Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
A letter sent to Moses Montefiore from the Jewish community of Isfahan (Iran), signed by the rabbis and heads of the community. Isfahan, 1873.
A lengthy letter, expressing the plight of the community under the rule of "our king, Nassereddin" – Naser al-Din, fourth monarch of the Qajar dynasty, the Shah of Persia at that time. The letter was written in anticipation of Naser al-Din's visit to London. Naser al-Din was the first Persian monarch to formally visit Europe, to meet with European kings and leaders. In this letter, the community of Isfahan asks Montefiore to lobby on their behalf at his meeting with the Shah.
The letter is signed by the rabbis and heads of the Isfahan community, who added some words in their handwriting. Calligraphic signatures and stamps of: R. Yehuda son of R. Yosef, R. Chizkia son of R. Mordechai, R. Avraham son of R. Yechezkel, R. Avraham son of R. Moshe, R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov, R. Yosef Shalom son of R. Chiyya and R. Moshe son of R. Yeshua.
Moses Montefiore was very active on behalf of Persian Jewry in the 19th century. Under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, the Jews suffered severe persecution, and Montefiore worked relentlessly to assist them, employing all means at his disposal. He assisted Mashhadi Jews who were persecuted by Muslims, attempted to stop the persecution of the Jews in Hamadan and Barfrouch (present day Babol), and so on. During the Great Persian famine of 1871-1872, Montefiore led the collection of funds among European Jewry to afford relief to the Jews of Persia. Montefiore's empathy and concern for his Jewish brethren in Persia is also expressed in a diary entry he wrote on March 25, 1865: "I could not sleep last night for thinking of our poor brethren in Persia".
In 1873, Montefiore met Naser al-Din in London. This audience greatly affected the Shah's policy towards the Jews, leading to an amelioration in their condition. Afterwards, Montefiore received a letter from the Shah (in English), in which he expressed his willingness to protect Persian Jewry. Montefiore had the letter translated into Persian and Hebrew, and sent lithographed copies to the Jewish communities in Persia. In an accompanying letter, he requested that the Jews pray for the Shah and suggested that they hang the Shah's letter at the entrances of their synagogues (see: Amnon Netzer, Montefiore and the Jews of Persia, in: Pe'amim, XX, 1984, pp. 55-67).
• Enclosed: the envelope in which this letter was sent, addressed to Montefiore with a poetic inscription. Stamps of: R. Yehuda son of R. Yosef and R. Chizkia son of R. Mordechai.
[1] leaf (letter). Approx. 27 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear, creases and folding marks. Occasional faded ink. + Envelope. 7.5X11.5 cm. Good condition.
A lengthy letter, expressing the plight of the community under the rule of "our king, Nassereddin" – Naser al-Din, fourth monarch of the Qajar dynasty, the Shah of Persia at that time. The letter was written in anticipation of Naser al-Din's visit to London. Naser al-Din was the first Persian monarch to formally visit Europe, to meet with European kings and leaders. In this letter, the community of Isfahan asks Montefiore to lobby on their behalf at his meeting with the Shah.
The letter is signed by the rabbis and heads of the Isfahan community, who added some words in their handwriting. Calligraphic signatures and stamps of: R. Yehuda son of R. Yosef, R. Chizkia son of R. Mordechai, R. Avraham son of R. Yechezkel, R. Avraham son of R. Moshe, R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov, R. Yosef Shalom son of R. Chiyya and R. Moshe son of R. Yeshua.
Moses Montefiore was very active on behalf of Persian Jewry in the 19th century. Under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, the Jews suffered severe persecution, and Montefiore worked relentlessly to assist them, employing all means at his disposal. He assisted Mashhadi Jews who were persecuted by Muslims, attempted to stop the persecution of the Jews in Hamadan and Barfrouch (present day Babol), and so on. During the Great Persian famine of 1871-1872, Montefiore led the collection of funds among European Jewry to afford relief to the Jews of Persia. Montefiore's empathy and concern for his Jewish brethren in Persia is also expressed in a diary entry he wrote on March 25, 1865: "I could not sleep last night for thinking of our poor brethren in Persia".
