Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $300
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Chayei Yehuda, by R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena – autobiography, copied by R. Moses Soave. Venice, 1857. Notebook, Italian Rashi script.
Chayei Yehuda is an autobiographic account of the life of R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena (one of the rabbis of Venice, 1571-1648), which he began writing at the age of 47, and concluded a few days before his passing at the age of 77. This book is one of the few and of the finest autobiographies in rabbinic literature from the period preceding the Emancipation. The Chida writes in Shem HaGedolim about this book: "I saw a manuscript of Chayei Yehuda by the aforementioned rabbi, which relates all that transpired to him in his lifetime for better and for worse".
The copyist writes in the colophon of the manuscript: "And so is completed the copying of the book Chayei Yehuda… from the handwriting of the author himself… I copied it for myself and for my own use, I, Moshe son of Shlomo Refael Soave… of Venice, and I completed it today, 32nd day of the Sefira, Parshat Behar 1857, here in Venice which used to be a leading Jewish city in Torah and wisdom, may G-d have mercy on myself, my wife and my four and a half (!) children, and may I not require the gifts of human beings, whose gifts are scarce and the shame is great… 1857". The copying is in Hebrew, in Italian Rashi script, with a few lines in Italian and Latin on the penultimate page.
Chayei Yehuda was published in its entirety for the first time in Kiev, 1912, by the researcher Avraham Kahana, based on this manuscript.
The copyist, Moses Soave, believed the manuscript he held and was copying from was an autograph of the author, and the publisher and additional researchers followed his opinion. Yet other researchers proved that the manuscript he possessed was not an autograph (see enclosed material).
R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena (1571-1648) was one of the rabbis of Venice, teacher, cantor, grammarian and poet, exceptionally talented orator and preacher, scholar and erudite, original and fascinating polemist. He authored Midbar Yehuda (Venice, 1602) of his selected sermons, and many other books in print and in manuscript, including some polemic books.
The copyist, R. Moses Soave (1820-1882), was a prominent member of the Venice community, teacher, publisher and editor, collector of rare books and manuscripts. He corresponded with Shadal (mentioned in his books) and Moritz Steinschneider.
22 pages. 33.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folded notebook.
Chayei Yehuda is an autobiographic account of the life of R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena (one of the rabbis of Venice, 1571-1648), which he began writing at the age of 47, and concluded a few days before his passing at the age of 77. This book is one of the few and of the finest autobiographies in rabbinic literature from the period preceding the Emancipation. The Chida writes in Shem HaGedolim about this book: "I saw a manuscript of Chayei Yehuda by the aforementioned rabbi, which relates all that transpired to him in his lifetime for better and for worse".
The copyist writes in the colophon of the manuscript: "And so is completed the copying of the book Chayei Yehuda… from the handwriting of the author himself… I copied it for myself and for my own use, I, Moshe son of Shlomo Refael Soave… of Venice, and I completed it today, 32nd day of the Sefira, Parshat Behar 1857, here in Venice which used to be a leading Jewish city in Torah and wisdom, may G-d have mercy on myself, my wife and my four and a half (!) children, and may I not require the gifts of human beings, whose gifts are scarce and the shame is great… 1857". The copying is in Hebrew, in Italian Rashi script, with a few lines in Italian and Latin on the penultimate page.
Chayei Yehuda was published in its entirety for the first time in Kiev, 1912, by the researcher Avraham Kahana, based on this manuscript.
The copyist, Moses Soave, believed the manuscript he held and was copying from was an autograph of the author, and the publisher and additional researchers followed his opinion. Yet other researchers proved that the manuscript he possessed was not an autograph (see enclosed material).
R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena (1571-1648) was one of the rabbis of Venice, teacher, cantor, grammarian and poet, exceptionally talented orator and preacher, scholar and erudite, original and fascinating polemist. He authored Midbar Yehuda (Venice, 1602) of his selected sermons, and many other books in print and in manuscript, including some polemic books.
The copyist, R. Moses Soave (1820-1882), was a prominent member of the Venice community, teacher, publisher and editor, collector of rare books and manuscripts. He corresponded with Shadal (mentioned in his books) and Moritz Steinschneider.
