Volume of manuscripts, halachic rulings, ordinances, responsa and letters – autographs and signatures of Moroccan rabbis. [Ca. 1734-1856].

Most of the volume is by rabbis of Fez, mainly of the generation of the disciples of R. Yaakov Abensour (the Yaavetz), the Beit Din of Five, R. Eliyahu HaTzarfati, R. Matitiah Serero, R. Refael Oved Abensour and their peers. In addition, there are documents dating to the time of R. Yehudah ibn Attar (Mohariba) and R. Yaakov Abensour (the Yaavetz), with their signatures and signatures of members of their Beit Din in Fez, including several important and unique documents (see below). Furthermore, the volume includes many letters and halachic rulings signed by the rabbis of Meknes, including many members of the Berdugo family: R. Refael Berdugo ("Refael HaMalach"), R. Yekutiel Berdugo, R. Petachiah Mordechai Berdugo and others. The volume also includes several halachic rulings and letters from rabbis of Sefrou, Taza, Rabat, Tétouan and Marrakesh.

The letters and documents in the present volume include:

• Booklet with halachic rulings regarding the salary of the Yaavetz in Fez, including: a copying of the commitment of the people of Fez regarding his salary as city rabbi, dated 1729; a copying of a lengthy halachic ruling, dated 1737 (after the Fez community violated its commitment to the Yaavetz; most of the ruling is hand-copied by the Yaavetz); two original halachic rulings from that year, signed by the rabbis of Meknes – one signed by R. Chaim Toledano (Maharchat), with an addition handwritten and signed by R. Avraham son of David ibn Chasin, and the other signed by R. Yaakov Toledano (Maharit) and R. Yehudah Berdugo (these rulings were published by R. Mordechai Amar in Takanot Chachmei Fez, I, pp. 501-511; for background information, see preface, pp. 58 ff.).

• Document of appraisal of courtyards in Fez, dated Elul 1734, signed by the appraisers of the Fez Beit Din, with an additional section signed by the owners of the courtyards, and a confirmation handwritten and signed by the Yaavetz.

• Ordinance dated 1742, on the obligation to bring gold to the mint for producing coins, handwritten by the Yaavetz with signatures of the Yaavetz and his peer R. Shmuel Elbaz (published in Takanot Chachmei Fez, II, p. 684; R. Shmuel Elbaz was a companion of the Or HaChaim who called him "my brother").

• Lengthy booklet, halachic rulings exempting R. Avraham Mansano from taxes, first part in scribal handwriting, signed by R. Avraham HaLevi Alfatzina and R. Yehudah HaLevi (both signed twice). In second part, lengthy responsum handwritten and signed by R. Yosef ibn Simchon, who signs in Gibraltar, Shevat 1757, with an additional confirmation signed by R. Efraim Monsonego and R. Yehudah Abudarham, in Tétouan (these rulings were published in Takanot Chachmei Fez, II, ordinance 68, paragraph 3, pp. 567-581).

• Confirmation of a halachic ruling handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Toledano of Salé ("Maharchat of Salé").

• Halachic rulings signed by rabbis of Rabat – one signed by R. Ayush Almaliach, R. Shem Tov ibn Attar, with an addition signed by R. Yosef Almaliach (son of R. Ayush; author of Tokpo Shel Yosef); and a second halachic ruling signed by R. Yosef Almaliach and his fellow dayanim R. Moshe de Avila and R. Shmuel de Avila (author of Oz VeHadar on the Talmud).

• Confirmation of a halachic ruling signed by the rabbis and kabbalists of Marrakesh: R. Yitzchak Harosh, R. Avraham son of Yaakov Pinto, R. Moshe ibn Attar, R. Shlomo Assebbag, Marrakesh, 1784; and another halachic ruling handwritten and signed by R. Avraham son of R. Yitzchak Pinto, Marrakesh, Elul 1830.

• Copying of an ordinance dated 1809, forbidding the delivery of testimony in secret, signed by the rabbis of Fez, with an additional reinforcement of the ordinance in 1818, signed by R. Yehonatan Serero and R. Refael Monsonego (published in Takanot Chachmei Fez, I, ordinance 92, pp. 531-532).

Other signatories in the present volume include: R. Yaakov ibn Malka, R. Moshe son of R. Shmuel Elbaz, R. Moshe Adahan, R. Yehudah ibn Attar the second, R. Refael David ibn Attar, R. Shmuel Avraham ibn Zimra, R. Shaul Serero, R. Yaakov Abensour the second, R. Shmuel Eliyahu Abensour (Shaavetz), R. Yaakov Serero, R. Reuven Serero, R. Vidal HaTzarfati, R. Avraham Susan, R. Yaakov HaKohen Alchadad, R. Yosef Ashriki, R. Chaim David Serero, R. Shlomo Toledano, R. Maimon Berdugo, R. Moshe Tobi, R. Mordechai Berdugo, R. Yaakov Berdugo, R. Moshe Maimran, R. Avraham Monsonego, R. Menachem Nahon, R. Shem Tov ibn Walid, R. Yehudah Abudarham, R. Yedidiah Moshe Monsonego, R. Yehudah Elbaz, R. Amor Abitbul, R. Shmuel HaLevi ibn Yuli, R. Yitzchak Abensour, R. Avraham Chalawa, R. David ibn Gigi, R. Saadiah Alhabuz, R. Menachem son of David Gigi, and others.