In 1873, Montefiore met Naser al-Din in London. This audience greatly affected the Shah's policy towards the Jews, leading to an amelioration in their condition. Afterwards, Montefiore received a letter from the Shah (in English), in which he expressed his willingness to protect Persian Jewry. Montefiore had the letter translated into Persian and Hebrew, and sent lithographed copies to the Jewish communities in Persia. In an accompanying letter, he requested that the Jews pray for the Shah and suggested that they hang the Shah's letter at the entrances of their synagogues (see: Amnon Netzer, Montefiore and the Jews of Persia, in: Pe'amim, XX, 1984, pp. 55-67).
• Enclosed: the envelope in which this letter was sent, addressed to Montefiore with a poetic inscription. Stamps of: R. Yehuda son of R. Yosef and R. Chizkia son of R. Mordechai.
[1] leaf (letter). Approx. 27 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear, creases and folding marks. Occasional faded ink. + Envelope. 7.5X11.5 cm. Good condition.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Judeo-Persian compositions (the tale of Yosef and Zuleicha, by the poet Shuela; and other compositions). [Iranian expanse, ca. 19th century].
Manuscript in notebook format (tall leaves), on colored paper – light-blue, purple, white, yellow and orange (bound alternately).
[197] leaves (and another approx. 15 blank leaves). Height: approx. 22 cm. Width: approx. 14 cm. Condition varies, fair-good. Stains, wear and tears. Early parchment binding, damaged.
Manuscript in notebook format (tall leaves), on colored paper – light-blue, purple, white, yellow and orange (bound alternately).
[197] leaves (and another approx. 15 blank leaves). Height: approx. 22 cm. Width: approx. 14 cm. Condition varies, fair-good. Stains, wear and tears. Early parchment binding, damaged.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Manuscript, piyyutim and songs for various occasions, and Sharh (Judeo-Arabic translation and commentary) to several compositions. [Middle East (Syria/Eretz Israel/ Iraq?), 19th/20th century].
The first page of the manuscript, intended as a title page, features a decorative border, without text. Initial words on several leaves within ornamental panels.
The first part of the manuscript contains a collection of piyyutim and songs for various occasions: Purim, Passover, Shabbat and more. One leaf features the piyyut composed by R. Shalom Mohadeb commemorating the massacres of the Jews of Aleppo during the Druze revolt in 1860.
The rest of the manuscript contains Sharh (Judeo-Arabic translation and commentary) to the Mi Chamocha piyyut, to the Ten Commandements, Shir HaShirim and Tractate Derech Eretz, some include the original Hebrew text.
Over 150 written pages (and many more blank leaves). 18.5 cm. Dry paper in part. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears and wear. Tear affecting title page border. Worming. Several detached leaves. New binding.
The first page of the manuscript, intended as a title page, features a decorative border, without text. Initial words on several leaves within ornamental panels.
The first part of the manuscript contains a collection of piyyutim and songs for various occasions: Purim, Passover, Shabbat and more. One leaf features the piyyut composed by R. Shalom Mohadeb commemorating the massacres of the Jews of Aleppo during the Druze revolt in 1860.
The rest of the manuscript contains Sharh (Judeo-Arabic translation and commentary) to the Mi Chamocha piyyut, to the Ten Commandements, Shir HaShirim and Tractate Derech Eretz, some include the original Hebrew text.
Over 150 written pages (and many more blank leaves). 18.5 cm. Dry paper in part. Fair-good condition. Stains, tears and wear. Tear affecting title page border. Worming. Several detached leaves. New binding.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript – novellae, homilies, piyyutim, lots, cures, segulot, amulets, hashbaot and incantations. [Oriental lands, 18th/19th century].
Volume comprising several handwritten gatherings bound together, from various writers and periods, in Sephardic and Oriental script.
The volume includes: Hashbaot, segulot and incantations for various times and situations, instructions for writing amulets and texts of amulets ("Hashbaa for malaria", "Incantation for an infant", "To speed up birth", and more), Pitum HaKetoret from Safed, zodiacs, signs for predicting the future according to weather conditions, an unknown composition, "Tevel UMeloa" (the world and the fullness thereof – for teaching the Holy Tongue to youth?); "Goral Emet" (lots), "Refifat HaEvarim", commentaries and novellae on the Torah, Midrashim, Talmudic Aggadot and various topics; "Halatzot" (texts for writing letters), segulot ("for love", "for an epidemic", "to win over one's enemy", and more), Tikkun for a plague, text for exorcising a dybbuk, Hashbaa for asking a question in a dream, homilies and eulogies ("Homily for righteous women", "Homily on the virtues of Eretz Israel", "Homily for Shabbat Teshuva", and more), Midrashei Pelia, commentaries and novellae to the Passover Haggadah, Tikkun HaTevilah, "Tikkun for one who marries a widow", Moladot, and more.
