Masoret HaMasoret, Accentuum Hebraicorum liber unus, regarding grammar and Mesorah (study of the exact traditional text of the Bible), by R. Eliyahu the grammarian. Basel, [1539].
Printed with Tuv Taam (Sefer HaTaamim) by the same author, on cantillation marks (separate title page, dated 1539), and an additional book containing the (abridged) Latin translation of these two books with a Hebrew and Latin title page: "Sefer HaTaamim V'Sefer Masoret HaMasoret" (translated by Sebastian Münster). The Hebrew text is vocalized (apart from the title pages). The Latin translation is bound here separately.
The colophon at the end of Tuv Taam which reads: "And the work was completed… here, in the acclaimed Venice…", is a copying of the first edition's colophon, printed a year earlier in Venice.
The principal argument in these books is that the cantillation and vocalization marks were devised by the scholars of Mesorah in Tiberias, after the conclusion of the Talmud. This view was regarded critically by some leading Torah scholars (see for instance: Shem HaGedolim by the Chida, Maarechet Sefarim, Tet, 6).
R. Eliyahu Bachur-Ashkenazi (1470-1549, Otzar HaRabbanim 2069), was an Italian scholar and leading grammarian. He is named after his book "HaBachur", and authored many other compositions on grammar, including HaTishbi and the books here.
[180] leaves (22 gatherings of 8 leaves, and a gathering of 4 leaves); [5] leaves; 109 pages. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains. New bindings.

Sefer HaTishbi, Opusculum Recens Hebraicum, lexicon of Hebrew words, by the grammarian R. Eliyahu HaLevi Ashkenazi (R. Eliyahu Bachur). Isnae (Isny, Germany): [Paulus Fagius], 1541. First edition.
Hebrew and Latin on facing pages. The Hebrew text is vocalized. Latin title page and introduction. On the last page is the colophon and device of the printer Paulus Fagius.
[8], 275, 269-271, [5] pages. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Handwritten Latin signature and glosses. Contemporary leather binding; spine restored.
Another edition of Tishbi was printed in Isny that same year, with the Hebrew text only, see Kedem Auction 40, item 336.
A different Latin edition appears in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, listing 0110328, in which the book begins with [24] pages, including additional poems in Latin and in Hebrew and a Hebrew title page. This copy has originally only [8] pages, of the Latin title page and introduction.

Sefer Michlol, grammar of the Holy Tongue, by R. David Kimchi – the Radak, with explanations by R. Eliyahu Ashkenazi (HaBachur). Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1545.
Comprised of three "gates" (sections): Gate of Grammar of Verbs, Gate of Grammar of Nouns and Gate of Grammar of Words.
69 leaves. 30.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Dark stains to a few leaves. Slight worming to the last leaves. Old cloth binding. Bookplate.

Sefer HaShorashim, the second part of the Michlol by R. David Kimchi (the Radak). Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1546.
Ownership inscription at the top of the title page: "Natan Daniel son of R. Yosef Yochanan Kahana from Sighet, Maramureş in Hungary".
143, [1] leaves. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to the title page and other places. Inner margins of the title page and other leaves are reinforced with adhesive tape, not affecting text. Fine new binding. Bookplate.

Sefer HaShorashim, roots of the Holy Tongue, by R. David Kimchi (the Radak) with explanations by R. Eliyahu Bachur. Venice: Justinian, 1546-1548.
Deleted ownership inscription on the title page: "Mine, Menachem Moscato, son of… Moshe Moscato".
[2] pages, 5-548 columns, [1] page. 32 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to title page and other pages. Marginal creases and tears to the title page, some repaired, not affecting the border. Worming to the last page. Ink stains on several pages. Original parchment binding, with damage. Bookplate.
The title page is dated Marcheshvan 1546, but this edition was completed in Adar 1548, as is written in R. Eliyahu Bachur's poem at the end of the book.
The title page is without Latin text, as in the variant recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.

