Auction 92 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Manuscript, Urim VeTumim and Goralot (lots) by R. Avraham ibn Ezra. Rome, [18th century].
Illustrated title page. Semi-cursive and square Italian script. Scribed by R. Avraham Anav, for R. Michael Chaim Di Segni (rabbi of Rome), as stated on the title page: "…scribed by Avraham son of Yaakov Anav upon the request of R. Michael Chaim Di Segni, here Rome". Includes two works: Urim VeTumim and Goralot by R. Avraham ibn Ezra.
On the verso of the title page, illustration of a scales within a frame, with a rhyming caption (the scales are depicted tilting to one side). On the opposite page is a sonnet forming an acrostic of the initials of Avraham ben Yaakov. These initials are mentioned again in the concluding line.
The purpose of Sefer Urim VeTumim was to foresee the future through lots. This work or parts of it are found in manuscripts already in the Middle Ages. The work in the present format (with slight textual variations) first appeared in print in Dyhernfurth 1728.
Goralot by R. Avraham ibn Ezra is similarly used for foreseeing the future, and also appeared in manuscripts during the Middle Ages. It was first printed in Ferrara 1556, and later in Venice 1657.
Brief poem by the scribe at the end of the manuscript, requesting the finder of this manuscript to return it to its owner.
R. Michael Chaim Di Segni served as chief rabbi of Rome from 1750 until his passing in 1772. The Di Segni family was a rabbinic family in Rome for many generations (A. Salah, La République des Lettres: Rabbins, médecins et écrivains juifs en Italie au XVIIIè Siècle, Leiden-Boston 2007, p. 594).
The scribe, R. Avraham son of Yaakov Anav (d. 1782), from the famous Anav family in Rome. Served in his youth as teacher of young children. He composed a play regarding the claims of the Ammonites in the times of Yiftach HaGiladi which was performed in the boys' school in Rome in 1758. R. Michael Di Segni, for whom the present manuscript was produced, was also present at the time. He also composed a wedding cantata (see: J. Schirmann, Theater and Music in the Italian Ghetti Between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Centuries, Zion, 29, 1964, pp. 89-90, 100). Upon the passing of R. Michael Di Segni in 1772, R. Avraham Anav was appointed one of the three community leaders. Between 1773-1782, his signature appears on many documents as one of the three rabbis leading the city (see: G. Sermoneta, La cultura ebraica a Roma nel XVIII secólo alla luce di nuovi documenti, Italia Judaica, 67, 1989, pp. 74-75, notes 13-14).
[97] leaves (including approx. 10 blank leaves). Approx. 12 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, slightly affecting text. Inscriptions. Gilt edges. Old binding, decorated with metal-thread embroidery; blemishes and worming to binding.
The manuscript was in the possession of the Anav family until the 20th century. At the end of the manuscript, a dedication in Italian, dated 1923, from Louisa Morpurgo née Anav, to her nephew Angelo Anav, in which she writes that the manuscript was preserved in their family.
Manuscript, songs for Simchat Torah, weddings and Brit Milah. [Rome], 1825.
Pocket format. Italian square and semi-cursive script, mostly vocalized (apart from headings and instructions). Decorated title page, in black and orange.
The manuscript comprises piyyutim and songs for Simchat Torah, weddings and Brit Milah, some of which were printed in Italian siddurim. The piyyutim for the Hakafot of Simchat Torah on leaves [4-10] follow the Roman rite (see: R. Y.N. Pavoncello, Minhagim VeShirim Meyuchadim L'Kehillat Romi, Yeda Am, XII, 31-32 [1964]; M.E. Artom, Machazor di Rito Italiano, vol. II, Jerusalem 2005, pp. 914-925).
The order of blessings and prayers for a Brit Milah were included with the Brit Milah piyyutim. The present manuscript includes several short songs which to the best of our knowledge were never published (most of the piyyutim also appear in the 18th century Montserrat manuscript, Montserrat Monastery Library Ms. Or. 61, and some appear there with variations to text and order).
On leaves [21-23], blessing for the Pope, "recited also on Mincha of the first day of Shemini Atzeret".