[200] leaves. Approx. 15 cm. Condition varies. Overall fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears to some leaves, affecting text. Detached gatherings and leaves. Old binding, detached.
Volume comprising several handwritten gatherings bound together, from various writers and periods, in Sephardic and Oriental script.
The volume includes: Hashbaot, segulot and incantations for various times and situations, instructions for writing amulets and texts of amulets ("Hashbaa for malaria", "Incantation for an infant", "To speed up birth", and more), Pitum HaKetoret from Safed, zodiacs, signs for predicting the future according to weather conditions, an unknown composition, "Tevel UMeloa" (the world and the fullness thereof – for teaching the Holy Tongue to youth?); "Goral Emet" (lots), "Refifat HaEvarim", commentaries and novellae on the Torah, Midrashim, Talmudic Aggadot and various topics; "Halatzot" (texts for writing letters), segulot ("for love", "for an epidemic", "to win over one's enemy", and more), Tikkun for a plague, text for exorcising a dybbuk, Hashbaa for asking a question in a dream, homilies and eulogies ("Homily for righteous women", "Homily on the virtues of Eretz Israel", "Homily for Shabbat Teshuva", and more), Midrashei Pelia, commentaries and novellae to the Passover Haggadah, Tikkun HaTevilah, "Tikkun for one who marries a widow", Moladot, and more.
[200] leaves. Approx. 15 cm. Condition varies. Overall fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears to some leaves, affecting text. Detached gatherings and leaves. Old binding, detached.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $500
Unsold
Manuscript, homiletics and novellae on the Torah portions and the haftarot, Pirkei Avot and Tehillim, tales, kabbalistic homiletics and various selections, by R. Yeshua son of Yosef. [Persia, 19th century].
Persian, oriental script. Handwritten by the author, who signed his name in several places: "Yeshua, who awaits salvation [in Hebrew – yeshua], son of Yosef". The year 1878 is mentioned twice, and in another place, it says: "I wrote this… Tevet 5641 [1880], when my teacher R. Yechezkel read from the Torah in memory of Esther daughter of Binyamin".
On p. [48a] the author quotes from the Quran (Arabic transliterated in Hebrew letters): "This, which may also be told in public, is from the Quran of Muhammad…" (in fact, this is a quote from the Shiite Hadith and not from the Quran). On p. [160a] is the text of a ketubah (marriage contract) from Kashan, 1880, and on the last page is the text of a get (divorce contract) from Isfahan, 1862.
The writer, R. Yeshua, was a close disciple of Mullah R. Yitzchak, grandson of the Or Shraga.
[176] leaves (over 250 written pages). Approx. 18 cm. Condition varies; fair-good. Stains, tears and wear. Several detached leaves. Old binding, damaged.
Persian, oriental script. Handwritten by the author, who signed his name in several places: "Yeshua, who awaits salvation [in Hebrew – yeshua], son of Yosef". The year 1878 is mentioned twice, and in another place, it says: "I wrote this… Tevet 5641 [1880], when my teacher R. Yechezkel read from the Torah in memory of Esther daughter of Binyamin".
On p. [48a] the author quotes from the Quran (Arabic transliterated in Hebrew letters): "This, which may also be told in public, is from the Quran of Muhammad…" (in fact, this is a quote from the Shiite Hadith and not from the Quran). On p. [160a] is the text of a ketubah (marriage contract) from Kashan, 1880, and on the last page is the text of a get (divorce contract) from Isfahan, 1862.
The writer, R. Yeshua, was a close disciple of Mullah R. Yitzchak, grandson of the Or Shraga.
[176] leaves (over 250 written pages). Approx. 18 cm. Condition varies; fair-good. Stains, tears and wear. Several detached leaves. Old binding, damaged.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $500
Unsold
Manuscript, various selections, prayers, tales, poems, novellae and homiletics, allusions and numerical values, letters and more. [Persia, ca. early 20th century].
