Manuscript, Shtei Shibolim – sermons for various occasions, by R. David Avram son of Michael, rabbi of the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon communities in Provence. [Ca. second half of 18th century].

Includes sermons on the Torah, for the first day of Shavuot and many sermons entitled "Sermon for a child". On first page, draft of letter to "R. David of Lunel", signed: "Your brother-in-law, signing here, L'Isle…". At top of p. 16b: "Moshe of Cavaillon owes a penalty of half a franc. Shaul son of Tzemach Carmi also owes a penalty of half a franc".

The present manuscript was originally part of a more extensive manuscript of sermons and letters, formerly in the Gershon Epstein collection in Paris (no. 28), originally comprising 415 leaves. 74 leaves survive in NLI Ms. 1438, in addition to the present volume. See a detailed description in the NLI catalog on the abovementioned manuscript. The title Shtei Shibolim appeared on the title page at the beginning of the complete manuscript.

47 leaves (late pencil foliation). Approx. 23-25 cm (uneven trimming of leaves). Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. New binding.

Three printed documents: royal edicts from the time of the French Revolution (1790) relating to the civil rights of Jews in France. France, 18th century. French. Each document topped by a printed decoration (woodcut).

1. Proclamation du Roi, Sur un Décret de l’Assemblée Nationale, du 16 Avril 1790… – proclamation of King Louis XVI ratifying the edict of the National Assembly of April 16, granting the Jews of Alsace and other provinces legal protections. Nancy: la veuve Leclerc, 1790.

A handwritten marginal inscription indicates that the edict was announced and officially promulgated on May 30, 1790 in Val d'Ajol.

2. Lettres Patentes du Roi, Sur un Décret de l’Assemblée Nationale, portant que les Juifs… – letter of authorization of Louis XVI, delivered in Paris in January 1790, ratifying the National Assembly's decision to grant the Portuguese-Sephardic Jews and Jews of Avignon new political rights, including suffrage. Rouen: Louis Oursel, 1790.

On first page: Handwritten inscription dated March 9, 1790; on last page – official signature (printed and handwritten) approving the document for distribution.

3. Lettres Patentes du Roi, Sur le Décret de l’Assemblée Nationale, du vingt Juillet dernier… – another letter of authorization of Louis XVI, delivered August 7, 1790, ratifying the decision of the National Assembly to annul all taxes and special restrictions placed on the Jews of France, particularly those of the Metz and Lorraine regions. Rouen: J. J. Le Boullenger, 1790. French.

[4] leaves (2-4 printed pages each). Approx. 24-27 cm. Overall good condition. Folding marks and creases. Tears and light wear to margins. Light stains. Inscriptions and signatures.

Alphabetum linguae sanctae, mystico intellectu refertum [Alphabet of the holy tongue, full of mystical meaning], by Jean Chéradame. Paris: Aegidius Gormontius, 1532. Latin with some Hebrew.

Guide to the study of the Hebrew alphabet, focusing on mystical and symbolic meanings of the letters, by Jean Chéradame, 16th century French humanist and Hebraist.

On title page, woodcut printer's device.

86, [1] leaves. 15 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and light wear. Signatures on title page and endpapers, and handwritten inscriptions on margins of some leaves. Bookplate. Corrigenda (half page), mounted over endpaper at end of volume; mounting contemporaneous with printing. New binding and endpapers.

Not recorded in the NLI catalog.

Four Latin works (bound together) on Hebrew grammar. The works were meant to enable Christian students, scholars and theologians to understand the basics of the Hebrew language in order to study the Hebrew scriptures in the original. Paris, 1540s.

1. Luach HaDikduk, Tabula in grammaticen Hebraeam, by Nicolas Cleynaerts. Paris, 1544. Title page detached. Printer's device on title page and last page. This edition is not recorded in the NLI catalog.

2. Institutiones Hebraicae [Fundamentals of Hebrew], by Alano Restaldo Calignio. Paris, 1545. Printer's device on title page and last page. This edition is not recorded in the NLI catalog.

3. HaKotzer, Institutionum Hebraicarum abbreviatio [Abridged fundamentals of Hebrew], edited by Santes Pagnino. Paris, 1546.

4. Observationes in linguam Hebraicam [Remarks on the Hebrew language], by Santes Pagnino. Paris, 1546.

Four works in one volume (first three works arranged from right to left): 155 pages, [2] leaves; 73 pages, [2] leaves; 215, [1] pages; 61, [1] pages. 16 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Creases and wear. Many marginal inscriptions. Title page of first work detached. Bookplate. Original leather binding, with gilt inscriptions on spine. Minor tears and defects to binding and spine.

"The gospel of Christ… according to Matthew the Evangelist". Paris: Martin Le Jeune, 1551. Hebrew.

Early Hebrew edition of the Gospel of Matthew from the New Testament, with vocalization and cantillation. At end of volume, Biblical texts for practice of Hebrew.

At beginning of volume, Latin introduction by French Hebraist Jean Cinqarbres.

On title page and last page, printer's device (woodcut).

[10], 156, [30] pages. Approx. 14 cm. Good condition. Stains. Bookplate. New binding.