Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $700
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Ketubah and marriage documents from Harbin, China:
• Ketubah, printed in color (Warsaw: Ch. Jacobson - M. Goldberg), filled-in by hand, recording the marriage of the groom Yaakov son of Avraham Kogan, to the bride Sheva daughter of Eliezer Keilis. Harbin, 1933.
• Marriage certificate (in Russian), issued by the "Hebrew Community in Harbin", confirming the above marriage. Signed by the rabbi of the city - R. Aharon Moshe Kiselev, the community chairman and the secretary; with the stamp of the community board.
• Certificate (in Russian) issued by the Harbin police, regarding the above marriage. Including official stamps (in Chinese and Russian) and a revenue stamp. Printed text in Chinese on the verso.
Harbin, China, was home to a small Jewish community, established on the eve of WWI by Russian immigrants. The first and last rabbi of the community was R. Aharon Moshe Kiselev (1866-1949), a Chassid of Lubavitch, disciple of the "Gadol of Minsk" and R. Chaim Soloveitchik. He arrived there in 1913, after serving for many years as rabbi of Borisov (Barysaw), Minsk region. In 1937, he was unanimously appointed chief rabbi of all the Far East communities. With the Chinese conquest of the city from the hands of the Japanese, and the establishment of communist rule in China, the Hebrew community of Harbin came to an end.
3 paper items. Size and condition vary.
• Ketubah, printed in color (Warsaw: Ch. Jacobson - M. Goldberg), filled-in by hand, recording the marriage of the groom Yaakov son of Avraham Kogan, to the bride Sheva daughter of Eliezer Keilis. Harbin, 1933.
• Marriage certificate (in Russian), issued by the "Hebrew Community in Harbin", confirming the above marriage. Signed by the rabbi of the city - R. Aharon Moshe Kiselev, the community chairman and the secretary; with the stamp of the community board.
• Certificate (in Russian) issued by the Harbin police, regarding the above marriage. Including official stamps (in Chinese and Russian) and a revenue stamp. Printed text in Chinese on the verso.
Harbin, China, was home to a small Jewish community, established on the eve of WWI by Russian immigrants. The first and last rabbi of the community was R. Aharon Moshe Kiselev (1866-1949), a Chassid of Lubavitch, disciple of the "Gadol of Minsk" and R. Chaim Soloveitchik. He arrived there in 1913, after serving for many years as rabbi of Borisov (Barysaw), Minsk region. In 1937, he was unanimously appointed chief rabbi of all the Far East communities. With the Chinese conquest of the city from the hands of the Japanese, and the establishment of communist rule in China, the Hebrew community of Harbin came to an end.
3 paper items. Size and condition vary.
Category
Persian, Indian and Far Eastern Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $400
Including buyer's premium
Seder Beracha Acharonah, lithograph broadside. Published by Avraham Meir son of R. Yaakov Kopil HaCohen Neiman, printed at the N. A. Frankel press ("Типо-лит. Н. А. Френкеля"), Harbin, 1934.
The Al HaMichya blessing with Yiddish instructions. Black and orange border, with medallions containing Stars of David. Surmounted by a pair of lions flanking a large Star of David depicting hands raised for the Priestly Blessing, alluding to the identity of the publisher.
In the early 20th century, Harbin became an administrative center situated on the railway from Russia to China, prompting the immigration of Russian Jews. In 1908, about 8000 Jews were living in the city. The flow of Russian refugees increased After WWI and in the early 1930s, the community peaked at 15,000 Jewish residents, with schools, hospitals, old-age homes, a library, etc., also providing organized assistance to refugees. During these years, dozens of Jewish-owned companies operated in Harbin and the community prospered as a center of Jewish culture. Newspapers were printed, plays were produced and in 1927, the community hosted the first Far-East Zionist convention. At the end of the Russian occupation in 1928, an economic crisis hit the city and the situation of Jews took a turn for the worst. Under the Japanese occupation (1931-1945) the Jewish community was persecuted and its freedom was limited. After WWII, Jews emigrated from the city until organized Jewish life in Harbin came to an end altogether.
Leaf: 25X39 cm. Fair condition. The bottom of the leaf is torn along its entire width and reinforced with adhesive tape. Open and closed tears, some restored with paper strips. Pinholes. Stains. Folding marks.
The leaf is not recorded in the NLI catalog nor in the OCLC.
The Al HaMichya blessing with Yiddish instructions. Black and orange border, with medallions containing Stars of David. Surmounted by a pair of lions flanking a large Star of David depicting hands raised for the Priestly Blessing, alluding to the identity of the publisher.
