Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $800
Sold for: $2,375
Including buyer's premium
Letter encouraging the dissemination of Judaism, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch. Brooklyn, NY, Tammuz 1942.
Typewritten on the official letterhead stationery of the Machne Israel organization (of which the rebbe served as executive director), with the full signature of the rebbe ("Menachem Schneersohn, rather than his usual "M. Schneersohn"), and the addition of one line handwritten by the rebbe.
The letter was written approximately one year after the rebbe's arrival in the United States, before he became recognized by Chabad Chassidim.
The conclusion of the letter, "With blessings for immediate repentance, immediate redemption", is preceded by the following addition handwritten by the rebbe: "I would be happy to hear of his good health and updates about his family".
This letter was presumably never published.
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Linen-backed.
Typewritten on the official letterhead stationery of the Machne Israel organization (of which the rebbe served as executive director), with the full signature of the rebbe ("Menachem Schneersohn, rather than his usual "M. Schneersohn"), and the addition of one line handwritten by the rebbe.
The letter was written approximately one year after the rebbe's arrival in the United States, before he became recognized by Chabad Chassidim.
The conclusion of the letter, "With blessings for immediate repentance, immediate redemption", is preceded by the following addition handwritten by the rebbe: "I would be happy to hear of his good health and updates about his family".
This letter was presumably never published.
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Linen-backed.
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Letter from R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, with his signature. Brooklyn, New York, 1964.
Typewritten on official letterhead stationery of the Rebbe and hand-signed by him.
Blessings for a "good and sweet year in material and spiritual matters".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Folding marks.
Typewritten on official letterhead stationery of the Rebbe and hand-signed by him.
Blessings for a "good and sweet year in material and spiritual matters".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Folding marks.
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Letter from R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, with his signature. Brooklyn, New York, 1962.
Typewritten on official letterhead stationery of the Rebbe and hand-signed by him.
Blessings for a "good and sweet year in material and spiritual matters".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Tears to center (not affecting text). Creases and folding marks.
Typewritten on official letterhead stationery of the Rebbe and hand-signed by him.
Blessings for a "good and sweet year in material and spiritual matters".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Tears to center (not affecting text). Creases and folding marks.
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter of blessings from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch. Addressed to R. Moshe Irenstein, mayor of Bnei Brak. Brooklyn, NY, Nissan 1988.
Typewritten on the official letterhead stationery of the rebbe, with his signature and the addition of one word in his handwriting.
In his letter, the rebbe blesses: "With the approach of the festival of Matzot… I wish to express my blessings for a kosher and joyous holiday, and for true freedom". At the end of the letter, the rebbe writes to the mayor: "With respect, with blessings for the festival and for great success in his most responsible position".
The following line was added after the signature: "The letter of condolences was received on time, many thanks – many thanks" (the last word was handwritten by the rebbe). The rebbe is thanking here for the letter of condolences which the mayor sent him after the passing of his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn, on 22nd Shevat 1988.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Tear to upper margin, not affecting text.
Typewritten on the official letterhead stationery of the rebbe, with his signature and the addition of one word in his handwriting.
In his letter, the rebbe blesses: "With the approach of the festival of Matzot… I wish to express my blessings for a kosher and joyous holiday, and for true freedom". At the end of the letter, the rebbe writes to the mayor: "With respect, with blessings for the festival and for great success in his most responsible position".
The following line was added after the signature: "The letter of condolences was received on time, many thanks – many thanks" (the last word was handwritten by the rebbe). The rebbe is thanking here for the letter of condolences which the mayor sent him after the passing of his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn, on 22nd Shevat 1988.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Tear to upper margin, not affecting text.
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Ten letters of good year wishes, blessings and encouragement, by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe, addressed to R. Menachem Nachum Yitzchak Eizik Chanun of Jerusalem. Brooklyn, NY, 1953-1968.
The letters are typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his signature. Most letters include several additional words or emendations handwritten by the rebbe.
