Auction 102 Part 1 Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
![Manuscript, parchment gathering of an Ashkenazic-rite Yom Kippur machzor. [Ca. 14th century].
Neat, ornate Ashkenazic scrip](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/4_1.jpg "Manuscript, Parchment Gathering of an Ashkenazic Machzor – 14th Centur")
![Manuscript, parchment gathering of an Ashkenazic-rite Yom Kippur machzor. [Ca. 14th century].
Neat, ornate Ashkenazic scrip](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/4_2.jpg "Manuscript, Parchment Gathering of an Ashkenazic Machzor – 14th Centur")
![Manuscript, parchment gathering of an Ashkenazic-rite Yom Kippur machzor. [Ca. 14th century].
Neat, ornate Ashkenazic scrip](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/4_3.jpg "Manuscript, Parchment Gathering of an Ashkenazic Machzor – 14th Centur")
![Manuscript, parchment gathering of an Ashkenazic-rite Yom Kippur machzor. [Ca. 14th century].
Neat, ornate Ashkenazic scrip](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/4_4.jpg "Manuscript, Parchment Gathering of an Ashkenazic Machzor – 14th Centur")
Manuscript, parchment gathering of an Ashkenazic-rite Yom Kippur machzor. [Ca. 14th century].
Neat, ornate Ashkenazic script, in characteristic design of contemporary Ashkenazic machzorim. Some initial words and some other words in red ink. On first page, initial word enlarged (with ligature), with margins decorated in vegetal patterns. On leaf 5, enlarged initial word with letters written alternately in black ink and red ink.
Continuous gathering comprising ten leaves (out of the original 12 leaves), with piyyutim for Shacharit of Yom Kippur. The booklet begins with four Kedushah piyyutim: E-l BeRov Etzot, Tamid Titlonen, Elecha VeAdecha Yavo, Elecha Teluyot Eineinu. These piyyutim are attributed to R. Elazar HaKalir (from the Musaf Kedushta Ezrachi Zero'o Chasaf), and were appended in Ashkenazic machzorim to the Krovah for Shacharit of Yom Kippur by R. Meshulam son of R. Kalonymus (see: Goldschmidt, Machzor LeYamim HaNoraim, II – Yom Kippur, Jerusalem 1970, preface – pp. 36-37).
These are followed by the Rehitin piyyutim based on Jeremiah 10:7 (Mi lo yiraacha), attributed to R. Kalonymus (see: Goldschmidt, ibid.), which appear in Ashkenazic machzorim after the four abovementioned piyyutim by R. Elazar HaKalir. The piyyutim included are HaAdir Bishmei Aliyot, HaImen Kipei Shechakim, Mi Adir Afsecha, Lo Omer Amarta, Yiraacha Adon Poal, Melech Tar Kol Sitrei Genazim, HaGoyim Efes VaTohu, Ki Todah Yitnu, Lecha Eder Naeh, Yaatah Tehilah.
[10] parchment leaves (continuous gathering, apparently lacking last two leaves of gathering). Approx. 21 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Most leaves complete and in good condition, except leaf 9, damaged, with tears and signs of repair, slightly affecting text (this is the leaf containing HaGoyim Efes VaTohu, which was usually deleted or censored, which may be the cause of the damage). On one page, one letter affected by trimming of margins. Placed in new parchment binding.
Parchment manuscript, Memorbuch (yizkor book) of the community of Austerlitz, Moravia (today: Slavkov u Brna, Czech Republic). [17th-19th centuries].
Ashkenazic script, square and cursive, on parchment. Some initial words in color and gilt ink. Some decorated.
First part of manuscript written ca. 1610s, based on the king whose name appears in the prayer for the government (see below). Later on are inscriptions going up to at least 1815.
Memorbuchs were common in Ashkenazi communities, used to commemorate the deceased members of the community in the yizkor prayers on Shabbat. They included the text of the prayers recited between the Torah reading and musaf.
The present Memorbuch is an important historical documentation of the Jewish community of Austerlitz, over hundreds of years (possibly even as far back as the origins of the community in the Middle Ages, see below).