In the early 20th century, Harbin became an administrative center situated on the railway from Russia to China, prompting the immigration of Russian Jews. In 1908, about 8000 Jews were living in the city. The flow of Russian refugees increased After WWI and in the early 1930s, the community peaked at 15,000 Jewish residents, with schools, hospitals, old-age homes, a library, etc., also providing organized assistance to refugees. During these years, dozens of Jewish-owned companies operated in Harbin and the community prospered as a center of Jewish culture. Newspapers were printed, plays were produced and in 1927, the community hosted the first Far-East Zionist convention. At the end of the Russian occupation in 1928, an economic crisis hit the city and the situation of Jews took a turn for the worst. Under the Japanese occupation (1931-1945) the Jewish community was persecuted and its freedom was limited. After WWII, Jews emigrated from the city until organized Jewish life in Harbin came to an end altogether.
Leaf: 25X39 cm. Fair condition. The bottom of the leaf is torn along its entire width and reinforced with adhesive tape. Open and closed tears, some restored with paper strips. Pinholes. Stains. Folding marks.
The leaf is not recorded in the NLI catalog nor in the OCLC.
Category
Persian, Indian and Far Eastern Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,200
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Volume of booklets handwritten by R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen of Modena - sermons he delivered to his community on various occasions. [Italy, Modena? 18th century].
Handwritten by the author, with deletions and many marginal additions. The volume comprises 5 booklets; an additional booklet is enclosed. The booklets are bound with their original paper covers. The details of the sermon with the author’s initials - "Sh.Y.M.K." = Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach Kohen, appear on the covers and first page of each booklet. To the best of our knowledge, these sermons were never published.
The booklets contain the following sermons (in order of binding): "Sermon for Chanukah regarding the virtue of Torah and Torah supporters, in honor of the Talmud Torah society of Busseto, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Tazria, by me, Sh.Y.M.K", "Sermon for Parashat Balak and the 17th of Tammuz, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for the seventh day of Pesach, by me, Sh.Y.M.K., also appropriate for Parashat Beshalach", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Behar Sinai". Separate booklet: "Sermon for Shabbat Parashat Chukat, by me Sh.Y.M.K".
R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, who customarily signed his name with the acronym "Sh.Y.M.K.", was an Italian Torah scholar in the 18th century, rabbi, educator and preacher in Modena and the surroundings. Not much information is known about him, apart from his extant sermons and compositions, which disclose his Torah preeminence and erudition both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. He was born ca. 1740. Most of his extant works consist of his sermons. His first sermon known to us, delivered in Brescello, is dated 1769 (see: Mikavtze’el, Chevrat Ahavat Shalom, issue 31, p. 519). There is a manuscript in the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary (Ms. Kaufmann A 163), which includes novellae sent from a rabbi in "Mantua, 1769" to "Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, teacher in Brescello". In the 1790s, he was active in Modena and delivered sermons there. The last date mentioned in his writings is the year 1795 (see: Mikavtze’el, ibid). He also authored a booklet of prayers and segulot, and this indicates that he engaged in practical kabbalah. One of the amulets is introduced as follows: "Text of a amulet which I, Sh.Y.M.K., instituted and wrote, for a Jew from Colorno who was imprisoned… and praise G-d he derived much benefit from it, as he testified after he was released a year before the designated time" (Mikavtze’el, ibid). The sermons in these booklets are replete with thoughts and commentaries, drawn from the Bible, Midrash and kabbalah. In the sermon for the seventh day of Pesach (p. 86), R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach quotes teachings from the kabbalist R. Shimshon Chaim Nachmani of Modena, the Zera Shimshon, with the following introductory words: "From what my master and teacher wrote on this topic, in his delightful book Zera Shimshon…". This discloses that R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach was a disciple of the Zera Shimshon.
6 booklets (5 are bound together in a new binding, with their original paper covers). Over one hundred written pages. 13-14 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear.
Handwritten by the author, with deletions and many marginal additions. The volume comprises 5 booklets; an additional booklet is enclosed. The booklets are bound with their original paper covers. The details of the sermon with the author’s initials - "Sh.Y.M.K." = Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach Kohen, appear on the covers and first page of each booklet. To the best of our knowledge, these sermons were never published.
The booklets contain the following sermons (in order of binding): "Sermon for Chanukah regarding the virtue of Torah and Torah supporters, in honor of the Talmud Torah society of Busseto, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Tazria, by me, Sh.Y.M.K", "Sermon for Parashat Balak and the 17th of Tammuz, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for the seventh day of Pesach, by me, Sh.Y.M.K., also appropriate for Parashat Beshalach", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Behar Sinai". Separate booklet: "Sermon for Shabbat Parashat Chukat, by me Sh.Y.M.K".