Commentary on the Torah, by R. Levi son of Gershom. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1547.
Several notes in Italian script, some of them trimmed. On leaf 2 a deleted signature appears: "…Avraham…". The following stamp appears on several leaves: "Torah V'Chaim Rabbinical Seminary in Morocco, Tangier". Censorship signatures on the last leaves.
6, 9-248 leaves. 29 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains to some of the leaves. Worming to several leaves, some slightly affecting the text. New binding.

Ohel Moed, a thesaurus of synonyms, by R. Shlomo of Urbino. Venice: Justinian, [1548].
Signature on the title page: "Shimshon Kohen Modon". Gloss on p. 10b, presumably in his handwriting.
R. Shimshon son of Yaakov Shimshon HaKohen Modon (1679-1727) was one of the Torah scholars of Mantua and a disciple of R. Yehuda Briel. He authored Kol Mussar (Mantua, 1725) and other works.
Censors' signatures on the verso of the last page.
[2], 118 leaves. 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Worming, almost not affecting text. Old binding. Bookplate.

Bechinat Olam, ethical and philosophical poetry, by R. Yedaiah (HaPenini) ben Avraham Bedersi. Ferrara: Shmuel ibn Ascara HaTzarfati, [1551]. First edition with the commentaries of R. Moshe ibn Habib, and with a commentary to Bakashat HaMemin by R. Yosef Frances.
Signatures on the title page: "Belongs to me the young… Azubib"; "Nehorai Azubib" (prominent rabbi in Algiers, died 1785).
The book is comprised of ethical lessons in poetic format regarding this world and the world to come. Bakashat HaMemin is a poetic prayer with all words beginning with the letter Mem.
R. Yedaiah HaPenini Bedersi (ca. 1270-1340) was a poet, doctor and philosopher from Béziers in Provence, France. He considered himself a disciple of the Rambam and he wrote enthusiastically in his favor during the great debate regarding the study of philosophy. (His responsa were published in the Rashba's responsa, chapter 418).
122, 13 leaves. 18.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Worming in several places. Restored title page with slight damage. Restoration of worming and small tears on other pages. Elegant leather binding, new.

Tzeda LaDerech, by R. Menachem son of Aharon ibn Zerach. Ferrara: Abraham ibn Usque, [1554]. First edition.
A comprehensive composition by R. Menachem ibn Zerach, a Spanish scholar in the 14th century and disciple of R. Yehuda son of the Rosh, covering all the year-round laws and customs. The lengthy preface contains many important details relating to the Tosafists and Rishonim and about the author's time. The author writes that his book is geared to "members of His Majesty the King's court… [who] due to the turbulences of the time and desire for luxuries… become lax in their fulfillment of Mitzvot…".
The last leaf bears the printer's device and a colophon: "The work of Heaven was completed here in Ferrara in the house of the illustrious Abraham ibn Usque".
Several glosses. Censor deletions on one leaf.
[13], 32, [3], 38-75, [213] leaves. Lacking title page (replaced with photocopy). 20.5 cm. Page size varies. Fair condition. Many leaves replaced from other copies. A detached leaf at the beginning of the book. Stains. Signs of past dampness and mold stains to some leaves. Worming, affecting text. Tears. Worming and tears to approx. last 10 leaves, repaired with adhesive tape (damage also to last leaf with printer's device). New leather binding.
In this copy, as most copies, leaves 33-37 containing a commentary to Birkat HaMinim (blessing on the heretics), were omitted for censorship reasons, and replaced with three unpaginated leaves containing an abridged version [see article of Yitzchak Rivkind, Alexander Marx Jubilee Volume, New York, 1950, Hebrew vol., p. 416; and article of S. Hasida, Birkat HaMinim in Sefer Tzeda LaDerech, Moriah, Tishrei 2012, pp. 15-17].
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Two books bound together:
Responsa of the Rosh. Venice: Alvise Bragadin, 1552.
Bound first: Responsa of the Radvaz - R. David ben Zimra. Livorno, [1652]. First edition.
The title page of Responsa of the Rosh contains a signed ownership inscriptions of Eliyahu Lumbroso and Yosef son of R. Yaakov ibn Amram. The price of the book: "Half a groschen", appears at the top of the title page.
The title page of Responsa of the Radvaz contains another ownership inscription of Eliyahu Lumbroso.
Additional signatures of R. Eliyahu Lumbroso appear on p. 1a of Responsa of the Radvaz and on p. 14a of Responsa of the Rosh.
R. Eliyahu Lumbroso was a Tunisian scholar around the beginning of the 19th century. He is known as the copyist of several manuscripts. See: Malchei Tarshish, p. 207.
Stamps of: "Yitzchak Isaac Stern dayan and posek of… [Miskolc]".
Two books bound together. Responsa of the Radvaz: [6], 100 leaves (leaf [3] bound before leaf [4]). Responsa of the Rosh: 158 leaves. 29 cm. Condition varies, good-fair. Stains, dampstains. Tears to several leaves. Worming, affecting text in some places. Title page of Responsa of the Radvaz torn and lacking, repaired. Old binding, damaged.