22 pages. 33.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folded notebook.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Two leaves (3 pages) in autographic script, part of a letter draft by R. Yosef Fiammetta Rabbi of Ancona, to the Sephardi rabbi of Amsterdam R. Shlomo Ayllon. [Ancona, Shevat 1714].
Section of a polemic letter against the Sabbatian Nechemia Chayyun and his books. Autographic writing in Italian script, with interlinear corrections and additions. Unsigned.
Background to the letter: In 1713, the Sabbatian Nechemia Chayyun published in Berlin an early Sabbatian work named Meheimanuta D'Kala, with two commentaries he composed, Oz L'Elohim and Beit Kodesh HaKodashim, around it. In this book, he tries to bring so-called proofs from the words of the Zohar and the Ari for Sabbatian principles. Several approbations from leading rabbis, forged by Chayyun himself, were printed at the beginning of the book. Amongst them was an approbation by R. Yosef Fiammetta of Ancona. At the end of that year, Chayyun came to Amsterdam to disseminate his Sabbatian beliefs and writings. The leaders of the Ashkenazi community in Amsterdam, Chacham Tzvi and R. Moshe Chagiz, immediately realizing that the views propagated in his books are invalid, banned his books and expelled him from the synagogue. In contrast, the Sephardi-Portuguese Beit Din in Amsterdam, headed by R. Shlomo Ayllon, legitimized him and his writings. This aroused a huge controversy in Amsterdam and other countries, including Italy. Books and booklets around this polemic were printed, for and against Nechemia Chayyun and his writings. In this letter draft, R.Yosef Fiammetta relates to R. Shlomo Ayllon about Chayyun and the development of the controversy, as well as expressing his sharp opposition to Chayyun's views. The letter was printed in its entirety, based on a copying, in the Sefunot journal (10, pp. 573-588), yet the section here, which as mentioned is a draft handwritten by the author, contains several variations.
Chacham Yosef Fiammetta (known also by the surname Lehava – the translation of the Italian surname to Hebrew; 1655?-1721) was the rabbi of Ancona and a leading Torah scholar and kabbalist in Italy. He composed the Or Boker book of prayers (Venice, 1709). He is mentioned many times in the works of the Chida, who calls him "the holy kabbalist", and quotes his Torah thoughts (for instance, in Responsa Chaim Shaal, Part 2, section 11: "and we have heard that the holy R. Yosef Fiammetta instated the recital of Hallel in his community, following their salvation from danger…"). R. Yosef was the teacher and father-in-law of R. Shimshon Morpurgo, author of Shemesh Tzedaka, who succeeded him as rabbi of Ancona after his passing. He left behind manuscript books of responsa and sermons.
[1] folded leaf, [3] written pages. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears and holes affecting text. Folding marks.
Section of a polemic letter against the Sabbatian Nechemia Chayyun and his books. Autographic writing in Italian script, with interlinear corrections and additions. Unsigned.
Background to the letter: In 1713, the Sabbatian Nechemia Chayyun published in Berlin an early Sabbatian work named Meheimanuta D'Kala, with two commentaries he composed, Oz L'Elohim and Beit Kodesh HaKodashim, around it. In this book, he tries to bring so-called proofs from the words of the Zohar and the Ari for Sabbatian principles. Several approbations from leading rabbis, forged by Chayyun himself, were printed at the beginning of the book. Amongst them was an approbation by R. Yosef Fiammetta of Ancona. At the end of that year, Chayyun came to Amsterdam to disseminate his Sabbatian beliefs and writings. The leaders of the Ashkenazi community in Amsterdam, Chacham Tzvi and R. Moshe Chagiz, immediately realizing that the views propagated in his books are invalid, banned his books and expelled him from the synagogue. In contrast, the Sephardi-Portuguese Beit Din in Amsterdam, headed by R. Shlomo Ayllon, legitimized him and his writings. This aroused a huge controversy in Amsterdam and other countries, including Italy. Books and booklets around this polemic were printed, for and against Nechemia Chayyun and his writings. In this letter draft, R.Yosef Fiammetta relates to R. Shlomo Ayllon about Chayyun and the development of the controversy, as well as expressing his sharp opposition to Chayyun's views. The letter was printed in its entirety, based on a copying, in the Sefunot journal (10, pp. 573-588), yet the section here, which as mentioned is a draft handwritten by the author, contains several variations.
