Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7
![Terumat HaDeshen, responsa section, by R. Yisrael Isserlein. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1519]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/176_1.jpg "Terumat HaDeshen – First Edition – Venice, 1519 – Printed by Daniel Bo")
![Terumat HaDeshen, responsa section, by R. Yisrael Isserlein. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1519]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/176_2.jpg "Terumat HaDeshen – First Edition – Venice, 1519 – Printed by Daniel Bo")
![Terumat HaDeshen, responsa section, by R. Yisrael Isserlein. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1519]. First edition.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/176_3.jpg "Terumat HaDeshen – First Edition – Venice, 1519 – Printed by Daniel Bo")
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Terumat HaDeshen, responsa section, by R. Yisrael Isserlein. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1519]. First edition.
Terumat HaDeshen was authored by R. Yisrael Isserlein son of R. Petachiah Ashkenazi (Maharai), a leading Ashkenazi rabbi in the transition period between the rishonim and acharonim. The book, which he edited, comprises 354 halachic responsa (the numerical value of Deshen), and was considered a classic of Ashkenazi halachic ruling already during his lifetime. It later served as an important source on the practices of Ashkenazi Jews, repeatedly quoted by the Rama in his glosses on the Shulchan Aruch.
Interestingly, a few generations later, some poskim wrote that R. Yisrael authored not only the answers but also the questions, meaning that the answers were not given to practical questions addressed to him (a fact which significant for halachic ruling; see Shach, Yoreh Deah 196:20; Taz, Yoreh Deah 328:2; Responsa Shaar Efraim 42). Several scholars have qualified this claim, at least regarding some responsa which have parallels in his Pesakim UKetavim and in his disciples' works.
Terumat HaDeshen is usually printed along with Pesakim UKetavim, which does not appear in the present copy (Pesakim UKetavim, compiled by an anonymous disciple of R. Yisrael, contains mainly responsa but also many of his teacher's rulings and customs which the editor heard or witnessed). In later editions, the two works became parts of a single book entitled Terumat HaDeshen.
On title page – ownership inscription in Sephardic script, with calligraphic decoration: "'May my teaching drip like rain', David Parchi". Another inscription by the same writer on the importance of Terumat HaDeshen. Above this inscription is another signature: "Avraham Ninio".
Other inscriptions on several leaves. Handwritten references on margins of some leaves.
[132] leaves. 25 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains, and traces of former dampness with light mold stains. Marginal tears to several leaves, including tears to title page, repaired with paper to both sides. Worming in a few places, slightly affecting text. Margins of one leaf trimmed. On title page, stamp deleted by scraping. Old binding.
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $12,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $27,500
Including buyer's premium
Ben HaMelech VehaNazir, parables and ethics in literary form, by R. Avraham HaLevi ibn Chasdai. Constantinople: [brothers David and Shmuel ibn Nachmias], 1518. First edition.
Decorated woodcut title frame. At beginning of book, introduction by R. Avraham HaLevi ibn Chasdai.
The main part of the book, which is composed of thirty-five chapters, is a dialogue between the prince of India and a hermit who teaches him important life lessons and advice for proper conduct in various situations, with the help of parables, aphorisms, stories and poems.
This work originates in an ancient Indian legend, which spread to various cultures and was also adapted into a Christian version. The Christian version of the work in Greek was translated to other languages, including Arabic (the book is known variously as Barlaam and Josaphat, or Kitab Ibn al-Malik wal-Nasik). Ibn Chasdai translated the Arabic version into Hebrew, while making many substantial changes to the book's form, wording and style, and naturally also to the content and message.
Colophon on last leaf: "The work was completed… 2nd Nisan, [1518], Constantinople…".
[56] leaves. 18.5 cm. Varying condition of leaves, fair to fair-good. Many stains, including dark stains and wax stains to several leaves. Tears, including open tears affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Handwritten inscriptions on title page. Early leather binding, decorated, worn and damaged (repaired spine).
Provenance: Sotheby's, Delmonico Collection, New York, December 2008, Lot 82.
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue
![Sermons on the Torah, by R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib. Constantinople: [printer not indicated, 1523]. First edition.
Pri](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/178_1.jpg "Sermons of Rabbi Yehoshua ibn Shuaib on the Torah – First Edition – Co")
![Sermons on the Torah, by R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib. Constantinople: [printer not indicated, 1523]. First edition.
Pri](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/178_2.jpg "Sermons of Rabbi Yehoshua ibn Shuaib on the Torah – First Edition – Co")
![Sermons on the Torah, by R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib. Constantinople: [printer not indicated, 1523]. First edition.
Pri](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale99/178_3.jpg "Sermons of Rabbi Yehoshua ibn Shuaib on the Torah – First Edition – Co")
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000
Sold for: $20,000
Including buyer's premium
Sermons on the Torah, by R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib. Constantinople: [printer not indicated, 1523]. First edition.