Sefer HaAruch, glossary of difficult Talmudic vocabulary, in alphabetical order, by R. Natan son of Yechiel of Rome, with references by R. Shmuel Archivolti. Venice: Bragadin, [1553].
Ownership inscription on the title page: "Shimshon Havilio".
166 leaves. 29 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming, some restored. Title page mounted on paper for strengthening. Damage to title page and other leaves. New binding.

Tashbetz, rulings and customs of the Maharam of Rothenburg. [Cremona]: Vincenzo Conti, [1556]. First edition.
Title page illustrated with a fine engraving.
On the verso of the last leaf, an ancient inscription records the sale of the book: "Today, Wednesday, 2nd Iyar 1581… Meir son of Yaakov purchased from me this book of responsa and I received from him its worth. May he and his descendants merit to study from it and acquire more books. So says ---" (the names of the seller and buyer are deleted).
[6], 55 leaves. 18 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor damage to several leaves. Upper margins of a few leaves are trimmed on text border, slightly affecting the headings. New leather binding. Wear and damage to the binding.

Tzri HaYagon, ethics and philosophy, by R. Shem Tov ben Joseph ibn Falaquera (including glosses by R. Shaul son of Shimon). Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, [1557]. First edition.
The title page states: "This book has the power to rid the soul of anguish as the five grains satisfy the body from hunger".
20 leaves. Page size varies. Title page and several subsequent leaves replaced from another copy. Good condition. Stains and minor damage. (Owner's signatures in early handwriting: "Avraham Albersweiler"). New cloth binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Or Einayim, on the topic of the Final Redemption and Mashiach, "the superiority of Israel and the good in store for the future", by R. Shlomo son of Avraham Peniel. Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1557.
Numerous glosses in early Ashkenazic handwriting (17th century; most consist of a summary of the topic discussed in that page or paragraph).
Stamps of "Beit HaMidrash Menachem Tzion in the Churva of R. Yehuda HaChassid, Jerusalem". An inscription appears on leaf 32 in the handwriting of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant: "L'Midrash Menachem Tzion".
The same page contains the signature of R. "David Tevele son of R. Shlomo Rabbi of London" – R. David Tevele Berlin of Gąbin and Jerusalem, son of R. Shlomo Rabbi of Prenzlau and London, and grandson of R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Berlin. See item 315.
32 leaves. 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Signs of past dampness. Damage and repaired tears to the title page and last leaf. The title page seems to be replaced from a different copy. New half-leather binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Sefer Keritot, Talmudic methodology, by R. Shimshon of Chinon. Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, [1557].
Second edition with corrections. The publisher writes on the title page that the previous edition (Constantinople, 1516) was flawed, and the current edition is corrected and emended.
The title page contains ownership inscriptions: "Acquired with my money in my youth from Musa Chacham, I, Yosef ben Suleiman"; "The young Matloob Rachamim Mordechai"; "In the memory of Chacham… Ezra Chaim Matloob Rachamim".
73 leaves. 21 cm. Wide margins. Good-fair condition. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Stains. Worming, partially repaired. Signs of past dampness to some of the leaves. New binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Even Bochen, ethics and laws of proper behavior, by R. Kalonymus son of Kalonymus. Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1558.
Censor's signature on the last leaf.
32 leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. Markings within the text. Minor worming to last leaves, repaired. Old binding, detached. Damage to binding.