The present manuscript includes:
Leaves 1-5 – Al HaKol Yitgadal, Yekum Purkan, Mi Sheberach for the community, Rosh Chodesh blessing, Av HaRachamim; Mi Sheberach for tzedakah donors before Shabbat and festivals, Mi Sheberach for the fast days of Behab, Mi Sheberach for community fast days decreed by the rabbi: "May He Who blessed our forefathers… bless whoever fasts today, whether he completes the fast or fasts for some hours, or fasts by abstaining from meat and wine and hot foods, or sets a time for Torah study, or gives charity to the poor, or considers repentance and regrets his evil deeds…", Mi Sheberach for the sick and childbearing women, and a Mi Sheberach for Jews in prison.
Leaf 6 – A prayer text for the peace of the government, beginning "HaElo-him Asher Bara" (a text which appears in manuscripts of the Eastern Ashkenazic rite). After the words "the Roman emperor", the original names of the emperor and empress are erased, with "Ferdinanus" written in their place, and with a later addition "and his wife Queen Lenearo". Apparently, these refer to Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor from 1619 (as a widower), who married Eleonora Gonzaga of Mantua in 1622. The erased emperor's name would then be Matthias, the emperor preceding Ferdinand II, 1612-1619, thus indicating that the first part of the manuscript was written during these years.
Leaves 6b-7 – Mi Sheberach for those who refrain from forbidden wine; Mi Sheberach for those who refrain from speaking in the synagogue, in an early variant text, preceding the one established by the Tosafot Yom Tov following the Chmielnicki massacres; Mi Sheberach for those who donate charity for yizkor (the original writing of this prayer is very faded, and was therefore recopied in the bottom half of the page).
Page 8a – Mi Sheberach for the nobles, in a later hand than the previous leaves. This prayer also has the original names erased, replacing them with "Olivia[?]" and "Maximilian" – apparently Maximilian Ulrich von Kaunitz, whose domain included Austerlitz in the first half of the 18th century (we were unable to identify "Olivia").
Leaves 8b-11 – concise Cherem text, to be announced in the synagogue, for "whoever knows about the matter of so-and-so, or the stolen object of so-and-so, or the testimony and rights of so-and-so… should come and tell so-and-so, or the Beit Din which will adjourn here at such-and-such a time, or the Rabbi, and if he doesn't tell he will bear his sin…", followed by a Mi Sheberach for whoever comes and tells the truth and whoever is clean of the matter; "Cherem of Yehoshua son of Nun" – the above Cherem at great length; "Cherem for those who do dangerous and improper things", and a Mi Sheberach for the same. To the best of our knowledge, these Cherem texts have not been printed.
Leaves 12-27: Yizkor inscriptions for close to 250 rabbis and residents of Austerlitz. Next to each name is written what was donated to the community for mention in yizkor (such as "a large donation to charity", a Torah scroll, a silver roller for the Torah, a silver crown, a silver plate, a silver lamp, a copper lamp, and more), and who donated it. These inscriptions appear to only mention those who donated for a permanent mention in yizkor. The first names in the list may be from the Middle Ages.
Most of the above inscriptions were written at once, by one scribe, in cursive script, followed by inscriptions with names in various hands. The list was next recopied by another scribe, in square and semi-cursive scripts, introducing the names added at the end of the first list. After the second list are added names of the newly deceased in various hands. Near the end of these additions is inscribed (on p. 26b) the name of "our teacher and rabbi R. Yaakov son of R. Shlomo Gleivitz" – R. Yaakov Gleivitz-Klein, Rabbi of Semlin and Austerlitz, author of Ateret Shlomo (Brunn, 1788), d. 1811, eulogized by the Chatam Sofer (see: B.Sh. Hamburger, Zichronot UMasorot Al HaChatam Sofer, pp. 176, 334-335). Thus, names were still being copied into the Memorbuch in 1811.
On pp. 14b and 23a, names of R. Yissachar son of R. Yisrael and Rebbetzin Leah daughter of R. Chaim – apparently R. Yissachar Ber Eilenburg, author of Be'er Sheva, d. 1623 in Austerlitz.
Another known rabbi is mentioned on pp. 16a and 25a: "Rebbetzin Elkel daughter of R. Aharon HaKohen, in the merit of her husband R. Avraham Natan, rabbi and yeshiva dean of here and of Hotzenplotz, who donated a large sum to charity…" – R. Avraham Natan Nata Feitl son of R. Avraham Munk, an exile from Vienna, Rabbi of Austerlitz 1686-1713, later Rabbi of Hotzenplotz (Osoblaha) until his passing in 1724.