The collection comprises:
• Seven letters of good year wishes, 1953-1968, signed by the rebbe, including a letter from "The days of selichot 1963 – 150 years from the passing of Rabbenu HaZaken [the Baal HaTanya]". The rebbe added near his signature, in his handwriting: "His letter was received as well as the booklet etc., many thanks".
• Letter from Shevat 1953, in which the Rebbe writes to R. Chanun that he will pray "for him, his wife, children and household members, for good health and the fulfilment of all their needs" (the emphasized words were handwritten by the rebbe). At the end of the letter, the rebbe writes that he is sending a voucher for the sum of "ten shekels for his [R. Chanun's] personal needs".
• Two "public-private" letters (letters containing the same text sent to several people, with the occasional addition of several words handwritten by the rebbe to the recipient); one sent in Shevat, close to the yahrzeit of his father-in-law, Rebbe Rayatz, and the second on 20th Av (yahrzeit of the rebbe's father, R. Levi Yitzchak), with the addition of several words handwritten by the rebbe.
The recipient of the letters, R. Menachem Nachum Yitzchak Eizik Chanun (Chanin), was born to a Chabad family in Lubavitch (Lyubavichi) and named after his great-grandfather who was a "choizer" by the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek. In his youth, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Hebron. He later relocated to Jerusalem, where he set about publishing and distributing Chabad Chassidic teachings. He compiled and translated into Hebrew sections of discourses and teachings of rebbes of Chabad. Derech Chaim LehaSimcha VehaEmet and Likut Pitgamim, mentioned by the rebbe in the letter from 1953 in the present collection, are amongst the booklets he published.
[10] leaves. Size and condition vary. Overall good condition.
The letters are typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his signature. Most letters include several additional words or emendations handwritten by the rebbe.
The collection comprises:
• Seven letters of good year wishes, 1953-1968, signed by the rebbe, including a letter from "The days of selichot 1963 – 150 years from the passing of Rabbenu HaZaken [the Baal HaTanya]". The rebbe added near his signature, in his handwriting: "His letter was received as well as the booklet etc., many thanks".
• Letter from Shevat 1953, in which the Rebbe writes to R. Chanun that he will pray "for him, his wife, children and household members, for good health and the fulfilment of all their needs" (the emphasized words were handwritten by the rebbe). At the end of the letter, the rebbe writes that he is sending a voucher for the sum of "ten shekels for his [R. Chanun's] personal needs".
• Two "public-private" letters (letters containing the same text sent to several people, with the occasional addition of several words handwritten by the rebbe to the recipient); one sent in Shevat, close to the yahrzeit of his father-in-law, Rebbe Rayatz, and the second on 20th Av (yahrzeit of the rebbe's father, R. Levi Yitzchak), with the addition of several words handwritten by the rebbe.
The recipient of the letters, R. Menachem Nachum Yitzchak Eizik Chanun (Chanin), was born to a Chabad family in Lubavitch (Lyubavichi) and named after his great-grandfather who was a "choizer" by the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek. In his youth, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Hebron. He later relocated to Jerusalem, where he set about publishing and distributing Chabad Chassidic teachings. He compiled and translated into Hebrew sections of discourses and teachings of rebbes of Chabad. Derech Chaim LehaSimcha VehaEmet and Likut Pitgamim, mentioned by the rebbe in the letter from 1953 in the present collection, are amongst the booklets he published.
[10] leaves. Size and condition vary. Overall good condition.
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $10,000
Sold for: $57,500
Including buyer's premium
Siddur Torah Or, prayers for the year-round, Shabbat and festivals, following the rite of Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, compiled by R. Avraham David Lawat Rabbi of Nikolayev; proofread and corrected by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, NY, 1941.
On the second front flyleaf, a dedication signed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe: "As a sign of friendship and with good year blessings, M. Schneersohn, Erev Rosh Hashanah 1941".
Signature on the first front flyleaf: "Nissan Mindel".
