Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5
Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 12, 2017
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Mada, Ahava, Zemanim of Yad HaChazaka Le'HaRambam - Students' edition with references and a short commentary. With an appendix of the laws of forbidden foods and the laws of ritual slaughter (shechita). Venice, [1665].
An edition printed at the climax of the era of the false Messiah Sabbatai Zevi, when the rumors of his appearance had spread throughout Europe and were at the peak of their popularity.
At the top of the title page is a drawing of an imagined figure of Sabbatai Zevi riding a lion [Sabbatai Zevi riding a "heavenly lion" is mentioned in Sabbatean writings as well as in the "prophecies" of Nathan of Gaza].The title page is extremely rare, since these pages were usually removed due to their Sabbatean connotations, and are missing from most extant copies.
This copy is a variant that has not been bibliographically listed. It includes the following changes from the known copies: the final page is blank, without a colophon; the end of the preceding page contains the addition of the acrostic letters: "Blessed is He who gives strength to the weary… I rejoice in G-d's salvation". This copy also does not include the printer's introduction, and the introduction of the Rambam is titled differently, and contains several typographical changes.
For further information on this edition see: Y. Avida, Sefer Mishneh Torah Le'HaRambam as a Textbook, Areshet, Vol. 3, 1961, p. 44; Y. Zana, Inyanei Shabbetai Zvi, Sefunot, Vol. 3-4, 1959-1960, pp. 67-69.
Ownership inscription (incomplete) on the final page: "One should always write his name in his books to avoid theft; I have therefore written my name as Shlomo Moshe Lattes …"
[5] 186 leaves. Faulty pagination. 21 cm. Condition varies; most leaves are in good condition. Stains; worming to the title page and the following page. Pen and ink drawings added to the border of the title page. Various inscription on the title page. Repaired tears to several pages. Original binding; vellum spine. Worming to spine.
An edition printed at the climax of the era of the false Messiah Sabbatai Zevi, when the rumors of his appearance had spread throughout Europe and were at the peak of their popularity.
At the top of the title page is a drawing of an imagined figure of Sabbatai Zevi riding a lion [Sabbatai Zevi riding a "heavenly lion" is mentioned in Sabbatean writings as well as in the "prophecies" of Nathan of Gaza].The title page is extremely rare, since these pages were usually removed due to their Sabbatean connotations, and are missing from most extant copies.
This copy is a variant that has not been bibliographically listed. It includes the following changes from the known copies: the final page is blank, without a colophon; the end of the preceding page contains the addition of the acrostic letters: "Blessed is He who gives strength to the weary… I rejoice in G-d's salvation". This copy also does not include the printer's introduction, and the introduction of the Rambam is titled differently, and contains several typographical changes.
For further information on this edition see: Y. Avida, Sefer Mishneh Torah Le'HaRambam as a Textbook, Areshet, Vol. 3, 1961, p. 44; Y. Zana, Inyanei Shabbetai Zvi, Sefunot, Vol. 3-4, 1959-1960, pp. 67-69.
Ownership inscription (incomplete) on the final page: "One should always write his name in his books to avoid theft; I have therefore written my name as Shlomo Moshe Lattes …"
[5] 186 leaves. Faulty pagination. 21 cm. Condition varies; most leaves are in good condition. Stains; worming to the title page and the following page. Pen and ink drawings added to the border of the title page. Various inscription on the title page. Repaired tears to several pages. Original binding; vellum spine. Worming to spine.
Category
Polemic Books and Sabbateanism
Catalogue
Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 12, 2017
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Mateh Dan - Kuzari Sheni, "Proves and teaches with logical claims… the truth of the Oral Torah", by Rabbi David Nieto. London, [1714]. First edition.
The first edition was printed in three variations: Only Hebrew, only Spanish and Hebrew with Spanish. This is the combined edition, Hebrew and Spanish (on facing columns).
Two illustrated title pages, one in Hebrew and one in Spanish. At the top of the title pages is a drawing of Rabbeinu HaKadosh (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi) - the author of the Mishnah. Between the Hebrew title page and the Spanish title page is a long printed dedication in Spanish to the community leaders and gabai of the Sha'ar HaShamayim congregation in London and a Hebrew introduction to the book.