On leaf 19, several inscriptions of stipulations made by donors, some dated between 1724-1815. The first, from 1724, is handwritten and signed by "Uri Lipman N[ikol]s[burg], residing here in Austerlitz" – R. Uri Lipman of Nikolsburg, Rabbi of Austerlitz, signed an anti-Sabbatean notice in 1725, see: Arim VeImahot BeYisrael, IV, p. 296.
The Austerlitz community was one of the earliest in Moravia. It was inhabited by Jews beginning no later than the 13th century (see enclosed material). The city was sometimes called Ir Lavan, apparently due to the primary occupation of local Jews being in the starch and limestone businesses.
The present Memorbuch is in the original binding, which apparently dates to the book's creation and the scribing of its first leaves, in the 1610s.
[27] leaves. Approx. 22 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Fading of ink to some leaves. Original leather-bound wooden binding, damaged. Remains of metal clasp.
Manuscript, Yom Kippur machzor – piyyutim for Shacharit, Musaf and Neilah, including piyyutim recited according to the rite of the Crimean Peninsula (the Kaffa rite) – a particularly important anthology, including piyyutim unknown from any other source, as well as piyyutim that were heretofore known only from the Cairo Genizah. [Crimean Peninsula, ca. 14th century].
Oriental square script (partially vocalized), sometimes incorporating semi-cursive script. Enlarged initial words, some decorated. Catchwords of leaves and gatherings on some pages. The present handwriting has distinctive Oriental features, as well as several distinctive features of Byzantine script. The paper is similar in thickness and processing to Oriental paper, but is in fact European paper, with a watermark resembling Briquet nos. 706-708 – appearing on paper manufactured in Western Europe in the 14th century. The paleographical and codicological features match several contemporary Byzantine manuscripts, including one written in Kaffa (Crimea), National Library of Russia, St. Petersburg, Ms. EVR I 23.
Piyyutim machzor, without the main prayer text. Most of the piyyutim in the present volume are for Shacharit of Yom Kippur, while the others are for the Musaf and Neilah prayers. The part with Shacharit piyyutim is unbroken, while the part with Musaf and Neilah piyyutim is lacking many leaves. At the top of the first page: "Maamad for [Yom] Kippur".
The volume begins with a unique piyyut sequence, based on the Avot blessing of the Amidah, which is recited before the Kedushta piyyutim. This type of piyyut system is known only from the Kaffa rite of Crimea (on the Kaffa rite, see references below). This is followed by a Reshut and Kedushta for Shacharit by R. Shlomo Suleiman al-Sinjari, which are also found in the Kaffa rite machzor (the end of the Reshut is attested only in one Kaffa rite machzor dating to the 17th century – see Eden Hacohen, cited below, p. 49; the present machzor is another, far earlier witness). Later in the volume appear piyyut sequences of the aforementioned type for the Avot blessings of Musaf and Neilah (these sequences are incomplete in the present manuscript).
The importance of the present anthology lies primarily in that it is the unique source for many early piyyutim, some of which were heretofore known only from the Cairo Genizah, while others are not known from any other source.
The Kedushta piyyutim in the present machzor include many piyyutim by R. Elazar HaKalir and others, which were heretofore known only from fragments in the Cairo Genizah. The piyyutim of R. Elazar HaKalir were recently published in a critical edition by Prof. Shulamit Elizur ("R. Elazar BeRabbi Kalir – Piyyutim LeYom HaKippurim", Jerusalem 2021), but the present manuscript contains many variant texts. In one case, a piyyut that survived only in part in the Cairo Genizah appears here in full (pp. 36a-b, UvaAretz Ihel Shechinato, the second half of which survived in the Genizah fragment JTS Ms. ENA 2676.51).
This machzor is particularly important as a source for many piyyutim that are known from no other source, and are not recorded in the Ezra Fleischer Genizah Research Project for Hebrew Poetry. For example, pp. 22b-23b contain an unknown piyyut, "Maaseh Elo-heinu – Elo-him Bara Shamayim VaAretz", belonging to the widespread genre contrasting the works of G-d with those of man.
