1. Tractate Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), with the commentary of Yein Levanon, [by Naphtali Hirz Wessely]. Berlin, 1775. First edition.
Approbations: Rabbi Shaul - Rabbi of the Ashkenazi community of Amsterdam, Rabbi Yechezkel HaLevi Landau of Prague, author of Nodah B'Yehuda and others. A major controversy arose concerning the book and its author since the author showed leanings toward Moshe Mendelssohn, the father of the Enlightenment Movement. Seven years later, the Nodah b'Yehuda himself wrote harsh letters against Wessely's booklet Divrei Shalom Ve'Emet. Surprisingly, this commentary was accepted in the Jewish world and his words are found in many compilations on the Tractate of Avot.
[6], 150 leaves; [2] cm. Fancy copy, good condition. Colored cutting of leaves, antique leather binding, with damages, remnants of buckles.
Two leaves of "a second index" were added at the end of this copy. Rare leaves, not found in some of the forms.
2. Derishat Mordechai, commentary on Pirkei Avot, by Rabbi Mordechai Henna a dayan in Hamburg. Amsterdam, 1766. Only edition.
[2], 24 leaves. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition, wear at upper margin corner, stains. New binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.