R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, who customarily signed his name with the acronym "Sh.Y.M.K.", was an Italian Torah scholar in the 18th century, rabbi, educator and preacher in Modena and the surroundings. Not much information is known about him, apart from his extant sermons and compositions, which disclose his Torah preeminence and erudition both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. He was born ca. 1740. Most of his extant works consist of his sermons. His first sermon known to us, delivered in Brescello, is dated 1769 (see: Mikavtze’el, Chevrat Ahavat Shalom, issue 31, p. 519). There is a manuscript in the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary (Ms. Kaufmann A 163), which includes novellae sent from a rabbi in "Mantua, 1769" to "Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, teacher in Brescello". In the 1790s, he was active in Modena and delivered sermons there. The last date mentioned in his writings is the year 1795 (see: Mikavtze’el, ibid). He also authored a booklet of prayers and segulot, and this indicates that he engaged in practical kabbalah. One of the amulets is introduced as follows: "Text of a amulet which I, Sh.Y.M.K., instituted and wrote, for a Jew from Colorno who was imprisoned… and praise G-d he derived much benefit from it, as he testified after he was released a year before the designated time" (Mikavtze’el, ibid). The sermons in these booklets are replete with thoughts and commentaries, drawn from the Bible, Midrash and kabbalah. In the sermon for the seventh day of Pesach (p. 86), R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach quotes teachings from the kabbalist R. Shimshon Chaim Nachmani of Modena, the Zera Shimshon, with the following introductory words: "From what my master and teacher wrote on this topic, in his delightful book Zera Shimshon…". This discloses that R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach was a disciple of the Zera Shimshon.
6 booklets (5 are bound together in a new binding, with their original paper covers). Over one hundred written pages. 13-14 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $550
Including buyer's premium
Ledger of the Mercy Society - Compagnia della Misericordia Israelitica, in Vercelli, Italy, [1901-1929].
Ledger, oblong elephant folio (49X58 cm). Printed title page. Original binding. The name of the society is lettered in gilt on the front cover. The ledger is comprised of folded leaves, which open up to nearly double the size. These leaves contain tables with printed headings, in which the details of numerous community members who passed away between 1772-1929 were filled in by hand: their names and fathers’ names, date of death and other details. The ledger is divided into Hebrew months (13 months, including the month of "VeAdar" - Adar II).
The ledger was prepared in 1901, as stated on the title page, and was then filled in with names of community members from 1772 until that time. Additional records were added later, up until 1929.
The Mercy Society served as a burial society, and the ledger records contributions donated in memory of the deceased, as well as various other pledges: lamps in the synagogue, the recital of Psalms and memorial services, synagogue torches, fasts and others.
[14] leaves. Including 13 folded leaves. Heavy stock paper. Height of binding: 49 cm. Width of binding: 58 cm. Size of leaves, unfolded: 56X85 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Damage and tears to binding and endpapers.
Ledger, oblong elephant folio (49X58 cm). Printed title page. Original binding. The name of the society is lettered in gilt on the front cover. The ledger is comprised of folded leaves, which open up to nearly double the size. These leaves contain tables with printed headings, in which the details of numerous community members who passed away between 1772-1929 were filled in by hand: their names and fathers’ names, date of death and other details. The ledger is divided into Hebrew months (13 months, including the month of "VeAdar" - Adar II).
The ledger was prepared in 1901, as stated on the title page, and was then filled in with names of community members from 1772 until that time. Additional records were added later, up until 1929.
The Mercy Society served as a burial society, and the ledger records contributions donated in memory of the deceased, as well as various other pledges: lamps in the synagogue, the recital of Psalms and memorial services, synagogue torches, fasts and others.
[14] leaves. Including 13 folded leaves. Heavy stock paper. Height of binding: 49 cm. Width of binding: 58 cm. Size of leaves, unfolded: 56X85 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Damage and tears to binding and endpapers.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Kehunat Avraham, poetic commentary to the five books of Tehillim, with Eleh Bnei Ketura - The Song of Creation in rhyming verses, six parts, by R. Avraham son of Shabtai HaKohen of Zante (Zakynthos). Venice, [1719]. Seven title pages. Individual title page for each of the six parts.
