Sha'ar Shimon, prayers on behalf of the ill, laws of visiting the infirm, prayers and conduct of the Chevra Kaddisha, by R. Shimon Frankfurt. Amsterdam, [1749]. Printed by the author's son, R. Moshe Frankfurt [author of Be'er HaGolah].
A unique copy, with leather binding, elaborate silver clasps and ornamentation. At the beginning and end are neatly handwritten parchment leaves with interesting historical content. Leaves bound before the book with "The history of the sage…of the Sephardi Amsterdam community…R. Moshe Uri HaLevi…" - "Copy of a manuscript found inside the books of the To'elet company in the Amsterdam community", signed: "These are the words of David the copier… my surname is Chofshee (free), 1792" [R. David Franko Mendes - Chofshee, (acronym of Chacham and Meshorer [sage and poet)], a disciple of the Ramchal at the time he was in Amsterdam]. List of names of Ashkenazi rabbis in Amsterdam and the dates of their service: "These are the names of the amazing perfect great Torah scholars who served in the rabbinate of the Amsterdam Ashkenazi community". The leaves bound at the end of the book contain prayers from the book Ma'ane Lashon [prayers recited at ancestors' gravesites] and copies of tombstone inscriptions in the ancient Prague cemetery. At the end of the book is a paper leaf with "A copy of…memories of the Werheimer Kloiz in Frankfurt".
34 leaves (Part 1 only). 12 cm. Good condition. Stains. Several detached leaves. Leather binding, with clasps and elegant ornaments, (marked) silver, delicate and high-quality filigree and granulation. The spine of the leather binding has been restored, with minor damages.