Remnants of an ancient manuscript removed from the "binding Geniza". A poem of ethics in Ladino. [Semi-cursive Sephardi writing, 15th / 16th century].
A long poem in Ladino. Two columns per page, outlined with red ink. Watermarks, Briquette 3452 (1494).
Two leaves (approximately 21 cm.) and three leaf fragments. Varying conditions of damages caused by the binding process, tears and worm damages, stains and other damages.

Manuscript, Sefer Mevo Shearim, "divided into several titles, and each title is divided into several titles. By Rabbi Chaim Vital, who got it from Rabbi Yitzchak Luria – and it is an inclusive introduction to all aristocracy and a gate to enter through it to the Etz HaHaim". Mrachva (present day Staraya Murafa. Podolia, town next to Poltava), (1774-1775).
Complete manuscript, with title page and Indexes. Fine and neat copying, glosses by Rabbi Tzemach and Rabbi Moshe Zakut were written within the text. Fine Ashkenazi script, illustrated title page, with illustrations of figures and lions and author's name: Rabbi Gedaliya ben Yitzchak Isaac. At the end of each of the book's chapters a colophon with date of writing [from the month of Heshvan 1774 until the month of Adar 1775, with author's signatures: Rabbi "Gedaliya ben Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Spitz".
Ownership inscription on index page: "Belongs [to R'] Yehuda Leib of Snitkov", (Podolia).
[3], 159 leaves. 21 cm. Good condition, spots. Damages with text omission (professionally restored) to title page and to first leaves. Fine renewed binding, with ancient leather spine.
Sefer Mevo Shearim is the Mahadura Batra (second recension) of the Kabbalistic compositions by Rabbi Chaim Vital found in Genizah and edited by the Kabbalist Rabbi Ya'akov Tzemach. The books was first printed in Koretz in 1783 and again in Thessaloniki in 1806 according to a different manuscript. This manuscript was written 8 years earlier than the printed edition, and there are variations versus the printed edition. The manuscript was written in the area of Podolia, inspired and influenced by the Baal Shem Tov disciples who lived and acted in the area.

Manuscript by Kabbalist Rabbi Masud HaCohen Elchadad, responsa on the teachings of the Ari and of his disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital in Etz Chaim and in Shmone She'arim and on the Kavanot of Prayers in the Siddur of the Rashash. Jerusalem, c. 1900s-1910s.
Most of the manuscript is an autograph, handwritten and signed by the author himself, who signed most of the responsa with his initials contained in the words: "Mach anochi m'erki" [i.e. Mach – M.C. – Masud Cohen]. A small section of the manuscript is in the handwriting of his disciple and his successor Kabbalist Rabbi Shalom Hadaya, who edited the book for print and published it under the title Simchat Cohen, Jerusalem, 1921.
This manuscript is from the first editing, containing the original responsa as they were written before they were re-edited for printing, and it contains many variations from the printed book - language and content variations. Some of the things written here were evidently written for the first time, with erasures and additions while writing the book. The manuscript is not complete and only begins in the middle of Responsum 6, which is found in Siman 31 of the printed book. This is followed by Responsum 7, which is found in Siman 74 in the printed book.
Kabbalist Rabbi Masud HaCohen Elchadad (1820-1927), the eldest of the Jerusalem kabbalists in his days, was born in Morocco and in his youth ascended to Eretz Israel with his parents. After he had become proficient in the study of the Talmud and poskim, he devoted himself to the study of Kabbalah for 60 years. In 1902, he traveled as an emissary to Tunisia and to Tripoli and during his stay there his name spread as a miraculous wonder-worker (see testimonies of this in the book Ma'amar Esther, Djerba, 1946, Leaves 7-9). In 1903, he was appointed head of the Chassidim Beit El community and headed the yeshiva for over 30 years. For many years, he led the prayers in the yeshiva according to the Kavanot HaAri in the siddur of the Rashash. He died at the age of 107.
More than 100 written pages. 23 cm. Brittle paper, good-fair condition, tears without damage to text, unbound.