This siddur was proofread and prepared for print by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. When the rebbe arrived in the United States from France on 28th Sivan 1941, his father-in-law, Rebbe Rayatz, asked him to proofread, correct and prepare for print the Torah Or siddur (first printed in 1887, see adjoining article). During Av and Elul 1941, the rebbe was busy proofreading and correcting this siddur. It was published several days before Rosh Hashanah 1941.
The wording of the dedication inscribed in this siddur is unique. In all the letters printed in Igrot Kodesh, written during the rebbe's leadership, the word "Yedidut" (friendship; or "BiYedidut" – in friendship) is never used in the letter endings. Even in the years preceding the rebbe's leadership, this word was only used once (Igrot Kodesh, I, p. 35). The rebbe's usage of the expression "LeOt Yedidut" ("as a sign of friendship") in this dedication appears to be unprecedented.
The recipient of the siddur, R. Nissan Mindel (1912-1999), director of Chabad institutions in the United States, was the close confidant of Rebbe Rayatz and his son-in-law the Lubavitcher Rebbe. From 1932, he served as personal secretary of Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, and from 1950, of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In winter 1940, he was one of the few who joined the Rayatz in his flight from occupied Poland to the United States. His exceptional friendship with the Rebbe, and the gift of this siddur, is reported in Sipurim MiCheder HaRabbi (Bnei Brak, 2009, p. 323): "Over the years, intense feelings of friendship towards the rebbe developed in his heart… he stated… the rebbe was 'my best friend'. One of the expressions of this friendship was on Rosh Hashanah 1941, when the rebbe gave a Torah Or siddur to R. Mindel, with a personal dedication 'As a sign of friendship'" (see ibid. for a picture of the rebbe's dedication in this siddur). He typed all the rebbe’s English letters, and even published some of them in several volumes. R. Mindel was a prolific author on Jewish thought and Chassidut. His books were reviewed by the rebbe before being published, and were later translated into many languages. He served as editor of the Chabad periodical for youths – Talks and Tales, for over forty years. His magnum opus was his translation of the Tanya to English, which earned him a doctorate degree from the Columbia University in New York.
233, [1]; 37, 39-41 leaves + 2 leaves of errata (not bound with book). 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor wear. Minor marginal tears to several leaves. Inner margins of endpapers and binding reinforced. Original binding, damaged (spine partially detached).
------------------
Siddur Torah Or
The siddur compiled by R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, was printed already in his lifetime in several editions, in Shklow and Kopust (see Kedem Catalog 63, p. 277). From the passing of the Baal HaTanya until 1887, the siddur was reprinted in dozens of editions. In many of the editions, the printers were not particular to preserve the accurate text of the prayers and laws, and in some editions the printers combined the text of Siddur HaRav with the texts of other prevalent siddurim. In the 1880s, R. Avraham David Lawat, Rabbi of Nikolayev (Mykolaiv; maternal grandfather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe), began studying and researching the original text of Siddur HaRav. To that end, he searched for editions of the siddur published in the lifetime of the Baal HaTanya. Upon finding such a siddur, he set to work proofreading and correcting the text of Siddur HaRav, according to the siddur he found, and in 1887, he printed the Siddur HaRav in Vilna under a new title – Siddur Torah Or. He appended to it his own composition, Shaarei Tefillah – sources of the prayer texts and rulings of the Baal HaTanya.
However, immediately after the siddur was published, R. Lawat obtained another edition of Siddur HaRav published in the lifetime of the Baal HaTanya. In light of this, R. Lawat produced a new, corrected edition of Siddur Torah Or – the Vilna 1889 edition. Yet the same occurred once again. As soon as the 1889 edition was published, R. Lawat obtained a third siddur edition published in the lifetime of the Baal HaTanya, and he began preparing a third, updated edition of Siddur Torah Or. This third edition was only published after the passing of R. Lawat (Adar 1890), in Vilna 1896, and it includes the latter's illustrious work – Shaar HaKollel (see Beit Aharon VeYisrael, 186, pp. 136-137).