A detailed list of piyyutim in the anthology is available upon request.
The present anthology is highly important for the study of early piyyut, and perhaps also for the study of the development of the Kaffa rite. The manuscript still requires intensive study, and should be made accessible to researchers for the benefit of the public.
On the last leaf appears (in semi-cursive script) a blessing text for mourners, apparently an unknown version: "Blessed are You… Who understand every creature… Resuscitator of the dead. May You soon have mercy on Your people and comfort the heart of mourners… Comforter of Zion and the heart of mourners. And may everyone who does kindness to another be recompensed… Who pay goodly reward to doers of kindness. May You withhold Your anger… Who stops pestilence, sword, destruction and plague from us…". This is followed by several blessing texts for various occasions.
[56] leaves (lacking many leaves in Musaf and Neilah part). 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains. Open tears (some large) and much wear, mainly to margins, affecting text. Significant dampness damage to all leaves, mainly to margins. Many words erased or faded due to dampness damage, mainly in first line of each page and edges of lines in outer margins. Worming. Leaves professionally restored. New leather binding.
References: Simon Bernstein, "The Kaffa-Rite Machzor – History and Development" (Hebrew), in: Samuel K. Mirsky Jubilee Volume, New York 1958, pp. 451 ff.; Eden Hacohen, "On the Question of Diffusion of the Kedushtaot of R. Shlomo Suleiman al-Sinjari", in: Essays in Memory of Menachem Zulay, Jerusalem Studies in Hebrew Literature, XXI [2007], pp. 47 ff. (Hebrew; on the piyyut sequence for Avot, unique to the Kaffa rite, see there, p. 58).
We thank Prof. Shulamit Elizur for her assistance in researching the piyyutim, and Ms. Tamar Leiter for her assistance in researching paleographic and codicological facets.
Lot 7 Manuscript, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Rite Machzor for Sukkot and Simchat Torah – 16th/17th Century
Manuscript, machzor for Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, according to the rite of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, southern France. [16th/17th century].
Square script, mostly vocalized. Does not contain Amidah prayers. Contains piyyutim for Sukkot and Hoshana piyyutim (lacking at beginning; starts from end of first day), piyyutim and psalms for Hoshana Rabba night and day, piyyutim for night of Shmini Atzeret, Shacharit prayer for rain, piyyutim for the night and day of Simchat Torah.
Colophon on last page: "The Sukkot service is completed, praise be to G-d, creator of the world".
The present machzor contains the verses recited the night of Simchat Torah before taking out the Torah scroll, beginning "Torat Hashem Temimah…". These verses are unique to the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue rite, as opposed to other southern French rites, and they appear in a dedicated three-leaf appendix in some copies of the Carpentras rite festival machzor, Amsterdam 1762, where they are labeled as belonging to the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue rite, as opposed to the verses given in the main text of the machzor which were customarily recited in the rite of Carpentras and the other communities.
On leaves 86-87, prayer for the pope (ruler of the southern French Jewish communities at the time): "We pray… for the life of the father of a multitude, our master the pope of Rome…", followed by the prayer HaNoten Teshuah for the pope. Afterwards, on leaf 88, is an instruction to recite Mi Sheberach prayers for the legates of Avignon and Cavaillon and the vicar general of Carpentras.
[88] leaves. 23.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains, dark stains and wax stains (mainly on the Hoshana Rabba night leaves). Open tears to several leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper filling. New binding, with laces for fastening.
Manuscript, Rosh Hashanah machzor, according to the rite of Avignon and the communities of southern France. [Avignon, ca. first half of 17th century].
Sephardic semi-cursive (Provençal) script, vocalized. Titles and initial words in square script.
Inside front board, mounted paper with decorations and the caption: "Rosh Hashanah service according to the rite of the Avignon community".
The last leaf is lacking, with a later replacement supplied (over one of the originally blank leaves bound at the end), with colophon of later writer: "Here, L'Isle[-sur-la-Sorgue near Avignon]… Elul 1688, made by Yehudah de Digne son of Yitzchak de Digne".
On several leaves, corrections, erasures and additions, in a later hand.
