Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
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Two books of sermons (derashot) – Derashot HaRan and Derashot Maharshik – printed in 1594, bound in one volume:
1. Sefer Derashot HaRan, twelve sermons by Rabbeinu Nisim. Venice, [1594]. Second edition.
Several catalogs give the date 1596; however, the chronogram should probably be read as 1594.
Signature on title page: "Purchased by Avraham Yagel, Adar 1595" [apparently the signature of R. Avraham son of Chananiah Gallichi (Yagel) of Monselice (1553-1624), author of Lekach Tov and Gei Chizayon].
Additional signature and deleted inscription on title page. Signature on leaf 2 and inscription on endpaper.
2. Derashot Maharshik, twelve sermons, by R. Shmuel Yehudah Katzenellenbogen – the Maharshik. Venice, 1594. First edition.
Twelve sermons by the Maharshik (1521-1597), son of R. Meir Katzenellenbogen, Rabbi of Padua (the Maharam of Padua). A leading Torah sage of his times, dayan, chief rabbi and yeshiva dean in Venice. Corresponded with great scholars of his generation such as the Maharshal, the Rama (his relatives) and R. Yosef Karo. His son is R. Shaul Wahl, legendary king of Poland for one day.
Half the sermons are eulogies for contemporary sages, including a eulogy on the death of R. Moshe Isserles (the Rama) and R. Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch.
Censor's signature on verso of title page.
90 leaves; 65, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains to some leaves. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Early parchment binding, original, partially detached (inscription on front of binding with titles). Damage and worming to binding.
Sefer HaChaim, ethics, homilies and upright practices, by R. Chaim son of Betzalel of Friedberg, brother of the Maharal of Prague. Cracow: Yitzchak son of Aharon of Prostitz, [1593]. First edition.
The foreword of the publisher, R. Yitzchak HaKohen Katz, son-in-law of the Maharal of Prague, appears on pp. 2b-3a.
Early ownership inscriptions from 1671 on last leaf (one somewhat trimmed).
Handwritten gloss and small correction on p. 3b. Signature on p. 34b.
51, [1] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark wax and ink stains to several leaves. Small marginal tears to several leaves. New binding.
Tiferet Yisrael, on the virtue of Torah and Mitzvot, by R. Yehuda Loew – the Maharal of Prague. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, [1599]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Handwritten inscription on title page. Two signatures on second leaf, one damaged by marginal open tear.
65 leaves. 27.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Some worming, affecting text. Open tear to title page, affecting title frame, repaired with paper. Margins of title page trimmed, affecting illustrated frame (bottom margins folded and partially stuck to leaf). Marginal open tear to second leaf. Old binding with leather spine and corners, with damage. Ex libris label.
Only book of the Maharal printed in his lifetime in Venice.
This copy includes leaf 65 at end of book, which is lacking in many copies.
![Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].Colop](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/44_1.jpg "Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer – Venice, 1608 / Lechem Dimah – Venice, 1600 – Si")
![Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].Colop](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/44_2.jpg "Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer – Venice, 1608 / Lechem Dimah – Venice, 1600 – Si")
![Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].Colop](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/44_3.jpg "Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer – Venice, 1608 / Lechem Dimah – Venice, 1600 – Si")
![Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].Colop](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/44_5.jpg "Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer – Venice, 1608 / Lechem Dimah – Venice, 1600 – Si")
![Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].Colop](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/44_4.jpg "Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer – Venice, 1608 / Lechem Dimah – Venice, 1600 – Si")
![Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].Colop](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/44_6.jpg "Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer – Venice, 1608 / Lechem Dimah – Venice, 1600 – Si")
Two books printed in the 17th century, bound together:
• Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) Zanetti, 1608].
Colophon on last leaf, dated 1608.
• Lechem Dimah, commentary on the Book of Eichah, including original text, by R. Shmuel de Uzeda. [Venice: Daniel Zanetti, 1600]. First edition.
