Auction 98 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts, Jewish Ceremonial Art
- (-) Remove proclam filter proclam
- and (75) Apply and filter
- book (75) Apply book filter
- booklet (75) Apply booklet filter
- booklets, (75) Apply booklets, filter
- earli (75) Apply earli filter
- in (75) Apply in filter
- jerusalem (75) Apply jerusalem filter
- letter (75) Apply letter filter
- print (75) Apply print filter
- sign (75) Apply sign filter
Sefer HaTakanot VeHaskamot, public ordinances and halachic customs enacted by Jerusalem rabbis over the generations, by R. Chaim Avraham Gagin. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1842.
Two title pages. The first title page is decorated with a woodcut (previously used for Avodat HaKodesh). The second title page is on leaf [5], after R. Gagin's preface.
The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Printed in the press established by R. Yisrael Bak of Berditchev and Safed, disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin.
This book is comprised of two parts: the first contains R. Gagin's preface and a long responsum (dated 1824) by R. Shlomo Moshe Suzin regarding the authority of the Beit Din to issue public ordinances. The second part includes a compilation of the regulations and customs of Eretz Israel following the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch. At the end of the book, approbations dated 1841 and 1842, by rabbis and community officials, according R. Yisrael Bak the exclusive rights to printing in Eretz Israel. The approbations describe how R. Yisrael established a new printing press in Jerusalem after his press in Safed was destroyed and looted. [There are some copies without the final leaf containing the approbation from 1842. See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book listing 123175, and Sh. Halevy, HaSefarim HaIvriyim Shenidpesu BiYerushalayim, no. 3].
The bibliographer A. Tauber, in his Hebrew article "History of Printing in Eretz Israel" (Mechkarim Bibliographim, pp. 10-11; Kovetz Yerushalayim – Lachakirat Eretz Yisrael, Jerusalem 1928, pp. 179-192), posits that the main purpose of this book was to reinforce several controversial public ordinances (especially those regarding estate and ownership titles). In order to print this book, R. Gagin and the Sephardic community officials encouraged the establishment of R. Yisrael Bak's printing press, intending this book to be the first published there.
R. Gagin, who was persecuted by his opponents, initiated the printing of this book in order to answer their contentions. To avoid making the book's purpose obvious, R. Gagin instructed R. Yaakov Capiloto and R. Avraham Ashkenazi, two Jerusalem scholars, to research the customs and ordinances of Eretz Israel, arrange them in the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch, and combine them with the rebuttals to those who questioned the controversial ordinances.
This book was presumably printed in stages, according to the progress of the abovementioned editors. According to Tauber, the first part of Sefer HaTakanot was already printed in 1841 (before the printing of Avodat HaKodesh, which is recognized as the first Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem). The printing was only concluded after R. Capiloto and R. Ashkenazi finished compiling and editing the second part of the book.
[16], 13-72, [4] leaves. 15 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains (many stains to several leaves). A few tears, including marginal open tear to one leaf, not affecting text. Pencil inscriptions inside text on several leaves. New binding.
The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Sh. Halevy, no. 3 (this is in fact the second book printed in Jerusalem, since listing no. 2 by Sh. Halevy is actually a broadside and not a book).
Includes leaf with approbation from 1842, which is not included in all copies.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Chukat HaPesach, study order for the month of Nissan, with the Haggadah order, and other selections. Jerusalem: Israel Bak, [1843]. The second Haggadah printed in Jerusalem (the first was printed in 1842).
The Haggadah is accompanied by laws and instructions in Judeo-Arabic.
Also includes: Ka'arat Kesef by Rabbi Yosef Ha'Ezovi, order for the eve of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, Passover evening prayer, Song of Songs, Counting of the Omer, Pirkei Avot, poem in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (by Rabbi David Elkayam), and order for the eve of Rosh Chodesh Sivan (incomplete at the end).
On the title page, a signature in ornate Sephardic script, erased in ink.
83 leaves. Missing last leaf (replaced with photocopy). Approx. 14.5 cm. Gilt edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Small tears to title page and open tear to lower margin, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Small open tear to margin of one leaf. Paper reinforcement to inner margins of several leaves, affecting text in one leaf. New binding.
Otzar HaHaggadot 861.
One of the earliest books printed in Jerusalem. Sh. Halevy, no. 12.
Provenance: Formerly from the collection of Dr. I. Mehlman, with inscriptions in his handwriting.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Ethical will by R. Aharon Moshe MiGeza Tzvi of Brody (disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and founder of the Chassidic settlement in Jerusalem). Jerusalem: [Yisrael Bak], 1845. First edition.
Ethical will of R. Aharon Moshe MiGeza Tzvi of Brody, authored five years before his death (at its end he requests that it be printed immediately after his passing).
R. Aharon Moshe MiGeza Tzvi (1775-1845), Chassidic leader, disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and R. Uri of Strelisk, among the first Chassidim to immigrate to Jerusalem (in 1799) and one of the founders of the Chassidic settlement there and head of the Chassidic kollel. His gravestone on the Mount of Olives is inscribed with titles of praise which were rarely used in those times in Jerusalem.
Ownership inscriptions on title page.
8 leaves. 14.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains and traces of former dampness. Worming to margins of some leaves. Stamp. New binding.
Rare edition.
Sh. Halevy, no. 30.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Be'er Sheva, homilies on the Torah by Rebbe Moshe David Ashkenazi, Rabbi of Tolcsva and Safed (author of Toldot Adam; father-in-law of the Yitav Lev and progenitor of the Satmar and Klausenburg Chassidic dynasties). Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1853. First edition.
