Auction 98 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts, Jewish Ceremonial Art

Siddur Beit Rachel and Shaar Hallel Yah – With Prayers and Bakashot by Rabbi Naftali Katz, Author of Semichat Chachamim – Amsterdam, 1816 – Fine Copy, with Buckle Baring the Owner's Name

Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium

Year-round Siddur according to the Ashkenazic and Polish rite, with the Book of Tehillim, and "Beit Rachel VeSha'ar Hallel Yah", including kabbalistic prayers, songs and confessions by R. Naftali Katz, Rabbi of Frankfurt, author of Semichat Chachamim. Amsterdam: Yochanan Levi Rofeh and his son Benjamin, [1816].
Fine copy, decorated with an original metal buckle, with owner's name and inscribed dedication. An inscription to its inner part reads: "Erindring af H.F. Glukstadt" [in memory of…]. The name R. Goldschmidt is inscribed in its outer part.
The prayer and song collection "Beit Rachel VeSha'ar Hallel Yah", by Rabbi Naftali Katz, was first printed in 1741, and later printed separately, as well as appended several times to additional editions of prayer books, as in the present.
Divisional title pages for "Beit Rachel VeSha'ar Hallel Yah" (appearing at the beginning of the volume), and for the Book of Psalms. The holy book "Beit Rachel" is part of a large composition of Kabbalistic songs, supplements and prayers, composed by the Rabbi Naftali Katz, author of "Semichat Chachamim" (1650-1719), who would recite them at night when rising to lament the absence of the Divine Presence – to fulfill the decree from the Book of Lamentations: "Arise, cry out in the night".
On the title page of "Beit Rachel VeSha'ar Hallel Yah" are mentioned those who brought the first edition to print, Rabbi Shimshon Katz, grandson of the author of "Semichat Chachamim", and Rabbi Gavriel Segal, grandson of the Shelah.
The prayer book includes weekday, Shabbat and holiday prayers, Hoshanot poems, Yotzerot and Ma'aravot, order of Yom Kippur Katan, prayers from "Sha'arei Tzion", Tikkunei Shabbat, Selichot for Monday and Thursday and Monday and for fast days, Pirkei Avot (with commentary), and more. On the lower margins is printed a literal commentary (based on commentaries that appeared in prayer books printed in Zhovkva in the 1700s).


Three parts in one volume. Beit Rachel VeSha'ar Hallel Yah (bound at the beginning of the book): 15 leaves; Prayer book: [1], 256, 120 leaves; Psalms: 90, [2] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. Small tears, minor wear and signs of use on some leaves. Old binding, with restored spine and corners. Fine metal clasp.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Siddurim and Prayers
Siddurim and Prayers