Chacham Yosef Fiammetta (known also by the surname Lehava – the translation of the Italian surname to Hebrew; 1655?-1721) was the rabbi of Ancona and a leading Torah scholar and kabbalist in Italy. He composed the Or Boker book of prayers (Venice, 1709). He is mentioned many times in the works of the Chida, who calls him "the holy kabbalist", and quotes his Torah thoughts (for instance, in Responsa Chaim Shaal, Part 2, section 11: "and we have heard that the holy R. Yosef Fiammetta instated the recital of Hallel in his community, following their salvation from danger…"). R. Yosef was the teacher and father-in-law of R. Shimshon Morpurgo, author of Shemesh Tzedaka, who succeeded him as rabbi of Ancona after his passing. He left behind manuscript books of responsa and sermons.
[1] folded leaf, [3] written pages. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears and holes affecting text. Folding marks.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
![Manuscript, "Sefer Pizmonim (songbook), to sing with a pleasant voice…". Livorno, [1766]. Illustrated title within architect](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale62-public/206_1.jpg "Manuscript – Sefer Pizmonim – Livorno, 1766 – Illustrated Title Page")
![Manuscript, "Sefer Pizmonim (songbook), to sing with a pleasant voice…". Livorno, [1766]. Illustrated title within architect](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale62-public/206_2.jpg "Manuscript – Sefer Pizmonim – Livorno, 1766 – Illustrated Title Page")
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, "Sefer Pizmonim (songbook), to sing with a pleasant voice…". Livorno, [1766].
Illustrated title within architectural border. Italian square script, in brown ink. The manuscript contains 105 piyyutim and songs in Hebrew, for Shabbat and other occasions, to be sung out loud as the title page states. Italian titles with the musical terms: Recitativo and Aria, were added to leaves 12-13.
Some of the piyyutim are not recorded in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry.
Many leaves in this volume are empty. Some of these leaves contain additions in a later handwriting. The empty leaves preceding the title page contain: an inscription in Italian, mentioning the year 1835 (in Hebrew); poems by the Radak, and other passages. Leaves [20]-[26], [28]-[29] contain various lists, copyings of poems, and more. Leaves [26]-[27] contain Italian inscriptions dated 1839, some signed by S. de Paz.
The leaves at the end of the volume contain an index of the piyyutim, by the first writer.
The signature "Sh.Z.Ch.H" (the researcher and collector Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam) appears on the first leaf. Stamps of the Montefiore collection appear in several places.
[1], [78] leaves. Leaves [30]-[75] are empty. Altogether 33 written leaves. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear. The first leaf partially detached. Original leather binding, slightly damaged.
Provenance: Collection of Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam, no. 395; London – Montefiore, no. 239.
Illustrated title within architectural border. Italian square script, in brown ink. The manuscript contains 105 piyyutim and songs in Hebrew, for Shabbat and other occasions, to be sung out loud as the title page states. Italian titles with the musical terms: Recitativo and Aria, were added to leaves 12-13.
Some of the piyyutim are not recorded in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry.
Many leaves in this volume are empty. Some of these leaves contain additions in a later handwriting. The empty leaves preceding the title page contain: an inscription in Italian, mentioning the year 1835 (in Hebrew); poems by the Radak, and other passages. Leaves [20]-[26], [28]-[29] contain various lists, copyings of poems, and more. Leaves [26]-[27] contain Italian inscriptions dated 1839, some signed by S. de Paz.
The leaves at the end of the volume contain an index of the piyyutim, by the first writer.
The signature "Sh.Z.Ch.H" (the researcher and collector Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam) appears on the first leaf. Stamps of the Montefiore collection appear in several places.
[1], [78] leaves. Leaves [30]-[75] are empty. Altogether 33 written leaves. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear. The first leaf partially detached. Original leather binding, slightly damaged.
Provenance: Collection of Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam, no. 395; London – Montefiore, no. 239.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $400
Unsold
Manuscript, "Eser Shirot LeLeil Shel Pesach" (Ten Songs for Pesach Eve), ten songs from the Bible to be recited on the eve of the seventh day of Pesach. [Italy, 17th/18th century].
