HaMekach VehaMimkar, by R. Hai Gaon. Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, 1602. First edition.

Ownership inscriptions on title page, deleted.

On p. 97b, signature of censor Domenico Carretto, dated 1602(?).

97, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including many dampstains and traces of former dampness to all leaves, and mold stains in several places. Wear. Small marginal tears to some leaves. Light worming to several leaves. Original parchment binding, worn and damaged.

Shiltei HaGiborim, comprehensive work pertaining to the Temple, the Kohanim and Levites, the Temple vessels, musical instruments and more, by R. Avraham HaRofe Portaleone (Shaar Aryeh). Mantua: printed by the author R. Avraham Portaleone, [1612]. First edition. Four title pages.

In this book, the author describes at length the Temple, its vessels and its service. The principal part of the book (the first 90 chapters) is a comprehensive study of the material aspects of the Temple and its vessels. The book is based on the Bible and rabbinic sources, as well as ancient Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions and contemporary science – architecture, medicine, chemistry and more. This part also identifies the botanical species of the incense spices and anointing oil, the gemstones on the breastplate and their properties, and a detailed study of the Temple music (including historical details on the instruments and musical modes used in the Temple). In addition, the book contains a comparative linguistic study of Hebrew words, based on the author's mastery of ten European and Semitic languages, especially Greek and Latin.

The book was typeset and printed by Elishama Zifroni, who specifically came from Venice to that end, bringing all the printing equipment and type from the Di Gara printing house, which had been closed shortly beforehand. The typesetter was apparently not adept at his job, and the author complains at length about various issues and printing errors (p. 184b).

On the last two pages is an afterword by the author with autobiographical details, as well as details on his non-Hebrew works and the present book, which was completed in Elul 1607.

Signature on title page, partially deleted with ink: "Shlomo son of R. Elyakim[?]".

Several glosses in Italian script, somewhat trimmed.

12; 103; [1], 106-124; [1], 126-130; [1], 132-186 leaves. Without [1] blank leaf after leaf 103. 28 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Marginal tears to title page and several other leaves, partially repaired with paper. Worming to last leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper. New binding.

CB, no. 4288,1.

Nachalat Yaakov, collection of responsa pertaining to monetary and kashrut issues, edited by R. Yehoshua Yaakov Heilprin. Padua: Gasparo Crivellari, 1622-[1623]. Only edition.

The editor of this book, R. Yaakov Heilprin, was a disciple of the Maharam of Padua and R. Avigdor Cividal of Venice, a Polish exile to Italy. He served as rabbi in several communities, finally settling in Padua near the end of his life. Most of the book is comprised of the responses sent by the Torah scholars of the generation to the author's questions. The authors of the responsa include the Shlah, the Levush, and leading Italian Torah scholars: R. Yitzchak Gershon, R. Simchah Luzzatto, and others. The Torah scholars whose responsa are presented in this book, are listed in the leaf following the title page.

At the beginning of the book (before the list of authors) appears an approbation by R. Yeshayah HaLevi Horowitz – the Shlah, in praise of R. Yaakov Heilprin and his book, and a recommendation to print and buy the book: "It is fitting and a mitzvah to print it, to fulfill 'and the land will be filled with knowledge', and whoever sees it should buy it…". This approbation was written by the Shlah in Venice, on his way to Eretz Israel.

Ownership inscription on title page (somewhat blurred): "G-d granted me this book, Avraham HaLevi of Chełm" – R. Avraham HaLevi of Chełm, Rabbi of Emden – leading Torah scholar of his generation. He succeeded R. Yaakov Emden (Yaavetz) as Rabbi of Emden (ca. 1750s-1760s). He is mentioned in Responsa Noda BiYehudah Kama, Yoreh Deah, section 1, and in Zichron Yaakov (Fürth 1770); a responsum by him dated 1765 appears in Responsa She'elat Yaavetz II, sections 24-25. In 1760 he served as Rabbi of Hildesheim, and his document of appointment is printed in Kerem Shlomo (IV, 1). Together with R. Yaakov Emden he battled the remaining Sabbateans in Germany (see further in articles by A. Brik, Shanah BeShanah, 1980, pp. 335-340; Shanah BeShanah, 1993, pp. 409-420).