Volume comprised of handwritten leaves and booklets, from several writers, including Persian and Bukharan Torah scholars. Includes novellae on Pirkei Avot, Tehillim and the Passover Haggadah. Several letters are bound amongst the leaves.
The writers presumably include Torah scholars from the family of Chacham (Mullah) Or Shraga. The signature of R. "Moshe son of Chacham Refael Or Shraga" appears on one leaf. Likewise, the book includes several homilies (from 1903 and 1916) "for the yahrzeit of my grandfather, R. Moshe".
The leaves include: "Kavanot for the High Holidays, 1923", "Parashat Vayishlach, 11 months from the passing of my father, Mari", "I heard from our master and teacher… R. Chizkiya Katz, dean of Bukhara…", "I heard from the emissary R. Yitzchak Ezra"; I wrote in Borujerd (Iran), 1901".
One leaf mentions the city of Hamadan. At the top of one of the commentaries (to the Passover Haggadah), it is noted: "Every commentary that I innovated myself, I titled Tz.Y.B.P.– Tza'ir [the young] Yaakov son of R. Paltiel".
[185] leaves (including approx. 15 blank leaves). Approx. 17 cm. Condition varies. Stains (including dark stains, traces of past dampness and mold), tears and wear. Some leaves in poor condition, with open tears and damage, affecting text. Non-original cloth binding, damaged.
Volume comprised of handwritten leaves and booklets, from several writers, including Persian and Bukharan Torah scholars. Includes novellae on Pirkei Avot, Tehillim and the Passover Haggadah. Several letters are bound amongst the leaves.
The writers presumably include Torah scholars from the family of Chacham (Mullah) Or Shraga. The signature of R. "Moshe son of Chacham Refael Or Shraga" appears on one leaf. Likewise, the book includes several homilies (from 1903 and 1916) "for the yahrzeit of my grandfather, R. Moshe".
The leaves include: "Kavanot for the High Holidays, 1923", "Parashat Vayishlach, 11 months from the passing of my father, Mari", "I heard from our master and teacher… R. Chizkiya Katz, dean of Bukhara…", "I heard from the emissary R. Yitzchak Ezra"; I wrote in Borujerd (Iran), 1901".
One leaf mentions the city of Hamadan. At the top of one of the commentaries (to the Passover Haggadah), it is noted: "Every commentary that I innovated myself, I titled Tz.Y.B.P.– Tza'ir [the young] Yaakov son of R. Paltiel".
[185] leaves (including approx. 15 blank leaves). Approx. 17 cm. Condition varies. Stains (including dark stains, traces of past dampness and mold), tears and wear. Some leaves in poor condition, with open tears and damage, affecting text. Non-original cloth binding, damaged.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $575
Including buyer's premium
Three books printed in Salonika, with signatures and glosses by Torah scholars from the Or Shraga family, Persia:
• Darkei HaYam, homiletics, by R. Refael Yitzchak Mayo. Salonika, [1813]. Signature and stamp of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak "grandson of the Maor Shraga" (Mullah Aghababa) on the title page. The book contains several lengthy glosses, one bearing his signature. The front endpaper contains many handwritten inscriptions.
• Tolaat Shani, homiletics on the Torah portions, by R. Avraham Pinso. Salonika, [1805]. At the top of the title page – dedication to R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak Or Shraga (Mullah Aghababa): "A gift to my beloved… Chacham Moshe son of Chacham Yitzchak, grandson and great grandson of Chacham Or Shraga… youngest of my town, Moshe Chaim". At the foot of the title page, calligraphic signature and stamp of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak Or Shraga (Mullah Aghababa). Several other inscriptions on the title page. On the page following the title page, earlier inscription of "The young one sent by the rabbis… Yosef HaKohen", alongside an inscription of Mullah Aghababa: "And I, last remnant…" with his calligraphic signature and stamp. The book contains many glosses, some of them presumably handwritten by Mullah Aghababa.
• Shemo Avraham, Part I, treatises on the qualities of our forefather Avraham, by R. Avraham Palachi. Salonika, [1867]. Stamps of "Refael son of Chacham Moshe, grandson of HaMaor" (Mullah Refael, son of Mullah Aghababa). Several glosses. Signature and stamp of his son, R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga.
Several handwritten pieces of paper were found inside the books.
