Auction 88 - Part I - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Ketubah recording the marriage of a convert. Marrakesh (Morocco), Sivan 1886.
Semi-cursive Western script, with decorations. Verses and blessings at top. The ketubah was written following the custom of the "megorashim" (Spanish exiles).
The ketubah is signed by the witness R. Yehuda Shoshana (who presumably also wrote the final line of the ketubah) – one of the Tzadikim of Morocco and leader of the Marrakesh community, who was killed for refusing to transgress the Shabbat, after being falsely accused of cursing Muhammad.
[1] leaf. 40 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Wear and folding marks, closed and open tears, affecting text. Paper repairs in several places.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Two leaves handwritten by R. Yaakov ibn Tzur – the Yaavetz, rabbi of Fez – texts of amulets and Segulot. [Fez, ca. 18th century].
Two leaves from a work on Practical Kabbalah handwritten by the Yaavetz, comprising the texts of twenty-three amulets and segulot, including some which are in use until this day, such as the Goral HaGra and other segulot.
Headings at the top of the first leaf (on both sides): "From the selections of R. Avraham Azulai" (R. Avraham son of R. Yisrael Azulai, d. 1741, leader of the group of kabbalists in Marrakesh and known for his practice of Practical Kabbalah).
R. Yaakov ibn Tzur – the Yaavetz (1673-1752), a most prominent and illustrious figure of Moroccan Jewry. A leading halachic authority in his times, also well versed in Practical Kabbalah. He served as head of the Fez Beit Din, and responded to halachic queries from throughout the Maghreb.
[2] leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming, closed and open tears, slightly affecting text. Marginal tape repairs.
Enclosed: Expert report authenticating the handwriting of the Yaavetz, with description of contents of the leaves.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Manuscript, lengthy halachic ruling (6 pages) issued in response to a request by "the community leaders of Gibraltar", regarding the marriage of a convert, signed by the rabbi of Tétouan – R. Yitzchak ben Walid, and the dayanim of his Beit Din: R. Yom Tov HaLevy and R. Yitzchak Nahon. Tétouan, [1846].
The responsum was published in Responsa VaYomer Yitzchak (Even HaEzer, section 155) by R. Yitzchak Ben Walid, without the names of the signatories.
R. Yitzchak Ben Walid (1777-1870), chief rabbi of Tétouan and leading kabbalist in Morocco. A prominent halachic authority, many halachic questions were sent to him from throughout Morocco and even other countries. His responsa were published in the two volumes of his book Responsa VaYomer Yitzchak (Livorno, 1876). R. Yitzchak Ben Walid was renowned amongst Moroccan Jews as a holy man and wonder-worker.
[4] leaves (6 written pages). 35 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains, dark dampstains. Tears, damage and worming, affecting text. Some text erased as a result of dampness.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Manuscript, Taamei Halachot on the laws of Chanukah, shechitah and terefot, and customs practiced in Marrakesh pertaining to the laws of shechitah and terefot. [Morocco, 1763].
Western script.
Taamei Halachot is a composition preserved in Maghrebian manuscripts (in various versions). Most of it was never published. It presumably originates from the Torah scholars of Marrakesh, and comprises a compendium of the teachings of Rishonim and Acharonim, halachic rulings and local customs, and more. The present manuscript contains Taamei Halachot on the laws of Chanukah, Shechitah and Terefot.
[34] leaves. 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Closed and open tears, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Inscriptions. New binding, with worming.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
![Manuscript, Taamei Halachot on the laws of Shechitah and Terefot. [Morocco, 19th/20th century]. Catchwords finely decorated.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/193.jpg "Manuscript – Taamei Halachot on the Laws of Shechitah and Terefot – Mo")
Manuscript, Taamei Halachot on the laws of Shechitah and Terefot. [Morocco, 19th/20th century].
Catchwords finely decorated. Illustrations of various knives, and of the trachea and esophagus.
