Auction 88 - Part I - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Manuscript, Imrei Shefer – Selections on the Torah and Various Topics – Handwritten by the Author Rabbi Avraham Alzra – Morocco, 1898-1900 – Unpublished Work
Manuscript, Imrei Shefer – selections, novellae and homilies following the order of the Torah portions, and homilies for the deceased, by R. Avraham Alzra. [Morocco], 1898-1900.
In several places in the manuscript, calligraphic signature of the writer, author and compiler, R. Avraham Alzra, Torah scholar of Tafilalt, Morocco. In his preface at the beginning of the manuscript, R. Alzra writes that the work was completed in Iyar 1900. He explains there that the Torah thoughts were compiled from the works of R. Yaakov Abuchatzeira, R. Moshe Alshech and the Chida, and arranged in order of the Torah portions so that a person can study the weekly portion without opening many books.
R. Avraham Alzra's manuscript is bound with an additional, older manuscript, also from Morocco, containing homilies for the deceased and for other occasions, and novellae. The identity of the writer of this manuscript is unclear. Additional novellae at the end of this manuscript, presumably also written by R. Avraham Alzra.
To the best of our research, this work by R. Avraham Alzra is unpublished.
R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov Alzra (19th-20th centuries), Torah scholar of Tafilalt, Morocco. Served as posek and sofer. He was a close disciple of R. David Abuchatzeira. In 1920, after his teacher was murdered, he moved to Algiers.
Signatures of R. Avraham Alzra on the back board. Stamps in several places of "Haim Alzra – Colomb Bechar".
Over 200 written leaves (misfoliated; presumably lacking several leaves). 17 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Marginal tears and open tears. Open tears to several leaves, affecting text. Several detached leaves. Inscriptions. Original binding, worn and damaged, with clasp remnants.
Enclosed: document from 1912 recording the exchange of courtyards between R. Avraham son of R. Yaakov Alzra and R. Moshe son of R. Avraham Abuchatzeira, signed by R. Yaakov Benhayoun; additional handwritten leaf.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.