The Or Shraga family of Yazd, descendants of the Kabbalist Mullah Or Shraga, were among the greatest rabbis of Persia. Mullah Or Shraga served as a rabbi for decades and was the force behind the enduring adherence of Yazd Jewry to Torah study and mitzvah observance. He and his descendants led the local community for some two hundred years. Rabbi Or Shraga reputedly came to Yazd from the city of Isfahan, some two hundred and fifty years ago, after the king issued a decree ordering the killing of ten great Torah scholars. He was one of three Torah scholars who managed to escape, the other seven died sanctifying G-d’s Name. In Yazd, he facilitated the flourishing of the city’s Jewish population and transformed the city into a Torah center. Yazd Jews were among the first to emigrate from Persia to Jerusalem, establishing there the famous Yazdim community.
Rabbi Or Shraga and his descendants were revered by the Jews of Persia. Of particular renown is R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak, known as Mullah Aghababa, who served as rabbi of Yazd (see: Yosef Shraga, MiYazd LeEretz HaKodesh, pp. 157-161).
3 books. Size and condition vary.
• Darkei HaYam, homiletics, by R. Refael Yitzchak Mayo. Salonika, [1813]. Signature and stamp of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak "grandson of the Maor Shraga" (Mullah Aghababa) on the title page. The book contains several lengthy glosses, one bearing his signature. The front endpaper contains many handwritten inscriptions.
• Tolaat Shani, homiletics on the Torah portions, by R. Avraham Pinso. Salonika, [1805]. At the top of the title page – dedication to R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak Or Shraga (Mullah Aghababa): "A gift to my beloved… Chacham Moshe son of Chacham Yitzchak, grandson and great grandson of Chacham Or Shraga… youngest of my town, Moshe Chaim". At the foot of the title page, calligraphic signature and stamp of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak Or Shraga (Mullah Aghababa). Several other inscriptions on the title page. On the page following the title page, earlier inscription of "The young one sent by the rabbis… Yosef HaKohen", alongside an inscription of Mullah Aghababa: "And I, last remnant…" with his calligraphic signature and stamp. The book contains many glosses, some of them presumably handwritten by Mullah Aghababa.
• Shemo Avraham, Part I, treatises on the qualities of our forefather Avraham, by R. Avraham Palachi. Salonika, [1867]. Stamps of "Refael son of Chacham Moshe, grandson of HaMaor" (Mullah Refael, son of Mullah Aghababa). Several glosses. Signature and stamp of his son, R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga.
Several handwritten pieces of paper were found inside the books.
The Or Shraga family of Yazd, descendants of the Kabbalist Mullah Or Shraga, were among the greatest rabbis of Persia. Mullah Or Shraga served as a rabbi for decades and was the force behind the enduring adherence of Yazd Jewry to Torah study and mitzvah observance. He and his descendants led the local community for some two hundred years. Rabbi Or Shraga reputedly came to Yazd from the city of Isfahan, some two hundred and fifty years ago, after the king issued a decree ordering the killing of ten great Torah scholars. He was one of three Torah scholars who managed to escape, the other seven died sanctifying G-d’s Name. In Yazd, he facilitated the flourishing of the city’s Jewish population and transformed the city into a Torah center. Yazd Jews were among the first to emigrate from Persia to Jerusalem, establishing there the famous Yazdim community.
Rabbi Or Shraga and his descendants were revered by the Jews of Persia. Of particular renown is R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak, known as Mullah Aghababa, who served as rabbi of Yazd (see: Yosef Shraga, MiYazd LeEretz HaKodesh, pp. 157-161).
3 books. Size and condition vary.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $525
Including buyer's premium
• Sheyarei Knesset HaGedolah, Orach Chaim, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Livorno, 1792.
The title page bears stamps of the rabbinic dynasty, descendants of the Or Shraga: Stamp of "Moshe son of Maor" – son of the Or Shraga, signature and stamp of his son "Yitzchak son of R. Moshe", stamp of his grandson "Moshe son of R. Yitzchak" (Mullah Aghababa), and several other stamps. Several glosses.
• Torah Or, Five Books of the Torah with Targum and commentaries. Livorno, [1863].
