Manuscript, halachic composition on Yoreh De'ah (laws of vows and oaths, Terumot and Maaserot, gifts to the Kohanim and poor, Milah and Pidyon HaBen, mourning, kashrut, Niddah, Tevilah and Mikvaot). By an unidentified author - an Italian rabbi, apparently a Torah scholar of Vercelli. [Italy, early 19th century]. Unpublished composition.
Italian cursive script. A summary of the contents of each section is presented in the margins. Words and terms in Italian were integrated in several places.
This composition offers an interesting glimpse into the rabbinic world in Italy of the early 19th century. The author records rulings issued by his teachers, Italian Torah scholars, and describes the customs observed in his place and period (including a report of folk beliefs which were prevalent at that time in Italy). He portrays his manner of leading the community and mentions rulings he issued for practical application. The content of the book indicates that the author served as rabbi and leader of a community, who issued rulings and provided answers to questions which arose in the community. He also mentions how his halachic rulings were regarded by leading halachic authorities. For instance, in the laws of mourning, he writes: "…and it appears to me that there is no prohibition involved, and I permitted it numerous times in similar circumstances, and when I related this to leading halachic authorities, they never contested my decision…" (p. [6a]).
In several places, the author mentions his teachers and colleagues, whose counsel he sought and whom he relied upon for his rulings, and he testifies that he ruled following the opinion of his illustrious teachers, Torah scholars of Italy: "…and this also must be known, that according to the opinion of the leading halachic authorities of Piedmont and Italy who were alive at the time, in their lifetime, I ruled…" (p. [28b]); "…and this is how my holy teachers, previous rabbis of these regions, ruled…" (p. [7a]).
In the laws of Niddah (p. [28b]), the author discusses the topic of "a stain the size of a gris", and mentions the traditions of Italian Torah scholars regarding sizes and measurements: "And in Casale, I saw an illustration of a measurement, received from R. Ilan(?), who received it from R. Yitzchak HaLevi and he transmitted it to his disciples, and I copied it and saved it. Though in my opinion, one cannot rely on this copying, since surely the size of the illustration changed and grew from one copying to the next…". Further in the discussion regarding the size of the gris, the author quotes the opinion of two Italian Torah scholars, with whom he discussed the topic, and they determined the size of the gris in relation to the size of coins which they had at that time: "…and then I discussed it with R. Shlomo Yonah, posek in Turin, together with R. Yechiel Treves, posek here in Vercelli, and both gave me a clear ruling as I requested, and told me to take for this measurement a coin of one copper Soldo, and not the silver coins named Soldino, rather Soldono, and based on this I ruled and measured my entire life…" (the first rabbi mentioned is R. Yeshaya Chizkiya Shlomo Michael Yonah, rabbi of Turin in the late 18th/early 19th century. The second rabbi is R. Yechiel Chaim Treves, rabbi of Vercelli in the late 18th/early 19th century, brother-in-law of R. Shlomo Yonah, d. Tevet 1812. The author writes "Here, Vercelli", indicating that the book was composed in Vercelli).
For more examples and quotations from the manuscript (including documentation of folk beliefs prevalent amongst Italian women), see Hebrew description.
[34] leaves. 20.5 cm. Very good condition. A few stains. Ink smudging in several places. On first leaf, remnants of adhesive tape over several words. New binding.

Manuscript, "Concise Laws of Shechita (ritual slaughter)", which belonged to the Shochet R. Shmuel Ravenna, with a certificate of ordination handwritten and signed by R. Yisrael Berechia Fontanella. [Rovigo, Italy, ca. 1738].
Cursive and square Italian script. The manuscript begins with a "title page" (within a yellow border), featuring the inscription: "Mine, Shmuel Ravenna, Rovigo". He may be the writer of this manuscript.
On the second-last leaf, certificate of ordination for the Shochet "the respected young man, R. Shmuel son of R. David Ravenna", handwritten and signed by R. Yisrael Berachia Fontanella. The certificate is signed: "I established this today, Thursday, Parashat Ekev, here in Rovigo, 1738, Yisrael Berechia Fontanella".
The last leaf contains segulot against malaria.
R. Yisrael Berechia Fontanella (ca. 1680-1762), Italian Torah scholar and kabbalist. He served as rabbi in Rovigo and Reggio Emilia. He was a disciple of the Rabach (R. Binyamin HaKohen, leading Italian kabbalist). A halachic responsum he authored was included by R. Yitzchak Lampronti in his book Pachad Yitzchak (in the chapter Tumat Ohel). R. Yisrael Berechia also gave his approbation to the book Pachad Yitzchak (printed at the beginning of the first volume). He published Maftechot HaZohar of R. Shmuel Shaar Aryeh in Venice, 1754 (see: M. Benayahu, Asufot, X, 1997, p. 47), with his additions.
[10] leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. New binding.