[127] leaves (including several blank leaves). Approx. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears. Worming. Open tears and damage to several leaves, affecting text. Detached leaves and gatherings. Original leather binding, with worming, damage and tears.

Provenance:

1. The Abensour Family Collection, Fez, Morocco.

2. The Victor Klagsbald Collection – Morocco, no. 12.

Reference: Victor Klagsbald, Catalogue des manuscrits marocains de la collection Klagsbald, Paris, 1980, pp. 36-38.

Manuscript Collection of Moroccan Rabbis – The Abensour Family

In the 1960s, the Klagsbald collection was supplemented by a particularly important collection – the manuscripts of the Abensour (Ibn Tzur) family of Fez. The collection contains many volumes comprising halachic rulings and correspondence of leading Moroccan rabbis, centering around the figure of R. Yaakov Abensour, the Yaavetz, a leading Moroccan Torah scholar and Rabbi of Fez, and an ancestor of the family. The collection was painstakingly assembled by R. Refael Abensour the youngest (see below) and was held in its entirety by the Abensour family in Fez until its purchase by Victor Klagsbald. This collection is of inestimable importance as an immense and rare compilation of the Torah teachings and halachic rulings of generations of Moroccan rabbis, kept in its entirety over many generations. Many parts of this collection have yet to be studied and published. Furthermore, the present collection preserves an unparalleled, comprehensive assemblage of autograph manuscripts – handwritten by the leading rabbis of Morocco, with their unique, calligraphic signatures.

R. Yaakov Abensour – the Yaavetz

The centerpiece of the collection is comprised of numerous halachic rulings and autographs by R. Yaakov Abensour, the Yaavetz (1673-1752; Malchei Rabanan, pp. 64-65), a most prominent and illustrious figure of Moroccan Jewry. A leading halachic authority of his generation (the generation of the holy Or HaChaim and his teachers), a poet and a kabbalist, also well versed in practical kabbalah. At the age of twenty, he was appointed scribe of the Beit Din of R. Vidal HaTzarfati, R. Menachem Serero and R. Yehudah ibn Attar in Fez. He then authored Et Sofer – laws and customs of halachic documents. With the passing of R. Vidal HaTzarfati, R. Yehudah ibn Attar was appointed head of the Beit Din and the Yaavetz became his fellow dayan.

The Yaavetz (along with R. Yehudah ibn Attar and other leading Torah scholars of the generation) authored the approbation to Chefetz Hashem by R. Chaim ibn Attar, the Or HaChaim (printed in Amsterdam, 1732). Following R. Yehudah ibn Attar's passing, the Yaavetz succeeded him as head of the Fez Beit Din, and became the supreme authority in Morocco, responding to halachic queries from throughout the Maghreb. The Yaavetz was compelled to leave Fez several times. Between 1719-1728 he resided in Meknes, and during the famine of 1738, he wandered to Tétouan. In these places he was also received with great honor and joined the local rabbis in the Beit Din, even heading the list of signatories on Beit Din rulings. In his later years, he appointed five of his disciples to assist him in leading the community, who became known as "the Beit Din of Five", serving as the leaders of the community in his old age and after his passing. He wrote numerous halachic responsa and other works. Some of his responsa were published in his two-part book Mishpat UTzedakah BeYaakov (printed in No Amon, Alexandria, Egypt, 1894 and 1903), some were published in the books of his contemporaries, and the rest remain in manuscript form.

The Yaavetz was renowned for his poetical talents, demonstrated in the poetry collections he authored, including his renowned book Et Lechol Chefetz (No Amon, 1893), containing some four hundred piyyutim and poems he composed. The Chida describes him and his works in Shem HaGedolim, and also mentions the Yaavetz's practice of annotating his books with numerous glosses: "…He authored numerous works, and beyond the many books he authored, all his books are replete with his marginal notes. And he was also acquainted with practical kabbalah" (Maarechet Gedolim, Yud, 256); "Et Sofer, manuscript, authored by R. Yaakov Abensour, regarding the correct way of writing halachic documents, and he authored numerous works… and he also wrote extensively in the pages of his books, and he was well versed in all the customs of the rabbis who were exiled from Spain during the expulsion, and he left no topic untreated, major or minor…" (Maarechet Sefarim, Ayin, 31).

Descendants of the Yaavetz, the Abensour Family – Rabbis of Fez

R. Yaakov Abensour was succeeded by generation after generation of leading Torah scholars in Fez. Their handwriting and signatures appear in the present volumes:

R. Refael Oved Abensour (1706-1769; Malchei Rabanan, p. 105a), son of R. Yaakov Abensour, and the only of seventeen sons to outlive his father. Already during his father's lifetime (starting in 1750) he began to serve as dayan in the "Beit Din of Five" in Fez.

His son, R. Shlomo Shmuel Abensour (d. 1792; Malchei Rabanan, p. 122a), served as dayan in Fez alongside R. Eliyahu HaTzarfati and R. Matitiah Serero.

R. Shlomo Shmuel Abensour had two sons: R. Yaakov Abensour (the second; d. 1850; Malchei Rabanan, p. 65a), whose son was R. Shlomo Eliyahu Abensour (1822-1873; Malchei Rabanan, p. 116a), a rabbi of Fez, an author and a proofreader.

R. Shlomo Shmuel's second son was R. Refael Abensour (d. 1826; Malchei Rabanan, p. 105a), dayan in Fez, author of Zikaron Livnei Yisrael and other works.