On the title page: Stamps of R. Refael son of R. Moshe "grandson of the Maor" (Mullah Refael), and two handwritten inscriptions: One is a lamentation over the passing of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak ("R. Moshe Shapiro"; Mullah Aghababa) in Shevat 1913, composed by his son (presumably Mullah Refael, whose stamps appear on the title page); the second is a lamentation on the passing of Mullah Refael, in Cheshvan 1942, written by his son R. Moshe. Stamp of R. Moshe (the latter) on the leaf following the title page. Other stamps and signatures. Several glosses.
• Millel LeAvraham, homiletics, by R. Avraham Sithon. Livorno, [1843]. Bound with: Divrei Moshe, by R. Moshe Sithon. Livorno, [1844].
Stamps of R. Refael son of R. Moshe "grandson of the Maor" (Mullah Refael). Inscription on the title page: "I acquired it with my money for the worship of my Creator, Avraham Halawa", and another inscripition: "I sold this book to Menachem Yehuda HaKohen, resident of Tiberias, so says the emissary from Jerusalem, Avraham Halawa" (the father of Mullah Refael, R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak – Mullah Aghababa, granted his approbation to the book of the emissary R. Avraham Halawa – the book Minchat Avraham). Inscriptions and stamps of R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga.
• Aderet Eliyahu, homiletics, by R. Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, the Ben Ish Chai. Livorno, [1864]. Signatures and stamps of R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga. Another signature: "Yosef son of… Yehuda HaKohen, in Teheran… 1904". Another ownership inscripition. Several glosses.
The Or Shraga family of Yazd, descendants of the Kabbalist Mullah Or Shraga, were among the greatest rabbis of Persia. Mullah Or Shraga served as a rabbi for decades and was the force behind the enduring adherence of Yazd Jewry to Torah study and mitzvah observance. He and his descendants led the local community for some two hundred years. Rabbi Or Shraga reputedly came to Yazd from the city of Isfahan, some two hundred and fifty years ago, after the king issued a decree ordering the killing of ten great Torah scholars. He was one of three Torah scholars who managed to escape, the other seven died sanctifying G-d’s Name. In Yazd, he facilitated the flourishing of the city’s Jewish population and transformed the city into a Torah center. Yazd Jews were among the first to emigrate from Persia to Jerusalem, establishing there the famous Yazdim community.
Rabbi Or Shraga and his descendants were revered by the Jews of Persia. Of particular renown is R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak, known as Mullah Aghababa, who served as rabbi of Yazd (see: Yosef Shraga, MiYazd LeEretz HaKodesh, pp. 157-161).
4 books. Size and condition vary.
The title page bears stamps of the rabbinic dynasty, descendants of the Or Shraga: Stamp of "Moshe son of Maor" – son of the Or Shraga, signature and stamp of his son "Yitzchak son of R. Moshe", stamp of his grandson "Moshe son of R. Yitzchak" (Mullah Aghababa), and several other stamps. Several glosses.
• Torah Or, Five Books of the Torah with Targum and commentaries. Livorno, [1863].
On the title page: Stamps of R. Refael son of R. Moshe "grandson of the Maor" (Mullah Refael), and two handwritten inscriptions: One is a lamentation over the passing of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak ("R. Moshe Shapiro"; Mullah Aghababa) in Shevat 1913, composed by his son (presumably Mullah Refael, whose stamps appear on the title page); the second is a lamentation on the passing of Mullah Refael, in Cheshvan 1942, written by his son R. Moshe. Stamp of R. Moshe (the latter) on the leaf following the title page. Other stamps and signatures. Several glosses.
• Millel LeAvraham, homiletics, by R. Avraham Sithon. Livorno, [1843]. Bound with: Divrei Moshe, by R. Moshe Sithon. Livorno, [1844].
Stamps of R. Refael son of R. Moshe "grandson of the Maor" (Mullah Refael). Inscription on the title page: "I acquired it with my money for the worship of my Creator, Avraham Halawa", and another inscripition: "I sold this book to Menachem Yehuda HaKohen, resident of Tiberias, so says the emissary from Jerusalem, Avraham Halawa" (the father of Mullah Refael, R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak – Mullah Aghababa, granted his approbation to the book of the emissary R. Avraham Halawa – the book Minchat Avraham). Inscriptions and stamps of R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga.
• Aderet Eliyahu, homiletics, by R. Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, the Ben Ish Chai. Livorno, [1864]. Signatures and stamps of R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga. Another signature: "Yosef son of… Yehuda HaKohen, in Teheran… 1904". Another ownership inscripition. Several glosses.