Taamei Halachot is a composition preserved in Maghrebian manuscripts (in various versions). Most of it was never published. It presumably originates from the Torah scholars of Marrakesh, and comprises a compendium of the teachings of Rishonim and Acharonim, halachic rulings and local customs, and more. The present manuscript comprises Taamei Halachot on the laws of Shechitah and Terefot.
[47] leaves. 23.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming. Marginal tears and wear. Inscriptions. Card binding, damaged.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Manuscript, Imrei Shefer – selections, novellae and homilies following the order of the Torah portions, and homilies for the deceased, by R. Avraham Alzra. [Morocco], 1898-1900.
In several places in the manuscript, calligraphic signature of the writer, author and compiler, R. Avraham Alzra, Torah scholar of Tafilalt, Morocco. In his preface at the beginning of the manuscript, R. Alzra writes that the work was completed in Iyar 1900. He explains there that the Torah thoughts were compiled from the works of R. Yaakov Abuchatzeira, R. Moshe Alshech and the Chida, and arranged in order of the Torah portions so that a person can study the weekly portion without opening many books.
R. Avraham Alzra's manuscript is bound with an additional, older manuscript, also from Morocco, containing homilies for the deceased and for other occasions, and novellae. The identity of the writer of this manuscript is unclear. Additional novellae at the end of this manuscript, presumably also written by R. Avraham Alzra.
To the best of our research, this work by R. Avraham Alzra is unpublished.
R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov Alzra (19th-20th centuries), Torah scholar of Tafilalt, Morocco. Served as posek and sofer. He was a close disciple of R. David Abuchatzeira. In 1920, after his teacher was murdered, he moved to Algiers.
Signatures of R. Avraham Alzra on the back board. Stamps in several places of "Haim Alzra – Colomb Bechar".
Over 200 written leaves (misfoliated; presumably lacking several leaves). 17 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Marginal tears and open tears. Open tears to several leaves, affecting text. Several detached leaves. Inscriptions. Original binding, worn and damaged, with clasp remnants.
Enclosed: document from 1912 recording the exchange of courtyards between R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov Alzra and R. Moshe son of R. Avraham Abuchatzeira, signed by R. Yaakov Benhayoun; additional handwritten leaf.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
![Collection of commercial legal documents, pertaining to Moroccan Jewry. [Second half of 19th century and early 20th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/195_1.jpg "Collection of Legal Documents and Certificates – Moroccan Jewish Commu")
![Collection of commercial legal documents, pertaining to Moroccan Jewry. [Second half of 19th century and early 20th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/195_2.jpg "Collection of Legal Documents and Certificates – Moroccan Jewish Commu")
![Collection of commercial legal documents, pertaining to Moroccan Jewry. [Second half of 19th century and early 20th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/195_3.jpg "Collection of Legal Documents and Certificates – Moroccan Jewish Commu")
![Collection of commercial legal documents, pertaining to Moroccan Jewry. [Second half of 19th century and early 20th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/195_4.jpg "Collection of Legal Documents and Certificates – Moroccan Jewish Commu")
Collection of commercial legal documents, pertaining to Moroccan Jewry. [Second half of 19th century and early 20th century].
The present documents and certificates, which record the purchase and sale of property, and other commerce between Jews, were drawn up for the most part by the Sharia courts and are all written in Arabic, with the calligraphic signatures of the judges in the Islamic courts.
The certificates were not examined in depth. A brief summary of the content of the document is noted on some of the documents, in Hebrew characters, in a mixture of Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic.
31 documents. Size varies. Overall good condition.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Handwritten tena'im. Ancona, 1732.
Witnesses' signatures, including signature of the son of R. Yosef Fiametta (1655?-1721), rabbi of Ancona, leading Italian rabbi and kabbalist.
[1] leaf. 29 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Marginal open tears, and perforation to fold, slightly affecting text.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Tena'im for the betrothal of the groom Yosef Nissim Fiametta, with the bride Diamante daughter of Shabbetai Chaim Pacifico. Ancona, 1762.