Neat Italian script. Titles and initial words in red ink.
The manuscript contains the ten songs (according to Mechilta, Beshalach 15), including Shirat HaYam, Shirat Haazinu, Shirat Devorah, Shirat HaBe'er, Shirat Chana etc., recited on the eve of the seventh day of Pesach according to the custom of Italian Jewry.
[12] leaves. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming affecting text. Signs of past dampness and smeared ink in several places. Original cloth binding, decorated with colorful illustrations of birds and branches. Damage to binding.
Neat Italian script. Titles and initial words in red ink.
The manuscript contains the ten songs (according to Mechilta, Beshalach 15), including Shirat HaYam, Shirat Haazinu, Shirat Devorah, Shirat HaBe'er, Shirat Chana etc., recited on the eve of the seventh day of Pesach according to the custom of Italian Jewry.
[12] leaves. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming affecting text. Signs of past dampness and smeared ink in several places. Original cloth binding, decorated with colorful illustrations of birds and branches. Damage to binding.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
![Manuscript, composition on the 613 commandments, by an unidentified author. [Italy, 18th/19th century]. Complete composition](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale62-public/208.jpg "Manuscript – Composition on the 613 Commandments – Italy, 18th/19th Ce")
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $300
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, composition on the 613 commandments, by an unidentified author. [Italy, 18th/19th century].
Complete composition, in Italian cursive script. Contains 613 sections on the 613 mitzvot, according to the order of the Torah. The author mentions special laws, occasionally comments briefly, or quotes Rishonim: the Rambam, Ramban, Ralbag, Abarbanel and others, and discusses their teachings.
[41] leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Card binding.
Complete composition, in Italian cursive script. Contains 613 sections on the 613 mitzvot, according to the order of the Torah. The author mentions special laws, occasionally comments briefly, or quotes Rishonim: the Rambam, Ramban, Ralbag, Abarbanel and others, and discusses their teachings.
[41] leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Card binding.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Large handwritten leaf, Seder Torat Haaracha – regulations and rules for determining tax assessment. Pesaro (Italy), 1671. Hebrew and Italian.
Large format leaf. The first part is in Hebrew (20 clauses), in Italian semi-cursive script, and the second part is in Italian. Signatures of community appointees (in Italian) appear at the bottom of the leaf.
Evaluation rules for taxes were published from time to time in Italian communities by community leaders, establishing the criteria of tax division among community members. Usually, these regulations were distributed in printed pamphlets. This is an original and early handwritten regulation document.
[1] large leaf. 54 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks. Tears to folding marks, affecting several words. Some worming (primarily to margins).
Large format leaf. The first part is in Hebrew (20 clauses), in Italian semi-cursive script, and the second part is in Italian. Signatures of community appointees (in Italian) appear at the bottom of the leaf.
Evaluation rules for taxes were published from time to time in Italian communities by community leaders, establishing the criteria of tax division among community members. Usually, these regulations were distributed in printed pamphlets. This is an original and early handwritten regulation document.
[1] large leaf. 54 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks. Tears to folding marks, affecting several words. Some worming (primarily to margins).
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Unsold
Two Latin works regarding the Hebrew language, printed early in the 17th century:
· Institutiones in linguam sanctam Hebraicam (Principles of the Holy Hebrew Language), by Benedicto Blancuccio. Rome: Bartholomaei Zannetti, 1608. Latin and Hebrew.
Latin work concerning the Hebrew language grammar principles.
[16], 295, [1] pages (mispaginated). 21 cm. Good condition. Stains. Inscriptions on the title page. Original parchment binding, with strap closures.
· Poma Aurea Hebraicae linguae (Golden Apples of the Hebrew Language), by Francesco Donati. Rome: Stephanus Paulinus, 1618. Latin and Hebrew.
The book contains a list of Hebrew acronyms, deciphered and translated to Latin. The poems praising the book were also printed in Greek and Arabic.
[23], 239, [1] pages. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Worming. Tear to one of the leaves, without loss. Early parchment binding, damaged.
· Institutiones in linguam sanctam Hebraicam (Principles of the Holy Hebrew Language), by Benedicto Blancuccio. Rome: Bartholomaei Zannetti, 1608. Latin and Hebrew.