His son, R. Shlomo Abensour (1805-1843; Malchei Rabanan, p. 116a), a rabbi of Fez, author of Pnei Shlomo on the Shulchan Aruch, Zivchei Ratzon on the laws of shechitah, and more.

His son, R. Refael Abensour the youngest (1830-1916; Malchei Rabanan, p. 105b), succeeded his progenitors as Rabbi of Fez. Author of responsa and novellae, and editor of his ancestors' writings.

The Work of Rabbi Refael Abensour the Youngest and the Present Collection

One of the great undertakings of R. Refael Abensour (the youngest) was the gathering and preservation of the writings of Moroccan rabbis. He was an avid bibliophile and possessed an important library comprising manuscripts and books he inherited from his forebears, supplemented with books and manuscripts he purchased or otherwise attained.

According to Malchei Rabanan (p. 105b), "Out of his love for Jewish literature, he collected many books in all areas of the Torah, in addition to numerous books he inherited from his holy forebears, and he left behind a large treasury full of books, including some manuscript books of the rishonim. And he would never ignore even a single manuscript leaf; he gathered dispersed leaves and bound them into volumes until eventually he left behind many volumes".

The Dovev Siftei Yeshenim society was established ca. 1890, with the goal of publishing the works of his ancestors and other rabbis of Morocco. This society was established by R. Refael Aharon son of Shimon, a Moroccan-born rabbi in Egypt. R. Refael Abensour was the driving force behind the society, and his library of manuscripts formed the basis for its publications. The important books published included Responsa Mishpat UTzedakah BeYaakov, printed in two volumes in No Amon (1894-1903). This book, featuring the halachic rulings of R. Yaakov Abensour, is effectively a highly important treasury of edicts, responsa and halachic rulings by generations of Moroccan rabbis from various cities, from the 16th century through the generation of the Yaavetz and concluding with the generation after the Yaavetz, when the Beit Din of Five flourished in Fez. The book is a diverse repository of halachic rulings of the great Moroccan rabbis of those generations. Many of the rulings included therein were printed from the collected volumes presented here, deriving from the collection of R. Refael Abensour (all volumes contain inscriptions in his handwriting, including pagination and catalogue numbering of the volumes). Nonetheless, many of the halachic rulings and responsa in the present items have not yet been published.

These volumes, collected by R. Refael Abensour, feature the handwriting and signatures of celebrated rabbis of Morocco, including the teachers of the Yaavetz and leading rabbis of Fez in the preceding generation, as well as leading rabbis of Morocco who were associates of the Yaavetz in Torah learning and friendship, some of whom also served as his fellow dayanim, especially in Meknes, where the Yaavetz stayed several years and served as dayan.

Other Important Rabbis of Fez whose Handwriting and Signatures Are Featured in These Volumes

Other notable Fez rabbis of the late 17th century whose signatures appear in the present catalogue include: R. Saadia ben R. Shmuel Ibn Danan (the third, passed away in 1680; Malchei Rabanan, p. 101), R. Shaul ben R. Saadia Ibn Danan (passed away in 1689; Malchei Rabanan, p. 111); R. Yehuda Uziel (the third, passed away in 1689; Malchei Rabanan, p. 51), R. Emmanuel Serero (Malchei Rabanan, pp. 102-103), and others.

The teacher of the Yaavetz – R. Yehudah ibn Attar, Mohariba (1655-1733; Malchei Rabanan, leaves 46-47), a prominent rabbi of Morocco and chief of the rabbis of Fez, author of Minchat Yehudah. Moroccan Jews referred to him as "Rabbi Elkabir" (the great rabbi) and tell many wondrous tales of him. The Chida writes of him in Shem HaGedolim: "Miracles were a common occurrence for him, and I have heard several wonders that were performed for him both during his lifetime and after his passing, both for those who prayed at his gravesite as well as those who swore in his name… I heard from the holy rabbis of North Africa… that he was thrown to the lions and saved after he stayed there a day and a night, and there was a great sanctification of G-d's name. All people would swear oaths in his name, and those who swore falsely would die…".

Other leading rabbis of Fez from the generation preceding the Yaavetz are: R. Menachem Serero (d. 1701; Malchei Rabanan leaf 83), teacher of R. Yehudah ibn Attar and the Yaavetz; R. Vidal HaTzarfati (the third, 1631-1704; Malchei Rabanan p. 31a), another teacher of the Yaavetz.

Also appearing in the present catalogue are the rulings and signatures of the dayanim of Fez from the generation of the Mohariba (R. Yehuda ibn Attar) and the Yaavetz (R. Yaakov ibn Tzur), including R. Shmuel Elbaz, the Rashba (1698-1749; Malchei Rabanan, pp. 120-121), one of the great sages of Fez and a close companion of the Or HaChaim HaKadosh (R. Chaim Ben Attar). The Chida (R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai) writes about him in Shem HaGedolim (entry: Oz VeHadar): And I heard from disciples of his disciples how great he was in deep, straightforward study in halachic ruling, and he was fluent in what he had learned… R. Chaim ibn Attar, in his Pri Toar, calls him 'my brother'…".