Responsa of R. Moshe Alashkar. Sabbioneta: Cornelio Adelkind for Tobias Foa, 1554. First edition.
Several brief handwritten notes. The title page bears the signature (within the words "She'elot U'Tshuvot"): "Yeshua son of R. ---". A trimmed signature appears on leaf 6: "Mine, Yeshu---, I acquired it… and cursed is the one who steals it".
The last leaf bears the printer's device of Tobias Foa.
199, [1] leaves. 19.5 cm. Condition varies, good-fair. Stains. Dampstains to some leaves. Worming and tears to the first and last leaves, professionally restored. Old binding.

Tur Even HaEzer, with Beit Yosef. [Sabbioneta]: Tobias Foa, [1553].
First edition with the Beit Yosef commentary by R. Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch. Printed in the lifetime of the author.
The Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah sections were printed earlier in Venice, in 1550 [by Justinian] and 1551 [by Bragadin], and the Choshen Mishpat section was printed later, also by Tobias Foa in Sabbioneta, in 1559.
Marginal notes in early Sephardic script, most trimmed.
Incomplete copy. 2-19, 21-231 leaves. Originally: 232 leaves. Lacking title page, last leaf and leaf 20 (last leaf of the indexes. First and last leaf were replaced with photocopies). Leaves 119-120 were bound after leaf 139. 32 cm. Fair condition. Stains, signs of past dampness and wear. Worming, affecting text in some places. Detached sections. Repairs. Marginal tear (repaired) to bottom of leaf 230, affecting text. New binding, detached.
I. Sonne (Kiryat Sefer, 7, 1930, p. 484) notes typographic differences on leaf 74 of this edition. This book is the variant with 59 lines on p. 74a. See enclosed material.

Tur Choshen Mishpat, with Beit Yosef. Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1559. First edition with the Beit Yosef commentary by R. Yosef Karo (author of the Shulchan Aruch).
The title page contains various ownership inscriptions in Italian script (most of the names of the signees are erased). Two scholarly marginal notes in Italian script. Censor deletions. Censorship inscription and signature on the last page, dated 1607.
332 leaves. 38 cm. Thick, high-quality paper. Condition varies, most of the leaves in excellent condition. Stains. Slight worming. Mold stains to the last leaves, with wear affecting margins of the last leaf. The top corner of the title page is cut (lacking). Contemporary leather binding (Italy), rubbed and slightly damaged.

Two incomplete copies of books printed in Italy:
1. Pardes Rimonim, on Talmudic Aggadot, by R. Shem Tov ibn Shaprut. [Sabbioneta]: Tobias Foa, [1554]. First edition.
Censor deletions on two leaves. Handwritten inscriptions. Leaf [7] contains a signature: "Shmuel Sanguini" (this name appears amongst the signatures of the company of the Kabbalist R. Eliezer Nachman Foa of Venice, in the preface to his book Midrash BeChidush, Venice 1641).
2-51, [1] leaves. Originally: 51, [1] leaves. Lacking title page and bottom half of the last leaf with printer's device (replaced with photocopies). Bound out of sequence. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, some dark and large. Worming affecting text. New binding.
2. Birchot Maharam, laws of blessings over food, by the Maharam of Rothenburg. [Riva De Trento, 1559]. Only edition.
2-18 leaves. Originally: 18 leaves. Lacking title page (replaced with photocopy). 15 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Several handwritten inscriptions. Worming and tears with loss to text (the leaves were professionally restored). Mold stains. New binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Toaliyot HaRalbag, in the order of the five books of the Torah and Neviim Rishonim, by R. Levi son of Gershon. Riva de Trento: [Antonio Bruin], 1560. First edition.
In his commentaries on the Torah and Neviim, the Ralbag wrote the lesson and moral learnt from each verse and section. This book is a compilation of all the morals which the Ralbag included in his commentaries to Torah and Neviim Rishonim.
A Latin inscription (censorship authorization) appears on the title page, dated 1613.
40; 27 leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Minor wear to some leaves. Worming affecting text to approx. first 20 leaves. Early binding, damaged.

