Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Leaf fragments of a printed siddur with laws in Ladino. Salonika, [1569]. Printer unknown.
Leaf fragments (presumably found in a binding), from a siddur titled Tehillot Yisrael, printed in Salonika. The number of leaves in the original siddur is unknown.
Eight leaves: first leaf with the heading "Tehillot Yisrael", followed by a foreword in Ladino regarding the contents of the siddur (order of blessings, prayers for festivals, laws and more). The foreword extends over the next two leaves. The third leaf contains an interesting afterword by the printer (in Rashi script, Hebrew), mentioning the date and place of printing (see below). The following leaves contain supplications, blessings for Tallit and Tefillin and the beginning of the morning blessings.
In his afterword, the printer explains that the laws and instructions are usually printed in siddurim in the Holy Tongue, in "Provencal" script (Rashi script), which leads to errors amongst those who don't understand the language or can't read Rashi script (indeed, the instructions in these leaves are printed in square script, in Ladino): "I… adjure all printers… that all the siddurim they print from now on should use only this translation, so that they benefit the public and merit the blessing of good. What good are instructions… in the Holy Tongue and in Provencal script for those who don't know the script nor the language? One often hears people saying the prayer of Passover on Sukkot, and many similar occurrences, based on misunderstanding the siddur, and now with this order, it will be useful to everyone… I named it Tehillot Yisrael, and the printing began on Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Adar, 1569, Salonika".
Prof. Yeshayahu Sonne first publicized the existence of this siddur, based on leaf fragments found in the binding of an early book in Ancona (see: Y. Sonne, Siddur with Laws in Ladino, Salonica 1569, Kiryat Sefer XI, 1934-1935, p. 134). Sonne describes two leaves (corresponding to two of the present leaves), and writes that he was unable to separate and examine the rest of the leaves. The leaves he saw may have been the present leaves, and if so – these are the only known extant fragments of this siddur (Dov HaKohen, in his soon to be published book, Otzar HaSefarim BeLadino, Ben Zvi Institute, records this siddur based on Sonne's article only).
[8] leaves. 12.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Many open tears and worming, with significant damage to text. All leaves repaired with paper and remargined (leaves were originally smaller). Bound in a new leather binding.
Leaf fragments (presumably found in a binding), from a siddur titled Tehillot Yisrael, printed in Salonika. The number of leaves in the original siddur is unknown.
Eight leaves: first leaf with the heading "Tehillot Yisrael", followed by a foreword in Ladino regarding the contents of the siddur (order of blessings, prayers for festivals, laws and more). The foreword extends over the next two leaves. The third leaf contains an interesting afterword by the printer (in Rashi script, Hebrew), mentioning the date and place of printing (see below). The following leaves contain supplications, blessings for Tallit and Tefillin and the beginning of the morning blessings.
In his afterword, the printer explains that the laws and instructions are usually printed in siddurim in the Holy Tongue, in "Provencal" script (Rashi script), which leads to errors amongst those who don't understand the language or can't read Rashi script (indeed, the instructions in these leaves are printed in square script, in Ladino): "I… adjure all printers… that all the siddurim they print from now on should use only this translation, so that they benefit the public and merit the blessing of good. What good are instructions… in the Holy Tongue and in Provencal script for those who don't know the script nor the language? One often hears people saying the prayer of Passover on Sukkot, and many similar occurrences, based on misunderstanding the siddur, and now with this order, it will be useful to everyone… I named it Tehillot Yisrael, and the printing began on Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Adar, 1569, Salonika".
Prof. Yeshayahu Sonne first publicized the existence of this siddur, based on leaf fragments found in the binding of an early book in Ancona (see: Y. Sonne, Siddur with Laws in Ladino, Salonica 1569, Kiryat Sefer XI, 1934-1935, p. 134). Sonne describes two leaves (corresponding to two of the present leaves), and writes that he was unable to separate and examine the rest of the leaves. The leaves he saw may have been the present leaves, and if so – these are the only known extant fragments of this siddur (Dov HaKohen, in his soon to be published book, Otzar HaSefarim BeLadino, Ben Zvi Institute, records this siddur based on Sonne's article only).
[8] leaves. 12.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Many open tears and worming, with significant damage to text. All leaves repaired with paper and remargined (leaves were originally smaller). Bound in a new leather binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Haggadot
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $15,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $25,000
Sold for: $21,250
Including buyer's premium
Beautifully illustrated Passover Haggadah, with the commentary of R. Yosef of Padua. Venice: Zuan di Gara, [ca. 1605].
Each page of the Haggadah is decorated with various woodcut illustrations. Some illustrations are captioned.
The Seder steps are printed on the verso of the title page, with a brief trilingual commentary: Italian, Yiddish and Spanish, printed side by side in three columns, in Hebrew characters (leaf trimmed at top; headings missing).
The Haggadah begins with Bedikat Chametz. P. [3a] opens with the words: "KeHa Lachma Anya".
Birkat HaMazon (Ashkenazi rite) is printed in a column beside the main text on leaves [15-17].
The piyyut Allmächtiger Gott in Yiddish appears on the final page.
Copy of R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi Rabbi of Padua, author of Toldot Gedolei Yisrael UGeonei Italia and other works. His signature appears on the title page: " This is my Haggadah, Mordechai son of Ben Tzion of Cittadella Ghirondi". Two (trimmed) glosses in his handwriting on the second leaf.
[20] leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains to several leaves. Open tears to many leaves, mostly marginal, affecting text, decorations and illustrations (small handwritten replacement on final leaf), repaired with paper. Minor worming. Leaves trimmed, with damage to upper part of title page border and to other leaves. Stamps. New leather binding. Slipcased.
Early, rare Haggadah. To the best of our knowledge, has never yet been offered at auction.
Otzar HaHaggadot, no. 43 (Yaari lists this Haggadah as no. 30, dating it 1603, based on information he received from Dr. Y. Sonne, of a Birkat HaMazon printed together with this Haggadah with the year 1603 on the title page. However, this actually seems to be a mistake: in the present Haggadah, Birkat HaMazon was incorporated in the Haggadah itself. The Birkat HaMazon with the special title page which Sonne saw does not belong to this Haggadah. Yudlov suggests that the present Haggadah is the one Yaari listed as 31, based on a Haggadah dated 1604, appearing in a Schwager & Fränkel catalog, yet the matter is uncertain). See: Y. Yudlov, Passover Haggadot Printed in Venice 1601, 1603-1604, Alei Sefer, XVI, 1990, pp. 140-141.
Provenance: Valmadonna Trust Library.
Each page of the Haggadah is decorated with various woodcut illustrations. Some illustrations are captioned.
The Seder steps are printed on the verso of the title page, with a brief trilingual commentary: Italian, Yiddish and Spanish, printed side by side in three columns, in Hebrew characters (leaf trimmed at top; headings missing).
The Haggadah begins with Bedikat Chametz. P. [3a] opens with the words: "KeHa Lachma Anya".
Birkat HaMazon (Ashkenazi rite) is printed in a column beside the main text on leaves [15-17].
The piyyut Allmächtiger Gott in Yiddish appears on the final page.
Copy of R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi Rabbi of Padua, author of Toldot Gedolei Yisrael UGeonei Italia and other works. His signature appears on the title page: " This is my Haggadah, Mordechai son of Ben Tzion of Cittadella Ghirondi". Two (trimmed) glosses in his handwriting on the second leaf.
[20] leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains to several leaves. Open tears to many leaves, mostly marginal, affecting text, decorations and illustrations (small handwritten replacement on final leaf), repaired with paper. Minor worming. Leaves trimmed, with damage to upper part of title page border and to other leaves. Stamps. New leather binding. Slipcased.
Early, rare Haggadah. To the best of our knowledge, has never yet been offered at auction.
Otzar HaHaggadot, no. 43 (Yaari lists this Haggadah as no. 30, dating it 1603, based on information he received from Dr. Y. Sonne, of a Birkat HaMazon printed together with this Haggadah with the year 1603 on the title page. However, this actually seems to be a mistake: in the present Haggadah, Birkat HaMazon was incorporated in the Haggadah itself. The Birkat HaMazon with the special title page which Sonne saw does not belong to this Haggadah. Yudlov suggests that the present Haggadah is the one Yaari listed as 31, based on a Haggadah dated 1604, appearing in a Schwager & Fränkel catalog, yet the matter is uncertain). See: Y. Yudlov, Passover Haggadot Printed in Venice 1601, 1603-1604, Alei Sefer, XVI, 1990, pp. 140-141.
Provenance: Valmadonna Trust Library.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Haggadot
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $15,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $25,000
Sold for: $25,000
Including buyer's premium
Tikkun for every night and day – A Sabbatian order of Tikkunim compiled by Nathan of Gaza, "prophet" of the false messiah Shabbatai Tzvi. Amsterdam: Uri Phoebus son of Aharon HaLevi, [1666].
Pocket-size, with original binding. Additional engraved title page, with Sabbatian allusions to the Redemption, including a royal crown inscribed "Ateret Tzvi".
A foreword describing the news of the Redemption was printed on the verso of the title page (Gershom Scholem suggests that the foreword may have been composed by R. Shlomo de Oliveyra). The Tikkun was compiled by Nathan of Gaza, yet his name is not mentioned on the title pages of the Hebrew editions (Gershom Scholem writes that he saw a Spanish edition, where the name of the editor "Nathan Ashkenazi" was mentioned on the title page).
Additional compositions, p. 94b onwards: Note for penitents from the book [Shenei] Luchot HaBrit; poem relating to Psalm 126 (by R. Shlomo de Oliveyra); order of ritual immersion; acceptance of a voluntary fast; note for a fast day, with Vidui (confession); order of the four Beit Din capital punishments; sacrifice for a fast day; laws of repentance from the Roke'ach; and the Yedid Nefesh supplication by R. Elazar Azikri.
The present book of Tikkunim was published at the pinnacle of the mass movement of repentance which swept through the Jewish people upon hearing Shabbatai Tzvi's tidings of the Redemption and that which was occurring around him, which spread rapidly from the East to other European Jewish communities. Amsterdam was one of the important centers of Sabbatian awakening at that time, and many editions of Sabbatian Tikkunim were printed there by the local Jewish printers (Joseph Athias, David de Castro Tartas and Uri Phoebus son of R. Aharon HaLevi). Their publication in Amsterdam was presumably also for the purpose of being sent throughout Europe. The Amsterdam printers competed over who could produce more complete and beautiful editions of the books of Tikkunim, and Amsterdam Torah scholars (in particular R. Yitzchak Aboab de Fonseca and R. Shlomo de Oliveyra) even inserted some important additions in some editions, including sections of prayers, confessions and songs.
The present edition is unique for its engraved title page, containing Sabbatian allusions (G. Scholem lists at least three such editions, with different engraved title pages; this engraving is not mentioned by Scholem). A royal crown, with the words "Ateret Tzvi", is featured at the top of the title page, flanked on each side by trumpet-blowing cherubs. Beneath the crown, an open book inscribed "Tikkun Keriah LeYom VeLayla" and men playing various instruments. At the bottom, a structure and a burning altar. A turbaned figure stands beside the altar, greeted by a group of people. The group is headed by two turbaned, priestly-clad men (one of the figures may represent Shabbatai Tzvi).
For more information about the spread of the Sabbatian movement in Amsterdam, and the printing of books of Tikkunim, see: G. Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, Princeton University Press, 1973 pp. 518-545.
Ownership inscriptions on the endpapers: "abram foa", "deiana foa".
106 leaves. 11.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Several tears. Hole to final two leaves, slightly affecting text. Margins trimmed close to text on one leaf. Leather and wood binding, with clasp (second clasp partially lacking). Wear and damage to boards and spine.
Pocket-size, with original binding. Additional engraved title page, with Sabbatian allusions to the Redemption, including a royal crown inscribed "Ateret Tzvi".
A foreword describing the news of the Redemption was printed on the verso of the title page (Gershom Scholem suggests that the foreword may have been composed by R. Shlomo de Oliveyra). The Tikkun was compiled by Nathan of Gaza, yet his name is not mentioned on the title pages of the Hebrew editions (Gershom Scholem writes that he saw a Spanish edition, where the name of the editor "Nathan Ashkenazi" was mentioned on the title page).
Additional compositions, p. 94b onwards: Note for penitents from the book [Shenei] Luchot HaBrit; poem relating to Psalm 126 (by R. Shlomo de Oliveyra); order of ritual immersion; acceptance of a voluntary fast; note for a fast day, with Vidui (confession); order of the four Beit Din capital punishments; sacrifice for a fast day; laws of repentance from the Roke'ach; and the Yedid Nefesh supplication by R. Elazar Azikri.
The present book of Tikkunim was published at the pinnacle of the mass movement of repentance which swept through the Jewish people upon hearing Shabbatai Tzvi's tidings of the Redemption and that which was occurring around him, which spread rapidly from the East to other European Jewish communities. Amsterdam was one of the important centers of Sabbatian awakening at that time, and many editions of Sabbatian Tikkunim were printed there by the local Jewish printers (Joseph Athias, David de Castro Tartas and Uri Phoebus son of R. Aharon HaLevi). Their publication in Amsterdam was presumably also for the purpose of being sent throughout Europe. The Amsterdam printers competed over who could produce more complete and beautiful editions of the books of Tikkunim, and Amsterdam Torah scholars (in particular R. Yitzchak Aboab de Fonseca and R. Shlomo de Oliveyra) even inserted some important additions in some editions, including sections of prayers, confessions and songs.
The present edition is unique for its engraved title page, containing Sabbatian allusions (G. Scholem lists at least three such editions, with different engraved title pages; this engraving is not mentioned by Scholem). A royal crown, with the words "Ateret Tzvi", is featured at the top of the title page, flanked on each side by trumpet-blowing cherubs. Beneath the crown, an open book inscribed "Tikkun Keriah LeYom VeLayla" and men playing various instruments. At the bottom, a structure and a burning altar. A turbaned figure stands beside the altar, greeted by a group of people. The group is headed by two turbaned, priestly-clad men (one of the figures may represent Shabbatai Tzvi).
For more information about the spread of the Sabbatian movement in Amsterdam, and the printing of books of Tikkunim, see: G. Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, Princeton University Press, 1973 pp. 518-545.
Ownership inscriptions on the endpapers: "abram foa", "deiana foa".
106 leaves. 11.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Several tears. Hole to final two leaves, slightly affecting text. Margins trimmed close to text on one leaf. Leather and wood binding, with clasp (second clasp partially lacking). Wear and damage to boards and spine.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Haggadot
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium
Two Sephardi rite siddurim and a calendar, bound together. Fine, miniature volume, with original leather binding and metal clasps.
• Sephardi rite siddur, for weekdays, Shabbat and special days. Amsterdam, [1670]. The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book lists a similar copy, with different text on title page and with a different chronogram (indicating the same year). The calendar bound at the end of that copy is also different to the one bound in this copy.
• Calendario de ros-hodes fiestas y ayunos. Que los Hebreos celbran cada año [Jewish calendar for Rosh Chodesh, festivals and fast days, for the years 1670-1679]. [Amsterdam, 1670?]. Spanish.
• Siddur for festivals and fast days, following Sephardi rite. Amsterdam, [1671].
Three books in one volume. 174 leaves; [6] leaves; 6; 102 leaves. 10 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Margins trimmed, slightly affecting text of several leaves and border of first title page. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Gilt and decorated edges. Original leather binding, with metal clasps.
• Sephardi rite siddur, for weekdays, Shabbat and special days. Amsterdam, [1670]. The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book lists a similar copy, with different text on title page and with a different chronogram (indicating the same year). The calendar bound at the end of that copy is also different to the one bound in this copy.
• Calendario de ros-hodes fiestas y ayunos. Que los Hebreos celbran cada año [Jewish calendar for Rosh Chodesh, festivals and fast days, for the years 1670-1679]. [Amsterdam, 1670?]. Spanish.
• Siddur for festivals and fast days, following Sephardi rite. Amsterdam, [1671].
Three books in one volume. 174 leaves; [6] leaves; 6; 102 leaves. 10 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Margins trimmed, slightly affecting text of several leaves and border of first title page. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Gilt and decorated edges. Original leather binding, with metal clasps.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Haggadot
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $3,500
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Year-round siddur, following the Sephardi rite – siddur for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. Amsterdam: Naftali Hertz Levi, [1739].
Miniature siddur. Fine copy, with original, decorated vellum binding. The siddur belonged to a Jewish Russian officer killed in the Crimean War (see below).
The first title page states that the book was printed "on commission of the brothers… sons of R. Meir Crescas", "in the press of the wealthy… Naftali Hertz Levi". On its verso, an introduction by R. Meir Crescas: "I saw in Amsterdam a miniature siddur, in tiny non-vocalized type, which the boys had difficulty reading, and I felt their anguish. I [therefore] printed this siddur… like no other, in small, thin type, with new, beautiful vocalization marks".
Separate title page on leaf 223: "Prayers for Festivals – Sephardi rite".
The front endpaper bears a handwritten inscription (in English): "Found in the possession of a Jewish Russian officer in the Crimea, who was killed at the Battle of Alma – Presented to the Rev. Dr. Adler by Dr. Karl Lehfeldt".
The Battle of the Alma took place on 20th September 1854, as part of the Crimean war fought in the mid-19th century between the Russian Empire and an alliance made up of the Ottoman Empire, the British Empire, the French Empire and Sardinia.
As stated in the inscription, the siddur, which first belonged to a Jewish Russian officer killed at that battle, was gifted to R. Natan Marcus Adler – chief rabbi of the British Empire, by his brother-in-law Dr. Karl Lehfeldt of Berlin (reputedly, for 50 years he was the only doctor in Berlin who refused to drive on Shabbat, unless in cases of life and death). Stamp of "J.J. Krimke – Stiftsrabbiner – Hannover" on p. 222b, the blank page before the second title page.
318 leaves. Approx. 6 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Several inscriptions. Fine, original vellum binding. Gilt edges. Placed in a (new) slipcase.
Several variants of this edition are listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
Provenance: Valmadonna Trust Library.
Miniature siddur. Fine copy, with original, decorated vellum binding. The siddur belonged to a Jewish Russian officer killed in the Crimean War (see below).
The first title page states that the book was printed "on commission of the brothers… sons of R. Meir Crescas", "in the press of the wealthy… Naftali Hertz Levi". On its verso, an introduction by R. Meir Crescas: "I saw in Amsterdam a miniature siddur, in tiny non-vocalized type, which the boys had difficulty reading, and I felt their anguish. I [therefore] printed this siddur… like no other, in small, thin type, with new, beautiful vocalization marks".
Separate title page on leaf 223: "Prayers for Festivals – Sephardi rite".
The front endpaper bears a handwritten inscription (in English): "Found in the possession of a Jewish Russian officer in the Crimea, who was killed at the Battle of Alma – Presented to the Rev. Dr. Adler by Dr. Karl Lehfeldt".
The Battle of the Alma took place on 20th September 1854, as part of the Crimean war fought in the mid-19th century between the Russian Empire and an alliance made up of the Ottoman Empire, the British Empire, the French Empire and Sardinia.
As stated in the inscription, the siddur, which first belonged to a Jewish Russian officer killed at that battle, was gifted to R. Natan Marcus Adler – chief rabbi of the British Empire, by his brother-in-law Dr. Karl Lehfeldt of Berlin (reputedly, for 50 years he was the only doctor in Berlin who refused to drive on Shabbat, unless in cases of life and death). Stamp of "J.J. Krimke – Stiftsrabbiner – Hannover" on p. 222b, the blank page before the second title page.
318 leaves. Approx. 6 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Several inscriptions. Fine, original vellum binding. Gilt edges. Placed in a (new) slipcase.
Several variants of this edition are listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
Provenance: Valmadonna Trust Library.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Haggadot
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Unsold
Siddur Tefillat Yisrael, Sephardi-rite, with laws, piyyutim and supplications. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1842. The first siddur to be printed in Jerusalem.
The title page lauds the superiority and sanctity of the book, which was printed in Jerusalem in absolute holiness, and "all those involved in this holy production were Jewish".
Many approbations from Sephardi Torah scholars of Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias and Hebron, and from Ashkenazi Torah scholars of Jerusalem (Rebbe Aharon Moshe of Brody, R. Yeshaya Bardaki son-in-law of R. Yisrael of Shklow and R. Moshe Rivlin Doresh LeTzion – the Maggid of Shklow). The "approbation" of Jerusalemite rabbis printed on the verso of the title page is an authorization from the end of 1840 granting R. Yisrael Bak the exclusive rights to print books in Jerusalem. Additional approbation from the rabbis of Jerusalem (dated Iyar 1842) on leaf 3.
In his introduction, the printer recounts of the ordeals he underwent in Safed: "After all the travails that befell me – pestilence, sword, and hunger… a great earthquake… I was compelled to ascend to the mountain and I have established my dwelling here… Jerusalem". He thanks Yosef Amzalag "who assisted me in printing the siddur".
The renowned printer R. Yisrael Bak (1797-1874), a disciple of leaders of the Chassidic movement, Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin. Born in Berditchev, he was involved in the printing profession already in his youth, and in 1815, he established the (second) printing press in Berditchev, where he printed some 26 books before immigrating to Eretz Israel. Reputedly, he designed the Slavita typeface. Following his immigration to Eretz Israel, ca. 1831, he settled in Safed, where he established a printing press which operated for a short while, until the great 1837 earthquake which completely destroyed the town. In 1840 he established a printing press in Jerusalem – the first printing press in Jerusalem to print Hebrew books and the only press in the city until the 1860s.
Regarding R. Yisrael Bak and his printing press in Safed and Jerusalem, see: Sh. HaLevy, Sifrei Yerushalayim HaRishonim, Jerusalem 1976, pp. 15-27; Meir Benayahu, R. Yisrael Bak's Printing Press in Safed and the Beginning of Printing in Jerusalem, Areshet, IV, Jerusalem 1966, pp. 271-295.
Signature on title page: "Yaakov de Pinto".
152 leaves. Approx. 15 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Many stains, large stains and wear to some leaves. Several tears. Several leaves with many creases (one leaf partially detached). Old binding, with damaged leather spine.
Third Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Sh. HaLevy, no. 4 (apart from the two books which preceded it, HaLevy lists another publication: Broadside for righteous women in Eretz Israel and abroad, ibid. no. 2).
The title page lauds the superiority and sanctity of the book, which was printed in Jerusalem in absolute holiness, and "all those involved in this holy production were Jewish".
Many approbations from Sephardi Torah scholars of Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias and Hebron, and from Ashkenazi Torah scholars of Jerusalem (Rebbe Aharon Moshe of Brody, R. Yeshaya Bardaki son-in-law of R. Yisrael of Shklow and R. Moshe Rivlin Doresh LeTzion – the Maggid of Shklow). The "approbation" of Jerusalemite rabbis printed on the verso of the title page is an authorization from the end of 1840 granting R. Yisrael Bak the exclusive rights to print books in Jerusalem. Additional approbation from the rabbis of Jerusalem (dated Iyar 1842) on leaf 3.
In his introduction, the printer recounts of the ordeals he underwent in Safed: "After all the travails that befell me – pestilence, sword, and hunger… a great earthquake… I was compelled to ascend to the mountain and I have established my dwelling here… Jerusalem". He thanks Yosef Amzalag "who assisted me in printing the siddur".
The renowned printer R. Yisrael Bak (1797-1874), a disciple of leaders of the Chassidic movement, Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin. Born in Berditchev, he was involved in the printing profession already in his youth, and in 1815, he established the (second) printing press in Berditchev, where he printed some 26 books before immigrating to Eretz Israel. Reputedly, he designed the Slavita typeface. Following his immigration to Eretz Israel, ca. 1831, he settled in Safed, where he established a printing press which operated for a short while, until the great 1837 earthquake which completely destroyed the town. In 1840 he established a printing press in Jerusalem – the first printing press in Jerusalem to print Hebrew books and the only press in the city until the 1860s.
Regarding R. Yisrael Bak and his printing press in Safed and Jerusalem, see: Sh. HaLevy, Sifrei Yerushalayim HaRishonim, Jerusalem 1976, pp. 15-27; Meir Benayahu, R. Yisrael Bak's Printing Press in Safed and the Beginning of Printing in Jerusalem, Areshet, IV, Jerusalem 1966, pp. 271-295.
Signature on title page: "Yaakov de Pinto".
152 leaves. Approx. 15 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Many stains, large stains and wear to some leaves. Several tears. Several leaves with many creases (one leaf partially detached). Old binding, with damaged leather spine.
Third Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Sh. HaLevy, no. 4 (apart from the two books which preceded it, HaLevy lists another publication: Broadside for righteous women in Eretz Israel and abroad, ibid. no. 2).
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Haggadot
Catalogue