Manuscript, Sefer HaMidot by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, including Shemot HaTsaddikim and an abridgement of Likutei Moharan. At the end is a compilation of piyyutim. [Aleppo? / Baghdad?, ca. 1850].
An unknown piyyut of bakashot is written before the title page: "Oneh B'et Tsar", with the author's mark: "Ezra Chazak". On a page at the end of the book is another piyyut: "Bati Legani Tsivia…" [Piyyut by Rabbi Ezra Elya Sofer, printed in books of Bakashot - see enclosed photocopy].
This item portrays an interesting phenomenon of Oriental copying of Breslov Chassidic books at an early time in which the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov had not yet spread to Oriental countries [according to the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, none of Rabbi Nachman's books had been printed in Oriental countries]. Rabbi Natan of Breslov, disciple of Rabbi Nachman, spread the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov during his travels to Eretz Israel, while passing through Istanbul, Lebanon and Alexandria. This manuscript is apparently a rare copy of books distributed in these countries by Rabbi Natan.
Owners' (apparently the writer) signature: "Avraham Yosef C. Avraham". More signatures: "Yosef Rachamim'; "I am the last redeemer S.M.S."; "Ezra Avraham Shochet"; "Shlomo Abed Shlomo Moshe Tavene" [the famous Rabbi Shlomo Tavene, born in Baghdad in 1871, appointed Rabbi of Calcutta, India. Authored and printed dozens of halachic and musar books and piyyutim]; another unidentified signature.
[2], 195, [3] leaves. 13.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and stains. Ancient worn leather binding.
Provenance: The Sassoon family collection, Manuscript no. 1300. Pasted on the endpaper is a leaf with a typewritten self-dedication: "This Sefer HaMidot was given to me as a gift by my friend…son of the G-dly Kabbalist R' Shimon Agasi, Mr. Ezra Zion Agassi. For my good name Yehoshua Meir Moshe…".