Manuscript, midrashim and compositions on matters of mesorah and grammar. [Yemen, 14th/15th century?].
Contains a number of compositions: * Midrash Chaserot V'Yeterot, on the Bible – This Midrash is an early midrash already studied in the time of the Geonim. It was printed in several versions from various manuscripts, including a manuscript by Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Wertheimer in his book Batei Midrashot (Part 2). Many changes, additions and omissions were found in comparison to the printed version. This manuscript begins with the Midrash in the middle of Parshat VaEra. Missing one (or more) leaves from Sefer Shmuel. * List of large and small letters in the Bible and lists of the prophets and the time they prophesized. * A long composition on letters, grammar and te'amim, including midrashic and poetic sections. Part of the compositon is the book Dikdukei HaTe'amim, by Aharon ben Asher [an early Ba'al Mesorah who lived in Tiberias during the time of the Geonim], with variations and editing which varies from that which was printed in Lipsia (Leipzig) in 1879. The other parts of the composition were not completely identified and were not thoroughly examined.
[49] leaves. Missing leaves at the beginning and at the end. Several leaves missing in the middle of the manuscript as well. Overall fair condition. Varied damages of wear and tear, stains, moisture traces and worm damages. Several leaves have coarse tears with damage to text. Worn and damaged binding.
The manuscript originated in the important library of Rabbi Yosef Kapach (1918-2000), a leader of Yemenite Jews in Eretz Israel, member of the rabbinical Beit Din and the Council of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He translated and edited the Rambam's writings and many compositions of leading Rishonim.