The Or Shraga family of Yazd, descendants of the Kabbalist Mullah Or Shraga, were among the greatest rabbis of Persia. Mullah Or Shraga served as a rabbi for decades and was the force behind the enduring adherence of Yazd Jewry to Torah study and mitzvah observance. He and his descendants led the local community for some two hundred years. Rabbi Or Shraga reputedly came to Yazd from the city of Isfahan, some two hundred and fifty years ago, after the king issued a decree ordering the killing of ten great Torah scholars. He was one of three Torah scholars who managed to escape, the other seven died sanctifying G-d’s Name. In Yazd, he facilitated the flourishing of the city’s Jewish population and transformed the city into a Torah center. Yazd Jews were among the first to emigrate from Persia to Jerusalem, establishing there the famous Yazdim community.
Rabbi Or Shraga and his descendants were revered by the Jews of Persia. Of particular renown is R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak, known as Mullah Aghababa, who served as rabbi of Yazd (see: Yosef Shraga, MiYazd LeEretz HaKodesh, pp. 157-161).
4 books. Size and condition vary.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Five books printed in Jerusalem:
1. Shevet Mussar, ethics and homilies related to repentance (fifty-two chapters), Parts I and II, by R. Eliyahu HaKohen of Izmir. Jerusalem: Yechiel Brill, Michel HaKohen and Yoel Moshe Solomon, [1863]. Sh. HaLevi, no. 85.
2. Moadei Hashem UKeriei Moed, Part II, prayers for Sukkot and Hoshana Rabba following the Sephardi rite. Jerusalem: Yisrael son of Avraham [Bak], using the "printing press donated by Moshe and Yehudit [Montefiore]", [1843-1844]. Lacking leaves 58-59 of second sequence. Sh. HaLevi, no. 20.
3. VaYe'esof David, Parts I and II, homilies and novellae on the Torah, by R. David Katzin. Jerusalem, [1899]. Many inscriptions on endpapers. Original leather binding.
4. Yisa Ish, responsa by R. Yaakov Shaul Elyashar (the Yisa Beracha). Jerusalem, [1896].
5. Zichron Moshe, Part I – selections from the Talmud, with commentaries and Midrashim, and Part II – novellae on the weekly Torah portions and on Neviim and Ketuvim, by R. Moshe Mordechai Maman. Jerusalem, [1908]. Lacking last leaf of Part II.
All five books belonged to rabbis of the Or Shraga family of Persia. The books VaYe'esof David and Yisa Ish bear stamps of "Refael son of Chacham Moshe, grandson of the luminary" (Mullah Refael, son of Mullah Aghababa); an ownership inscription in his handwriting appears on the title page of Yisa Ish. All books bear signatures and stamps of R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga. Several ownership inscriptions of other members of the family. Several glosses.
Long handwritten passages on the front endpaper of VaYe'esof David, signed by "הצב"י א"ך ור"ק"; the same signature appears on the title page. Inscriptions, signatures and stamps of other owners in the other books.
5 books. Size and condition vary.
1. Shevet Mussar, ethics and homilies related to repentance (fifty-two chapters), Parts I and II, by R. Eliyahu HaKohen of Izmir. Jerusalem: Yechiel Brill, Michel HaKohen and Yoel Moshe Solomon, [1863]. Sh. HaLevi, no. 85.
2. Moadei Hashem UKeriei Moed, Part II, prayers for Sukkot and Hoshana Rabba following the Sephardi rite. Jerusalem: Yisrael son of Avraham [Bak], using the "printing press donated by Moshe and Yehudit [Montefiore]", [1843-1844]. Lacking leaves 58-59 of second sequence. Sh. HaLevi, no. 20.
3. VaYe'esof David, Parts I and II, homilies and novellae on the Torah, by R. David Katzin. Jerusalem, [1899]. Many inscriptions on endpapers. Original leather binding.
4. Yisa Ish, responsa by R. Yaakov Shaul Elyashar (the Yisa Beracha). Jerusalem, [1896].
5. Zichron Moshe, Part I – selections from the Talmud, with commentaries and Midrashim, and Part II – novellae on the weekly Torah portions and on Neviim and Ketuvim, by R. Moshe Mordechai Maman. Jerusalem, [1908]. Lacking last leaf of Part II.