25, 29-85, 89-121, [1] leaves (misfoliation; total of 116 leaves). 28 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Original leather binding, with decorations. Inscribed wax seal on spine. Damage to binding.
Manuscript, Yom Kippur and festival machzor according to the rite of Carpentras and the communities of southern France. Courthézon (near Carpentras, southern France), 1683.
Large-format volume. Square script, mostly vocalized. Sephardic semi-cursive script in some places, unvocalized. On some leaves, floral and geometric decorations.
At the beginning of the volume are piyyutim and prayers for Erev Yom Kippur, followed by piyyutim for Hoshana Rabba and a lengthy piyyut for Simchat Torah, based on aggadot detailing the death of Moses, and kiddush for Simchat Torah. Starting from p. 29b – festival machzor for Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, Hoshana Rabba and Simchat Torah, including the Amidah prayers and the unique piyyutim of the communities of southern France. At the top of that page: "Service for the three festivals according to the rite of the Carpentras community and L'Isle [-sur-la-Sorgue, near Carpentras]… here in Courthézon, 20th Tamuz 1683, by Mordechai son of R. Yaakov Astruc". On p. 56b, at the conclusion of the Azharot for Shavuot, colophon: "…Mordechai Astruc son of R. Yaakov, for my relative R. Moshe de Meyrargues". On p. 24a: "Made for my relative Moshe son of the honorable Yitzchak de Meyrargues" – this caption is deleted by mounted paper, but is legible from the verso.
On p. 21b, inscriptions: "Black on white, in memory of the destruction, the day of passing of my father Yitzchak de Meyrargues… Cheshvan 1652"; "…As a 'remembrance between my eyes', the day of passing of my mother… [1671]".
[71] leaves. Approx. 34 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Tears and open tears to several leaves (some from ink erosion), slightly affecting text. Light worming. Old leather binding, with gilt inscriptions on spine, including "Samuel Cremieu fils de Ruben". Tears, damage and worming to binding.
![Manuscript, machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to the Apam rite. [Piedmont, Italy], 1828.
Neat Italian scr](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/10_1.jpg "Manuscript, Apam Rite Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur –– Ital")
![Manuscript, machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to the Apam rite. [Piedmont, Italy], 1828.
Neat Italian scr](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/10_2.jpg "Manuscript, Apam Rite Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur –– Ital")
![Manuscript, machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to the Apam rite. [Piedmont, Italy], 1828.
Neat Italian scr](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/10_3.jpg "Manuscript, Apam Rite Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur –– Ital")
Manuscript, machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to the Apam rite. [Piedmont, Italy], 1828.
Neat Italian script, square (vocalized) and semi-cursive. Some initial words with floral decorations, and additional decorations.
"Apam" is an acronym for the communities of Asti, Fossano, and Moncalvo. All three communities were established by Jewish exiles from France who settled in the Piedmont region of Italy after being expelled from France in the 14th century. Once in Italy, most Jewish émigrés from France adopted the customs and traditions of the communities that absorbed them, and only these three communities clung to the French traditions they arrived with, thus preserving the ancient French rite. The French rite resembles the Ashkenazic rite, but differs from it both in its own particular versions of some of the prayers, and in the distinctive piyyutim that are peculiar to it. Machzorim associated with the Apam rite were never printed, and they survive only in manuscript form (on the Apam rite see: Zunz, Rites of Synagogue Liturgy, Breuer-Fraenkel Hebrew translation, Jerusalem 2016, pp. 64-65; Goldschmidt, Leket Shichchah UPeah LeMachzor Apam, Kiryat Sefer XXX, Jerusalem 1955, pp. 118-136).
The present machzor preserves the piyyutim and distinctive liturgy of the Apam rite, including a unique version of Kol Nidrei, the piyyut Eten Tehilah introducing the Avodah prayer, and more.
64 leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Decorated leather binding, damaged (front portion detached).
Manuscript, Kitzur Zemirot Yisrael, piyyutim, bakashot and songs, according to the Sephardic rite. Ferrara, 1840.
Decorated title page. Square script, mostly vocalized. Red and black ink (some headers and initial words in red ink). On title page: "Kitzur Zemirot Yisrael, according to the Sephardic rite, made in Av 1840, Ferrara".