Latin work concerning the Hebrew language grammar principles.
[16], 295, [1] pages (mispaginated). 21 cm. Good condition. Stains. Inscriptions on the title page. Original parchment binding, with strap closures.
· Poma Aurea Hebraicae linguae (Golden Apples of the Hebrew Language), by Francesco Donati. Rome: Stephanus Paulinus, 1618. Latin and Hebrew.
The book contains a list of Hebrew acronyms, deciphered and translated to Latin. The poems praising the book were also printed in Greek and Arabic.
[23], 239, [1] pages. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Worming. Tear to one of the leaves, without loss. Early parchment binding, damaged.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $600
Unsold
Pachad Yitzchak, halachic-encyclopedic composition in alphabetical order, by R. Yitzchak Lampronti Rabbi of Ferrara. Venice-Reggio-Livorno, 1750-1839. First five parts, letters Alef through Mem, in six volumes.
Signatures on the title pages of the first and third volumes: "Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi of Padua – HaGeshem"; "Shamgar – of the community of Padua". Five of the volumes contain halachic notes (some of them lengthy) with interesting historic and bibliographic data, handwritten by R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi.
In Volume II, pp. 85b-86a, a lengthy note appears, containing a fascinating testimony about the Divine Inspiration exhibited by the Ramchal, who exposed a certain scholar as insincere and indeed, shortly thereafter, he renegaded: "…Nechemia Cohen, who is now dubbed by the Hebrews Chermia, after being a rabbi and posek for several years, having been ordained by two rabbi emissaries from Eretz Israel for his wisdom and great expertise in Talmud and Halacha… and G-d uncovers the flatterers and hypocrites… they found this despicable Chermia in illicit relations with a married woman, and when it was discovered, he converted and became a big bishop, and the holy Kabbalist R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Rabbi of Padua later revealed that all his wisdom and expertise was acquired through the Sitra Achra (impure forces). Once this despicable person was in our town Padua, and he kept his distance from the Ramchal, afraid that he would publicize his bad deeds. The Ramchal was accustomed to welcome the Shabbat in a certain garden together with all his disciples, and R. Yaakov Chazak asked his teacher why he doesn't invite that visiting scholar… to welcome the Shabbat with them, and R. Luzzatto answered him: leave him alone, as impure forces have caught him and are helping him, and an impure thing cannot sit in a holy place, and in a few days he will convert, and so it was. All these things I, Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, heard from the honorable elder Meir Trieste, who received them from his teacher the aforementioned R. Yaakov Chazak, posek in Padua" (this story is told briefly and with variations in his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U'Geonei Italia, Trieste, 1853, pp. 229-231).
Printed dedications in Italian, completed by hand and signed by the printer R. Yitzchak Foa, are pasted onto the front endpapers of the first two volumes.
Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1800-1852) was the rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the history of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of the generation writes about his greatness in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone proficient in kabbalistic teachings like the Kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, writes about his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well versed in responsa and Halacha, and also rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wide-ranged responsa are recorded in his responsa book named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
Six volumes. Vol. I (letters Alef-Bet), Venice, [1750]: [8], 124; 76 leaves. Vol. II (letters Gimmel-Dalet), Venice, [1753]: [4], 105 leaves, [1] folded leaf: Seder HaGet. Open tear to the foot of the last leaf, affecting text. Vol. III (letters He-Chet), Venice, [1796]: [1], 110 leaves. Leaf 47 is bound after leaf 48. Vol. IV (letters Chet-Tet), Venice, [1798]: [1], 93 leaves, [1] folded leaf. Vol. V (letters Yud-Lamed), Venice-Reggio, [1813]: [1], 108; 28 leaves. Lacking leaves 43-44. Vol. VI (letter Mem), Livorno, [1839]: [1], 241 leaves. 36 cm. Good condition. Stains. Original bindings with ornamented leather spines.
Signatures on the title pages of the first and third volumes: "Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi of Padua – HaGeshem"; "Shamgar – of the community of Padua". Five of the volumes contain halachic notes (some of them lengthy) with interesting historic and bibliographic data, handwritten by R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi.