The collection also includes halachic rulings and signatures of dayanim of the "Beit Din of Five in Fez", which was active after the Yaavetz under his disciples, including: R. Eliyahu HaTzarfati (1715-1805; Malchei Rabanan p. 20b), R. Shaul ibn Danan (Malchei Rabanan p. 111b), R. Moshe ibn Zimra (d. 1778; Malchei Rabanan leaves 89-90) and R. Matitiah Serero (d. before 1790; Malchei Rabanan p. 98a). Also included are halachic rulings and signatures of other leading rabbis of Fez, such as: R. Immanuel Serero (b. 1705; Malchei Rabanan p. 103a), R. Avraham ibn Danan (Malchei Rabanan p. 16b), R. Shalom Edre'I (Malchei Rabanan p. 112b), R. Saadiah ibn Danan (Malchei Rabanan leaf 101), R. Yehudah son of R. Yosef HaLevi (Malchei Rabanan p. 45a), R. Maimon Aflalo (Malchei Rabanan p. 81a), R. Yaakov ibn Malka (d. 1771; Malchei Rabanan p. 64a), and others.

Rabbis of the Berdugo Family of Meknes

The illustrious Berdugo family, one of the most distinguished families in Morocco, arrived with the Spanish exiles between 1492-1497, and its descendants settled mainly in Meknes. A family tradition traces their lineage to King David. The Berdugo family produced generation after generation of rabbis, yeshiva deans and community leaders up to our own times.

The prominent members of the Berdugo family whose handwriting and signatures appear in the present volume include:

R. Moshe Berdugo, "HaRav HaMashbir" (1679-1731; Malchei Rabanan p. 94b) – Rabbi of Meknes, author of Rosh Mashbir and other works. A leading Torah scholar and posek of Morocco. The Or HaChaim was a disciple and peer of his and mentions him in his works. In Chefetz Hashem (Shabbat 10b) the Or HaChaim writes that he and R. Moshe Berdugo conceived of the same idea simultaneously through "actual ruach hakodesh", calling him "my brother, leader of sages, R. Moshe Berdugo whose soul is bound with mine". The Chida (Shem HaGedolim, entry Mashbir) relates that the Or HaChaim praised him for his straightforwardness and depth of study. The Mashbir was a close friend of R. Yaakov Abensour and served alongside him in the local Beit Din (while the latter was in Meknes in 1718-1719), and their influence was felt throughout Morocco.

R. Mordechai Berdugo, "HaRav HaMarbitz" (1715-1762; Malchei Rabanan p. 87b), also known as "Mordechai the Tzaddik". A cousin of R. Moshe Berdugo (the Mashbir), as well as his disciple and son-in-law. A leading rabbi of Meknes and a leader of Moroccan Jewry after the passing of the Mashbir. After the passing of his brother R. Yehudah Berdugo, he was appointed dayan in the "Beit Din of three" in Meknes, together with R. Chaim Toledano (Maharchat) and his brother R. Yaakov Toledano (Maharit).

R. Yehudah Berdugo (1690-1744; Malchei Rabanan p. 44a) – disciple of the Mashbir, elder brother of the Marbitz, and member of the Meknes Beit Din. He was a peer of the Or HaChaim. He authored Mayim Amukim, a work so profound that commentaries were written to explain it (Malchei Rabanan, ibid.).

R. Yekutiel Berdugo (1736-1802; Malchei Rabanan p. 78b), son and disciple of the Marbitz. He succeeded his father as dayan in Meknes, serving in the Meknes "Beit Din of three" and later appointed its head. R. Yekutiel Berdugo's sons: R. Petachiah Mordechai Berdugo (1764-1820), dayan and yeshiva dean in Meknes, and a leading Torah scholar of the city. He authored Pituchei Chotam and Nofet Tzufim. R. Yaakov Berdugo (1786-1843), leading Torah scholar in Meknes and head of the Meknes Beit Din. Famed for his wisdom and holiness, he was known in his generation as "the Chacham", and wondrous tales are told of his doings. He authored Shufreh DeYaakov, Kol Yaakov and other books.

R. Refael Berdugo (1746-1822; Malchei Rabanan leaves 106-107) known as "the angel Refael" for his exceptional holiness (see Malchei Rabanan, ibid.). He was the son and disciple of

Collection of parchment and paper amulets from the collection of the Abensour family in Morocco, with amulets written for rabbis of the family [ca. 18th and 19th centuries]:

• Paper amulet, written for "R. Yaakov", for protection, removal of the evil eye, for opening the heart to study Torah in "Tanach, Talmud Yerushalmi and Bavli, Midrash, Tosefta, Sifra and Sifrei, the reasons of the Torah, the secrets of the Torah and the depths of the Torah…". [Western script, ca. 18th century].

At the beginning, "R. Yaakov son of…" was written with a space left blank for the mother. The name is written later in the amulet: "This man, Yaakov son of Miriam". Later, in the three lines on verso, appears the name "Yaakov son of Miriam son[!] of Sarah".

The amulet comes from the collection of the Abensour family in Fez; the person for whom the amulet was written may have been R. Yaakov Abensour – the Yaavetz, Rabbi of Fez, leading Moroccan Torah scholar.

• Parchment amulet, with various permutations of Hebrew letters, and verses for protection: "Ben Porat Yosef…", with the name "Reuven Abensour" (this was the name of the father of the Yaavetz).

• Parchment "alphabet" amulet (dark parchment), with various permutations of Hebrew letters and vowels, with verses for blessing and protection, and the caption: "Alphabet of the dear child Shlomo Abensour… may he see offspring and live long, may he merit tefillin and Torah, mitzvot and good deeds, marriage in the lifetime of his father and mother…" followed by verses for protection (this R. Shlomo Abensour appears to be R. Shlomo the second, son of R. Refael the second, great-grandson of the Yaavetz; other Torah scholars in his family were named Shlomo Shmuel or Shlomo Eliyahu).

