Commentary on the Masorah, by R. Yaakov son of Yitzchak of Sandomierz. Amsterdam: Yehudah son of Mordechai and Shmuel son of Moshe HaLevi, [Chanukkah 1649].

This book was first printed in Lublin, 1616, and later with additions by the author's son in Lublin, 1644. Most copies of the Lublin edition were destroyed in the Chmielnicki massacres of 1648-1649. The present item is the third edition, with additions printed by the author in Amsterdam.

The mnemonics for the date of publication in the title page, introduction of the author's son and colophon allude to the Messianic hopes of those days.

12 leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears (pieces of paper mounted across the outer margins of the title page and other leaves). New binding.

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

Espejo de la vanidad del mundo ["Mirror of the Vanity of the World"], by Abraham Pereyra. Amsterdam: Alexandro Ianse, 1671. First edition. Spanish, with some words in Hebrew.
An ethical work comprised of five parts, discussing the nature of the soul, the duty to perform the mitzvot, fear and love of God, punishment in Gehinnom and reward in Gan Eden.
The book bears the approbations of three rabbis of Amsterdam, R. Yitzchak Aboab de Fonseca, R. Moshe Refael de Aguilar and R. Yoshiyahu Pardo; as well as praise for the author by R. Yitzchak Orobio de Castro and a poem in praise of the author by Daniel HaLevi de Barrios.

The author, Abraham Pereyra (d. 1699), a descendant of Marranos and a rich and influential merchant, lived in Amsterdam where he was a leader of the Jewish community. The present work was written to bolster Jewish faith, while making heavy use of Spanish Catholic political thought.

[16] leaves, 568 pages, [4] leaves. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Small tears to title page (the leaf is mounted on paper for reinforcement). Large open tear affecting text to one leaf (repaired with paper), and a large open tear to last leaf, not affecting text. Close trimming, slightly affecting headers of leaves. New leather binding.

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

Principio de sciencia: ou, gramathica hebrayca por hum methodo breue, claro, facil, e distincto, by R. Shlomo Yehudah Leon Templo. Amsterdam: Ymanuël Athias, 1703. Portuguese.
Work for study of Hebrew grammar by R. Shlomo Yehudah Leon Templo (d. 1733), an Amsterdam Torah scholar in the early 18th century. Son of R. Yaakov Yehudah Leon Templo (1603-after 1675), known for his pioneering scientific work on the structure of the Tabernacle and Temple (which earned his family the name Templo). R. Shlomo Yehudah was a disciple of R. Yitzchak Aboab de Fonseca, and worked as a proofreader at the famous press of Immanuel Athias.

63, [1] pages. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Parchment wrapper, slightly worn and partially detached.
Rare. To the best of our knowledge and research, this item has not been auctioned off in recent decades (the last documented auction took place in 1926).

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

Shaar Gan Eden, foundations of kabbalah, by R. Yaakov Koppel Lipshitz of Mezeritch. Korets: Avraham son of Yitzchak Eizik and Eliyahu son of Yaakov [HaLevi], [1803]. First edition. With an approbation by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.

The books of R. Yaakov Koppel of Mezeritch, Shaar Gan Eden and the Kol Yaakov siddur, are adapted and edited compilations of the writings of R. Moshe Cordovero, R. Chaim Vital and R. Yisrael Sarug, with the addition of his own novellae. They were held in exceptionally high regard by the Baal Shem Tov and other prominent Chassidic leaders, who quote from them extensively.
Handwritten inscription on title page.

[2], 84 leaves. 31.5 cm. Bluish paper. Fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Heavy worming, affecting text, partially restored with paper filling. Open tears to margins of title page and additional leaves, slightly affecting text of several leaves, restored with paper filling. Last leaf disconnected. New leather binding.

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

Shaar HaYichudim, with Tzaddik Yesod Olam, commentary on Megillat Ruth, and commentary on Shabbat songs, by R. Chaim Vital, based on the teachings of the Arizal. Lviv: M. F. Poremba, 1855.

Large illustrated amulet for plagues from the Arizal on p. 32b.
R. Yehudah Leib Rappaport, who prepared the book for press, tells in his introduction that Rebbe Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura instructed him to print the book, and that Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin and other Tzaddikim purchased the amulets mentioned in the book from him.
Additional amulets and kabbalistic illustrations.
On leaves 52b-58 is a commentary on the Arizal's songs Azamer BiShvachin, Asader LiSeudata and Bnei Heichala.
This book is labeled Part I on the title page, but Part II was never actually printed.

[2], 44, 47-58 leaves. 23.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Wear. Heavy worming, affecting text. Marginal open tears to several leaves. Inscriptions. Erased stamp on title page. New leather binding.

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