Rabbi David Nieto (1654-1728, Otzar HaRabbanim 4926), was a Torah genius with vast knowledge of science who serves as a dayan, speaker and doctor in Livorno. He later became the first rabbi of the Sephardic community of London. His renowned work, Mateh Dan - Kuzari Sheni, defends the truth of the Oral Torah and contradicts many of the mistaken theories which were rampant in the Anusim communities of Western Europe.
[11] 254 leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Repaired tears to the margins of several pages. Gilt edged pages with etched floral decoration. New binding.
One of the first Hebrew books printed in England.
The first edition was printed in three variations: Only Hebrew, only Spanish and Hebrew with Spanish. This is the combined edition, Hebrew and Spanish (on facing columns).
Two illustrated title pages, one in Hebrew and one in Spanish. At the top of the title pages is a drawing of Rabbeinu HaKadosh (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi) - the author of the Mishnah. Between the Hebrew title page and the Spanish title page is a long printed dedication in Spanish to the community leaders and gabai of the Sha'ar HaShamayim congregation in London and a Hebrew introduction to the book.
Rabbi David Nieto (1654-1728, Otzar HaRabbanim 4926), was a Torah genius with vast knowledge of science who serves as a dayan, speaker and doctor in Livorno. He later became the first rabbi of the Sephardic community of London. His renowned work, Mateh Dan - Kuzari Sheni, defends the truth of the Oral Torah and contradicts many of the mistaken theories which were rampant in the Anusim communities of Western Europe.
[11] 254 leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Repaired tears to the margins of several pages. Gilt edged pages with etched floral decoration. New binding.
One of the first Hebrew books printed in England.
Category
Polemic Books and Sabbateanism
Catalogue
Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 12, 2017
Opening: $300
Unsold
"Sefer Nestor HaComer, copied from a Vatican manuscript, first published now". Altona, 1875.
Polemic against Christianity, including a letter of debate written by "Nestor the priest" to an anonymous priest.
Regarding this work, see: Eisenstein, Otzar Vikuchim, Newark 1928, p. 310-315; Rosenthal, Literature of Anti-Christian Debate through the 19th Century, Areshet, II, 1960, p. 173.
[1], 15 leaves. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears and wear at margins. Title page and last page detached. Missing binding.
Rare. Friedberg (Bet Eked Sefarim, p. 728) posits according to Chwolson that no more than ten copies of this edition are extant. Most copies were seemingly destroyed due to their anti-Christian content.
Polemic against Christianity, including a letter of debate written by "Nestor the priest" to an anonymous priest.
Regarding this work, see: Eisenstein, Otzar Vikuchim, Newark 1928, p. 310-315; Rosenthal, Literature of Anti-Christian Debate through the 19th Century, Areshet, II, 1960, p. 173.
[1], 15 leaves. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears and wear at margins. Title page and last page detached. Missing binding.
Rare. Friedberg (Bet Eked Sefarim, p. 728) posits according to Chwolson that no more than ten copies of this edition are extant. Most copies were seemingly destroyed due to their anti-Christian content.
Category
Polemic Books and Sabbateanism
Catalogue
Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 12, 2017
Opening: $400
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
Rabbinische Gutachten über die Beschneidung [Rabbinical opinions on circumcision], by Salomon Abraham Trier. Frankfurt am Main, 1844. Most in German, many parts in Hebrew.
On the front free endpaper is a handwritten self-dedication (combination of German and Hebrew) by the owner Dr. Wormser in which he relates that he received the book in 1845 from his teacher the author R. Zalman Trier [who ordained Dr. Wormser for the rabbinate in 1834]. He writes that his teacher severely rebuked him because he did not write an article on this subject to publicize in this book: "Why did you not respond with 'your eloquent language' to the call of your Torah companion R. Shmuel Bondy of Mainz to be zealous on behalf of G-d['s mitzvoth]? A young man with knowledge such as yours, is forbidden to keep quiet at 'such a time'… to my anguish, I was disappointed! So said the Rebbe…who for over 90 years… and his strength has not waned…".
