Piskei Halachot by the Mekubal Rabbi Menachem of Rikanati. Bologna, [1538]. HaShutafim (Partners') printing press. First edition.
The author, Rabbi Menachem ben Binyamin Rikanati (1250-1310), was one of the first mekubalim in Italy. This is his book of halachic rulings. This work was an important source for halachic rulings in following generations and is quoted by many Torah authorities such as the Beit Yosef, the Shach and the Magen Avraham.
Signature in title page in Oriental handwriting: "I have acquired it, with truth faith Rachamim Tzergon ---". And a handwritten poem with the acrostic Rachamim Chazak. On the reverse side of title page a riddle is inscribed in poetic language.
[12], 62 leaves. 18 cm. Fair condition, spotting, restored worm and wear damages, elaborate worn leather binding.

Machzor according to the custom of Rome with Kimcha De’avishona commentary. Contains: Passover Haggadha, Tractate Avot with commentaries of the Rambam of Rabbi Ovadia of Sforno. Parts 1-2 [separate title page for each section]. Bologna, [1540].
Corrections of versions and handwritten glosses. Many Christian censor erasures [most places are legible. Several places have ink erosion]. One pamphlet has a double leaf, one has variations in the censor erasures from the second copy of the same leaf. Added to the end of Volume 2 is a handwritten leaf with a prayer for rain during years of drought.
Among the most important machzorim printed in Italy. First edition of Kimcha De’avishova commentary; comprehensive commentary on the prayers and piyutim, by Rabbi Yochanan son of Rabbi Yosef Trivish [the commentary was printed anonymously; colophon at end of book: “We have found a wise and sagacious person who out of modesty concealed his name in his introduction although it is public knowledge who he is…”.] For further information concerning other copies of this machzor, some with the name of the commentary's author, see the Bibliography Institute CD Listing 0172349.
Complete two-volume copy. [200 + 1 double leaf; 190 + 1 double leaf] leaves. 27-27.5 cm. Varying condition, Volume A – overall fair condition, spotting and wear, few tears. Cutoff margins. First title page with damages and restorations, many worn and restored leaves, with lacking text. Volume B – good condition. New elaborate leather bindings.
The colophon: "It was completed on Erev Succot 1541. Less than twenty Hebrew books were printed in Bologna. This Machzor is one of the last books printed there.

Tashbetz, rulings and customs of the Maharam of Rottenburg. [Cremona, 1556. Printed by Vincenzo Conti]. First edition.
On the last leaf is an ancient handwritten inscription: "Belongs to Isaac Livna called by all Isaac Kalish". Rabbi Isaac Kalish Livna (died 1783), a prominent disciple of Rabbi Yehonatan Eibshitz in Prague. He was involved in the Ya'avetz polemic and his signature appears on the ban from 1751 in the book Luchot HaEdut. In 1741, he was appointed Rabbi of the Stomfai (Stupava) community, and from 1762 he served as Av Beit Din of Teflitz. He established a yeshiva in Teflitz and taught many disciples. Printed in the Nodah Yehuda responsa are two halachic responses addressed to him and the Nodah B'Yehuda called him "My loved one the extraordinary rabbi…" [see attached material].
Another signature on Leaf 42/1 in an earlier handwriting: "Yechizkia ben R' Yoske Meir Ves—".
[3], 55 leaves (lacking title page and two first leaves of indexes. Originally: [6], 55 leaves). 18.5 cm. Good-fair condition, spotting. Restorations to first leaf. Non-original binding.

Responsa by Rabbi Y. Kolon, Cremona, Cheshvan 1557. Vincenzo Conti printing press. Second edition. Title page illustrated with a woodcut depicting The Binding of Isaac.
The title page and the following leaf have two signatures in Italian writing: "Ya'akov Chazak". Another signature in Ashkenazi handwriting: "Asher Anshel L.S." [Lichtenstein].
The Mekubal Rabbi Ya'akov Chazak (1689-1782), Rabbi of Padua. A foremost Italian Rabbi, disciple-companion of the Ramchal. [Rabbi Ya'akov Chazak established the Mevakshei Hashem Yeshiva for the study of kabbalah together with Rabbi Moshe David Wali. They were later joined by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lutzatto who was younger (17 years old). Eventually, they appointed their young disciple to head the yeshiva and all sat before him as disciples and regularly studied Torah under his tutelage]. He was strongly involved in the polemic against the Ramchal's writings. The Chida met him in 1770 and brings many amazing things in his name which he learned from Eliyahu HaNavi and the Maggid from Heaven who revealed themselves to the Ramchal and his associates. The Chida also writes of his great holiness when describing his meeting with "the Rabbi, the Chassid Wonder of our Generation Rabbi Ya'akov Chazak". The Chida considered Rabbi Ya'akov Chazak to be one of the greatest Hassidim of the generation who reached tremendous levels in Torah and deeds. Rabbi Meir Trieste of Padua testified that he heard the Chida say that "Rabbi Ya'akov Chazak is as holy as G-d's angels" and he sought his blessings. (Rabbi S. Girondi, Toldot Gedolei Yisrael V'Ge'onei Italia, page 148). See attached material.
[12], 173 [should be: 172] leaves. 28.5 cm. High-quality paper, good-fair condition, restored worm damage to title page and several leaves. Semi-parchment binding.