The manuscript is composed of a selection of piyyutim, bakashot and songs for Shabbat and festivals, Kinot for Tishah B'Av, Reshut for calling bridegrooms to read in the Torah, and more, mainly arranged according to the order of the year (beginning from Shabbat Bereshit). This work appears in several Italian manuscripts (mainly from Ferrara, but some were also copied in Padua and perhaps elsewhere) beginning in the early 18th century. The earliest is the Levantine-rite Kitzur Zemirot Yisrael written by R. Pinchas Chai Anav of Ferrara in 1705. Many of the songs are by R. Yisrael Najara (hence the name Kitzur Zemirot Yisrael), but also includes piyyutim and songs that are unique to this anthology, such as: a piyyut for Shabbat Chanukah, on a miraculous salvation from a fire on Chanukah 1688, by "R. Tzahalon" (p. 7a); a piyyut on the Chmielnicki massacres by "Yaakov son of Moshe HaLevi" (p. 37a); two piyyutim by R. Menachem de Lonzano (pp. 14b, 29b); and piyyutim by R. Matitiah son of Yitzchak of Bologna (p. 19a), R. Mordechai Dato (p. 19b), R. Yitzchak Salma (p. 21a), R. Immanuel Ricchi (p. 33a), R. Chizkiyah (p. 45b) and others.
Leaves 21-22 contain a special Ashkavah prayer for the kabbalist R. Aharon Berechiah of Modena, author of Maavar Yabok. The prayer names "…our master and rabbi, R. Aharon Berechiah Modena, who carefully authored and firmly established the dawn prayer order for the Modena community… author of… Maavar Yabok…".
Original fine leather binding, with metal decorations on front and back of binding.
[1], 1-50, [51-54] leaves. Approx. 25 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear. Few, minute tears to several leaves. Original binding, with metal decorations. Damage and tears to binding.
Manuscript, Algerine-rite high holiday machzor, "according to the rite of the synagogue of the late R. Nehorai". [Algiers, ca. 17th/18th century and 19th century].
Most of the machzor (approx. two thirds) is handwritten in early Western script [ca. 17th or early 18th century]. The machzor was later supplemented with many leaves in a later hand [19th century], handwritten by R. Shlomo Azrad.
The machzor begins with a title page written by him: "High holiday machzor according to the rite of the synagogue of the late R. Nehorai" – the ancient synagogue of Algiers was called Chevrat Nehorai, after R. Nehorai Crescas, an early rabbi of Algiers (ca. 1510-1590; mentioned in Responsa Tashbetz IV [Chut HaMeshulash], 21; Malchei Yeshurun, p. 215). The title page also contains the writer's colophon: "Completed… in the Ten Days of Repentance in [1867]… I sign my name on my book, a small machzor handwritten by Shlomo son of Avraham Azrad…".
[The chronogram for the year has been purposely changed to 1662, while originally it apparently read 1867. The "correction" antedates the purchase of the manuscript by Sassoon, who gives the erroneous date in his catalog (cited below)].
A leaf at the beginning of the manuscript has a Judeo-Arabic inscription with names of officials of the Nehorai Synagogue.
The machzor comprises many bakashot and piyyutim by rabbis of Spain and North Africa, including Algiers (such as R. Avraham Tawah and R. Saadiah Zarafa).
Leaves 178-180 (in the later hand) contain an Ashkavah prayer naming dozens of rabbis of Algiers, beginning with the Rivash, Rashbatz (Tashbetz) and his descendants, until the generation of the author. The lists also includes R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai, the Chida. Leaf 183 (in the earlier hand) contains a short Ashkavah prayer headed by the following remark: "It is customary to make an Ashkavah for the rabbis, our great teacher the Rivash, our great teacher the Rashbatz and his son…". The same page has an inscription in a later hand next to the piyyut Barchi Nafshi (by R. Yehudah HaLevi), which mentions "the custom of Esnoga al-Kabira" (the Great Synagogue in Algiers).
A similar manuscript, Benayahu Ms. Z 42, contains the North African (Algerine) rite for the three festivals. The main part of that machzor was written ca. the turn of the 18th century by R. Tzemach Tzayari, for "Shem Tov Tzedakah" (who lost it and reacquired it in 1728, as he wrote on p. 79b); this machzor was also supplemented with leaves handwritten by R. Shlomo Azrad, who signs his name in a colophon dated 1866.
