Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $7,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
Unsold
Manuscript, novellae on Tractates Sukkah, Beitza, Megillah, Kiddushin, Chullin and omissions. Novellae and commentaries on the Rashi and Mizrachi commentaries to the book of Devarim (Parashiot Devarim to Ki-Tetze). [Meknes? (Morocco), ca. 1800].
A title appears at the beginning of Tractate Sukkah (p. 1a): "Novellae on Sukkah – I will begin recording novellae on Tractate Sukkah with the help of G-d"; and a colophon at the end of Tractate Sukkah (p. 7b): "We completed Tractate Sukkah on Thursday, Sivan 9, [1801]… and we began Tractate Beitza on Sunday, Sivan 12, may G-d help me…".
Unpublished compositions – a "Shita" of novellae and comments arranged in order of the tractates' pages. Author's autograph (unidentified), in particularly neat Oriental script, with corrections, deletions and many additions – interlinear, intercolumnar and marginal. The style of writing suggests that these compositions were compiled by the author over the course of his learning. The writer appears to be a Meknes Torah scholar. The formatting style is very typical of manuscripts produced by Torah scholars of Meknes, Morocco. The contents include citations of Meknes Torah scholars such as R. Moshe Toledano, R. Mordechai Berdugo and others. The flowing language he uses, rich in flowery expressions, also parallels the style of other books by Meknes Torah scholars. In many instances, the author quotes novellae in the name of his teacher "מור"י" and in several places, he transcribed entire passages from the writings of his teacher "מור"י" (see for example p. 11b). On p. 22b, to Tractate Kiddushin, he quotes teachings he heard in the name of Tosafot Shantz (the nonextant Tosafot Shantz composition on Kiddushin existed then in manuscript).
The novellae on the Torah primarily relate to the Rashi commentary on the Torah. He extensively quotes and discusses the words of R. Eliyahu Mizrachi and the Rashbatz (R. Shalom ibn Tzur, a Moroccan Torah scholar – who composed a super-commentary to Rashi on the Torah. The Rashbatz's composition was not published, but parts of it are extant in manuscript. The passages quoted here may not appear in the extant manuscripts). He also cites teachings by HaRav HaMarbitz (R. Mordechai Berdugo of Meknes, 1715-1762), and from the book Melechet HaKodesh by HaRav Maharmat (Melechet HaKodesh on the Torah by R. Moshe Toledano, printed in Livorno in 1803. The composition in this manuscript was presumably authored after that date, though a possibility remains that the author studied Melechet HaKodesh in manuscript form, before it was published).
An inscription appears near the beginning of the book (in a different handwriting), recording the receipt of funds "for learning" from "Senor Chaim Sayegh".
[3], 22, [30] leaves. Including 13 empty leaves (apart from a brief note not pertaining to Torah). 21 cm. Neat, close writing, most leaves are formatted in two columns. Fair condition. Wear and dampstains. Worming and small tears (affecting text in some places). Some detached leaves. Without binding.
A title appears at the beginning of Tractate Sukkah (p. 1a): "Novellae on Sukkah – I will begin recording novellae on Tractate Sukkah with the help of G-d"; and a colophon at the end of Tractate Sukkah (p. 7b): "We completed Tractate Sukkah on Thursday, Sivan 9, [1801]… and we began Tractate Beitza on Sunday, Sivan 12, may G-d help me…".
Unpublished compositions – a "Shita" of novellae and comments arranged in order of the tractates' pages. Author's autograph (unidentified), in particularly neat Oriental script, with corrections, deletions and many additions – interlinear, intercolumnar and marginal. The style of writing suggests that these compositions were compiled by the author over the course of his learning. The writer appears to be a Meknes Torah scholar. The formatting style is very typical of manuscripts produced by Torah scholars of Meknes, Morocco. The contents include citations of Meknes Torah scholars such as R. Moshe Toledano, R. Mordechai Berdugo and others. The flowing language he uses, rich in flowery expressions, also parallels the style of other books by Meknes Torah scholars. In many instances, the author quotes novellae in the name of his teacher "מור"י" and in several places, he transcribed entire passages from the writings of his teacher "מור"י" (see for example p. 11b). On p. 22b, to Tractate Kiddushin, he quotes teachings he heard in the name of Tosafot Shantz (the nonextant Tosafot Shantz composition on Kiddushin existed then in manuscript).
