origins of Yiddish Printing, in: Dovid Katz (ed.), Origins of the Yiddish Language, vol. 10, Winter Studies in Yiddish, vol. 1, Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1987, pp. 111-126, no. 13.
CB, no. 1187; Zedner, p. 107.
Category
Bible and Tehillim
Catalogue