• Parchment amulet, in long and narrow format, with a Star of David ("Seal of Solomon") at the top, with many Holy Names and a table of permutations of letters. On verso, inscription on benefit of amulet: "Healing and protection from heaven against all kinds of disasters and damagers… male and female demons, male and female liliths… and all kinds of fear, terror, shaking, trembling, shock… heartache, weakening of hands and breaking of loins… and sickness, and from every kind of evil eye for one who bears this amulet…" (here only the word "daughter of" remains, with the names of the woman and her mother erased).

• Paper amulet, permutations of Holy Names. [Square script, written on both sides].

5 amulets. Varying size and condition.

Provenance:

1. The Abensour Family Collection, Fez, Morocco.

2. The Victor Klagsbald Collection.

Manuscript Collection of Moroccan Rabbis – The Abensour Family
In the 1960s, the Klagsbald collection was supplemented by a particularly important collection – the manuscripts of the Abensour (Ibn Tzur) family of Fez. The collection contains many volumes comprising halachic rulings and correspondence of leading Moroccan rabbis, centering around the figure of R. Yaakov Abensour, the Yaavetz, a leading Moroccan Torah scholar and Rabbi of Fez, and an ancestor of the family. The collection was painstakingly assembled by R. Refael Abensour the youngest (see below) and was held in its entirety by the Abensour family in Fez until its purchase by Victor Klagsbald. This collection is of inestimable importance as an immense and rare compilation of the Torah teachings and halachic rulings of generations of Moroccan rabbis, kept in its entirety over many generations. Many parts of this collection have yet to be studied and published. Furthermore, the present collection preserves an unparalleled, comprehensive assemblage of autograph manuscripts – handwritten by the leading rabbis of Morocco, with their unique, calligraphic signatures.

R. Yaakov Abensour – the Yaavetz
The centerpiece of the collection is comprised of numerous halachic rulings and autographs by R. Yaakov Abensour, the Yaavetz (1673-1752; Malchei Rabanan, pp. 64-65), a most prominent and illustrious figure of Moroccan Jewry. A leading halachic authority of his generation (the generation of the holy Or HaChaim and his teachers), a poet and a kabbalist, also well versed in practical kabbalah. At the age of twenty, he was appointed scribe of the Beit Din of R. Vidal HaTzarfati, R. Menachem Serero and R. Yehudah ibn Attar in Fez. He then authored Et Sofer – laws and customs of halachic documents. With the passing of R. Vidal HaTzarfati, R. Yehudah ibn Attar was appointed head of the Beit Din and the Yaavetz became his fellow dayan.
The Yaavetz (along with R. Yehudah ibn Attar and other leading Torah scholars of the generation) authored the approbation to Chefetz Hashem by R. Chaim ibn Attar, the Or HaChaim (printed in Amsterdam, 1732). Following R. Yehudah ibn Attar's passing, the Yaavetz succeeded him as head of the Fez Beit Din, and became the supreme authority in Morocco, responding to halachic queries from throughout the Maghreb. The Yaavetz was compelled to leave Fez several times. Between 1719-1728 he resided in Meknes, and during the famine of 1738, he wandered to Tétouan. In these places he was also received with great honor and joined the local rabbis in the Beit Din, even heading the list of signatories on Beit Din rulings. In his later years, he appointed five of his disciples to assist him in leading the community, who became known as "the Beit Din of Five", serving as the leaders of the community in his old age and after his passing. He wrote numerous halachic responsa and other works. Some of his responsa were published in his two-part book Mishpat UTzedakah BeYaakov (printed in No Amon, Alexandria, Egypt, 1894 and 1903), some were published in the books of his contemporaries, and the rest remain in manuscript form.
The Yaavetz was renowned for his poetical talents, demonstrated in the poetry collections he authored, including his renowned book Et Lechol Chefetz (No Amon, 1893), containing some four hundred piyyutim and poems he composed. The Chida describes him and his works in Shem HaGedolim, and also mentions the Yaavetz's practice of annotating his books with numerous glosses: "…He authored numerous works, and beyond the many books he authored, all his books are replete with his marginal notes. And he was also acquainted with practical kabbalah" (Maarechet Gedolim, Yud, 256); "Et Sofer, manuscript, authored by R. Yaakov Abensour, regarding the correct way of writing halachic documents, and he authored numerous works… and he also wrote extensively in the pages of his books, and he was well versed in all the customs of the rabbis who were exiled from Spain during the expulsion, and he left no topic untreated, major or minor…" (Maarechet Sefarim, Ayin, 31).

Descendants of the Yaavetz, the Abensour Family – Rabbis of Fez
R. Yaakov Abensour was succeeded by generation after generation of leading Torah scholars in Fez. Their handwriting and signatures appear in the present volumes:
R. Refael Oved Abensour (1706-1769; Malchei Rabanan, p. 105a), son of R. Yaakov Abensour, and the only of seventeen sons to outlive his father. Already during his father's lifetime (starting in 1750) he began to serve as dayan in the "Beit Din of Five" in Fez.
His son, R. Shlomo Shmuel Abensour (d. 1792; Malchei Rabanan, p. 122a), served as dayan in Fez alongside R. Eliyahu HaTzarfati and R. Matitiah Serero.
R. Shlomo Shmuel Abensour had two sons: R. Yaakov Abensour (the second; d. 1850; Malchei Rabanan, p. 65a), whose son was R. Shlomo Eliyahu Abensour (1822-1873; Malchei Rabanan, p. 116a), a rabbi of Fez, an author and a proofreader.
R. Shlomo Shmuel's second son was R. Refael Abensour (d. 1826; Malchei Rabanan, p. 105a), dayan in Fez, author of Zikaron Livnei Yisrael and other works.
His son, R. Shlomo Abensour (1805-1843; Malchei Rabanan, p. 116a), a rabbi of Fez, author of Pnei Shlomo on the Shulchan Aruch, Zivchei Ratzon on the laws of shechitah, and more.
His son, R. Refael Abensour the youngest (1830-1916; Malchei Rabanan, p. 105b), succeeded his progenitors as Rabbi of Fez. Author of responsa and novellae, and editor of his ancestors' writings.