The novellae on the Torah primarily relate to the Rashi commentary on the Torah. He extensively quotes and discusses the words of R. Eliyahu Mizrachi and the Rashbatz (R. Shalom ibn Tzur, a Moroccan Torah scholar – who composed a super-commentary to Rashi on the Torah. The Rashbatz's composition was not published, but parts of it are extant in manuscript. The passages quoted here may not appear in the extant manuscripts). He also cites teachings by HaRav HaMarbitz (R. Mordechai Berdugo of Meknes, 1715-1762), and from the book Melechet HaKodesh by HaRav Maharmat (Melechet HaKodesh on the Torah by R. Moshe Toledano, printed in Livorno in 1803. The composition in this manuscript was presumably authored after that date, though a possibility remains that the author studied Melechet HaKodesh in manuscript form, before it was published).
An inscription appears near the beginning of the book (in a different handwriting), recording the receipt of funds "for learning" from "Senor Chaim Sayegh".
[3], 22, [30] leaves. Including 13 empty leaves (apart from a brief note not pertaining to Torah). 21 cm. Neat, close writing, most leaves are formatted in two columns. Fair condition. Wear and dampstains. Worming and small tears (affecting text in some places). Some detached leaves. Without binding.
Category
North African Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Machzor for the Four Parashiot, Purim and the Three Festivals. [Algiers, ca. 17th/18th century].
Western cursive script, with initial words and titles in florid calligraphic script. Contains hundreds of piyyutim recited by Algerian Jewry, many of them listed in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry, based on Algerian-rite Machzorim. Some of the piyyutim appearing in this Machzor are not listed there.
Includes Kerovot (series of piyyutim) for the Four Parashiot: Shekalim, Zachor, Para and HaChodesh (includes amongst others the Kerova for Shabbat Shekalim by R. Yitzchak HaLevi ben Zerachia Gerondi, Azharot for Shabbat HaGadol by Rabbeinu Kalonymus HaNasi and others); order of piyyutim for Purim (Tikun Yom Purim); Kerovot and piyyutim for Passover (for the first and second day of Passover, for dew, Reshut for Shabbat and Chol HaMoed of Passover, for Yom HaShira [seventh day of Passover], Haftarot for Yom HaShira and for the last day of Passover); Seder Chag HaShavuot (including Kerovot for Shavuot, piyyut for the Ten Commandments by R. Saadia Gaon, the Ten Commandments in Judeo-Arabic, Azharot by R. Shlomo ibn Gabirol); Kerovot and piyyutim for Sukkot and Selichot for Hoshaanot; piyyutim for Shemini Atzeret (Reshut LeYom Shemini Atzeret, Magen LeMussaf HaGeshem); piyyutim for Simchat Torah.
Most of the leaves contain neat scribal script, several leaves were written by different writers. An ownership inscription appears in the margin of p. [37b]: "Mine, the dear and honorable Yosef Alashkar".
[140] leaves. Leaves may be missing from the beginning. Several leaves of the Machzor are lacking. 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains. Tears and wear to several leaves. Worming, repaired in several places. Open tears affecting text to several leaves, mainly at the beginning and end of the Machzor, repaired. Restored binding, incorporating the original leather binding.
Western cursive script, with initial words and titles in florid calligraphic script. Contains hundreds of piyyutim recited by Algerian Jewry, many of them listed in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry, based on Algerian-rite Machzorim. Some of the piyyutim appearing in this Machzor are not listed there.