This was written by R. Shlomo Wormser (1814-1887), son of R. Shmuel Wormser Rabbi of Langen-Schwalbach and grandson of R. Shlomo Zalman Wirmash Rabbi of Fulda. Apparently, as we can glean from this dedication, he too was asked by R. Bondy of Mainz, to send a letter protesting the abolition of circumcision, however, he did not send a letter.
In 1843, in a Frankfurt daily, an article was published by the "Friends of the Reform" in which they called for the complete abolition of the mitzvah of circumcision. A Reform teacher in Frankfurt named Yosef Yahelson (1777-1851) even wrote a propaganda booklet in which he declares that every Jewish institution is entitled to exchange circumcision with a different ritual. "Friends of the Reform" blamed circumcision as a cause for several crib-deaths at that time. The Frankfurt municipality buckled under this attack and conceded to list also uncircumcised children as Jews in the population registrars.
The elderly Rabbi of Franfurt, R. Shlomo Zalman Trier (1758-1847) fought this trend with all his might and submitted several applications to the city council to retreat from its intention, since by Jewish law an uncircumcised boy is not considered Jewish. To prevail upon Jewish and Christian public opinion, R. Zalman Trier together with Frankfurt Torah leaders, R. Yissachar Ber Adler and R. Aharon Fuld, author of Beit Aharon began to amass opinions of Jewish Torah scholars and of Jewish intellectuals regarding the essentiality of circumcision. In this book, R. Shlomo Zalman Trier gathered 28 written opinions and published them in a comprehensive book on the subject.
Writings of famous Torah scholars are included in this compilation: R. Yitzchak Dov HaLevi Würzburg, R. Shimshon Refael Hirsh (at the time he served as Rabbi of Emden), R. Ya'akov Ettlinger, the "Aruch LaNer" of Altona, R. Ya'akov Zvi of Kollnburg, author of Ktav V'Hakabbalah, and many more rabbis alongside non-Orthodox intellectuals such as: Yom Tov Lipman Tzunz of Berlin, Yitzchak Noach Manheimer of Vienna and Shmuel David Luzzatto (Shadal) of Padua.
XXIV, 240 pages, 19.5 cm. Good condition. Contemporary binding.
On the title page: Als manuskript gedruckt [printed as a manuscript]. According to the researcher R. B.S. Hamburger (HaYeshiva HaRama B'Furth, Part 3, p. 521), this book was defined as a manuscript to avoid opening a public controversy on the topic. He contends that the book was printed in a very limited number of copies to be given to those involved in the issue and was never sold at bookstores. Hamburger also wrote that "at present, this book is one of the scarcest [books]", despite the extensive coverage its content received in the papers of those days.
On the front free endpaper is a handwritten self-dedication (combination of German and Hebrew) by the owner Dr. Wormser in which he relates that he received the book in 1845 from his teacher the author R. Zalman Trier [who ordained Dr. Wormser for the rabbinate in 1834]. He writes that his teacher severely rebuked him because he did not write an article on this subject to publicize in this book: "Why did you not respond with 'your eloquent language' to the call of your Torah companion R. Shmuel Bondy of Mainz to be zealous on behalf of G-d['s mitzvoth]? A young man with knowledge such as yours, is forbidden to keep quiet at 'such a time'… to my anguish, I was disappointed! So said the Rebbe…who for over 90 years… and his strength has not waned…".
This was written by R. Shlomo Wormser (1814-1887), son of R. Shmuel Wormser Rabbi of Langen-Schwalbach and grandson of R. Shlomo Zalman Wirmash Rabbi of Fulda. Apparently, as we can glean from this dedication, he too was asked by R. Bondy of Mainz, to send a letter protesting the abolition of circumcision, however, he did not send a letter.
