Manuscript, Et Sofer and Leshon Limudim by the Yaavetz, handwritten by R. Machluf Abitbul. [Fez, 19th century].
Western cursive script. Illustrated title page.
Comprises two works by R. Yaakov Abensour – the Yaavetz: Et Sofer – formulas for halachic documents (leaves 1-49) and Leshon Limudim – letters and commonplaces. The present manuscript is a copying of the recension by R. Refael Oved Abensour (son of the Yaavetz) of the two works with his own additions. At the beginning of Et Sofer appears the short introduction of R. Refael Abensour, and at the beginning of Leshon Limudim the scribe writes: "Leshon Limudim, copied from the handwriting of… R. Refael Oved Abensour" (this recension in the handwriting of R. Refael Oved Abensour is found in the Klagsbald collection, Morocco no. 11. See: Kedem, Auction 102, part I – Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor Klagsbald Collection, Lot 58). The scribe of this manuscript is R. Machluf Abitbul of Fez, who signs in a colophon at the end of Et Sofer (p. 49a): "Et Sofer is completed, praise G-d, servant of G-d, Machluf Abitbul". Inside the title frame is an ownership inscription: "We bought this Et Sofer, we servants of G-d, Saadiah son of Masud Alhabuz and Yom Tov son of Amor Saadon, for 15 silver uqiyyahs, from… Machluf Butbul of Fez, signed Saadiah Alhabuz". Additional signatures of R. Saadiah Alhabuz on leaf before title page and last leaf.
R. Saadiah Alhabuz was a rabbi of Taza in the first half of the 19th century (for more information on him see: Malchei Rabanan, p. 101b).
At the beginning of the manuscript, in the blank pages after the title page and before the first work, writing in several hands, including index of names, copyings of documents of empowerment made by R. Masud son of Saadiah Alhabuz to divorce his wife Shazbona daughter of Avraham Shraga. The documents are from Fez, 7th Tamuz 1853; and more. On leaf after title page, signature of R. Refael Abensour the last, Rabbi of Fez.
90 leaves. 21 cm. Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Wear and tears to margins. Worming. New binding, with slipcase.
Provenance:
1. Abensour Family Collection, Fez, Morocco.
2. Victor Klagsbald Collection – Morocco, no. 9.
Reference: Victor Klagsbald, Catalogue des manuscrits marocains de la collection Klagsbald, Paris, 1980, pp. 29-34.