At the beginning of the book, a general title page for all parts of the book, featuring many illustrations. The title pages of the first five parts are illustrated with trumpet-bearing angels. Title page of Part I: Signature of R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi, and signatures of his son R. Mordechai Shmuel, who signed with his acronym: "HaGeSheM", and with his full signature: "Mordechai Shmuel son of my father, the wise and sage R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi". Another ownership inscription on the front endpaper: "For Avraham as possession, Avraham HaKohen of Głogów, Abraham Cohn - Posen" (author of Be’er Avraham, Poznań 1896). The preceding page contains rhyming verses in Italian script.
R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1799-1852), rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the biographies of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on Halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of his generation praised his eminence in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone well-versed in Kabbalah like the kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, describes his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well-versed in responsa and Halacha, rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wise responsa to them are recorded in his book of responsa named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
1, [1] leaves (lacking leaf [2] following title page, with author’s portrait), 2-8; 49; 40; 30 (lacking 4 leaves in Part IV - leaves 9-12, erroneously replaced with leaves 9-12 of Part V); 26; 64 leaves. General title page (of all six parts of the book) bound after title page of Part I. 20 cm. Good condition. Tear to title page of Part I, repaired. General title page mounted on paper for preservation. Inner margins of first three leaves reinforced with paper. Stains. Worming. Parchment binding, with minor damage.
At the beginning of the book, a general title page for all parts of the book, featuring many illustrations. The title pages of the first five parts are illustrated with trumpet-bearing angels. Title page of Part I: Signature of R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi, and signatures of his son R. Mordechai Shmuel, who signed with his acronym: "HaGeSheM", and with his full signature: "Mordechai Shmuel son of my father, the wise and sage R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi". Another ownership inscription on the front endpaper: "For Avraham as possession, Avraham HaKohen of Głogów, Abraham Cohn - Posen" (author of Be’er Avraham, Poznań 1896). The preceding page contains rhyming verses in Italian script.
R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1799-1852), rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the biographies of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on Halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of his generation praised his eminence in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone well-versed in Kabbalah like the kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, describes his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well-versed in responsa and Halacha, rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wise responsa to them are recorded in his book of responsa named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
1, [1] leaves (lacking leaf [2] following title page, with author’s portrait), 2-8; 49; 40; 30 (lacking 4 leaves in Part IV - leaves 9-12, erroneously replaced with leaves 9-12 of Part V); 26; 64 leaves. General title page (of all six parts of the book) bound after title page of Part I. 20 cm. Good condition. Tear to title page of Part I, repaired. General title page mounted on paper for preservation. Inner margins of first three leaves reinforced with paper. Stains. Worming. Parchment binding, with minor damage.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Emet V’Emuna, textbook for youth in Hebrew and Italian, by R. Yitzchak Arobas. Venice, [1672]. Only edition. Hebrew and Italian.
Printed with: Hilchot Yom Tov - laws of festivals, Chol HaMoed and kashrut, compiled from the Shulchan Aruch with minor textual changes. Separate title page.
The beginning of the book Emet V’Emunah is based on Sefer HaMitzvot and on Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith, and the second part is an abridged version of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. Hebrew original and Italian translation on separate pages.
Two poems in praise of the book are printed at the beginning of the book, one by R. Yaakov HaLevi and the other by the kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto (the Remez). Further words of praise, by R. Shlomo Chai Saraval, at the end of Hilchot Yom Tov.
The author, R. Yitzchak Arobas, served as rabbi of Tétouan. He authored other works, including Zivchei Tzedek (Venice 1662) and several books in Spanish.
Two books in one volume. [320] leaves. 36 leaves. 10 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Gilt edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Tears and wear to title page. Wormhole to approx. first 12 leaves, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Hilchot Yom Tov is recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book based on a photocopy, with 1670 as estimated year of printing. From this copy, it is apparent that both compositions were printed together in the same printing house.
Printed with: Hilchot Yom Tov - laws of festivals, Chol HaMoed and kashrut, compiled from the Shulchan Aruch with minor textual changes. Separate title page.
The beginning of the book Emet V’Emunah is based on Sefer HaMitzvot and on Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith, and the second part is an abridged version of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. Hebrew original and Italian translation on separate pages.
Two poems in praise of the book are printed at the beginning of the book, one by R. Yaakov HaLevi and the other by the kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto (the Remez). Further words of praise, by R. Shlomo Chai Saraval, at the end of Hilchot Yom Tov.
The author, R. Yitzchak Arobas, served as rabbi of Tétouan. He authored other works, including Zivchei Tzedek (Venice 1662) and several books in Spanish.