Neat Italian script. At the top of the contract, introductory poem comprising the names of both sides. Decorated and enlarged initial words and clause numbers. Witnesses' signatures.
The groom, R. Yosef Nissim, was a grandson of R. Yosef Fiametta (1655?-1721), rabbi of Ancona, leading Italian rabbi and kabbalist.
[2] leaves (4 written pages). 29 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Folding marks. Minor tears and perforations, some due to ink erosion (slightly affecting text).
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Handwritten notebook – copying of an essay on the history of Spanish Jewry (Sunto Storico, degli Israeliti di Spagna), published in installments in 1857 in L'Educatore Israelita ["The Israelite Educator"], a Jewish-Italian monthly. Italian.
The present notebook contains most of the essay – chapters I-IX (published over several issues in the fifth year of the paper's publication), signed by Leone Tedeschi of Ferrara. The conclusion of the essay, chapters X-XI, which were published in year 6, are not included in the present copying.
Copying of the Italian translation of Psalm 119 by Felice Sadun on the final pages of the notebook (published in the paper in two parts in 1853).
L'Educatore Israelita, the first Jewish newspaper in Italy, was founded and edited by Prof. Guiseppe Raffael Levi (1814-1874) in conjunction with R. Esdra Pontremoli (1818-1888), and appeared monthly in Vercelli, Northwest Italy, in 1853-1874. The monthly resumed after R. Levi's passing under a new name – Il Vessillo Israelitico, in Casale Monferato, by Flaminio Servi.
[33] leaves. Original, bluish wrappers. Approx. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Minor stains, creases and wear. Worming to all leaves (and wrappers), affecting text.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
![Two booklets of regulations from the Jewish community of Mantua: • Seder HaHaarachah. Mantua, [1675]. "Seder HaHaarachah](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/206_1.jpg "Two Booklets of Regulations from the Jewish Community of Mantua – Sede")
![Two booklets of regulations from the Jewish community of Mantua: • Seder HaHaarachah. Mantua, [1675]. "Seder HaHaarachah](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale88a/206_2.jpg "Two Booklets of Regulations from the Jewish Community of Mantua – Sede")
Two booklets of regulations from the Jewish community of Mantua:
• Seder HaHaarachah. Mantua, [1675].
"Seder HaHaarachah" is the name given to tax regulations which were printed from time to time, from the late 16th century until the late 18th century in the Mantua community. The authors of the regulations, who were appointed by the community institutions, established the various criteria for tax assessment and for the community constitution. These booklets serve as a valuable, historical source on Jewish community life in the 17th and 18th centuries.
[6] leaves. 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears. Inscriptions. Without binding.
• Regulations of the Baalei Brit Avraham Society. Mantua, [1744].
The purpose of the Brit society, which operated in many communities, was to sponsor the costs of the Brit Milah for poor families. In return, the members of the society were each in turn honored to serve as sandek at Britot funded by the society. In Mantua, the society was established in 1716. The regulations of the society were first published in 1744 (the present booklet). Every few years, a new booklet was published with the updated regulations and the names of the new society members.
7, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including many dampstains. Thick paper wrappers, damaged and detached.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Manuscript leaves, regulations of the Baalei Brit Avraham society, and list of the society's sandeks. Trieste, 1804-1805. Italian, with some Hebrew.
The present leaves comprise copies of the regulations of the Trieste Baalei Brit Avraham society (for more information about Brit societies, see previous item). Two of the copies include a list of the society's sandeks. The list opens with the name of R. Avraham Eliezer HaLevi (d. 1826), elder and prominent rabbi of Trieste, teacher of Samuel David Luzzatto. His copied signature appears on one of the copies.
[14] leaves (including three blank leaves). Leaves of varying size: 24-37 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and mold stains. Worming. Tears and open tears, affecting text.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.