Includes Kerovot (series of piyyutim) for the Four Parashiot: Shekalim, Zachor, Para and HaChodesh (includes amongst others the Kerova for Shabbat Shekalim by R. Yitzchak HaLevi ben Zerachia Gerondi, Azharot for Shabbat HaGadol by Rabbeinu Kalonymus HaNasi and others); order of piyyutim for Purim (Tikun Yom Purim); Kerovot and piyyutim for Passover (for the first and second day of Passover, for dew, Reshut for Shabbat and Chol HaMoed of Passover, for Yom HaShira [seventh day of Passover], Haftarot for Yom HaShira and for the last day of Passover); Seder Chag HaShavuot (including Kerovot for Shavuot, piyyut for the Ten Commandments by R. Saadia Gaon, the Ten Commandments in Judeo-Arabic, Azharot by R. Shlomo ibn Gabirol); Kerovot and piyyutim for Sukkot and Selichot for Hoshaanot; piyyutim for Shemini Atzeret (Reshut LeYom Shemini Atzeret, Magen LeMussaf HaGeshem); piyyutim for Simchat Torah.
Most of the leaves contain neat scribal script, several leaves were written by different writers. An ownership inscription appears in the margin of p. [37b]: "Mine, the dear and honorable Yosef Alashkar".
[140] leaves. Leaves may be missing from the beginning. Several leaves of the Machzor are lacking. 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains. Tears and wear to several leaves. Worming, repaired in several places. Open tears affecting text to several leaves, mainly at the beginning and end of the Machzor, repaired. Restored binding, incorporating the original leather binding.
Category
North African Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $15,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $25,000
Unsold
Letters of recommendation for hachnasat kalla (supplying a dowry for a bride), handwritten and signed by dozens of Moroccan sages and rabbis, including a letter of recommendation (three lines) handwritten and signed by R. Yisrael Abuchatzira (the Baba Sali). Bound together.
7 leaves, glued and bound together, containing handwritten and signed recommendations by Moroccan sages and rabbis from 1922-1936. Written in Moroccan cities: Fez, Meknes, Rabat, Tlemcen, Sefrou, Safi, Essaouira and El-Jadida. All the recommendations were written for "Moshe Ochana", some mentioning his wish to settle in Eretz Israel.
Below is a list of the letters of recommendation and some of the names of the rabbis who signed them:
· Page [1] – Recommendation of "…R. Ya'akov Abuchatzira…". Fez, 1935. Handwritten additions and signatures of members of the society appear on the margins.
· Page [2] – Letter of recommendation by the Rashbi society. Fez, 1932. Many signatures of members of the society, including the signature "Yitzchak Abuchatzira".
· Page [3] – Recommendation signed by the Beit Din in Rabat. 1923. Signatures of R. Refael Ankawa (Encouau) [HaMalach Refael], R. Yekutiel Birdugo, R. Yosef Chaim ibn Attar.
This recommendation is accompanied by another handwritten recommendation signed by R. Chaim Refael Attie, a Rabbi in Rabat and by another handwritten recommendation.
· Page [4] – Recommendation of the Fez Beit Din – Signatures of R. "Shlomo ---", R. "Matitya Siriro" and R. "Aharon Butbul". Fez, Tishrei 1922.
Three handwritten lines of recommendation signed by R. "Yisrael Abuchatzira", the Baba Sali, appear alongside this recommendation.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Abba Elbaz, "Posek in the city of Sefrou".
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Yehoshua Birdugo – Meknes.
Recommendation handwritten and signed R. Shlomo ibn Shitrit – "Dayan and posek in Meknes".
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. David Tzabach – Rabat.
Recommendation signed by Rabbis of Essaouira (Mogador) – Ra'avad R. Avraham ibn Sussan, R. David Knafo and R. Moshe ibn Simhon.
· Page [5] – Recommendation of the society "Called after… Rabbi Ish HaTzorfati…". Fez, 1923. With many signatures.
· Page [6] – Recommendation by Rabbis of the Fez Beit Din, 1933. Signed by R. Matitya Siroro, R. Aharon Butbul and R. Moshe ibn Denan.