Supercommentary to Rashi on the Five Books of the Torah, by R. Yisrael Isserlein. Riva de Trento: [Jacob Marcaria, 1562].
The top of the blank page, p. 23a, bears an owner's signature (slightly faded): "…Netanel Weil". This appears to be the signature of the great Torah scholar R. Netanel Weil, author of Korban Netanel.
R. Netanel Weil (1687-1769, Otzar HaRabbanim 16479) was a descendant of the Maharam of Rothenburg and R. Yaakov Weil – the Mahariv, and a leading Torah scholar and posek of his times. His father was murdered in a pogrom which took place in his city when he was five years old. At the age of ten, his mother sent him to Prague, where he became a prominent disciple of R. Avraham Broda, the rabbi of the city. After his teacher's demise, he succeeded him in delivering lectures to the disciples of his yeshiva in Prague (together with R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz). Following the expulsion of the Jews from Prague, he was appointed rabbi of Mühringen, Schwarzwald, and later of Karlsruhe and the region. He is especially famed for his comprehensive composition on the Rosh - Korban Netanel, later printed in editions of the Shas. During the course of his lifetime, he was forced to wander extensively, enduring tribulations and even facing mortal danger, yet he was miraculously saved several times. During his funeral, the participants' way was allegedly miraculously shortened (kefitzat haderech), this is hinted to in the epitaph upon his tombstone.
24 leaves. 17 cm. Fair condition. Large tear with loss to the center of the title page (repaired and replaced with a photocopy. On the verso, half the page is replaced with a photocopy). Title page trimmed affecting title border. Stains. Signs of past dampness and mold stains to some leaves. Worming affecting text. New binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Shoresh Yishai, commentary on Megillat Ruth, by R. Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz - author of Lecha Dodi. Constantinople: Solomon ibn Usque, [1561]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Corrections and deletions in Italian script on one leaf. Several censor deletions.
Ownership inscription in the margin of the title page: "Belongs to the wealthy R. Zusman Yavetz of Kolno, Łomża" (father of writer and historian Zev Yavetz).
96 leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. High-quality, thick paper. Stains. Stains and light wear to the title page and a few other leaves. Slight worming to inner margins in several places, repaired. New binding.

Meir Iyov, commentary to the Book of Iyov (including the text of Iyov), by R. Meir son of R. Yitzchak Arama. [Riva di Trento]-Venice: Antonio Bruin and Giorgio di Cavali, [1562-1567].
The book was printed in two places. The gatherings of the first half of the book were printed in Riva di Trento, 1562, while the gatherings of the second half were printed in Venice, 1567 (perceptible differences in the typeface and typography of the pages). There are variations between different copies as to the first gathering. In this copy, the first gathering (including the title page) was printed in Venice (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, no. 182214 and no. 182224). The title page contains the line: "Corrected by Vittorio Eliano…", which was omitted from most copies.
Ownership inscriptions in several places of "the young Shlomo de Medina". Birth inscription on the last leaf in Yemenite script from [ca. 1770].
124 leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor worming and slight damage. Inscriptions. Last leaf repaired. New half-leather binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.