Maarchei Lev, sermons on various topics, Parts I-II, by R. Refael Chazan, author of Chikrei Lev. Thessaloniki: Betzalel HaLevi [Ashkenazi], [1821-1822]. First edition. Two volumes.

Introduction by author at beginning of Part I, and by author's son R. Eliyahu Chazan at beginning of both parts.

Contains eulogies for the author by his sons R. Eliyahu Chazan, R. Yitzchak Chazan and R. David Chazan, his grandson R. Chaim Palachi and R. Refael Yitzchak Mayo.

Two volumes. Part I: [3], 163 leaves. Lacking 5 leaves at end. Part II: [2], 162-315 leaves. 27.5 cm. Fair condition, some leaves in both volumes in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Heavy dampstains and traces of former dampness to first and last leaves of first volume. Tears and open tears, affecting text in several places in both volumes, partially repaired with paper. Worming in many places, affecting text. New bindings.

Kochav MiYaakov, responsa and sermons by R. Yaakov Chananiah Kovo. Thessaloniki: Etz HaChaim, [1915].

Exceptionally rare copy, and apparently the only extant copy. Nearly all copies of this edition were burned in the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917. Isaac Samuel Emmanuel writes that the book was printed in a limited run of 300 copies, of which only 5 or 6 remain. We, however, know of no other extant copy. The NLI catalog contains a facsimile made from the present copy; the same is true of Otzar HaHochma and HebrewBooks. The record in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book is based on this copy.

R. Yaakov Kovo (1824-1907), Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Thessaloniki, and scion of a famous Greek rabbinical family. Kochav MiYaakov was the last responsa collection of a rabbi of Thessaloniki to be printed in the city.

[3], 20, 23-68, 71-137; 14, 17-37 leaves. Lacking 6 leaves: 21-22, 69-70, and leaves 15-16 of second sequence. The book ends at leaf 37 of the second sequence, and it is unknown whether more was printed. 33.5 cm. Condition of leaves varies. First leaves in fair collection; many leaves in middle of book in good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text (worming in many places on first leaves). Tears and open tears to margins of title page and other leaves, affecting text (title page repaired with strips of paper on both sides). New binding.

Responsa of R. Yom Tov Tzahalon (Maharitatz), with novellae on the chapter Eizehu Neshech. Venice: Vendramin, 1694. First edition. Illustrated title page, depicting the Tabernacle on the recto, and the Temple, Shulchan and Menorah on the verso; illustration of the Temple on leaf [4].

Distinguished copy, previously owned by R. Refael Yeshayah Azulai, son of the Chida, whose calligraphic signature appears on the margins of the title page (somewhat damaged).

R. Refael Yeshayah Azulai (1743-1826), Rabbi of Ancona, eldest son of the illustrious R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai – the Chida, and a great Torah scholar in his own right. Born in Jerusalem, he served as rabbi, posek and leader of Italian Jewry in his times. Some of his halachic responsa were printed in his father's books, who always mentions him with terms of endearment and esteem ("my dear son", "my firstborn son, the perfect great sage", "the light of my eyes", "beloved of my soul"). After the death of R. Avraham Yisrael Rabbi of Ancona in 1785, the community leaders turned to the Chida, who intimated that his son R. Refael Yeshayah was suitable for the position. He served as Rabbi of Ancona until his passing on 9th Shevat 1826 (at the age of 83, like his father). He was greatly honored at his death and was mourned by his community for many days (for further information, see M. Benayahu's book on the Chida, pp. 476-487).

Notations in ink, and several short glosses in Sephardic script.

Various stamps and signatures. On endpaper, ownership inscription handwritten and signed by R. Samuel Schönblum son of R. Binyamin Wolf. On title page and leaves of book, stamps of Schönblum in Hebrew and Latin scripts ["S. S."] and additional stamps. R. Samuel Schönblum of Lviv (1833-1900) was a famous publisher of early books and a dealer in ancient books, who often traveled to Italy to that end.

[4], 223 leaves; 25, [5] leaves. Misfoliation. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Marginal tears to several leaves. Marginal tears to title page, affecting signature of R. Yeshayah Azulai. Marginal open tears to several leaves (not affecting text). Stamps and inscriptions. Old binding, detached and worn.

Zichron Yosef, responsa and homilies by R. Yosef of Steinhardt, Rabbi of Fürth. Fürth: Itzek son of Leib Buchbinder, [1773]. First edition.

Copy of the "Rabbi of Würzburg", Rabbi Yitzchak Dov HaLevi Bamberger. One of the endpapers of the book (detached for rebinding, but enclosed) contains an ownership inscription (truncated and partially lacking): "To avoid 'placing a stumbling block before the blind' I sign the name of my father and master, chief rabbi of the Beit Din, R. Yitzchak Dov HaLevi – head of the Beit Din and yeshiva dean in Würzburg and the region".

On leaves of the book, several glosses, some lengthy, apparently handwritten by the Rabbi of Würzburg.

R. Yitzchak Dov (Seligman Baer) HaLevi Bamberger (1808-1879) was appointed Rabbi of Würzburg in 1840. An outstanding Torah leader of his times, many of his disciples became rabbis in Germany. He authored important halachic and Talmudic works (Yad HaLevi, Netiah Shel Simchah, Melechet Shamayim and more).

The author's preface contains sharp criticism of the Chassidic movement. Chassidim would often tear out these leaves; in the present copy these leaves are present.

[3], 24, [1], 25-46, 46-67, 67-119, [2] leaves. Leaves 93-94 misordered. 33.5 cm. Partially dark paper. Fair-good condition. Stains. Tears and some open tears, affecting text. Worming, affecting text. Inner margins of title page and several other leaves repaired with paper (bordering text). New binding. Enclosed with the book: Original endpapers, detached or cut off during rebinding. These leaves are in fair condition, with stains and tears.

Zechor LeAvraham, halachic novellae, Part I (Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah). By Rabbi Avraham Alkalai. Thessaloniki: Mordechai Nachman and David Israelije, [1798]. First edition.

Calligraphic signature on title page: "Avraham son of R. Yitzchak" (another inscription, torn and lacking, on margins of title page: "Yitzchak…"). At top of title page, lengthy inscription in his handwriting, with guidance for a posek. On leaves of book, tens of glosses by the same writer, many lengthy, on the halachic issues discussed in the book.

The signatory and author of the glosses is apparently R. Avraham son of R. Yitzchak, one of the three sons of R. Yitzchak son of R. David, author of Divrei Emet, who succeeded their father as dayanim and rabbis in Constantinople.

Incomplete copy. [2], 182 leaves (lacking leaves 183-263, [3] – lacking most of Yoreh Deah part). 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears to several leaves. New binding.