Printed without title page. The name of the author is not mentioned in the body of the work.
Initial word "Bereshit" on p. [1a] set in fine, woodcut decorative panel.
The author,
R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib (ca. 1280 – ca. 1340), was a Spanish Torah scholar in the early 14th century. A disciple of the Rashba, colleague of the Ritva and teacher of R. Menachem ben Zerach author of Tzedah LaDerech. He was renowned primarily for this book of sermons, which is arranged in the order of the Torah portions and festivals (these are presumably sermons he delivered on Shabbat), and includes discussions on halachic and aggadic topics, commentaries to the Talmud and midrash, ethics and kabbalah.
Colophon on final leaf, stating that the book was completed in Constantinople on Friday, 12th Adar 1523.
On last leaf, signature of censor "Domenico Carretto", dated 1628.
Censorship expurgations on several leaves.
Handwritten corrections inside text and on margins of leaves in several places.
[126] leaves. Gatherings numbered at tops of leaves, and sheets numbered at bottom of leaves. Collation: i7, ii-xv8, xvi7. Leaf [71], the seventh of gathering ix, is blank (lacking in some copies). 26 cm. Several leaves dark. Varying condition, fair to fair-good. Stains, including dampstains. Especially dark stains to several leaves. Marginal tears and open tears to margins of several leaves, partially repaired with paper. On last leaf of Bamidbar, large open tear, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper strips. Close trimming on title page, bordering decorated initial panel. Margins of last leaf trimmed, not affecting text. Early binding, with leather spine. Damage to binding (repairs and new leather strips to spine).
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000
Unsold
Abudarham, commentary on blessings and prayers, and explanations and laws of prayer, by R. David Abudarham (Avudraham). Venice: Marco Antonio Giustiniani, 1546.
Colophon on last leaf: "Completed… Monday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, 1546…".
Abudarham is a foundational work of commentary on the prayers and their meanings. The original name of the book is "Commentary on the Blessings and Prayers", but the book is best known as Abudarham (Avudraham), after its author R. David Abudarham, a famous Spanish rabbi in the 14th century and one of the great rishonim.
Abudarham has become one of the most important texts on the rite and custom of prayers, and it is cited constantly by halachic authorities. The Noda BiYehudah writes in his approbation to the 1788 Prague edition of Abudarham: "The great virtue of the book of Abudarham is well-known; most of the customs in prayers, blessings, Kedushot and Havdalot are based on his book, and the Beit Yosef and acharonim in Orach Chaim cite him very often; it is a valuable and necessary book, since the acharonim cite his statements in brief…".
Ownership inscription in Italian script on title page and front of binding. Short gloss on p. 43a.
Censorship expurgations to one leaf.
On last leaf, signature of censors "Domenico Gerosolimitano" (undated) and "Giovanni Domenico Carretto" (dated 1629).
86 leaves. 26.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Small marginal open tear to title page and another leaf, and small tears and creases to margins of other leaves. Stamps. Original parchment binding, damaged and worn (open tear to back side).
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $8,750
Including buyer's premium
Minhagim of R. Avraham Klausner, with selected glosses. Riva di Trento: Yaakov Marcaria and Antonio Bruin, 1558. First edition.
First edition of an early book of Ashkenazi customs, including customs, laws and prayers following the French and Ashkenazi rite, according to the days of the year. The main part of the book is based primarily on Siddur Rashi and Machzor Vitri, along with several other sources, with additions by R. Yechizkiyah of Magdeburg and R. Chaim Paltiel; the latter glossated the book based on Ashkenazi customs. The glosses on the margins include those of R. Avraham Klausner, some of which name him explicitly, giving this work its name.
On the last leaf is printed an interesting story: "I, the scribe, personally had this experience, that I vowed to fast Mondays and Thursdays for an entire year, and Tishah BeAv of that year fell on a Tuesday, and the Torah scholar R. Lipman of Neustadt and R. Mendel Klausner permitted me to have only one cooked dish of lentils with no oil and no other supplement".
R. Avraham Klausner (Maharak), a Torah scholar of Austria, rabbi and yeshiva dean in Vienna in the 14th century. His disciples, the Maharil and R. Eizik of Tyrnau, authored famous Minhagim books which quote many sayings from their teacher; their teacher's Minhagim book was likely the inspiration for their own. R. Avraham Klausner's halachic rulings are also cited in the writings of Mahari Weil and other Ashkenazi rabbis.
Short handwritten gloss on p. 23b.
28, 33-43, [1] leaf. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains. Marginal open tear to one leaf, repaired with paper filling. New parchment binding.
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $1,800
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $2,375
Including buyer's premium
Shaarei Teshuvah, by Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi, "the pious". Cracow: Yitzchak son of Aharon of Prostitz, 1581.
Fine copy.