The 1941 Edition
The 1941 edition, which is mostly a photocopy of one of R. Lawat's editions, was edited by the Rebbe, based on the instructions and rulings of his father-in-law, Rebbe Rayatz. Any doubt which arose, particularly pertaining to the vocalization, was resolved by Rebbe Rayatz. This edition contains several additions and changes (described in great detail in the booklet Hagahot LeSiddur Rabbenu HaZaken, Brooklyn 2007, by R. Shalom Dov Ber Levin). Approximately a month after the siddur was printed, Rebbe Rayatz wrote an open letter to Chabad Chassidim, in which he asks them "to pray from this siddur, and to educate their sons to pray from this siddur".
This edition was printed in only two thousand copies (Hagahot LeSiddur Rabbenu HaZaken, Brooklyn 2007, p. 36).
The Rebbe's Siddur
This edition of the siddur was constantly used by the rebbe, from the day it was published
until his final day. Every prayer, every Birkat HaMazon and blessing after eating, every blessing at weddings he officiated, were recited all from this siddur edition. "The rebbe would keep it with him at all times, and it almost never left his hands. He would take it with him to the synagogue and Beit Midrash, into the Hitvaadut, to recite the blessings over the moon and sun, into the Sukkah and to Tashlich. He used it to pray and recite blessings. During his entire tenure, the rebbe used the same siddur, never exchanging it for a different one… as is well-known, preparing this siddur for print was the first project undertaken by the rebbe upon his arrival in the United States… and from that moment, he prayed with it for the rest of his life, without fail" (Introduction to Siddur HaRav, Chazak edition, 2015, pp. 11-12, note 14).
On the second front flyleaf, a dedication signed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe: "As a sign of friendship and with good year blessings, M. Schneersohn, Erev Rosh Hashanah 1941".
Signature on the first front flyleaf: "Nissan Mindel".
This siddur was proofread and prepared for print by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. When the rebbe arrived in the United States from France on 28th Sivan 1941, his father-in-law, Rebbe Rayatz, asked him to proofread, correct and prepare for print the Torah Or siddur (first printed in 1887, see adjoining article). During Av and Elul 1941, the rebbe was busy proofreading and correcting this siddur. It was published several days before Rosh Hashanah 1941.
The wording of the dedication inscribed in this siddur is unique. In all the letters printed in Igrot Kodesh, written during the rebbe's leadership, the word "Yedidut" (friendship; or "BiYedidut" – in friendship) is never used in the letter endings. Even in the years preceding the rebbe's leadership, this word was only used once (Igrot Kodesh, I, p. 35). The rebbe's usage of the expression "LeOt Yedidut" ("as a sign of friendship") in this dedication appears to be unprecedented.
The recipient of the siddur, R. Nissan Mindel (1912-1999), director of Chabad institutions in the United States, was the close confidant of Rebbe Rayatz and his son-in-law the Lubavitcher Rebbe. From 1932, he served as personal secretary of Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, and from 1950, of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In winter 1940, he was one of the few who joined the Rayatz in his flight from occupied Poland to the United States. His exceptional friendship with the Rebbe, and the gift of this siddur, is reported in Sipurim MiCheder HaRabbi (Bnei Brak, 2009, p. 323): "Over the years, intense feelings of friendship towards the rebbe developed in his heart… he stated… the rebbe was 'my best friend'. One of the expressions of this friendship was on Rosh Hashanah 1941, when the rebbe gave a Torah Or siddur to R. Mindel, with a personal dedication 'As a sign of friendship'" (see ibid. for a picture of the rebbe's dedication in this siddur). He typed all the rebbe’s English letters, and even published some of them in several volumes. R. Mindel was a prolific author on Jewish thought and Chassidut. His books were reviewed by the rebbe before being published, and were later translated into many languages. He served as editor of the Chabad periodical for youths – Talks and Tales, for over forty years. His magnum opus was his translation of the Tanya to English, which earned him a doctorate degree from the Columbia University in New York.