The Work of Rabbi Refael Abensour the Youngest and the Present Collection
One of the great undertakings of R. Refael Abensour (the youngest) was the gathering and preservation of the writings of Moroccan rabbis. He was an avid bibliophile and possessed an important library comprising manuscripts and books he inherited from his forebears, supplemented with books and manuscripts he purchased or otherwise attained.
According to Malchei Rabanan (p. 105b), "Out of his love for Jewish literature, he collected many books in all areas of the Torah, in addition to numerous books he inherited from his holy forebears, and he left behind a large treasury full of books, including some manuscript books of the rishonim. And he would never ignore even a single manuscript leaf; he gathered dispersed leaves and bound them into volumes until eventually he left behind many volumes".
The Dovev Siftei Yeshenim society was established ca. 1890, with the goal of publishing the works of his ancestors and other rabbis of Morocco. This society was established by R. Refael Aharon son of Shimon, a Moroccan-born rabbi in Egypt. R. Refael Abensour was the driving force behind the society, and his library of manuscripts formed the basis for its publications. The important books published included Responsa Mishpat UTzedakah BeYaakov, printed in two volumes in No Amon (1894-1903). This book, featuring the halachic rulings of R. Yaakov Abensour, is effectively a highly important treasury of edicts, responsa and halachic rulings by generations of Moroccan rabbis from various cities, from the 16th century through the generation of the Yaavetz and concluding with the generation after the Yaavetz, when the Beit Din of Five flourished in Fez. The book is a diverse repository of halachic rulings of the great Moroccan rabbis of those generations. Many of the rulings included therein were printed from the collected volumes presented here, deriving from the collection of R. Refael Abensour (all volumes contain inscriptions in his handwriting, including pagination and catalogue numbering of the volumes). Nonetheless, many of the halachic rulings and responsa in the present items have not yet been published.
These volumes, collected by R. Refael Abensour, feature the handwriting and signatures of celebrated rabbis of Morocco, including the teachers of the Yaavetz and leading rabbis of Fez in the preceding generation, as well as leading rabbis of Morocco who were associates of the Yaavetz in Torah learning and friendship, some of whom also served as his fellow dayanim, especially in Meknes, where the Yaavetz stayed several years and served as dayan.

Other Important Rabbis of Fez whose Handwriting and Signatures Are Featured in These Volumes
Other notable Fez rabbis of the late 17th century whose signatures appear in the present catalogue include: R. Saadia ben R. Shmuel Ibn Danan (the third, passed away in 1680; Malchei Rabanan, p. 101), R. Shaul ben R. Saadia Ibn Danan (passed away in 1689; Malchei Rabanan, p. 111); R. Yehuda Uziel (the third, passed away in 1689; Malchei Rabanan, p. 51), R. Emmanuel Serero (Malchei Rabanan, pp. 102-103), and others.
The teacher of the Yaavetz – R. Yehudah ibn Attar, Mohariba (1655-1733; Malchei Rabanan, leaves 46-47), a prominent rabbi of Morocco and chief of the rabbis of Fez, author of Minchat Yehudah. Moroccan Jews referred to him as "Rabbi Elkabir" (the great rabbi) and tell many wondrous tales of him. The Chida writes of him in Shem HaGedolim: "Miracles were a common occurrence for him, and I have heard several wonders that were performed for him both during his lifetime and after his passing, both for those who prayed at his gravesite as well as those who swore in his name… I heard from the holy rabbis of North Africa… that he was thrown to the lions and saved after he stayed there a day and a night, and there was a great sanctification of G-d's name. All people would swear oaths in his name, and those who swore falsely would die…".
Other leading rabbis of Fez from the generation preceding the Yaavetz are: R. Menachem Serero (d. 1701; Malchei Rabanan leaf 83), teacher of R. Yehudah ibn Attar and the Yaavetz; R. Vidal HaTzarfati (the third, 1631-1704; Malchei Rabanan p. 31a), another teacher of the Yaavetz.
Also appearing in the present catalogue are the rulings and signatures of the dayanim of Fez from the generation of the Mohariba (R. Yehuda ibn Attar) and the Yaavetz (R. Yaakov ibn Tzur), including R. Shmuel Elbaz, the Rashba (1698-1749; Malchei Rabanan, pp. 120-121), one of the great sages of Fez and a close companion of the Or HaChaim HaKadosh (R. Chaim Ben Attar). The Chida (R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai) writes about him in Shem HaGedolim (entry: Oz VeHadar): And I heard from disciples of his disciples how great he was in deep, straightforward study in halachic ruling, and he was fluent in what he had learned… R. Chaim ibn Attar, in his Pri Toar, calls him 'my brother'…".
The collection also includes halachic rulings and signatures of dayanim of the "Beit Din of Five in Fez", which was active after the Yaavetz under his disciples, including: R. Eliyahu HaTzarfati (1715-1805; Malchei Rabanan p. 20b), R. Shaul ibn Danan (Malchei Rabanan p. 111b), R. Moshe ibn Zimra (d. 1778; Malchei Rabanan leaves 89-90) and R. Matitiah Serero (d. before 1790; Malchei Rabanan p. 98a). Also included are halachic rulings and signatures of other leading rabbis of Fez, such as: R. Immanuel Serero (b. 1705; Malchei Rabanan p. 103a), R. Avraham ibn Danan (Malchei Rabanan p. 16b), R. Shalom Edre'I (Malchei Rabanan p. 112b), R. Saadiah ibn Danan (Malchei Rabanan leaf 101), R. Yehudah son of R. Yosef HaLevi (Malchei Rabanan p. 45a), R. Maimon Aflalo (Malchei Rabanan p. 81a), R. Yaakov ibn Malka (d. 1771; Malchei Rabanan p. 64a), and others.