Shaarei Teshuvah deals with the fundamental issues of repentance and atonement for sins, and it is one of the classic books on the precept of repentance. The book contains four sections. The first section delineates the actions required of the sinner who wishes to repent. The second section deals with various factors that bring a person to repent. The third section is comprised of a detailed description of dozens of commandments and sins, ordered by severity. The fourth and final section mentions different types of atonement for various sins. Shaarei Teshuvah, in its familiar form, was originally one part of a larger and more comprehensive work that included other sections (which in Hebrew are referred to as "gates", and are mentioned occasionally in the book), but these "gates" have not come down to us.
The author,
Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi (of Gerona; ca. 1210-1263), one of the great medieval Torah authorities, was a rabbi in Catalonia and a central and influential figure in Spanish Jewish life in the 13th century. He was known in his lifetime as a great preacher and one of the important Talmudic commentators (the novellae he wrote on several tractates have been mostly lost). His fame for the ages derives mainly from the ethical books he authored, including Iggeret HaTeshuvah, Sefer HaYirah and first and foremost Shaarei Teshuvah. Shaarei Teshuvah was highly influential even in the author's own time, and in subsequent generations it was a recognized influence on a diverse range of authors.
See further on Rabbeinu Yonah and his writings: Y.M. Ta-Shma, Ashkenazic Pietism in Spain: Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi – the Man and His Work, Studies in Medieval Rabbinic Literature, Volume 2: Spain, Bialik Institute, Jerusalem, 2004, pp. 109-148 (Hebrew).
At the end of the book (pp. 38b-44) is printed Sefer HaYirah by Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi (first printed in Halichot Olam, Leiria, ca. 1495).
Interesting colophon on last leaf: "Blessed is the Lord, the G-d of Israel Who helped me up to this point, to complete the holy work authored by… Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi, Shaarei Teshuvah with Sefer HaYirah… And I bow down and prostrate myself that my dreams were for good and blessing, as I dreamed on Rosh Hashanah to bring this book to press… So may G-d save me and all of Israel from bad dreams and evil decrees… Such is the prayer of Yitzchak son of R. Aharon Prostitz the typesetter; completed on the 5th of [Elul 1581]".
On title page, signatures and ownership inscriptions of "The bridegroom R. Natan Meisling of Copenhagen".
Handwritten correction of printing error on p. 29a.
44 leaves. Misfoliation. Approx. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. Damage to margins of last leaf, bordering text, repaired with paper filling. Stamp on title page. New leather binding.
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue
Auction 99 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Nov 5, 2024
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $2,250
Including buyer's premium
Responsa Tashbetz, three parts, by R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran. With Responsa Chut HaMeshulash by grandsons of the author. Amsterdam: Naftali Hertz Levi, [1738-1739]. First edition. With seven title pages.
Original unique parchment binding, with artistic gilt decorations of the figures of Abraham holding the knife over his son, held back by an angel (on front binding), and King David playing the lyre (on back binding). Interestingly, all copies of this book with the original bindings were artistically prepared by hand with fine ornamentation and decoration, with no copy identical to another. Most original bindings were made of fine parchment or a combination of leather and parchment, reminiscent of fish skin.
Reputedly, the author,
R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran, merited to have his books beautifully printed and elegantly bound by virtue of his practice to cover his open books with a lavish kerchief (R. Yitzchak Palachi, Yafeh LaLev, III, Yoreh Deah 277:3). Furthermore, it is told that he deeply respected his holy books and would clean them daily with a silk cloth (Sh.Y. Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 152, related by R. Eliezerov in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch; N. Ben Menachem, Gevilei Sefarim, pp. 11-12, related by R. Zevin in the name of the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch).
Handwritten inscription on second title page of Part I: "Given by… Leizer Katz as a gift to my father, the greatly pious R. Yisrael of Bonn. Kalonymus called Kalman Mengiburg".
[12], 91; [1], 69; [1], 68, [1]; [1], 36; [2], 39-83; [1], 85-101, [1] leaves. Does not contain [1] leaf at end of Part II with list of books by the author (this leaf seems to appear in most copies twice, at the end of Parts II and III, while in the present copy it appears only at the end of Part III). Title page of second part of Part IV bound out of place, after first leaf of text in that part. 32 cm. Good condition. Stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Original elaborate parchment binding, with fine color and gilt artistic decorations.
The present copy contains seven title pages, two for Part I, one for Part II, one for Part III, and one for each of the three sections of Part IV.
This edition has several known variants, which can be differentiated by the number of title pages. Some copies, such as this one, have seven title pages (some have as many as eight; see Kedem catalogue, Auction 59, Lot 88), while other copies have only four original title pages (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book entry 125589, and see: Dan and Gita Yardeni, The "Tashbez" by R. Shimon b. Zemah Duran; Amsterdam, 1739-1742, Alei Sefer, X, 1982, pp. 119-132 [Hebrew]).
Category
Early Printed Books and Classic Books
Catalogue