4, [1], 5-48, [4] leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including large dampstains to many leaves. New binding.

The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book lists two copies, one of them containing several blank pages, and the other, from the library of N. Ben-Menachem, containing only one blank page – p. 26b. This copy, just like the Ben-Menachem copy, contains only one blank page.

Regarding further typographic differences between the various copies, see: Y. Rivkind, Dikdukei Sefarim, Alexander Marx Jubilee Volume, New York, 1950, p. 429.

CB, no. 5538,2; Zedner, p. 300.

Yavin Shemuah, commentary by R. Nissim Shlomo Algazi on Halichot Olam by R. Yeshuah HaLevi; and Talmudic methodology by R. Yosef Karo. Venice: Giovanni Martinelli for Giovanni Vendramin, 1639. First edition of the Yavin Shemuah commentary, printed in the lifetime of the author.

Signature deleted with ink on title page.

129, [1] blank leaf; [16] leaves. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains, and inkstains to title page. Small open tears to title page, slightly affecting title frame. Worming, slightly affecting text. Early binding, with light worming and damage.

CB, no. 6894,8.

Two books published by R. Yosef Richetti in Mantua, 1676, in one volume:

· Chochmat HaMishkan, explanation of the form of the Tabernacle vessels and the priestly vestments, by R. Yosef Richetti. Mantua: printer not indicated, [1676]. Only edition.

The introduction to the work was authored by the famous kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto – the Ramaz (see article by M. Benayahu, cited below).

The final page of this book contains a key for 18 illustrations of each of the Tabernacle vessels and priestly vestments. The author intended to print along with the book illustrations for each one of the Tabernacle vessels and priestly vestments, as he writes in the "author's apologia" on the last leaf: "At the beginning of this labor of mine I intended to design pictures… And I began to make considerable efforts to have the artists engrave the pictures, but it all came to nought, for the labor was ruined, since the artists in this city are not so adept at this work…". The author goes on to state his intention to complete the printing of the pictures when he arrives in Venice, based on the detailed key he printed, but the planned illustrations were evidently never produced.

Gloss in Sephardic script on p. 13a, trimmed, signed: "Ze'eiri HaKohen".

· "Letter on the attribution of Tzaddikim of Eretz Israel", on gravesites of Tzaddikim and holy sites in Eretz Israel. Mantua: printer not indicated, 1676. Published by R. Yosef Richetti.

This work contains the names and descriptions of holy sites in Eretz Israel, with the names of Tzaddikim buried in each of the sites.

Early pilgrims to Eretz Israel would perform "Ziyarah" – tours following a set route, the central element of which was visiting various gravesites of Tzaddikim (most of which were based on identifications by the Arizal). The book begins by listing the sites included in the "Hakafah Ketanah" (short tour), intended for pilgrims visiting only Safed and the area; and continues with the details of the "Hakafah Gedolah" (long tour), which includes various sites throughout the Galilee; followed by the sites to be visited as part of the tour of Jerusalem.

Further details about the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, as well as Hebron and Halhul, are printed on the last page, with each pair of cities within a decorative frame.

The content of this work was printed by emissaries of Eretz Isael throughout the 17th century in several editions, both in book format and as printed posters. A statement from the emissaries of Eretz Israel is printed on the verso of the title page: "When we see… how unfortunately, due to the length of the exile… our holy city has almost been forgotten by our brethren…" (this text appears in the first known edition of the letter in leaf format, 1626).

On the various editions of the letter, both as a book and as a printed poster, see: M. Benayahu (cited below).

R. Yosef Richetti was a talented artist who worked as copyist, scribe and decorator of Megillot and ketubot, painter, potter, metalworker and more. Born in Italy (most likely in Venice) to R. Eliezer Shalit Richetti, he immigrated to Safed in his youth, between 1640-1643, later returning to Italy as emissary of Safed between 1674-1676. He printed the two present works in Mantua that year. See on him at length: M. Benayahu, R. Yosef Richetti – A Young Artist from Italy Who Immigrated to Safed, Asufot, II, 1988, pp. 359-372 (Hebrew).

Chochmat HaMishkan: 9, [3] leaves; Letter on gravesites of Tzaddikim: [4] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Close trimming, affecting bottom of title frame of first book, and slightly affecting text of several leaves. New binding.