At end of book, index of verses and note on typographical errors by proofreader R. Yitzchak Gershon.
In several places in both books, signatures and ownership inscriptions of R. Moshe son of R. Shalom Abuzaglo (in square and semi-cursive script and with calligraphic decorations): "Moshe son of Shalom Abuzaglo"; "Purchased by me… Moshe son of Shalom Abuzaglo, for twenty mazuna of Mawlay Sulayman, here in Rabat, 1698". This is presumably the kabbalist R. Moshe Buzaglo, father and primary teacher of the kabbalist R. Shalom Buzaglo, author of Mikdash Melech, named in the introduction to that work [R. Shalom Buzaglo was born in 1700 in Salé, next to Rabat].
On title page and at beginning of the Book of Eichah, signatures of "Yaakov Buzaglo".
Two glosses [trimmed] in Western script.
Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer: 50 leaves. Leaf 45 bound backwards. Lechem Dimah: 2-119, [1] leaves. Missing title page. 17.5 cm. Condition of leaves varies; first book and beginning of second book in fair condition, most of second book in good-fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains, traces of former dampness and dark stains. Wear. Tears, including marginal open tears to several leaves, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Paper repairs on verso of title page of first book. Close trimming bordering text, affecting headers of leaves in several places. New binding.
Bayit Ne'eman, homilies on Torah, service of G-d and lovingkindness, by R. Yitzchak Beja. Venice: Giovanni Cajon, 1621. Only edition.
The author, R. Yitzchak Beja, was a preacher and Torah disseminator in Nikopol (Bulgaria). He relates his life story in the preface.
Signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page and endpaper (some deleted).
118 leaves. 27 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Traces of former dampness and mold stains to last leaves. Tears, including open tear affecting text to one leaf. Worming, affecting text. Two detached leaves. Close trimming, affecting text on several leaves. Early leather binding, damaged.
Ein Yaakov – Part I, Ein Yisrael (including Beit Lechem Yehudah), and Part II, Beit Yisrael, by R. Yaakov ibn Habib. Venice: Pietro, Aluise and Lorenzo Bragadini at press of Giovanni Calleoni, 1625. Three books in one volume.
At end of Part I, 26 leaves with divisional title page: Beit Lechem Yehudah, index to Ein Yisrael by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice: Pietro, Aluise and Lorenzo Bragadini at press of Giovanni Calleoni, 1625. First edition.
Ein Yaakov is an anthology of the aggadot in the Talmud with selected commentaries by rishonim, authored by R. Yaakov ibn Habib, with Part II completed and printed by his son R. Levi ibn Habib. Copies of Ein Yaakov were burned along with the Talmud in Italy (1553-1554); The authorities eventually allowed Jews to print the book again, albeit with the name changed to Ein Yisrael and Beit Yisrael.
Ownership inscriptions on title page of Part I. Signature on front endpaper.
On leaf [2], list of names of attendants of lectures.
Part I: 4, 195, 26 leaves. Part II: 190 leaves. Overall fair condition. Many stains, including dark stains, dampstains and traces of former dampness with mold stains. Large open tears to title page of Part I and small tears to title page of Part II, affecting illustrated title frames in Part I in many places (title page of Part I reinforced with paper, with replacement of part of frame by hand), and tears to several other leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper. Old, worn binding, with spine torn and detached.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Eliyahu Shmuel Hartom.
Title page illustrated with fine woodcut frame for each part. Fine original binding, leather-coated wood, with depictions of characters and other decorations.
Ownership inscriptions on title page: "Shimon son of Yosef, relative [?] of R. Yaakov Oppenburg, purchased", "Yaakov son of Yehudah…", "Shlomo son of R. Shmuel Block of Heigerloch". Other inscriptions.