All five books belonged to rabbis of the Or Shraga family of Persia. The books VaYe'esof David and Yisa Ish bear stamps of "Refael son of Chacham Moshe, grandson of the luminary" (Mullah Refael, son of Mullah Aghababa); an ownership inscription in his handwriting appears on the title page of Yisa Ish. All books bear signatures and stamps of R. Moshe son of R. Refael Shraga. Several ownership inscriptions of other members of the family. Several glosses.
Long handwritten passages on the front endpaper of VaYe'esof David, signed by "הצב"י א"ך ור"ק"; the same signature appears on the title page. Inscriptions, signatures and stamps of other owners in the other books.
5 books. Size and condition vary.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
"Ish Yehudi Haya BeShushan" – decorated, handwritten leaf for Purim. [Persian Kurdistan, late 19th century or early 20th century].
Ink and paint on paper.
Outer frame decorated with flowers, leaves and vases. A second frame is composed of the text "Ish Yehudi Haya BeShushan…". The center of the leaf is occupied by the piyyut "Tenu Shira VeZimra – Yedidim Barchu", inscribed in two columns within a decorative frame. The Jews of Kurdistan used to sing this piyyut before reading the Megillah. The Megillah blessings are written at the end of the piyyut.
A similar leaf is described by the researcher and bibliographer Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann in Sinai (Issue 98, 1986, pp. 74-75): "The piyyut Yedidim Barchu… was hitherto unknown. It was written on parchment sheets for Purim and decorated in color with passages from the Megillah. I recently purchased such a sheet from an Arab merchant in the Old City in Jerusalem". The text of the piyyut on this leaf is more accurate than the text published by Lehmann.
[1] leaf. 43 cm. Frame: 46X32 cm. Stains and traces of past dampness, tears and wear. Unexamined out of frame.
See: "Light and Shadows – The Story of Iran and the Jews", exhibition catalog (Beit HaTfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish People, Tel-Aviv, 2010), pp. 48-49.
Ink and paint on paper.
Outer frame decorated with flowers, leaves and vases. A second frame is composed of the text "Ish Yehudi Haya BeShushan…". The center of the leaf is occupied by the piyyut "Tenu Shira VeZimra – Yedidim Barchu", inscribed in two columns within a decorative frame. The Jews of Kurdistan used to sing this piyyut before reading the Megillah. The Megillah blessings are written at the end of the piyyut.
A similar leaf is described by the researcher and bibliographer Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann in Sinai (Issue 98, 1986, pp. 74-75): "The piyyut Yedidim Barchu… was hitherto unknown. It was written on parchment sheets for Purim and decorated in color with passages from the Megillah. I recently purchased such a sheet from an Arab merchant in the Old City in Jerusalem". The text of the piyyut on this leaf is more accurate than the text published by Lehmann.
[1] leaf. 43 cm. Frame: 46X32 cm. Stains and traces of past dampness, tears and wear. Unexamined out of frame.
See: "Light and Shadows – The Story of Iran and the Jews", exhibition catalog (Beit HaTfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish People, Tel-Aviv, 2010), pp. 48-49.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $700
Unsold
Manuscript, Five Books of the Torah with selections of midrashim and commentaries. [Persia, ca. 18th/19th century].
Large, square script (similar to Stam script), presumably by two scribes. Commentaries and selections of midrashim, in different handwriting, were added in the wide margins of the manuscript.
[210] leaves. Lacking at the beginning of Bereshit and at the end of Devarim. 29 cm. Fair condition. Stains, wear and open tears, affecting text on some leaves. Non-original binding, damaged.
Provenance:
1. Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman, Ms. 59.
2. Collection of Dr. Michael Krupp, Ms. 3185.
Large, square script (similar to Stam script), presumably by two scribes. Commentaries and selections of midrashim, in different handwriting, were added in the wide margins of the manuscript.
[210] leaves. Lacking at the beginning of Bereshit and at the end of Devarim. 29 cm. Fair condition. Stains, wear and open tears, affecting text on some leaves. Non-original binding, damaged.
Provenance:
1. Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman, Ms. 59.
2. Collection of Dr. Michael Krupp, Ms. 3185.
Category
Iraqi, Iranian and Indian Jewry – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue