Auction 85 - Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Letter handwritten and signed by R. Shem Tov son of R. Yitzchak Tzvi, rabbi of Sarai (Sarajevo, Bosnia), addressed to R. Avraham David son of R. Shmuel Shemayah Papo Rabbi of Ragusa. [Sarajevo, Nissan 1730].
The writer of this letter is R. Shem Tov Tzvi, whom according to Prof. Meir Benayahu was the grandson of the false Messiah Sabbatai Zevi. According to Benayahu, his father, R. Yitzchak Tzvi, was the son of Sabbatai Zevi, born to him after he converted to Islam and originally named Yishmael. He went to study in the yeshivot of Salonika, became a Torah scholar, and changed his name to Yitzchak. Both R. Yitzchak Tzvi and his son R. Shem Tov served as rabbis in Sarajevo, were known as halachic authorities and were held in high esteem by the rabbis of their region.
In the letter, R. Shem Tov Tzvi humbly apologizes to R. Avraham David Papo (it is not clear what led him to apologize, and it seems that he himself was unaware what caused R. Papo's anger). At the foot of the letter, R. Shem Tov Tzvi writes about the custom of buying an etrog from the communal fund, and describes what occurred the past Sukkot.
Recipient's address on verso, with the wax seal of R. "Shem Tov son of R. Yitzchak Tzvi".
[1] double leaf. 29 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Large open tears, affecting text. Folding marks and wear.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Halachic responsum handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Moshe Amarillo, author of Devar Moshe and Halachah LeMoshe. [Constantinople? first half of the 18th century].
Brief responsum regarding a Torah scholar who was required to pay taxes upon relocating (the query is written at the top of the page). R. Chaim Moshe responds that it is clearly not fitting to demand taxes from a Torah scholar whose sole occupation is the study of Torah, and decrees that this should not be done. He concludes with a blessing for those who assist in supporting Torah study.
To the best of our knowledge, this responsum was never printed.
R. Chaim Moshe Amarillo (1696-1748) was a leading Torah scholar in Turkey. At the young age of 18, he already wrote Torah rulings. In the early 1740s, he was appointed rabbi of Constantinople, alongside his brother-in-law R. Yosef HaKohen ibn Ardut, and became a renowned posek and yeshiva dean.
[1] double leaf. 23 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and ink stains.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Amram, author of MiTaam HaMelech. [Mid-18th century / early 19th century].
Addressed to his dear friend Yitzchak. Written alternately in Hebrew and Ladino. The letter concerns monetary matters; R. Amram reproaches his friend for spending assets without the owner's knowledge.
With the calligraphic signature of R. Chaim Amram.
R. Chaim Amram (ca. 1759-1825), born in Safed, was raised in Damascus, where he became a leading Torah scholar, teaching many and serving on the Beit Din. In 1805, he settled in Safed. In his final years, he moved to Alexandria, Egypt, where he passed away. He is renowned for his many compositions, some of which remained in manuscript: MiTaam HaMelech (7 parts), Responsa Torei Zahav, Devar HaMelech on the Torah, Nora Tehillim on Tehillim, several Talmudic works, and more.
[1] leaf. 19 cm. Good condition. Some stains.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
"Order of Havdalah according to the custom of my father" – prayers, reading passages and songs for Motza'ei Shabbat. [Corfu], 1811.
Oriental script, square and semi-cursive. Illustrated title page, reading: "Order of Havdalah according to the custom of my father. I, the writer, Aviad Sar Shalom son of R. Moshe Eliyahu, 9th Iyar 1811".
The manuscript comprises various texts to be recited on Motza'ei Shabbat, including segulot for various matters. Instructions and kabbalistic kavanot appear in semi-cursive script, in smaller letters.
Illustrations of a LaMenatze'ach menorah and an Ana B'Koach menorah, with Holy Names.
[20] leaves (and several blank leaves). 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains (browned leaves). Tears and extensive worming, affecting text. Several detached leaves. Original binding, with leather spine, damaged.
Enclosed: a handwritten note stating that the manuscript was purchased "with several other manuscripts, all from Corfu".
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Collection of printed leaves – title pages and leaves from various books, with signatures, dedicatory inscriptions and glosses, from the 17th-19th centuries.
The collection includes: • Two title pages with the signatures of R. Chaim Palachi. • Leaves from Mishneh Torah by the Rambam, Sefer HaMada (Venice, 1574). Signature: "Avraham de Avila". Glosses in Sephardic script, by several writers (a lengthy gloss on p. 32b). • Title page with the signature of "Wolf Eger" (presumably the signature of R. Akiva Eger's uncle and teacher). • Title pages with signatures of R. Yedidya Shlomo Yisrael, R. Shmuel Shalem (rabbi of Salonika, author of Melech Shalem), R. Yehuda Bonomo, R. Avraham Krispin, and other rabbis (some unidentified signatures). • Title page of Kemach Solet (Salonika, 1798), inscribed by the author R. Yehuda ben Moshe Ali to R. Eliyahu Ventura. • Several leaves with glosses. • Lengthy note – Torah thoughts handwritten by R. Rachamim Chaim Yehuda Yisrael, rabbi of Rhodes and author of Ben Yamin. • And more.
34 items. Size and condition vary.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Four leaves (8 pages) handwritten by R. Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, the Ben Ish Chai. [Baghdad], 1865.
Notes for homilies, written by Ben Ish Chai on the verses of the Haftarah of Parashat Masei. The sections are complete. Four of the sections conclude with the Ben Ish Chai's blessing: "May G-d come to our assistance, guard us and help us always". One section also begins with his blessing: "May His glory be restored, and His kingdom revealed upon us imminently".
[4] leaves (eight pages; over 150 autograph lines). 13.5 cm. Bluish paper. Good condition. Some stains. Tiny marginal tears.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Three manuscripts – segulot, amulets, goralot and mazalot. Sephardic lands, 20th century.
• Manuscript, amulets, segulot and mazalot. [Egypt?, 1941?]. Writer's signatures: "Shabtai son of R. Meir".
At the end of the manuscript: "… in 1941, the price of wheat will be very high… and many young men will die… There will be hunger in the West… and Hitler will conquer the entire world!… May G-d save the Jewish People…".
[29] leaves. 12.5 cm.
• Manuscript, amulets and goralot. [Sephardic lands, 20th century].
Contains kabbalistic illustrations and "angelic script", segulot for various problems and texts of amulets. Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic.
[23] leaves. 22 cm.
• Manuscript, amulets, tekufot and mazalot, and more. [Yemen, 20th century].
Contains amulet for protection of the newborn and mother, and several illustrations. Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic.
[23] leaves. 20 cm.
3 manuscripts. Condition varies (overall good-fair condition).
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Collection of items from the archive of Alberto Hemsi, composer and musicologist (1898-1975), choir conductor in the Eliyahu HaNavi synagogue in Alexandria – sheet music booklets, photographs and other items. [Egypt and France, ca. 1920s-1970s]. Hebrew, Arabic and French.
• Sheet music booklets by Alberto Hemsi, with sheet music for dozens of melodies and piyyutim – Egypt and France, 1930s-1970s.
• Group photograph of the choir members of the Eliyahu HaNavi synagogue in Alexandria, with the conductor Alberto Hemsi and his assistant. [Egypt, 1939].
• Three photographs, presumably portraying the members and directors of the Egyptian Federation of Scouts in Alexandria.
• Eight copies of photographs portraying Jews in Egypt.
• Three manuscripts: two manuscripts of supplications and piyyutim [Oriental script, 20th century]; manuscript of Megillat Shir HaShirim, with Targum and Rashi [Yemen, 19th/20th century].
• Other leaves and items.
The collection also includes various items related to Dr. Rudolf Sachs, staff member in the Cairo Jewish hospital, including a certificate granted to Dr. Rudolf Sachs by the Ashkenazi community in Cairo, in appreciation for his contribution to the reconstruction of their synagogue. Cairo, 1944.
Over 30 items. Size and condition vary.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Handwritten letter containing a request to support the settlements of the Gaon of Vilna's disciples in Safed and Jerusalem. Signed by R. Yisrael of Shklow and other leading disciples of the Gaon of Vilna. Jerusalem and Safed, Kislev 1830.
An appeal letter given to the emissary R. Tzvi Hirsh son of R. Yehuda, with a blank space for the emissary to fill in the name of the donor.
Signed by R. Chaim Kohen (previously rabbi in Pinsk, served as rabbi in Safed until his passing in 1831); R. Yisrael of Shklow (disciple of the Gaon of Vilna); R. Natan Neta son of R. Mendel (leader of the first group of disciples of the Gaon of Vilna who immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1809, d. 1846); R. Natan Neta son of R. Saadia (attendant of the Gaon of Vilna, d. 1849); R. Aryeh Leib son of R. Yosef Leon (head of the Ashkenazi Yishuv in Safed); R. Aryeh son of R. Yerachmiel Markus of Keidan (1800-1877; trustee of Kollel Perushim in Jerusalem and founder of the Hurva synagogue); R. Shlomo Zalman son of R. Ze'ev Wolf HaKohen (emissary for Eretz Israel, d. 1847 in Calcutta).
[1] leaf. 24 cm. Good condition. Stains. Marginal worming, not affecting text.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Tehillim, with the Be'urei Zohar and Metzudat Zion commentaries. Safed: R. Yisrael Bak, [1833].
One of the first books printed by R. Yisrael Bak in Safed, about one year after he established his printing press in the city.
On verso of the title page is the introduction of the printer R. Yisrael Bak with blessings for those who purchase books printed in Eretz Israel and especially this Tehillim. This is followed by another long introduction by R. Gershon Margaliot, who tells how he urged R. Yisrael Bak not to print the Kabbalistic commentary Be'urei HaZohar alone, rather alongside verses of Tehillim and his advice was heeded.
Kavanat HaMeshorer is printed at the beginning of each Psalm. The volume also contains prayers recited before and after reading Tehillim on weekdays, Shabbat, Yom Tov and Lel Hoshanah Rabbah and a prayer on behalf of the sick and Seder Pidyon Nefesh.
[4], 152 leaves. 15 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears and wear. Marginal open tears to title page and to other leaves, mostly at the beginning of the book, professionally restored, slightly affecting text. Worming to several leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper. Bottom margins of several leaves trimmed, not affecting text. Leaf 148 seems to have been supplied from another copy. Stamps. Inscriptions. New, elegant leather binding.
An inscription in Ashkenazi script appears on the title page above the place of printing, "Safed": "The dust of Eretz Israel here [Safed]". This phrase was used as a signature by R. Yisrael of Shklow, a disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, who lived in Safed at the time this book was printed (in our opinion, this is a later inscription, imitating R. Yisrael's signature).
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Letter from the rabbis of Safed, addressed to Sir Moses Montefiore, signed by R. Shmuel Heller and R. Shmuel Abbou. Safed, Tishrei 1870. Hebrew.
Written by a scribe (in cursive Ashkenazic script), with the signatures of the rabbis (and the stamp of R. Abbou). In the letter, the rabbis report on the distribution of funds received from Montefiore (funds for the poor of Safed, for brides and ill people and for the institutions of Safed, Tiberias and Hebron).
Note in English on verso (presumably written by one of Montefiore's secretaries), summing up the rabbis' report.
R. Shmuel Heller (1786-1884), leading Torah scholar and physician, rabbi of Safed for sixty years.
R. Shmuel Abbou (1789-1879), rabbi of the Sephardic community in Safed and consul of France. Rebuilt Safed after the earthquake in 1837.
[1] double leaf (2 written pages). Approx. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and marginal tears. Folding marks.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Large collection of documents, printed receipts, promissory notes, letters and notes pertaining to the charity and welfare institutions in Safed. Ca. 1845-1936; most documents are from ca. 1870s-1920s.
The documents are signed by the community trustees and leaders in Safed: the dayan and posek R. Refael Zilberman; the heads of the Kosov-Vizhnitz Kollel – R. Moshe Charag [Zeiger] and R. Itamar of Seret; R. Yaakov son of R. Mordechai HaLevi; R. Kehat son of Efraim Fishel; R. David Yudel Auerbach (grandfather of R. Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach of Jerusalem); R. Zelig Adlerstein; R. David Segal; R. Yaakov of Rozhniativ; R. Baruch Kahana; R. Yosef Tzvi Geiger (renowned Safed painter and communal worker); and others.
The collection includes dozens of notes signed by the gabbaim, instructing the treasurer about payments to be made from the fund, for various communal and charity causes.
Also found amongst the items is a Prozbul contract from Elul 1875, signed by R. Shlomo of Tlust, R. Yaakov Yechiel [Schmerler?] and R. Moshe Charag.
96 paper items. Most bear various signatures. Size and condition vary.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.