188. Collection of Early Leaf Fragments from a "Bindings Genizah"
Collection of manuscript leaf fragments from a "bindings genizah":
• Leaf fragments of Mishneh Torah by the Rambam. Yemenite script [14th/15th century?]. Close to twenty pieces, some tiny.
• Two fragments of Rashi's commentary on the Torah. Sephardic script [15th/16th century?]. Includes a passage not found in any edition of Rashi, published in Midrash Lekach Tov.
• Fragment of Radak's commentary on Yeshayahu. Ashkenazic script, [16th century?].
• Parchment fragment, Book of Ezra. Yemenite script, [15th century?].
Some twenty leaf fragments. Size and condition vary; various degrees of damage due to use in binding.

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

Two leaves handwritten by R. Yaakov ibn Tzur – the Yaavetz, rabbi of Fez – texts of amulets and Segulot. [Fez, ca. 18th century].
Two leaves from a work on Practical Kabbalah handwritten by the Yaavetz, comprising the texts of twenty-three amulets and segulot, including some which are in use until this day, such as the Goral HaGra and other segulot.
Headings at the top of the first leaf (on both sides): "From the selections of R. Avraham Azulai" (R. Avraham son of R. Yisrael Azulai, d. 1741, leader of the group of kabbalists in Marrakesh and known for his practice of Practical Kabbalah).
R. Yaakov ibn Tzur – the Yaavetz (1673-1752), a most prominent and illustrious figure of Moroccan Jewry. A leading halachic authority in his times, also well versed in Practical Kabbalah. He served as head of the Fez Beit Din, and responded to halachic queries from throughout the Maghreb.
[2] leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming, closed and open tears, slightly affecting text. Marginal tape repairs.
Enclosed: Expert report authenticating the handwriting of the Yaavetz, with description of contents of the leaves.

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

Manuscript, Taamei Halachot on the laws of Chanukah, shechitah and terefot, and customs practiced in Marrakesh pertaining to the laws of shechitah and terefot. [Morocco, 1763].
Western script.
Taamei Halachot is a composition preserved in Maghrebian manuscripts (in various versions). Most of it was never published. It presumably originates from the Torah scholars of Marrakesh, and comprises a compendium of the teachings of Rishonim and Acharonim, halachic rulings and local customs, and more. The present manuscript contains Taamei Halachot on the laws of Chanukah, Shechitah and Terefot.
[34] leaves. 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Closed and open tears, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Inscriptions. New binding, with worming.

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Manuscript, Imrei Shefer – selections, novellae and homilies following the order of the Torah portions, and homilies for the deceased, by R. Avraham Alzra. [Morocco], 1898-1900.
In several places in the manuscript, calligraphic signature of the writer, author and compiler, R. Avraham Alzra, Torah scholar of Tafilalt, Morocco. In his preface at the beginning of the manuscript, R. Alzra writes that the work was completed in Iyar 1900. He explains there that the Torah thoughts were compiled from the works of R. Yaakov Abuchatzeira, R. Moshe Alshech and the Chida, and arranged in order of the Torah portions so that a person can study the weekly portion without opening many books.
R. Avraham Alzra's manuscript is bound with an additional, older manuscript, also from Morocco, containing homilies for the deceased and for other occasions, and novellae. The identity of the writer of this manuscript is unclear. Additional novellae at the end of this manuscript, presumably also written by R. Avraham Alzra.
To the best of our research, this work by R. Avraham Alzra is unpublished.
R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov Alzra (19th-20th centuries), Torah scholar of Tafilalt, Morocco. Served as posek and sofer. He was a close disciple of R. David Abuchatzeira. In 1920, after his teacher was murdered, he moved to Algiers.
Signatures of R. Avraham Alzra on the back board. Stamps in several places of "Haim Alzra – Colomb Bechar".
Over 200 written leaves (misfoliated; presumably lacking several leaves). 17 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Marginal tears and open tears. Open tears to several leaves, affecting text. Several detached leaves. Inscriptions. Original binding, worn and damaged, with clasp remnants.
Enclosed: document from 1912 recording the exchange of courtyards between R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov Alzra and R. Moshe son of R. Avraham Abuchatzeira, signed by R. Yaakov Benhayoun; additional handwritten leaf.

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

Manuscript, halachic responsum by R. Gavriel Ashkenazi, with his handwritten additions and signature. [Aleppo, ca. 18th century].
Lengthy responsum on the topic of partnerships, written in response to the ruling sent to him by R. Yisrael son of R. Yosef Sasson (a leading Aleppo Torah scholar, author of Knesset Yisrael, Livorno 1856).
Neat scribal script. Marginal and interlinear additions and emendations handwritten by the author R. Gavriel Ashkenazi. With R. Gavriel's signature at the end of the responsum.
R. Gavriel Ashkenazi, Torah scholar and dayan in Aleppo in the second half of the 18th century. Immigrated to Shechem near the end of his life.
This responsum was published with differences in Responsa of R. Gavriel Ashkenazi, without some of the handwritten additions.
[7] leaves. 21 cm. Good condition. Stains. New binding.

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