Another manuscript, piyyutim by North African rabbis, written earlier and completed in 1891 by R. Shlomo Azrad, was offered for auction in the Judaica Jerusalem catalog, Nisan 2012, lot 446, from the collection of Prof. Avraham Attal.
R. Shlomo Azrad (ca. 1824-1905; Malchei Yeshurun, p. 33), rabbi in Algiers, scribe and expert on the customs of the Algiers community and the laws influenced by astronomy. Author of Meorei Or (Algiers, 1893).
[337] pages (late pagination in pencil, including two leaves before title page). Pages in earlier hand: 9-24, 29-74, 83-84, 89-122, 133-134, 149-166, 183-212, 221-250, 253-258, 273-276, 283-294, 303-312, 323-328 (total of 216 pages; the rest are in the later hand). Varying size of leaves, approx. 25-27 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains (including dark stains) and wear. Tears to several leaves (some resulting from ink erosion), affecting text. Worming, slightly affecting text. Deletions on several pages. New binding.
Provenance:
1. Formerly Sassoon Ms. 972 (Ohel David, pp. 772-776).
2. Sotheby's New York, May 1981, Important Hebrew and Samaritan Manuscripts from the Collection Formed by the late David Solomon Sassoon, Lot 51.
Shaar HaShamayim siddur – prayers for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals, Yotzerot, Passover Haggadah, Piyyutim and Selichot for fast days, Tehillim and Maamadot. With Shaar HaShamayim – a kabbalistic commentary on the prayers, by R. Yeshayah HaLevi Horowitz – the Shlah. Includes an anthology of laws and practices, by the editor and publisher R. Avraham Segal Horowitz of Posen, great-grandson of the author. Amsterdam, [1717]. First edition.
Complete copy containing all parts. Four title pages; on first title page, copper engraving with illustrations of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the festivals. Divisional title pages for Tehillim and Maamadot.
The Shlah writes in his introduction to the siddur: "Blessed is G-d… Who guided me on the true path… and brought me to the holy city of Jerusalem in 1622… to the gate where prayers ascend… through the gate of heaven (Shaar HaShamayim)". In the author's will printed at the beginning of the siddur, he adds that he decided to author this work "so that it would be printed and spread throughout the Jewish diaspora, so that I would have merit and a portion in all Jewish prayers".
Most of the prayers in this siddur follow the Ashkenazi rite, apart from some prayers which were printed side by side in both Ashkenazi and Sephardi rite, as the author requested in his will (although the editor and publisher did not in fact follow all the author's textual instructions for the siddur).
Praying from this siddur has the special segulah of the prayer being accepted, as the Bach writes in his approbation to this siddur: "We have no doubt that when it is disseminated throughout the Jewish people, whoever prays from it will not have his prayer go unanswered". This segulah is repeated by Rebbe Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura in his approbation to the third edition of the siddur (Warsaw 1882). The kabbalist R. Naftali Katz, author of Semichat Chachamim, attributes this segulah to the author himself, the Shlah: "He was especially fond of this siddur, and he instructed his descendants to publish it in order to bring merit to the public by praying in this order with those kavanot. And there is a promise on his part that those who follow this order before Him Who hears prayer with all their strength and with those kavanot will not return emptyhanded…".
The Baal HaTanya reputedly followed the kavanot of the Shlah in this siddur for his prayer service during his youth (Beit Rebbe, Berditchev 1902, p. 2, chapter 1).
Complete copy. [5], 4-335; 139; 130; [1], 52 leaves. 21.5 cm. Some browned leaves. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Wear. Tears and open tears, including open tears to illustrated title page and margins of first and last leaves, slightly affecting title frame, repaired with paper. Open tear to leaf 165, affecting text (torn piece included, detached from leaf). Worming, affecting text, mainly to last leaves, partially repaired with paper filling. Early leather binding, with repairs to spine and new endpaper. Damage to binding.
CB, no. 5808,11.
Seder Tefillot LeYoshev Tehillot, siddur for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals, with Passover Haggadah and Pirkei Avot, and with Tehillim and Maamadot, according to the Ashkenazic (Polish) rite. Amsterdam: Moshe son of Avraham Mendes Coutinho, 1708.