The decorated title page states: "Songs customarily sung on Simchat Torah, at weddings and Brit Milah, commissioned by Mordechai R. Pontecorvo in 1825". Owner's initials lettered in gilt on the front and back boards: "A. R. P." – presumably Angelo [=Mordechai] R. Pontecorvo. The letter R. may stand for Refael. There is a ketubah for a groom named Mordechai Refael Pontecorvo, from Rome 1832, eight years after this manuscript was produced (see: JTS Library Ms. KET 29). The Pontecorvo family was an established Jewish family in Rome (see for instance: I. Joel, Italian Marriage-Contracts in the Library, Kiryat Sefer, XXII, 1945-1946, pp. 266-304).
[81] leaves. 9 cm. Good condition. Thick paper. Stains. Tears to title page ornaments, due to ink erosion. Inscription on final leaf. Original gilt-decorated binding.
Manuscript, kabbalistic kavanot for shofar blowing and order of Vidui (confession). [Italy], 1743.
Cursive Italian script. Decorated title page with Stars of David, stating: "This book of kavanot of shofar blowing was scribed by Boaz, and completed in Elul 1743". The name Boaz also appears in a Star of David at the top of the page: "1743, Boaz Kohen[?]".
This order of kavanot was compiled by the Rema of Fano (see: Maamarei HaRema MiFano, II, Jerusalem 2003, pp. 240-265 [manuscript version of Maayan Ganim], with variations to text and order). The Rema is mentioned in two places in the manuscript (pp. 18b and 20a).
On p. 26b, ten songs for the 7th night of Passover.
Pp. 27b-28b: list of Psalms to be recited after Vidui, kabbalistic addition to the text of the Vidui, brief prayer to be recited after the Amidah, and more.
Pp. 30a-34a: Copying of the book Mefaresh Chata'im by R. Avraham Horowitz, father of the Shelah (printed several times in Italy in the 17th-18th centuries).
On the front endpaper, (late) stamp of David de Benedetti of Asti.
[1], 13, 15-28, 30-34 leaves (+ 35-42, [1] blank leaves). 12.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains (including dark ink stains in several places). Wear. Tears due to ink erosion in several places, slightly affecting text. Worming. Inscriptions. Original card wrappers, damaged.
Instruttione et Allegatione per gli Hebrei del Stato di Milano […] [Instructions and statements in favor of the Jews of the State of Milan…]. [Milan, after April 25, 1589]. Italian.
The present memorandum represents a long defense of the right of Jews to reside in the territories of the Duchy of Milan. It is dated 1589 – a time when the Duchy of Milan was under the rule of the Spanish Crown – and was dispatched to Madrid at the request of King Philip II of Spain, who, in those days, was pondering whether or not to expel the Jews. The memorandum, prepared by the Senate of Milan, provides a list of theological, economic and legal reasons why the Jews should not be expelled, all on condition that they obey the laws of the Duchy and behave properly. It includes a series of affidavits signed (in print) by non-Jewish officials and magistrates from across the Duchy of Milan, and mentions the contribution made by Jews to the economic and commercial prosperity of the various cities. Toward the end, the document gives an assessment of the total population of Jews residing in all the cities under the jurisdiction of the Duchy: 889 individuals in all.
The presence of Jews in the city of Milan is documented dating back as far as the Roman period. Jews had first been expelled from the city in 1320, and over the following period of roughly three hundred years, they were allowed to return and settle there, only to be periodically expelled time after time. Notwithstanding all the arguments contained in the present memorandum, in 1591 Philip II decided to have the Jews of the Duchy of Milan expelled once again, and the order was put into effect in 1597.
Rare document: Not in NLI nor in OCLC.
[3] leaves (six printed pages) + [1] blank leaf. 32 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and ink stains. Tears, including minor open tears, partly mended with paper. Fold lines. Handwritten notation (Hebrew) on blank leaf: "Testimonies from the State of Milan that they cannot expel the Jews"; several additional notations. New paper cover.
Reference:
1. Shlomo Simonsohn, The Jews in the Duchy of Milan, Vol. III, 1566-1788, Jerusalem, 1982, pp. 1813-19.
2. Flora Cassen, The Expulsion of the Jews from the State of Milan: Same Event with Views from Different Archives, Early Modern Workshop: Resources in Jewish History, Vol. 14, 2017.