In 1843, in a Frankfurt daily, an article was published by the "Friends of the Reform" in which they called for the complete abolition of the mitzvah of circumcision. A Reform teacher in Frankfurt named Yosef Yahelson (1777-1851) even wrote a propaganda booklet in which he declares that every Jewish institution is entitled to exchange circumcision with a different ritual. "Friends of the Reform" blamed circumcision as a cause for several crib-deaths at that time. The Frankfurt municipality buckled under this attack and conceded to list also uncircumcised children as Jews in the population registrars.
The elderly Rabbi of Franfurt, R. Shlomo Zalman Trier (1758-1847) fought this trend with all his might and submitted several applications to the city council to retreat from its intention, since by Jewish law an uncircumcised boy is not considered Jewish. To prevail upon Jewish and Christian public opinion, R. Zalman Trier together with Frankfurt Torah leaders, R. Yissachar Ber Adler and R. Aharon Fuld, author of Beit Aharon began to amass opinions of Jewish Torah scholars and of Jewish intellectuals regarding the essentiality of circumcision. In this book, R. Shlomo Zalman Trier gathered 28 written opinions and published them in a comprehensive book on the subject.
Writings of famous Torah scholars are included in this compilation: R. Yitzchak Dov HaLevi Würzburg, R. Shimshon Refael Hirsh (at the time he served as Rabbi of Emden), R. Ya'akov Ettlinger, the "Aruch LaNer" of Altona, R. Ya'akov Zvi of Kollnburg, author of Ktav V'Hakabbalah, and many more rabbis alongside non-Orthodox intellectuals such as: Yom Tov Lipman Tzunz of Berlin, Yitzchak Noach Manheimer of Vienna and Shmuel David Luzzatto (Shadal) of Padua.
XXIV, 240 pages, 19.5 cm. Good condition. Contemporary binding.
On the title page: Als manuskript gedruckt [printed as a manuscript]. According to the researcher R. B.S. Hamburger (HaYeshiva HaRama B'Furth, Part 3, p. 521), this book was defined as a manuscript to avoid opening a public controversy on the topic. He contends that the book was printed in a very limited number of copies to be given to those involved in the issue and was never sold at bookstores. Hamburger also wrote that "at present, this book is one of the scarcest [books]", despite the extensive coverage its content received in the papers of those days.
Category
Polemic Books and Sabbateanism
Catalogue
Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 12, 2017
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Printed pamphlets and brochures containing essays about current events, printed by R. Elchanan Wasserman and his disciples, published by Tomchei Torah of the city of Baranovichi in the 1930s:
* [Da'at Torah], printed pamphlet, essay written on the shechita decree, by R. Elchanan Wasserman. Yiddish. 16 pages. (Uncut leaves at printing).
* "Essay on an educational matter" and "Essay, why are you slumbering…", by the Chafetz Chaim. 4 pages.
* "I tell my deeds to the King", essay by R. Elchanan Wasserman. 4 pages.
* "My teacher and rabbi R. Elchanan Wasserman", continuation of the previous article, by R. Elchanan Wasserman. 5-8 pages.
* "Words of the wise are spoken softly", article by R. Elchanan Wasserman. 4 pages.
* Article by R. Zvi Danziger Rabbi of Kałuszyn". 4 pages.
6 items. Size of pamphlet: 19.5 cm. Size of brochures: 25 cm. Fair condition. Brittle, dry paper. Tears and folding creases.
* [Da'at Torah], printed pamphlet, essay written on the shechita decree, by R. Elchanan Wasserman. Yiddish. 16 pages. (Uncut leaves at printing).
* "Essay on an educational matter" and "Essay, why are you slumbering…", by the Chafetz Chaim. 4 pages.
* "I tell my deeds to the King", essay by R. Elchanan Wasserman. 4 pages.
* "My teacher and rabbi R. Elchanan Wasserman", continuation of the previous article, by R. Elchanan Wasserman. 5-8 pages.
* "Words of the wise are spoken softly", article by R. Elchanan Wasserman. 4 pages.
* Article by R. Zvi Danziger Rabbi of Kałuszyn". 4 pages.
6 items. Size of pamphlet: 19.5 cm. Size of brochures: 25 cm. Fair condition. Brittle, dry paper. Tears and folding creases.
Category
Polemic Books and Sabbateanism
Catalogue