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.

Ruach Chen with a commentary, "Authored by that wise man… Yehuda ibn Tibbon". Cremona, 1566. Vincenzo Conti printing press.
Introductions and guidelines for the philosophers' writings, explanation of terms used in Moreh Nevuchim and a commentary on the words of the author. This work is attributed to various sages among which are Rabbi Yehuda ibn Tibbon (as written on the title page of this edition) and his son Rabbi Shmuel ibn Tibbon, Rabbi Zerachya HaLevi Kazani and Rabbi Anatoly ben R' Yosef.
(Faded) Owners' inscriptions on title page: "I bought this from my money to honor my Creator, Moshe –Hilonburg?". "This book –Moshe Lider Mibad—". Several leaves have handwritten glosses from the time of printing. Late owner's stamp: "Mordechai Yakobovitz".
20 leaves, 19 cm. Fair condition. Many tears to first leaves, professionally restored. Damages to the text of the poem and to the first leaves. Restored title page. Minor worm damages. New leather binding, elaborate.

Sefer Be’er Moshe, explanation of the words and commentary on the Pentateuch and five Megillot, by Rabbi Moshe Shertlan Segal. Prague, 1604. First edition. Moshe son of Rabbi [Yosef] Betzalel Katz printing press.
Bound with Sefer Lekach Tov, commentary of words and verbs on the Nevi’im and Ketuvim. By Rabbi Moshe Shertlan Segal. Prague, 1604. First edition. Printing press of Rabbi [Yosef] Betzalel Katz. (After Tehillim: “Replies written by the Radak to the Christians on some of the Psalms as well as questions [!] which he wrote about them”).
Commentator-based Yiddish-Deutsch [Jewish-German in Tzena U’Rena letters]: “… I shall compile [the commentaries by] the Ra’ava and the Radak and the remaining commentators and I shall condense their teachings into a simpler language spoken in Ashkenaz. And occasionally [I shall insert] insights of my own… Moshe son of Yissachar HaLevi (also known as Moshe Shertl… Segal)”
Ownership signatures in early Ashkenazi writings: “Eliezer HaCohen”, “Wolf Levi”. “Rabbi Leib Schwartzshield”. Notation at end of Sefer Melachim: “I have inherited this book from my righteous uncle, Rabbi Wolf Tarich Katz, stated by Shimon known as Wolf Levi”.
[104] leaves; [284] leaves. 19.5 cm. Dark paper. Good condition, stains. Elegant half-leather binding.