Three printed decrees pertaining to the Jews of Rome. 16th century. Italian and Latin.
1. "Sancta Mater Ecclesia", papal bull issued by Pope Gregory XIII (1502-1585). Rome: Haeredes Antonii Bladii, 1584. Latin.
Papal bull requiring Jews to attend missionizing sermons every Shabbat, where they would be reprimanded for their errors, and educated as to the correct interpretation of the Scriptures. Missionizing sermons were customary in Italy since the 13th century; Pope Gregory XIII strengthened this practice and expanded it in the present bull and in an additional bull he published previously, in 1577. Regarding missionizing sermons in Rome, see: Attilio Milano, The Ghetto of Rome (Tel Aviv, Sifriat Maariv, 1992), pp. 171-179 (Hebrew).
2. "Bando – Che non si debbano molestare, ne dar fastidio alli Hebrei", official decree prohibiting Christian citizens to attack or harass Jews: Rome: Paolo Blado Stampatore Camerale, 1591. Italian.
Decree instituting a punishment of flogging for whoever "dares [...] directly or indirectly, to harass, disturb or hamper in any way any Jew, man, woman, or infant… ridicules, touches or insults them in any way, in actions or words, whether by day or by night, in public or in hiding".
Such decrees were published by the rulers of Rome before the February carnivals. The carnival brought about wild, unbridled conduct, and the Jews of Rome, who would walk through the streets amongst the customed citizens, were susceptible at these times to ridicule and insult, even violence. The authorities would fulfill their duties towards the Jewish residents of Rome by publishing these decrees.
See: Attilio Milano, The Ghetto of Rome. Maariv, 1992, p. 208 (Hebrew). A picture of a similar decree (from 1595) appears in the Italian edition, opposite p. 96.
3. "Bando sopra li Hebrei", decree issued by Cardinal Girolamo Rusticucci (1537-1603), Vicar General of Rome. Rome: Paolo Blado, 1592. Italian.
The decree establishes segregation between the Jewish community and the Christian community in Rome. Among other things, it prohibits Jews from inviting Christians to synagogues and to Jewish schools, and from visiting Christian businesses and institutions.
See: Giacomo Ferri, La giurisdizione del card. vicario sugli ebrei di Roma tra il XVI e il XVII secolo, limiti e prospettive di una ermeneutica filosofica post-strutturalista (Rome, 2016), pp. 49-52.
Approx. 36X23 cm to 42X27 cm. Condition varies. Stains and creases. Several open tears (slightly affecting text). Placed in new frames; not examined outside of frames.
Printed Aleph-Bet chart, with an abridged Birkat HaMazon and other blessings, Shema and several other prayer texts. Venice, [ca. 18th century].
Folding chart for teaching reading, including various texts. The upper part of the leaf shows the letters of the Hebrew alphabet with various vowel points. The alphabet is flanked on the right by an abridged version of Birkat HaMazon and other blessings; and on the left by the first paragraph of Shema, kedushah and the morning blessings. The chart also features two Psalms and the bedtime service, with the Hashkivenu blessing printed in three different rites (Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Italian).
The center of the leaf is occupied by a fine illustration of a class of students. Several students are seen studying by a table, with a winged figure hovering over them and showering them with treats. Near them is a teacher brandishing a whip, ready to hit a disobedient student.
Approx. 47X35 cm. Good condition. Many stains. Folding marks. Part of illustration and letters slightly faded. Linen-backed (edged with green fabric). Placed in original card slipcase. Blemishes to slipcase.
Such charts were printed in Italy from the mid-17th century until the 19th century. Most of the charts were printed in a similar format, with the Aleph-Bet chart in the center and accompanying texts (with typographic variations). The illustration at the center of this leaf also appears in all other charts, with minor variations in details (in earlier charts the illustration is a woodcut, while in later ones it is engraved). The present chart is different from all other charts we have seen, and to the best of our knowledge it is the sole existing exemplar.
For details about other Aleph-Bet charts printed in Italy, and about the variations between the illustrations, see: Y. Yudlov, Italian Alphabet Charts, Kiryat Sefer, 62, 1988-1989, pp. 930-932.