In Volume II, pp. 85b-86a, a lengthy note appears, containing a fascinating testimony about the Divine Inspiration exhibited by the Ramchal, who exposed a certain scholar as insincere and indeed, shortly thereafter, he renegaded: "…Nechemia Cohen, who is now dubbed by the Hebrews Chermia, after being a rabbi and posek for several years, having been ordained by two rabbi emissaries from Eretz Israel for his wisdom and great expertise in Talmud and Halacha… and G-d uncovers the flatterers and hypocrites… they found this despicable Chermia in illicit relations with a married woman, and when it was discovered, he converted and became a big bishop, and the holy Kabbalist R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Rabbi of Padua later revealed that all his wisdom and expertise was acquired through the Sitra Achra (impure forces). Once this despicable person was in our town Padua, and he kept his distance from the Ramchal, afraid that he would publicize his bad deeds. The Ramchal was accustomed to welcome the Shabbat in a certain garden together with all his disciples, and R. Yaakov Chazak asked his teacher why he doesn't invite that visiting scholar… to welcome the Shabbat with them, and R. Luzzatto answered him: leave him alone, as impure forces have caught him and are helping him, and an impure thing cannot sit in a holy place, and in a few days he will convert, and so it was. All these things I, Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, heard from the honorable elder Meir Trieste, who received them from his teacher the aforementioned R. Yaakov Chazak, posek in Padua" (this story is told briefly and with variations in his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U'Geonei Italia, Trieste, 1853, pp. 229-231).
Printed dedications in Italian, completed by hand and signed by the printer R. Yitzchak Foa, are pasted onto the front endpapers of the first two volumes.
Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1800-1852) was the rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the history of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of the generation writes about his greatness in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone proficient in kabbalistic teachings like the Kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, writes about his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well versed in responsa and Halacha, and also rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wide-ranged responsa are recorded in his responsa book named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
Six volumes. Vol. I (letters Alef-Bet), Venice, [1750]: [8], 124; 76 leaves. Vol. II (letters Gimmel-Dalet), Venice, [1753]: [4], 105 leaves, [1] folded leaf: Seder HaGet. Open tear to the foot of the last leaf, affecting text. Vol. III (letters He-Chet), Venice, [1796]: [1], 110 leaves. Leaf 47 is bound after leaf 48. Vol. IV (letters Chet-Tet), Venice, [1798]: [1], 93 leaves, [1] folded leaf. Vol. V (letters Yud-Lamed), Venice-Reggio, [1813]: [1], 108; 28 leaves. Lacking leaves 43-44. Vol. VI (letter Mem), Livorno, [1839]: [1], 241 leaves. 36 cm. Good condition. Stains. Original bindings with ornamented leather spines.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
![Manuscript [4 leaves], two halachic responsa, by R. Yeshayahu Mordechai Bassan – teacher of the Ramchal. Author's autograph w](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale62-public/212.jpg "Manuscript, Two Halachic Responsa – Autograph of the Kabbalist Rabbi Y")
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $300
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript [4 leaves], two halachic responsa, by R. Yeshayahu Mordechai Bassan – teacher of the Ramchal. Author's autograph with corrections and additions [Padua or Reggio (Reggio Emilia)? ca. 1720-1730s].
These two responsa were published in his book Responsa Lachmei Toda (Venice, 1741; leaves 66-68). Lengthy additions appear on the margins of the second responsum. In the printed edition, the addition is incorporated into the responsum.
R. Yeshayahu Bassan (1673-1739), kabbalist and leading Italian Torah scholar, was the primary teacher of the Ramchal and his defender in the polemic surrounding him. He learnt in his youth in Mantua under the foremost Italian rabbis – the Remez and R. Yehuda Briel. He married the daughter of the kabbalist R. Binyamin HaKohen of Reggio. He served as posek and yeshiva dean in Padua. After his father-in-law's passing, he succeeded him as rabbi of Reggio until his own demise. Of his many writings, only a few responsa were published in Lachmei Toda (Venice, 1741), the rest remaining in manuscript form. His disciple, the Ramchal, was profoundly attached to him, and dedicated his book Leshon Limudim to him.
[4] leaves. Approx. 6 written pages. 21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Worming.
These two responsa were published in his book Responsa Lachmei Toda (Venice, 1741; leaves 66-68). Lengthy additions appear on the margins of the second responsum. In the printed edition, the addition is incorporated into the responsum.