The author, R. Moshe David Ashkenazi, Rabbi of Tolcsva and Safed (1774-1856), author of Toldot Adam, father-in-law of the Yitav Lev of Sighet. Progenitor of the Satmar and Klausenburg Chassidic dynasties. Rabbi of Tolcsva for some forty years, and later one of the founders of the Chassidic settlement in post-earthquake Safed.
Inscriptions in Sephardic script on title page.
[3], 172, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves. Worming in many places (heavy worming on some leaves), affecting text, partially repaired with paper and tape. New fabric binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 50.
Provenance: Formerly of the collection of Dr. I. Mehlman, with his handwritten inscriptions.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Aderet Eliyahu, "Segulah… for an open mind, memory and success…" – sayings of the Sages mentioning the prophet Elijah, to be recited as a Segulah at the end of Shabbat, and a passage from the Zohar for circumcision. Jerusalem: Yisrael Bak, [1859].
24 leaves. Approx. 14 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Damage and open tears to title page, affecting title frame and text, repaired with paper filling. Worming, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Variant, with slight difference of wording on title page (as in the the copy in the Ben Menachem collection).
Sh. Halevy, no. 56.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Selichot and prayers for 7th Adar, according to the custom of the Gomlei Chesed Shel Emet Chevra Kadisha of Jerusalem. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1863.
First of several editions printed in Jerusalem.
Leaf [2] printed with decorated frame with printed dedication (not filled out), with printed signatures of the Gabbai of the Chevra Kadisha.
[2], 13, [1] leaf. 17.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. New binding.
Rare edition.
Sh. Halevy, no. 83.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
![Sefer HaChezyonot, known as Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital. Jerusalem: Avraham Rautenberg, [1866].
On verso of title page, intr](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale98/118.jpg "Sefer HaChezyonot – Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital – Jerusalem, 1866")
Sefer HaChezyonot, known as Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital. Jerusalem: Avraham Rautenberg, [1866].
On verso of title page, introduction by R. Moshe Vital, grandson of R. Chaim Vital. Printed from manuscript of R. Chaim Vital's grandson.
On title page, ownership inscription in Sephardic script (in pencil).
28 leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Light wear. Marginal tears and open tears to title page and several other leaves. Inner margins of title page and other leaves repaired with paper. Uneven trimming. New binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 120.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Calendar for the entire sixth millennium, from the beginning of the millennium until the year 6000, by R. Shraga Feivel of Grodno. Jerusalem: Yisrael Bak, [1867].
Divided into three parts: Calendar I, festivals, fast days and Torah readings; calendar II, with moladot and tekufot; and calendar III, general calendar with names of secular months.
Owner's signature on title page: "Yosef David Dweck HaKohen".
71 leaves. 16.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. Tears and damage to margins of some leaves, repaired with paper. New leather binding.
Bound with orange front wrapper with a printed illustration of Jerusalem printed by Bak.
Sh. Halevy, no. 134.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
The Jerusalem Almanack, 1869. Jerusalem, 1869. English and some Hebrew. On title page: "Published under the direction of the Hebrew Christian Mutual Aid Society".
1869 calendar with verses from the Prophets for each day of the month (in English translation only) and additional English information at the end relating to the population of Jerusalem, its various parts and institutions, and more.
[1], [27], 28-35, [1] pages. Includes original front and back printed wrapper. 13.5 cm. Good condition. Stains (including to wrapper). New binding.
Especially rare booklet, unknown bibliographically.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
![Doresh LeTzion, by R. David Ze'ev son of R. Zelig Rosenthal. Jerusalem: [Yoel Moshe Salomon], 1868.
Selections from the Sag](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale98/121.jpg "Doresh LeTzion – Jerusalem, 1868")
Doresh LeTzion, by R. David Ze'ev son of R. Zelig Rosenthal. Jerusalem: [Yoel Moshe Salomon], 1868.
Selections from the Sages and holy books on the great mitzvah of charity to the poor of Eretz Israel. Printed for emissaries seeking assistance in Jewish communities abroad.
[1], 2-44 pages. 13.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Tears and open tears to margins of several leaves. Stamp on title page. New leather binding.
Rare.
Sh. Halevy, no. 144.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Chanukat HaBayit, copies of various letters of rabbis for the support of the Doresh Tzion Torah school in Jerusalem. Jerusalem: [R. Yisrael Bak, 1869].
The booklet includes letters by the Rishon LeTzion R. Avraham Ashkenazi (along with the Torah scholars of the Sephardic community), rabbis of the Maghrebi community, rabbis of the Knesset Yechezkel yeshiva and teachers in the Doresh Tzion school in Jerusalem, addressed to the Dorshei Shelom Yerushalayim society in Paris, which funded the establishment of the Torah school and provided clothing for the students.
8 pages (folded sheet, untrimmed). 18 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Creases and folding marks. Placed in a new case.
Rare. Does not appear in Sh. Halevy.
Recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew based on the present copy, from the David Sofer collection.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.
Birkat HaIlanot, selected from the Bible and rabbinic sources, with Sefer Pirkus HaEvarim (attributed to R. Hai Gaon). Jerusalem: [Yoel Moshe Salomon, 1871].
At the beginning of the book is an introduction by the publisher, R. David Melamed son of R. Chefetz, detailing his journey from Bukhara to Eretz Israel.
On p. 2a, handwritten addition (in Spanish script) of a prayer text.
[1], 16 leaves. 14.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears, including an open tear affecting text on one leaf, repaired with tape (mounted on margins). Uneven trimming. New binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 167.
Provenance: Formerly of the collection of Dr. I. Mehlman, with his handwritten inscriptions.
PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.