Rabbis of the Berdugo Family of Meknes
The illustrious Berdugo family, one of the most distinguished families in Morocco, arrived with the Spanish exiles between 1492-1497, and its descendants settled mainly in Meknes. A family tradition traces their lineage to King David. The Berdugo family produced generation after generation of rabbis, yeshiva deans and community leaders up to our own times.
The prominent members of the Berdugo family whose handwriting and signatures appear in the present volume include:
R. Moshe Berdugo, "HaRav HaMashbir" (1679-1731; Malchei Rabanan p. 94b) – Rabbi of Meknes, author of Rosh Mashbir and other works. A leading Torah scholar and posek of Morocco. The Or HaChaim was a disciple and peer of his and mentions him in his works. In Chefetz Hashem (Shabbat 10b) the Or HaChaim writes that he and R. Moshe Berdugo conceived of the same idea simultaneously through "actual ruach hakodesh", calling him "my brother, leader of sages, R. Moshe Berdugo whose soul is bound with mine". The Chida (Shem HaGedolim, entry Mashbir) relates that the Or HaChaim praised him for his straightforwardness and depth of study. The Mashbir was a close friend of R. Yaakov Abensour and served alongside him in the local Beit Din (while the latter was in Meknes in 1718-1719), and their influence was felt throughout Morocco.
R. Mordechai Berdugo, "HaRav HaMarbitz" (1715-1762; Malchei Rabanan p. 87b), also known as "Mordechai the Tzaddik". A cousin of R. Moshe Berdugo (the Mashbir), as well as his disciple and son-in-law. A leading rabbi of Meknes and a leader of Moroccan Jewry after the passing of the Mashbir. After the passing of his brother R. Yehudah Berdugo, he was appointed dayan in the "Beit Din of three" in Meknes, together with R. Chaim Toledano (Maharchat) and his brother R. Yaakov Toledano (Maharit).
R. Yehudah Berdugo (1690-1744; Malchei Rabanan p. 44a) – disciple of the Mashbir, elder brother of the Marbitz, and member of the Meknes Beit Din. He was a peer of the Or HaChaim. He authored Mayim Amukim, a work so profound that commentaries were written to explain it (Malchei Rabanan, ibid.).
R. Yekutiel Berdugo (1736-1802; Malchei Rabanan p. 78b), son and disciple of the Marbitz. He succeeded his father as dayan in Meknes, serving in the Meknes "Beit Din of three" and later appointed its head. R. Yekutiel Berdugo's sons: R. Petachiah Mordechai Berdugo (1764-1820), dayan and yeshiva dean in Meknes, and a leading Torah scholar of the city. He authored Pituchei Chotam and Nofet Tzufim. R. Yaakov Berdugo (1786-1843), leading Torah scholar in Meknes and head of the Meknes Beit Din. Famed for his wisdom and holiness, he was known in his generation as "the Chacham", and wondrous tales are told of his doings. He authored Shufreh DeYaakov, Kol Yaakov and other books.
R. Refael Berdugo (1746-1822; Malchei Rabanan leaves 106-107) known as "the angel Refael" for his exceptional holiness (see Malchei Rabanan, ibid.). He was the son and disciple of R. Mordechai Berdugo (the Marbitz), and also studied under R. Yekutiel Berdugo, a leading Torah scholar of the city. His nephew R. Yaakov son of R. Yekutiel Berdugo writes of him in a responsum that "even during his lifetime, all the Torah scholars of the generation would obey him as if he were Moses speaking in the name of G-d" (Shufreh DeYaakov 26). According to Malchei Rabanan (ibid.), "all the rabbis of North Africa drank the waters of his Torah teachings…".
R. Refael Berdugo's son: R. Maimon Berdugo, "HaRav HaMevin" (1767-1824; Malchei Rabanan leaf 81), a rabbi of Fez, author of Lev Mevin and Pnei Mevin.