Manuscript on parchment, prayers and blessings recited during the reading of Torah. (Eiwanowitz, Moravia; presently: Ivanovice na Hane, Czecoslovakia), [first half of 18th century].
Square (scribe) writing and semi-cursive Ashkenazi writing (similar to Tzena Urena letters). At the head of paragraphs - ornamentations and illustrations of floral, bird and other designs.
On margins of page [9] colophon by the author: “written by Yosef son of our mentor and Rabbi Hillel Shm[uel?] scribe of holy congregation of Eiwanowitz”. On margin of page [4] ancient owner signature: “Yehudah Leib son of my beloved father Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik”. Manuscript includes prayers recited on Shabbat, after Torah reading in synagogue preceding Mussaf prayer. At head of manuscript (pages 1-2) two prayers - Yekum Purkan, and Mi Sheberach for the congregation which are recited afterwards, and following it Birkat Rosh Chodesh (concise version, without Yehi Ratzon which was added at a later time).
On page [3] Mi Sheberach prayer for those undertaking to fast on Monday and Thursday (unfamiliar version), and a special prayer for the praised Roman Caesar (Caralis)… “ [apparently in reference to Charles VI Holy Roman Emperor, who died in 1740].
On pages [4-6]: order of change of name for sick [Metzalin Anachnu and Yehi Ratzon recited after change of name]. Mi Sheberach blessing for sick [He who blessed Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov… and first righteous people and He who cured Miriam the Prophetess from her leprosy and sweetened the waters of Mara through Moshe Rabbeinu and healed the waters of Jericho and healed Chizkiah King of Yehudah of his illness and the righteous Binyamin of his illness…” – similar version brought from Gramiza pamphlet , by Frumkin, in Seder Rav Amram Ga’on, Jerusalem 1911. See attached material]; blessing for woman in confinement [unfamiliar version, similar in style to that of Frumkin].
On page [7]: prayer “of our mentor and rabbi Rabbi Leib of Prague for Monday and Thursday” – prayer for protection from informers, “May he… uproot and eradicate… the informers who injure the Jewish people with their tongues and destroy the status of the congregations and distress their brothers to bring about their defeat…”. [This prayer is cited in the book of regulations of the state of Mehrin named after the Maharal of Prague, and was preserved, with changes, in the synagogue registry in the congregation of Krezmir. It was customary to recite it in the congregations of Eisenstadt, where it was attributed to author of the Panim Me’irot. See attached material].
On page [8]: prayers Yehi Ratzon Milifnei Avinu Shebashamayim for Monday and Thursday, and prayer Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael, and on page [9] Av Harachaman prayer for martyrs. Addition on last page [10]: wording for Eiruv Tavshilin, apparently by different writer (with first word in decorative writing).
5 parchment leaves, 10 written pages. 27 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear, several tears. New binding.
Enclosed; A letter by Prof. Gershom Scholem (in English) regarding prayer for downfall of informers included in this manuscript.

Manuscript, Ma'ase Shimon HaLevi, historical chronicle from the time of the Expulsion of the Jews from Prague. [Vienna?, 1748]. Hebrew and Yiddish.
Long composition composed of the personal testimony of Rabbi Shimon HaLevi Kava, a wealthy and influential Jew in Prague, regarding the events of that time and the pogroms that preceded the expulsion of the Jews from the city of Prague in 1745. This composition was written according to the words of Rabbi Shimon in 1748 by the scribe Rabbi Shlomo Zalman ben Rabbi Hirsh Segal, who adds his own introduction to the beginning of the composition.
The manuscript contains the story of the pogroms, the killings and plunder of the Jews at the time of the conquest of Prague from Austrian hands by the Prussian army, and during the return of the Austrian army. Rabbi Shimon describes the sights he himself encountered, summarizes the developments of the events and mentions the dead and injured by name. He relates that in the midst of the pogroms, several Jews in the city came to him and said, "For the sake of Heaven, Rabbi Shimon Kava, save our community because you have strong influence and your words are heard by the armed forces and they will heed you…". Rabbi Shimon details his activities at the time of the pogrom, which included lobbying on behalf of the Jews before the Prussian conquerors that led to his imprisonment after the city was returned to Austrian hands and the efforts for his release. At the end of the composition are letters of support and recommendation received by Rabbi Shimon a dayan in Prague and from the Av Beit Din of Bohemia.
The description of the events was written in Hebrew interlaced with passages in ancient German-Yiddish (primarily quotes of conversations and dialogs between people in the story).
The title on the title page: “Ma’ase Shimon HaLevi” [with bold letters of the year of 1745 in which the events occurred]. Written on the title page: “First written in the capital city of Vienna” (Vienna is stressed in large letters). [Some of the letters of the word U’Varishona have vowels, (different from the marking of years in other places), and it is not clear if the author intended to note another year, an acronym or a different hint. We are also not sure if this is the first copy of the composition written by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Shpitz or an additional copy].As part of the “War of the Austrian Succession”, the soldiers of Frederick the Great King of Prussia, conquered Prague from the House of Habsburg governed by Empress Maria Theresa. During the first days, with the retreat of the Empress’ forces and the Prussian invasion of the city, local mobs led pogroms against the Jewish population claiming that the Jews supported the Prussians during the conquest of the city. About 20 Jews were massacred and more than 100 injured and most of the community’s population was harmed, whether bodily or monetarily. Not long after, the city was recaptured by Maria Theresa’s army and the Jews once more became the target of assault and pogroms due to alleged disloyalty and treason during the war. These accusations were the official grounds that triggered Maria Theresa’s signature of the royal warrant ordering immediate expulsion of all Jews from the city of Prague in January 1745, in the midst of the fierce winter cold. They were permitted to return only three years later in 1748.
Rabbi Shimon HaLevi Kava (died in Cheshvan 1773), a prominent Prague figure and among the most wealthy of its residents was one the men who signed the appointment of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, author of Nodah B’Yehuda to the rabbinate. He established an impressive Beit Midrash in Prague and allocated part of his capital to support those who study there. Written on his tombstone: “And in the winter, he benefited all the community and this caused him to be imprisoned and experience terrible suffering, and the merit of the congregation saved him, elevated him and seated him among influential people”. A lengthy description of his imprisonment is recounted in this manuscript. As far as we know, this composition was never printed and contains unknown historical details.
10 leaves (20 written pages). 25 cm. Good condition. High-quality paper. Stains. Ancient leather binding, with decorative impressions.