Two books in one volume. [320] leaves. 36 leaves. 10 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Gilt edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Tears and wear to title page. Wormhole to approx. first 12 leaves, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Hilchot Yom Tov is recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book based on a photocopy, with 1670 as estimated year of printing. From this copy, it is apparent that both compositions were printed together in the same printing house.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $500
Unsold
Esh Dat, "Zeal of G-d… [attacking] Nechemia Chiya Hayyun, who transgresses, undermines and uproots the principles of our Torah", by R. David Nieto. London: Thomas Ilive, 1715.
A polemic book comprising two "debates" against the Sabbatean movement and against the Sabbatean Nechemia Hayyun of Amsterdam.
Rabbi David Nieto (1654-1728), brilliant in Torah and in science. Dayan, orator and doctor in Livorno, and later the first rabbi to the Sephardi community in London. Author of Kuzari II and Mateh Dan. One of the strongest opponents of Sabbateanism.
Nechemia Chiya Hayyun (1655-ca. 1730), a Sabbatean sage and kabbalist, probably the most prominent Sabbatean after Sabbatai Zevi’s death.
Signature at top of title page: "David, the small one, son of R. Petachia… of Lviv" - R. David son of R. Petachia Lida, a Torah scholar in Frankfurt am Main. R. Petachia was the son of R. David Lida of Amsterdam. The latter left Amsterdam towards the end of his life, and passed away in Lviv. His son R. Petachia, was "head and leader" of the Lviv community, rabbi of Yas (Iaşi) and other cities, and later settled in Frankfurt am Main. His son R. David, who signed here, published together with his father R. Petachia, the book Yad Kol Bo by his grandfather, in Frankfurt am Main, 1727.
Another signature on the title page: "Wolf Heidenheim" - the signature of R. Ze’ev Wolf Heidenheim (1757-1832), renowned commentator, grammarian and Masorah researcher. In his printing press in Rödelheim, he printed his books on Hebrew grammar, his Masorah-accurate chumashim, and his famous machzorim - Sefer Kerovot, in which he contributed much to the research and preservation of the piyutim of the Ashkenazi communities. (The Chatam Sofer praised his books. The Chatam Sofer brings the commentaries and corrections of "HaChacham R. Wolf Heidenheim" many times in his sermons and writings).
[1], 38 leaves. (Without Spanish translation of the book, Es Dat: ò Fuego Legal, which was printed with it). 16 cm. Slightly darkened paper. Good condition. Stains. Margins trimmed, affecting headings of several leaves. Stamps on title page and final leaf. New leather binding.
A polemic book comprising two "debates" against the Sabbatean movement and against the Sabbatean Nechemia Hayyun of Amsterdam.
Rabbi David Nieto (1654-1728), brilliant in Torah and in science. Dayan, orator and doctor in Livorno, and later the first rabbi to the Sephardi community in London. Author of Kuzari II and Mateh Dan. One of the strongest opponents of Sabbateanism.
Nechemia Chiya Hayyun (1655-ca. 1730), a Sabbatean sage and kabbalist, probably the most prominent Sabbatean after Sabbatai Zevi’s death.
Signature at top of title page: "David, the small one, son of R. Petachia… of Lviv" - R. David son of R. Petachia Lida, a Torah scholar in Frankfurt am Main. R. Petachia was the son of R. David Lida of Amsterdam. The latter left Amsterdam towards the end of his life, and passed away in Lviv. His son R. Petachia, was "head and leader" of the Lviv community, rabbi of Yas (Iaşi) and other cities, and later settled in Frankfurt am Main. His son R. David, who signed here, published together with his father R. Petachia, the book Yad Kol Bo by his grandfather, in Frankfurt am Main, 1727.
Another signature on the title page: "Wolf Heidenheim" - the signature of R. Ze’ev Wolf Heidenheim (1757-1832), renowned commentator, grammarian and Masorah researcher. In his printing press in Rödelheim, he printed his books on Hebrew grammar, his Masorah-accurate chumashim, and his famous machzorim - Sefer Kerovot, in which he contributed much to the research and preservation of the piyutim of the Ashkenazi communities. (The Chatam Sofer praised his books. The Chatam Sofer brings the commentaries and corrections of "HaChacham R. Wolf Heidenheim" many times in his sermons and writings).
[1], 38 leaves. (Without Spanish translation of the book, Es Dat: ò Fuego Legal, which was printed with it). 16 cm. Slightly darkened paper. Good condition. Stains. Margins trimmed, affecting headings of several leaves. Stamps on title page and final leaf. New leather binding.
Category
British and American Jewry
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $750
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript booklet, prayers for the deceased, with an inscription handwritten and signed by Sir Moses Montefiore. Trieste (Italy), 1863.
