Auction 93 Part 1 - Manuscripts, Prints and Engravings, Objects and Facsimiles, from the Gross Family Collection, and Private Collections

Manuscript, Homily for Shabbat HaGadol – Terceira (Azores Islands), 1845

Opening: $750
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium

Manuscript, homily for Shabbat HaGadol in Judeo–Arabic, by R. Maimon Abohbot. Terceira (the Azores Islands), Rosh Chodesh Nissan 1845.
A piece of paper depicting a green lion is pasted in the center of the title page (other manuscripts by the author also feature a lion emblem).
The manuscript comprises a lengthy, seven–part homily. Another homily is bound at the end. Enclosed with the manuscript are four leaves by the author, with additional homilies.
The title page and colophon state the place, date and name of author.


R. Maimon Abohbot (ca. 1800–1875) was born in Mogador (Essaouira, Morocco). He immigrated to Terceira, where he served as rabbi, prayer leader, teacher, shochet and mohel. He scribed many manuscripts on various topics, all in Judeo–Arabic.
Terceira is an island in the Azores archipelago, North Atlantic Ocean, home to a small community of Moroccan Jews, since the 19th century. R. Abohbot's manuscripts serve as an important testimony to this almost undocumented community.


[32] leaves + [4] leaves. 21 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Large open tear to title page, affecting text and border. New binding (piece of paper featuring manuscript details and lion emblem pasted on front board, presumably from original binding).


Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, AZ.011.002.

Jewry of the Azores and Gibraltar – Manuscripts
Jewry of the Azores and Gibraltar – Manuscripts