VeZot LiYehuda, two parts in one volume, homily, ethics and aggadic novellae on various topics, by R. Yehuda Ayash, an Algerian Torah scholar. Sulzbach, [1776]. First edition. With approbations by R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz and R. Yom Tov Algazi.
Inscription on the title page, handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Hess-Kugelmann, rabbi of Kassel and the State of Hesse, attesting to having received the book from R. Avraham Ayash, the publisher and son of the author: "R. Avraham Ayash gave me this book as a gift to study it, so says Yosef Hess".
R. Yosef Hess-Kugelmann (d. 1793), leading German rabbi of his times. He authored Ben Porat Yosef (Fürth 1796) on the Haftarot. He served as rabbi of Fürth in the early 1760s. In 1776-1778, he served as dean of the prominent Fürth yeshiva, and as head of the Beit Din. In 1780, he was appointed rabbi of Kassel and the State of Hesse. He was a foremost Torah disseminator in Germany, and was renowned for his outstanding fear of G-d, piety and asceticism. Leading Torah scholars wrote in their approbations to his book: "He was well-versed in all realms of the Torah… the pious one, who is renowned throughout the land…". He was the prime teacher of R. Betzalel Ronsburg.
This book was printed in Sulzbach by R. Avraham Ayash, son of the author R. Yehuda Ayash. R. Avraham was a Jerusalemite Torah scholar, and he came to Germany specially to retrieve his father's manuscript, which his father had given to a Torah scholar of Hamburg for publishing. Since the latter failed to do so, R. Avraham published it on this occasion in Sulzbach. Between 1768-1776, R. Avraham wandered through the cities of Italy and Germany, where he met R. Yosef Hess (presumably in Fürth) and gave him this book as a gift.
[1], 3-88; 48 leaves. Illustrated title page. Separate title page for part II. 32.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Dampstains. Worming to title page, affecting illustrations, partially repaired with paper. Worming to entire book, some affecting text (the book was disinfected). Old binding with parchment spine.