Vocalized square script. Tzidduk HaDin and Hakafot prayers for the deceased, with Mishnayot Tractate Zevachim (chapter V), recited in the memory of the deceased.
Signature on the first page - "Moshe Montefiore", with an inscription in his handwriting: "Trieste, Wednesday, 10th Iyar - She returned to the heavens, 29 April ‘63".
The meaning of this inscription is not known to us. It appears that Montefiore wrote this about a woman who passed away (though presumably not in reference to his wife, who died half a year earlier).
[4] leaves (8 pages). 17 cm. Good condition. Detached leaves.
Vocalized square script. Tzidduk HaDin and Hakafot prayers for the deceased, with Mishnayot Tractate Zevachim (chapter V), recited in the memory of the deceased.
Signature on the first page - "Moshe Montefiore", with an inscription in his handwriting: "Trieste, Wednesday, 10th Iyar - She returned to the heavens, 29 April ‘63".
The meaning of this inscription is not known to us. It appears that Montefiore wrote this about a woman who passed away (though presumably not in reference to his wife, who died half a year earlier).
[4] leaves (8 pages). 17 cm. Good condition. Detached leaves.
Category
British and American Jewry
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,100
Sold for: $2,250
Including buyer's premium
Large collection comprising hundreds of books, booklets, leaflets and single leaves printed in England. England, [18th-20th centuries]. The vast majority of items are from the first half of the 20th century.
The collection includes Torah literature from British rabbis and booklets of the sermons they delivered; reports issued by various committees and bodies, including many reports from the Central Council for Jewish Religious Education; reference books and many offprints from renowned researchers, dealing with various Jewish topics; Passover Haggadot; compositions on synagogues and communities in England; siddurim and prayer books; many prayer booklets for special occasions, including occasions relating to the royal family; miniature calendars; various periodicals; advertisements for new books; signed documents from various institutions and organizations, and many other paper items.
Some of the items:
• The History of the Holy Bible, Vol. II: From the Revolt of the Ten Tribes to the End of the Prophets, with Sculptures, by Samuel Wesley. [London, 1704]. English.
• Hilchot Tamlud[!] Torah VeHilchot Teshuva by the Rambam, with Latin translation and notes, by Robert Clavering. Oxford, 1705. Hebrew and Latin.
• The Lying Prophet Examined, and His False Predictions Discovered, by William Huntington. London, 1803. English.
• Abrahams’s Interlineary Tephilloth, Daily Form of Prayers, with the English Translation, prayers for the year round, according to the order of the German and Polish Jews, with English commentary. London, 1853.
• Laws of the congregation of the Great Synagogue, Duke’s place. London, 1863.
• Prayer for the recovery of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Tevet 18723. London, 1872.
• Elef Alfin, Igeret Evel, memorial service for R. [Nathan] Adler, chief rabbi of the British Empire. London, 1890.
• The Paths of Judaism in England, by Yisrael Yitzchak Schwartzburg (I.I. Black). Manchester, 1903.
• Zemirot UTefilot Yisrael, traditional compositions for prayers and blessings, for the synagogue and home, by Asher Perlzweig, cantor of the Finsbury park synagogue. London, 1914. Sheet music.
• House of a Thousand Destinies, short story by Stefan Zweig. London, 1937. Published in a booklet as part of a fundraising campaign on behalf of the Jews Temporary Shelter in London. Enclosed: photocopy of an appeal letter from the president of the shelter’s committee, with a printed appeal leaflet.
• Unzere Kedoshim un Helden (lamentation on the Holocaust victims). London, 1944. Yiddish. Not recorded in the NLI catalog.
• Catalogue of an Exhibition of Anglo-Jewish Art and History, held at the Victoria and Albert Museum London. London, 1956. Catalog of a Jewish art exhibition.
• Several books printed in limited editions.
Approx. 340 items: books, booklets, leaflets, printed cards, single leaves and various documents. Size and condition vary.
Category
British and American Jewry
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Varied collection of rabbinic letters, from England and other places.
• Two letters from R. Yitzchak Eizik HaLevi Herzog, during his tenure as chief rabbi of Ireland. Dublin, 1928 and 1934. One letter in Hebrew, the other in English.
• Letter from R. Isser Yehuda Unterman, during his tenure as rabbi of Liverpool. Liverpool, 1924.
• Letter from R. Yechiel Michel Gordon, during his tenure as dean of the Lomzha yeshiva. London, 1935. Letter of Torah thoughts. Part of a letter - one leaf (written on both sides), without signature.