R. Yeshayahu Bassan (1673-1739), kabbalist and leading Italian Torah scholar, was the primary teacher of the Ramchal and his defender in the polemic surrounding him. He learnt in his youth in Mantua under the foremost Italian rabbis – the Remez and R. Yehuda Briel. He married the daughter of the kabbalist R. Binyamin HaKohen of Reggio. He served as posek and yeshiva dean in Padua. After his father-in-law's passing, he succeeded him as rabbi of Reggio until his own demise. Of his many writings, only a few responsa were published in Lachmei Toda (Venice, 1741), the rest remaining in manuscript form. His disciple, the Ramchal, was profoundly attached to him, and dedicated his book Leshon Limudim to him.
[4] leaves. Approx. 6 written pages. 21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Worming.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
![Large handwritten board, songs by R. Yechiel HaKohen [of Ancona], recited in the Somech Noflim yeshiva. [Italy (Ancona)?], 17](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale62-public/213_1.jpg "Large Handwritten Board – Songs for the Somech Noflim Yeshiva – Italy,")
![Large handwritten board, songs by R. Yechiel HaKohen [of Ancona], recited in the Somech Noflim yeshiva. [Italy (Ancona)?], 17](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale62-public/213_2.jpg "Large Handwritten Board – Songs for the Somech Noflim Yeshiva – Italy,")
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
Large handwritten board, songs by R. Yechiel HaKohen [of Ancona], recited in the Somech Noflim yeshiva. [Italy (Ancona)?], 1797.
Two large leaves mounted onto a cardboard sheet on both sides. Square Italian script, in black ink, with titles and initials in red ink. The second leaf bears two colored illustrations of flowers.
The title of the first leaf reads: "These songs were composed by R. Yechiel HaKohen, to be said every night in the Somech Noflim yeshiva, sponsored by R. Michael son of R. Yosef Morgio and R. David Baruch Perugia in 1797".
The board contains six songs, for each day of the week (not listed in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry). The board concludes with a "Prayer to be recited before studying".
R. Yechiel HaKohen mentioned here is presumably R. Yechiel son of R. Yaakov HaKohen, dean of the Ancona yeshiva. (When the Chida came to Ancona, R. Yechiel delivered a sermon in his honor in the synagogue, and he is referred to in the Chida's travel diary Maagal Tov as "the elderly rabbi, R. Yechiel HaKohen". His responsa are quoted in Pachad Yitzchak and Shemesh Tzedaka. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in his later years and settled in Jerusalem).
[2] leaves, mounted on a cardboard sheet, 31 x 46 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, wear, worming.
Two large leaves mounted onto a cardboard sheet on both sides. Square Italian script, in black ink, with titles and initials in red ink. The second leaf bears two colored illustrations of flowers.
The title of the first leaf reads: "These songs were composed by R. Yechiel HaKohen, to be said every night in the Somech Noflim yeshiva, sponsored by R. Michael son of R. Yosef Morgio and R. David Baruch Perugia in 1797".
The board contains six songs, for each day of the week (not listed in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry). The board concludes with a "Prayer to be recited before studying".
R. Yechiel HaKohen mentioned here is presumably R. Yechiel son of R. Yaakov HaKohen, dean of the Ancona yeshiva. (When the Chida came to Ancona, R. Yechiel delivered a sermon in his honor in the synagogue, and he is referred to in the Chida's travel diary Maagal Tov as "the elderly rabbi, R. Yechiel HaKohen". His responsa are quoted in Pachad Yitzchak and Shemesh Tzedaka. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in his later years and settled in Jerusalem).
[2] leaves, mounted on a cardboard sheet, 31 x 46 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, wear, worming.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $600
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Letter from Moses Montefiore, to Yisrael Costa – leader of the Livorno community. Ramsgate (England), 1880.
Written by Montefiore's scribe, Eliezer HaLevi, on official stationery. With Montefiore's English and Hebrew signatures.
Montefiore confirms receiving from him "Two accounting books from the builders, guards and concierges" and thanks him for "his pledge to go every month to verify the place is clean of grass, dust and anything else". He writes that "the surplus money can be used at his own discretion without apprising me".