Two parts in one volume. Levush HaButz VeArgaman: 108 leaves. Levush Ir Shushan: 192 leaves. Approx. 31 cm. Somewhat dark paper, fair condition. Many stains, including large stains to several leaves. Heavy wear. Heavy worming to some leaves, affecting text. Tears, including open tears (including to title page of Ir Shushan), affecting text. Early binding, leather-coated wood, with decorations and remains of clasps. Wear and damage to binding.
Maavar Yabok, laws concerning death and bereavement, confessions and prayers, ethical and kabbalistic matters, by the kabbalist R. Aaron Berechiah of Modena. Mantua: Yehudah Shmuel of Perugia, [1626]. First edition.
Divided into four sections: Siftei Tzedek, Sefat Emet, Siftei Renanot and Anan HaKetoret (the fourth section is comprised of three parts: Seder Pitum HaKetoret, Korban Taanit and Minchat Aharon).
On verso of title page, inscription in Italian, dedication in the merit of a deceased person. On margins of leaves 39 and 43, lengthy additions in square Italian script (partially trimmed).
The author, R. Aharon Berechiah of Modena, author of Maavar Yabok (d. 1639), leading kabbalist and spiritual leader in Italy. Disciple of the renowned kabbalist R. Menachem Azariah (Rama) of Fano and R. Yisrael Sarug. He is renowned for instituting prayers and customs accepted throughout the Jewish world and for his book Maavar Yabok, a classic work reprinted in dozens of editions and quoted extensively in books of halachah and customs.
40 leaves, 41-55 pages, 57-84 leaves; 1-146, 149-162, 155-172 leaves. Leaf 16 of first sequence is blank. 19 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dark dampstains and traces of former dampness, with many mold stains. Wear. Tears and open tears, slightly affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Margins of leaves repaired with paper in several places. Several leaves and gatherings loose and detached. Stamp. Old, worn binding, loose, without spine.
Kenaf Renanim, songs, bakashot and piyyutim for various occasions, with explanations. By R. Yosef Yedidiah son of R. Binyamin Yekutiel Carmi. Venice: Giovanni Caleoni, 1626.
Kenaf Renanim contains supplications and piyyutim to be recited at daybreak on weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. These piyyutim were composed by R. Yosef Yedidiah Carmi, a kabbalist, poet and rabbi in Modena, Italy. Before this book was printed, a fierce polemic broke out against these piyyutim which were being circulated in manuscript among Italian sages. The author's brother-in-law, the famed Kabbalist R. Aharon Berachiah of Modena, author of Maavar Yabok, headed the conflict, opposing the premise of prayers composed by contemporaries, especially those which are not compatible with the Arizal's kabbalistic approach.
Nonetheless, the book received enthusiastic approbations by Italian Torah scholars. In his second introduction to the book, the author writes at length about the background of the polemic and explains the claims of both parties and his rejoinder, including a report that the Rama of Fano was fond of the confession in Kenaf Renanim.
12; 107, [11] leaves. Misfoliation. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming to title page and several other leaves, affecting text. Tears and open tears, including small tear to title page, affecting title frame. Loose leaves and gatherings. Inscriptions. Early leather binding, with clasps. Wear and damage to binding.
Two books by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena – first and second edition of Galut Yehudah, with first edition of Pi Aryeh.
• Galut Yehudah, Hebrew-Italian dictionary of Tanach and Pirkei Avot, by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice: Giacomo Sarzina, 1612. First edition.
[10], 9-40; 42-43, 46-62, 64-106, [103]-112, [2] leaves. 18.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including ink stains to title page. Marginal worming to several leaves. Small open tear to title page, repaired with paper. Close trimming, affecting upper part of title frame. Old, worn binding, detached.
• Galut Yehuda, Padua: Giulio Crivellari, 1640. Includes at the end: Pi Aryeh (with divisional title page), additions to the dictionary and explanations of words used by rabbis, commentators and other authors, by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice: Gioanni Calleoni, 1640. Second edition of Galut Yehudah, and first edition of Pi Aryeh.