• Letter from the rabbi and community members of Karelitz (Karelichy), addressed to: "Our brethren in Rostov". Karelitz (Pinsk region), 1911. On the official stationery of R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen, rabbi of the city. On the verso of the leaf, signatures of ten of the community members, headed by the rabbi (signature and stamp).
• Letter from R. Tzvi HaLevi Ish Horowitz Rabbi of Hermannstadt (Sibiu). Hermannstadt, 1921.
• Letter from R. Dov Friedenberg, to the editorial staff of the Jewish Chronicle, regarding his father’s book Mekor Baruch, which he published. Jerusalem, 1929.
• Letter from R. Yechezkel Sarna, dean of the Hebron yeshiva. Jerusalem, 1934. Enclosed: an additional printed leaf from him, with his stamp.
• Enclosed: printed receipt of the Chayei Olam Talmud Torah and Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, 1923. Signed by the administrators.
10 paper items. Size and condition vary.
• Two letters from R. Yitzchak Eizik HaLevi Herzog, during his tenure as chief rabbi of Ireland. Dublin, 1928 and 1934. One letter in Hebrew, the other in English.
• Letter from R. Isser Yehuda Unterman, during his tenure as rabbi of Liverpool. Liverpool, 1924.
• Letter from R. Yechiel Michel Gordon, during his tenure as dean of the Lomzha yeshiva. London, 1935. Letter of Torah thoughts. Part of a letter - one leaf (written on both sides), without signature.
• Letter from the rabbi and community members of Karelitz (Karelichy), addressed to: "Our brethren in Rostov". Karelitz (Pinsk region), 1911. On the official stationery of R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen, rabbi of the city. On the verso of the leaf, signatures of ten of the community members, headed by the rabbi (signature and stamp).
• Letter from R. Tzvi HaLevi Ish Horowitz Rabbi of Hermannstadt (Sibiu). Hermannstadt, 1921.
• Letter from R. Dov Friedenberg, to the editorial staff of the Jewish Chronicle, regarding his father’s book Mekor Baruch, which he published. Jerusalem, 1929.
• Letter from R. Yechezkel Sarna, dean of the Hebron yeshiva. Jerusalem, 1934. Enclosed: an additional printed leaf from him, with his stamp.
• Enclosed: printed receipt of the Chayei Olam Talmud Torah and Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, 1923. Signed by the administrators.
10 paper items. Size and condition vary.
Category
British and American Jewry
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Five Books of the Torah - The Law of G-d, with Haftarot and English translation. Philadelphia: C. Sherman, [1845-1846]. Five volumes. Hebrew and English, on facing pages.
The Five Books of the Torah and Haftarot, with English translation by Isaac Leeser. Hebrew and English title pages for each volume. The Book of Esther is included at the end of the book of Vayikra. At the end of the book of Shemot, instructions for the reading of the Ten Commandments, and (before the Haftarot) the Song of the Sea as written in the Torah scroll. At the end of the book of Devarim: the form of the cantillation marks (Hebrew) and directions for the Torah reading (English).
This is the first English translation of the Five Books of the Torah produced by a Jew. Earlier translations merely contained the text of the King James version (translation commissioned by King James I, King of England, in 1611, and considered the authorized English translation of the Bible).
Isaac Leeser (1806-1868) was a leader of traditional Judaism in America and one of the first builders of American Jewry, a philosopher and literary editor, who also worked on translating holy literature to English, and authored many essays and sermons.
Leeser worked on this translation, singlehandedly, for seven years. In his preface at the beginning of vol. I, he describes the significance of a translation of the Torah produced by a Jew: "I speak of my Jewish friends in particular, for however much a revised translation may be desired by all believers in the Word of G-d, there is no probability that the gentiles will encourage any publication of this nature, emanating from a Jewish writer…". He adds further: "My intention was to furnish a book for the service of the synagogue, both German and Portuguese".
Five volumes. X pages, 175 leaves; 168 leaves; 153 leaves; 149 leaves; 135 leaves, 136-147 pages. Approx. 19 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Colored edges. Good condition. A few stains. Light wear and several loose gatherings. Marginal creases to some leaves. Original leather bindings, with fine marbled endpapers (part of endpaper lacking in vol. II). Names and numbers of volumes embossed on spines. Wear and minor damage to spines, edges and corners of bindings.
Singerman 884, Goldman 7.
The Five Books of the Torah and Haftarot, with English translation by Isaac Leeser. Hebrew and English title pages for each volume. The Book of Esther is included at the end of the book of Vayikra. At the end of the book of Shemot, instructions for the reading of the Ten Commandments, and (before the Haftarot) the Song of the Sea as written in the Torah scroll. At the end of the book of Devarim: the form of the cantillation marks (Hebrew) and directions for the Torah reading (English).