Under these signatures are two more recommendations, one handwritten and signed by R. David Tzabach "Posek in El-Jadida" and the other handwritten and signed by R. Avner Tzorfati "Posek in Safi".
· Page [7] – Recommendation from societies in Fez, 1923: Recommendation from a society named after R. Shimon Bar Yochai, with signatures of its members, including the following: R. Shmuel ibn Denan, R. Sa'adia ibn Denan. Recommendation from Chevrat Eliyahu HaNavi, with signatures of its members.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Refael Tzorfati, Oujda.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Masud Aviktzitz.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Mashash [author of Otzar HaMichtavim] – Tlemcen, 1936.
[7] leaves, glued and bound together. 36 cm. Fair condition. Dark stains, wear and tears, worming in several places. Traces of dampness. Repairs with paper. Folk fabric binding.
7 leaves, glued and bound together, containing handwritten and signed recommendations by Moroccan sages and rabbis from 1922-1936. Written in Moroccan cities: Fez, Meknes, Rabat, Tlemcen, Sefrou, Safi, Essaouira and El-Jadida. All the recommendations were written for "Moshe Ochana", some mentioning his wish to settle in Eretz Israel.
Below is a list of the letters of recommendation and some of the names of the rabbis who signed them:
· Page [1] – Recommendation of "…R. Ya'akov Abuchatzira…". Fez, 1935. Handwritten additions and signatures of members of the society appear on the margins.
· Page [2] – Letter of recommendation by the Rashbi society. Fez, 1932. Many signatures of members of the society, including the signature "Yitzchak Abuchatzira".
· Page [3] – Recommendation signed by the Beit Din in Rabat. 1923. Signatures of R. Refael Ankawa (Encouau) [HaMalach Refael], R. Yekutiel Birdugo, R. Yosef Chaim ibn Attar.
This recommendation is accompanied by another handwritten recommendation signed by R. Chaim Refael Attie, a Rabbi in Rabat and by another handwritten recommendation.
· Page [4] – Recommendation of the Fez Beit Din – Signatures of R. "Shlomo ---", R. "Matitya Siriro" and R. "Aharon Butbul". Fez, Tishrei 1922.
Three handwritten lines of recommendation signed by R. "Yisrael Abuchatzira", the Baba Sali, appear alongside this recommendation.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Abba Elbaz, "Posek in the city of Sefrou".
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Yehoshua Birdugo – Meknes.
Recommendation handwritten and signed R. Shlomo ibn Shitrit – "Dayan and posek in Meknes".
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. David Tzabach – Rabat.
Recommendation signed by Rabbis of Essaouira (Mogador) – Ra'avad R. Avraham ibn Sussan, R. David Knafo and R. Moshe ibn Simhon.
· Page [5] – Recommendation of the society "Called after… Rabbi Ish HaTzorfati…". Fez, 1923. With many signatures.
· Page [6] – Recommendation by Rabbis of the Fez Beit Din, 1933. Signed by R. Matitya Siroro, R. Aharon Butbul and R. Moshe ibn Denan.
Under these signatures are two more recommendations, one handwritten and signed by R. David Tzabach "Posek in El-Jadida" and the other handwritten and signed by R. Avner Tzorfati "Posek in Safi".
· Page [7] – Recommendation from societies in Fez, 1923: Recommendation from a society named after R. Shimon Bar Yochai, with signatures of its members, including the following: R. Shmuel ibn Denan, R. Sa'adia ibn Denan. Recommendation from Chevrat Eliyahu HaNavi, with signatures of its members.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Refael Tzorfati, Oujda.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Masud Aviktzitz.
Recommendation handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Mashash [author of Otzar HaMichtavim] – Tlemcen, 1936.
[7] leaves, glued and bound together. 36 cm. Fair condition. Dark stains, wear and tears, worming in several places. Traces of dampness. Repairs with paper. Folk fabric binding.
Category
North African Rabbis – Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures
Catalogue