Inscriptions, including ownership inscriptions and signatures in various places.
Censor's signature on title page.
[8], 9-40, 42-43, 46-62, 64-114; 14, [3] leaves. Galut Yehudah lacking two leaves after title page. Last three leaves of Galut Yehudah, with index of names, bound at end of volume (after Pi Yehudah). 18.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears, including open tears, affecting text on several leaves. Worming, slightly affecting text on several leaves, repaired with paper. Old binding, damaged (large tears and detached spine).
"Teachings of our master… teaching the people of G-d the path to follow", bound manuscript (Chabad "Bichel"). [1815]. Hand-Illustrated title page.
Early copying of some 30 letters, discourses and Chasidic homilies by Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi – the Alter Rebbe. This copying was made approximately two years after the Alter Rebbe passed away (on 24th Tevet, 1812). When compared with printed versions of the writings of the Baal HaTanya, the essays in the present manuscript contain many additions, omissions and textual variants.
At the beginning of the manuscript, Mahadura Kama of Igeret HaTeshuvah, a part of the Tanya (this version was unknown to the editors of the Mahadura Kama of the Tanya, Brooklyn, 1982), followed by two letters written by the Baal HaTanya after his release from prison in St. Petersburg (letters 2 and 4 of Igeret HaKodesh in the Tanya; letters 73 and 37 of his Igrot Kodesh). At the end of one of these letters appears a copying of the Alter Rebbe's signature, reading: "Shneur Zalman son of R. Baruch".
The present manuscript contains 25 homilies delivered by the Alter Rebbe during the 1790s-1800s, both in Liadi and in Liozna. Towards the end of the Bichel (p. 61b) is a copying of two additional letters written by the Alter Rebbe in 1803 (letters 30 and 1 of Igeret HaKodesh in the Tanya, letters 84 and 82 of his Igrot Kodesh).
On p. 61a, copying of a discourse by the Maggid of Mezeritch (Maggid Devarav LeYaakov, 2005 edition, no. 83, p. 30). To the best of our knowledge and research, the discourse "Lehavin Inyan Nefesh VeRuach", appearing in the present manuscript in leaves 59a-61b, has never been printed.
Some forty blank leaves of a later period are bound at the end of the manuscript, after leaf 64. On the first page is a copying in a different hand of a discourse by the Mitteler Rebbe (Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'i of Lubavitch, IX, p. 1589). The last two pages contain an index of the discourses and letters copied in the manuscript.
Ownership inscriptions and birth records from ca. 1820s-1830s inscribed on last page. Stamp of the "Bikur Cholim Hospital" in Jerusalem.
[1], 2-64 leaves (two columns per page on about half of leaves) + [40] blank leaves (on first page, copying of the discourse by the Mitteler Rebbe; and on last leaves, index and ownership inscriptions). Leaf 55 torn and mostly lacking. 18.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Creases and light wear. Large marginal open tears to title page, repaired with paper, affecting illustrated frame. Tears from ink erosion, affecting frame of title page and text in some places. Worming, affecting text. Stamps. New binding, slightly worn.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EE.011.007.
Shanah Tovah letter from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. Warsaw, 19th Elul, 1935.
Typewritten on the Rebbe Rayatz's official stationery, with his signature: "Yosef Yitzchak".
Sent to the dean of the Torat Emet yeshiva in Jerusalem, R. Moshe Aryeh Leib Shapiro: "Approaching the new year… I bless him and all his household… with a Ketivah VaChatimah Tovah for a good and sweet year, physically and spiritually".
R. Moshe Aryeh Leib Shapiro (1889-1972), dean of the Torat Emet yeshiva, rabbi and posek in the Beit Yisrael neighborhood in Jerusalem. He accompanied the Rebbe Rayatz on his visit to Jerusalem in 1929. Author of Nimukei Malbim and Tabeot Zahav on Ketzot HaChoshen.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 24.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks, creases and light wear.