233, [1]; 37, 39-41 leaves + 2 leaves of errata (not bound with book). 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor wear. Minor marginal tears to several leaves. Inner margins of endpapers and binding reinforced. Original binding, damaged (spine partially detached).
------------------
Siddur Torah Or
The siddur compiled by R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, was printed already in his lifetime in several editions, in Shklow and Kopust (see Kedem Catalog 63, p. 277). From the passing of the Baal HaTanya until 1887, the siddur was reprinted in dozens of editions. In many of the editions, the printers were not particular to preserve the accurate text of the prayers and laws, and in some editions the printers combined the text of Siddur HaRav with the texts of other prevalent siddurim. In the 1880s, R. Avraham David Lawat, Rabbi of Nikolayev (Mykolaiv; maternal grandfather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe), began studying and researching the original text of Siddur HaRav. To that end, he searched for editions of the siddur published in the lifetime of the Baal HaTanya. Upon finding such a siddur, he set to work proofreading and correcting the text of Siddur HaRav, according to the siddur he found, and in 1887, he printed the Siddur HaRav in Vilna under a new title – Siddur Torah Or. He appended to it his own composition, Shaarei Tefillah – sources of the prayer texts and rulings of the Baal HaTanya.
However, immediately after the siddur was published, R. Lawat obtained another edition of Siddur HaRav published in the lifetime of the Baal HaTanya. In light of this, R. Lawat produced a new, corrected edition of Siddur Torah Or – the Vilna 1889 edition. Yet the same occurred once again. As soon as the 1889 edition was published, R. Lawat obtained a third siddur edition published in the lifetime of the Baal HaTanya, and he began preparing a third, updated edition of Siddur Torah Or. This third edition was only published after the passing of R. Lawat (Adar 1890), in Vilna 1896, and it includes the latter's illustrious work – Shaar HaKollel (see Beit Aharon VeYisrael, 186, pp. 136-137).
The 1941 Edition
The 1941 edition, which is mostly a photocopy of one of R. Lawat's editions, was edited by the Rebbe, based on the instructions and rulings of his father-in-law, Rebbe Rayatz. Any doubt which arose, particularly pertaining to the vocalization, was resolved by Rebbe Rayatz. This edition contains several additions and changes (described in great detail in the booklet Hagahot LeSiddur Rabbenu HaZaken, Brooklyn 2007, by R. Shalom Dov Ber Levin). Approximately a month after the siddur was printed, Rebbe Rayatz wrote an open letter to Chabad Chassidim, in which he asks them "to pray from this siddur, and to educate their sons to pray from this siddur".
This edition was printed in only two thousand copies (Hagahot LeSiddur Rabbenu HaZaken, Brooklyn 2007, p. 36).
The Rebbe's Siddur
This edition of the siddur was constantly used by the rebbe, from the day it was published
until his final day. Every prayer, every Birkat HaMazon and blessing after eating, every blessing at weddings he officiated, were recited all from this siddur edition. "The rebbe would keep it with him at all times, and it almost never left his hands. He would take it with him to the synagogue and Beit Midrash, into the Hitvaadut, to recite the blessings over the moon and sun, into the Sukkah and to Tashlich. He used it to pray and recite blessings. During his entire tenure, the rebbe used the same siddur, never exchanging it for a different one… as is well-known, preparing this siddur for print was the first project undertaken by the rebbe upon his arrival in the United States… and from that moment, he prayed with it for the rest of his life, without fail" (Introduction to Siddur HaRav, Chazak edition, 2015, pp. 11-12, note 14).
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
September 15, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Two-dollar bill received from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Chabad – the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Good condition. Stains, creases and folding marks.
Enclosed: a letter from the owner affirming that he received this bill from the rebbe in 1981.
Good condition. Stains, creases and folding marks.
Enclosed: a letter from the owner affirming that he received this bill from the rebbe in 1981.
Category
Chabad – Books, Manuscripts and Letters
Catalogue
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