Fine illustrated title page with various Biblical figures and scenes.
Contains year-round prayers, prayers for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hoshanot, Shir HaYichud, Chanukah, Yotzrot for the Four Parashiyot, Selichot and more.
Copy of R. Yaakov Shamash, teacher of the Chatam Sofer. Ownership inscription in his handwriting on title page: "…Yaakov Shamash, 24th Elul 1755, here in Frankfurt…".
R. Yaakov Shamash (d. 1785), a leading rabbi in Frankfurt am Main before the arrival of the Haflaah to serve as rabbi of the city. He served as head of the Beit Din and Rabbi of the Great Beit Midrash Kloiz in Frankfurt (he was the fourth signatory of the letter of Frankfurt sages regarding the Get of Cleves). He was one of the teachers of the Chatam Sofer in his early years, who refers to him with the honorific "my teacher and rabbi".
Glosses and corrections in margins and within text – possibly handwritten by R. Yaakov Shamash.
[1], 59, 65-124, [1]; 135, 93, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Browning of some leaves. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears, including to title page, repaired with paper (affecting illustrated title page), and large open tear to last leaf, affecting text. Stamps. Early leather binding (with non-original leather spine), with clasps. Damage to binding.
CB, no. 2276.
Four Spanish prayer books, printed in Amsterdam in the 17th and 18th centuries, for the use of members of the local Sephardic community, descendants of the Marranos; one bound with calendar and Five Books of the Torah in Spanish:
• Orden de las oraciones cotidianas, por estilo seguido y corriente, con las de Hanucah, Purim y ayuno del solo [year-round prayer book, with prayers for Chanukah, Purim and fast days], followed by calendar for 1687-1707. Amsterdam: David Tartas, 1669. Spanish.
Bound with:
Cinco libros de la ley divina con las Aphtarot de todo el año [Five Books of the Torah with year-round haftarot], with divisional title page for haftarot. Amsterdam: David Tartas, 1691. Spanish.
On divisional title page for haftarot, the year is given as 1697. This may be an error for 1691, which appears on the Torah section's title page.
Siddur: 615, [1] pages. Calendar: [24] pages. Torah: [1], 436, [3], [1], [433]-558 pages. 15 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Light wear. Marginal tears to several leaves. Worming to some leaves, slightly affecting text. Close trimming, slightly affecting title frames. Early leather binding, with clasps (one broken and detached), and repaired leather spine. Binding torn in middle of spine (with the book divided into two parts).
Rare edition. The prayer book is not recorded in the NLI catalogue.
• Orden de Los cinco ayunos [order of prayers for five fast days]. Amsterdam: David Tartas, 1695. Spanish.
358 pages. 16.5 cm. Gilt edges (somewhat faded). Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Signs of use. Large open tear to lower part of last leaf, affecting text. Early leather binding, with original color endpapers and clasp (second clasp lacking). Damage to binding.
• Orden de Ros-Asanah y Kipur [order of prayers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur]. Amsterdam: Yshak de Cordova, 1706. Spanish.
The printer, Yshak de Cordova, was the son of the printer R. Yaakov Chaim de Cordova of Brazil.
[2], 44, 49-369, 380-392, 395-456 pages. Mispagination. 14.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears, including open tears affecting text on several leaves. Verso of title page repaired with paper. New binding.
• Orden de las oraciones de Ros-Asanah y Kipur [order of prayers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur]. Amsterdam: Selomoh Proops, 1717. Spanish.
Title page illustrated with fine engraving, depicting biblical scenes involving women (featuring Rachel, Deborah, Hannah and others). The top of the title page depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, while the bottom of the title page depicts the Children of Israel leaving Egypt, with the caption (in Spanish): "In the merit of righteous women we left Egypt" (this siddur was evidently printed for women).
440 pages. 15 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Tears, including small open tears affecting text on several leaves. Early leather binding, with original color endpapers, and gilt decorations on spine. Wear and damage to binding (spine partially detached).
Amsterdam had a large Sephardic community in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of its members were descendants of Marranos who came from Spain and Portugal about a century after the expulsion. The present prayer books were printed for the use of those descendants of Marranos, who were not fluent in Hebrew.