This is the first English translation of the Five Books of the Torah produced by a Jew. Earlier translations merely contained the text of the King James version (translation commissioned by King James I, King of England, in 1611, and considered the authorized English translation of the Bible).
Isaac Leeser (1806-1868) was a leader of traditional Judaism in America and one of the first builders of American Jewry, a philosopher and literary editor, who also worked on translating holy literature to English, and authored many essays and sermons.
Leeser worked on this translation, singlehandedly, for seven years. In his preface at the beginning of vol. I, he describes the significance of a translation of the Torah produced by a Jew: "I speak of my Jewish friends in particular, for however much a revised translation may be desired by all believers in the Word of G-d, there is no probability that the gentiles will encourage any publication of this nature, emanating from a Jewish writer…". He adds further: "My intention was to furnish a book for the service of the synagogue, both German and Portuguese".
Five volumes. X pages, 175 leaves; 168 leaves; 153 leaves; 149 leaves; 135 leaves, 136-147 pages. Approx. 19 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Colored edges. Good condition. A few stains. Light wear and several loose gatherings. Marginal creases to some leaves. Original leather bindings, with fine marbled endpapers (part of endpaper lacking in vol. II). Names and numbers of volumes embossed on spines. Wear and minor damage to spines, edges and corners of bindings.
Singerman 884, Goldman 7.
Category
British and American Jewry
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Zmir Aritzim, "Against the Chassidic sect and their many saints, the false prophets", by R. David of Maków, with a foreword by Efraim Deinard. Newark, New Jersey, 1899.
Special bibliophile edition. The book was printed in a tall narrow format, on paper in various colors: green, red, blue, pink, light brown, orange and white. On some of the blue pages, the text is printed in red ink.
The title page states that this is the second edition, but in fact it is the third edition, since the book was first printed in Warsaw in 1798 and later in Königsberg in 1860.
Zmir Aritzim is one of the most trenchant books challenging Chassidism. In his book, the author calls to fight Chassidism, derides its customs, and sharply and bluntly contests the heads of the movement, especially its founder, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov and the books attributed to him by his disciples.
Efraim Deinard (1846-1930) was an author and Hebrew bibliographer, book collector and dealer, one of the greatest of modern times, historian and polemicist, considered a fascinating and colorful figure. Born in Sasmaka (present day Valdemārpil, Latvia), from a young age he frequently travelled around the world, studying various Jewish communities and collecting Hebrew books and manuscripts. In the 1880s, he maintained a book shop in Odessa. In 1888 he immigrated to the United States. In 1913 he moved to Eretz Israel, returning to the United States in 1916. Deinard authored dozens of books, including research books and sharp polemic books (including books against Christianity and against Chassidism). He was considered a provocative writer and many of his books evoked harsh criticism.
[1], 76, XXVIII pages (including English title page). Lacking one middle leaf (pp. 13-14). 15 cm. Paper in various colors, dry and brittle. Good-fair condition. Minor stains. Tears and wear. Several detached leaves. Original binding, damaged.
Special bibliophile edition. The book was printed in a tall narrow format, on paper in various colors: green, red, blue, pink, light brown, orange and white. On some of the blue pages, the text is printed in red ink.
The title page states that this is the second edition, but in fact it is the third edition, since the book was first printed in Warsaw in 1798 and later in Königsberg in 1860.
Zmir Aritzim is one of the most trenchant books challenging Chassidism. In his book, the author calls to fight Chassidism, derides its customs, and sharply and bluntly contests the heads of the movement, especially its founder, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov and the books attributed to him by his disciples.
Efraim Deinard (1846-1930) was an author and Hebrew bibliographer, book collector and dealer, one of the greatest of modern times, historian and polemicist, considered a fascinating and colorful figure. Born in Sasmaka (present day Valdemārpil, Latvia), from a young age he frequently travelled around the world, studying various Jewish communities and collecting Hebrew books and manuscripts. In the 1880s, he maintained a book shop in Odessa. In 1888 he immigrated to the United States. In 1913 he moved to Eretz Israel, returning to the United States in 1916. Deinard authored dozens of books, including research books and sharp polemic books (including books against Christianity and against Chassidism). He was considered a provocative writer and many of his books evoked harsh criticism.
[1], 76, XXVIII pages (including English title page). Lacking one middle leaf (pp. 13-14). 15 cm. Paper in various colors, dry and brittle. Good-fair condition. Minor stains. Tears and wear. Several detached leaves. Original binding, damaged.
Category
British and American Jewry
Catalogue