[1] (folded) leaf, 25 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming. Folding marks.
Written by Montefiore's scribe, Eliezer HaLevi, on official stationery. With Montefiore's English and Hebrew signatures.
Montefiore confirms receiving from him "Two accounting books from the builders, guards and concierges" and thanks him for "his pledge to go every month to verify the place is clean of grass, dust and anything else". He writes that "the surplus money can be used at his own discretion without apprising me".
[1] (folded) leaf, 25 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming. Folding marks.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue
Auction 62 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
August 28, 2018
Opening: $600
Unsold
Letter from R. David Melamed and R. Yisrael HaKohen, Hebron emissaries, while in Italy. Livorno, February 24, 1725.
Letter of thanks, in Italian, upon receipt of donations from Ancona. The bottom of the letter contains signatures in Hebrew: "David Melamed" and "Yisrael HaKohen".
Avraham Yaari describes the adventures of these two emissaries at length (Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 488-491). They set out from Hebron in 1718, the first time two emissaries were sent together to Europe on behalf of the Hebron community. Until then, only one messenger would go at a time. Yaari writes: "It seems that the distress mounted then in Hebron to a point that its leaders felt it necessary to send out two of its finest scholars". Their expedition lasted at least seven years, until 1725. They first travelled around the various towns of Italy. In Pisa, they became friendly with the rabbi R. Refael Meldola, and their signatures appear on two occasions in his responsa work (Mayim Chaim, Orach Chaim, sections 27, 42). Their next stop was Germany, apparently followed by Holland and France. They then went around Silesia and Moravia, continuing on to Breslau and Nikolsburg (Mikulov). In Nikolsburg, they were imprisoned by the authorities on account of taking money out of the borders of the country. In Tishrei 1724, they returned to Italy, and at that time wrote an approbation for R. Yitzchak Lampronti's book Pachad Yitzchak (printed at the beginning of Vol. II, Venice 1753). Their responsa on the laws of Tefillin were later included in a different part of Pachad Yitzchak (Letter Tav, Tefillin entry), based on their correspondence with R. Yitzchak Lampronti. In one of their letters to him, dated Kislev 12, 1724, they wrote: "Early tomorrow we will make our way to Livorno". The letter here was written approximately three months later (for further details see Yaari, ibid).
Folded leaf, [1] written page. On the verso, short inscription in Italian with the following words in Hebrew: "Sages of Hebron" and "donation". 30 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Letter of thanks, in Italian, upon receipt of donations from Ancona. The bottom of the letter contains signatures in Hebrew: "David Melamed" and "Yisrael HaKohen".
Avraham Yaari describes the adventures of these two emissaries at length (Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 488-491). They set out from Hebron in 1718, the first time two emissaries were sent together to Europe on behalf of the Hebron community. Until then, only one messenger would go at a time. Yaari writes: "It seems that the distress mounted then in Hebron to a point that its leaders felt it necessary to send out two of its finest scholars". Their expedition lasted at least seven years, until 1725. They first travelled around the various towns of Italy. In Pisa, they became friendly with the rabbi R. Refael Meldola, and their signatures appear on two occasions in his responsa work (Mayim Chaim, Orach Chaim, sections 27, 42). Their next stop was Germany, apparently followed by Holland and France. They then went around Silesia and Moravia, continuing on to Breslau and Nikolsburg (Mikulov). In Nikolsburg, they were imprisoned by the authorities on account of taking money out of the borders of the country. In Tishrei 1724, they returned to Italy, and at that time wrote an approbation for R. Yitzchak Lampronti's book Pachad Yitzchak (printed at the beginning of Vol. II, Venice 1753). Their responsa on the laws of Tefillin were later included in a different part of Pachad Yitzchak (Letter Tav, Tefillin entry), based on their correspondence with R. Yitzchak Lampronti. In one of their letters to him, dated Kislev 12, 1724, they wrote: "Early tomorrow we will make our way to Livorno". The letter here was written approximately three months later (for further details see Yaari, ibid).
Folded leaf, [1] written page. On the verso, short inscription in Italian with the following words in Hebrew: "Sages of Hebron" and "donation". 30 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Category
Jerusalem, Hebron and Eretz Israel - Certificates, Letters and Printed Matter
Catalogue