Manuscript, poem of thanksgiving for the miraculous "Purim Sheni" (second Purim) salvation of the Cuneo community, Italy, during the Napoleonic wars. [Cuneo, Italy, 18th/19th century].
Italian square script, vocalized, on thick paper. The poem consists of 20 stanzas of eight lines. Owner's signature on the first leaf: "Yechiel Lattes", and other inscriptions. This poem was composed in commemoration of the events which occurred in the Cuneo community during the battles against Napoleon, and the miraculous
survival of the Jews from the shelling of the synagogue during the bombardment of the city. This event was celebrated every year in the community as a "Purim Sheni", and was dubbed "Purim della Bomba" (Purim of the bomb). This piyyut, which offers a poetic description of the events of 4th Kislev 1799, was recited every year in commemoration of the miracle.
The Jewish communities of Piedmont, Italy, including that of Cuneo, had their roots in the renowned Provence (southern France) communities, which emigrated from Provence following the papal bull of 1569 restricting their settlement. Due to their geographic closeness to several borders and to an international crossroad, the Jews of Piedmont suffered from many wars and sieges from the various European armies, as they passed through the divided Italian territory.
The event documented in this poem took place at the end of 1799, when a small division of Napoleon's army took position in the city, and attempted to defend themselves against the Russian and Austrian troops besieging the city. The battle extended over three months, during which the Jews of the city endured shelling, starvation and illnesses, as well as violence and acts of vengeance from the local population. Following heavy bombardment, the French troops retreated, and the city was conquered by the Austro-Russian forces. During the shelling, a cannonball hit the wall of the synagogue, while it was full of praying Jews, and miraculously, no one was hurt. In commemoration of this miracle, the community instituted a "Purim Sheni", celebrated every year for over a century (until the Holocaust). This day was marked with the recital of the complete Hallel and piyyutim, nocturnal Torah study, the distribution of charity to the poor, and a festive meal.
The hole which the cannonball made in the wall of the Cuneo synagogue remains until this day, with a sign beside it reading: "For the miracle which occurred here".
[8] leaves (including two blank leaves). Thick paper. 20 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Dark stains in several places. Tear to first leaf. Old binding.

Manuscript, prayers for protection against a plague, handwritten by R. Refael Ergas. [Livorno, 1832].
Autograph (semi-cursive Italian script), with deletions and emendations. Writer's colophon on the last leaf: "HaRafa" - presumably the acronym of R. Refael Ergas, a Livorno Torah scholar (author of Sefer HaZichronot shel HaRafa, JTS MS 3787; published in Brooklyn, 1985).
This manuscript includes special prayers instituted in Livorno in 1832, when the city was threatened by a plague. On leaf [2], the writer describes how this prayer order was composed by a committee of three dayanim, following a request from the local ruler: "Since the king requested to pray and plead G-d for mercy, regarding the disease which has struck other places, so that it should not affect us, G-d forbid, the dayanim immediately… formed a committee to compile a prayer order… and they resolved to fix Wednesday, of the second week of Cheshvan, 1832, and on this day, close to the time of Mincha… we gathered together in one of the synagogues… to pray and beg for mercy for us and all the Jews residing in the other places…".
The first leaves contain a special order of verses, followed by "Verses forming the acrostic - Livorno" (the initial letters of the verses form the word "Livorno"), and a special prayer composed for this misfortune.
On the first leaf, an inscription by the writer, dedicating this book to R. Avraham Coriat, a Livorno Torah scholar and dayan: "This book, which I handwrote, was made for my beloved and cherished friend... the Torah scholar R. Avraham Coriat…".
The closing colophon mentions once again the year 1832, as well as the Torah portion of that week - Vayera (read in Cheshvan), and the "three dayanim who composed this prayer".
At the foot of the last leaf, a later inscription was added, documenting that they availed themselves to this prayer order once again in Av 1835.
[7] leaves (12 written pages). 15 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Original paper cover, damaged.