Rabbis of the Toledano Family of Meknes
The Toledano family, a distinguished and venerable family originating in Toledo, Spain, produced many leading rabbis and Torah scholars in Morocco. From the 16th century, the family began to be concentrated in Meknes where they became rabbis, dayanim and Torah disseminators.
The prominent members of the Toledano family whose handwriting and signatures appear in the present volume include:
R. Moshe (son of R. Chaim) Toledano (ca. 1644-1723; Malchei Rabanan leaves 94-95), served as dayan alongside his brother R. Chaviv (son of R. Chaim) Toledano (1658-1716; Malchei Rabanan leaf 32), and both were leaders of the Meknes community.
R. Chaim Toledano, Maharchat (ca. 1687-1750; Malchei Rabanan leaf 37), disciple of R. Moshe Berdugo (the Mashbir), served as dayan in Meknes alongside R. Yaakov Abensour, the Mashbir and R. Moshe Adhan, and was later appointed Rabbi and head of the Beit Din. Author of Responsa Chok UMishpat, Etz HaDaat on the Talmud and Tur, and other works.
R. Yaakov Toledano, Maharit (1690-1771; Malchei Rabanan leaf 69). Disciple of the Mashbir. In 1730, after R. Yaakov Abensour departed from Meknes, his teacher appointed him dayan in his Beit Din. After the passing of his brother R. Chaim Toledano in 1750, he succeeded him as Rabbi and head of the Beit Din. According to Malchei Rabanan, he was considered the primary halachic authority in North Africa. Author of Ohel Yaakov and other works.
His sons were R. Moshe Toledano (d. 1778; Malchei Rabanan leaf 95) and R. Baruch Toledano (1738-1817; Malchei Rabanan p. 24b).
R. Moshe (son of R. Daniel) Toledano, Maharmat (1724-1773; Malchei Rabanan p. 95a). Disciple of R. Mordechai Berdugo and R. Chaim Toledano, he was a leading rabbi of Meknes. He authored Melechet HaKodesh, HaShamayim HaChadashim, Mishchat Kodesh and other books. In 1769 he was appointed dayan in the great Beit Din of Meknes alongside R. Shlomo Toledano (Maharshat; his cousin) and R. Yekutiel Berdugo, and for the first two years of his office, also R. Yaakov Toledano (Maharit). After the Maharit's passing, their Beit Din was known as the Meknes "Beit Din of three".
R. Shlomo Toledano, Maharshat (1789; Malchei Rabanan p. 116b), disciple of R. Yaakov Toledano.

Passover Haggadah with illustrations. Augsburg: Chaim son of David Shachor, 1534.

Passover Haggadah, with woodcut illustrations, one of the earliest illustrated Haggadot to be printed. The Haggadah originally comprises four large illustrations, and nine small illustrations (effectively four different small illustrations, repeated). The present copy lacks the title page and five other leaves in the middle. All four large illustrations and six of the small illustrations are present, three of the small illustrations are lacking (two illustrations on the Four Sons leaf, and another illustration after the Gaal Yisrael blessing).

The first large illustration features several people sitting around a table, and the second similar illustration features a family sitting around a table. The next two illustrations, printed on the leaf with Kiddush and Havdalah, feature a hunter with his dogs chasing hares (in the first illustration, the dogs chase the hares into a net, and the second shows the hares having escaped the net, watching the dogs from the other side; this has been taken by some as an allegory for the Jewish people's escape from their persecutors). The motif of the hare hunted by a dog appears in several illustrated Haggadah manuscripts, and also in the Prague 1527 Haggadah, and its origin appears to be in the mnemonic Yaknehaz for the order of blessings for a combined Kiddush and Havdalah, which phonetically resembles the German Jagen-hase ("hare hunting").

Colophon on last leaf: "Order of Pesach completed, today, Sunday, 3rd Shevat, Chaim son of David [=1534] the typesetter".

Between second and third leaves of fifth gathering, three handwritten leaves bound (in neat Italian semi-cursive script, ca. date of printing), with end of the piyyut Pesach Mitzrayim Asirai Yatzu Chofshim and the piyyut MiBeit Aven Shevet Medanai.

Incomplete copy. [18] leaves. Originally: i-vi4 ([24] leaves). Lacking [6] leaves: i1 (title page), ii1, and gathering iv (4 leaves). With [3] handwritten leaves between second and third leaves of gathering v. 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Tears and open tears, affecting text on several leaves, repaired with paper. Open tears from ink erosion, affecting text, on handwritten leaves. New binding.

R. Chaim Shachor was a distinguished printer in the early Hebrew press in Europe outside of Italy, and one of the first printers in Prague. He founded the first Hebrew press in Germany (Augsburg), and later founded the first Hebrew press in Lublin. He was active in Prague ca. 1515-1526 (he is claimed to have been involved in the woodcut designs for the Prague 1527 Haggadah, although the evidence is inconclusive). Next he settled in Oels, Silesia (present-day Oleśnica, Poland), where he printed several books. In 1534 he moved to Augsburg, where he established his press. In his press in Augsburg, only about 10 Hebrew titles were printed. Later (in 1543), he and his family moved to Ichenhausen, where he also printed several books; he then printed several books in Heddernheim. Ca. 1547 he reached Lublin, where he established the first Hebrew press in the city (see: A.M. Habermann, HaMadpis Chaim Shachor, Beno Yitzchak VeChatano Yosef ben R. Yakar, Kiryat Sefer XXXI, p. 491).

The present edition is particularly rare, and there are only two other known extant copies: a complete copy on parchment in the British Library, and another paper copy in the JTS Library in New York. To the best of our knowledge, this Haggadah has never before been put up for auction.

Otzar HaHaggadot 11.

C. Roth, HaHaggadah HaMetzuyeret ShebiDefus, Areshet III, 1961, pp. 12-13.

Mosche N. Rosenfeld, Der jüdische Buchdruck in Augsburg in der ersten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts, London, 1985, no. 42, pp. 34-35.

Yosef Haim Yerushalmi, Haggadah and History, A Panorama in Facsimile of Five Centuries of the Printed Haggadah from the Collections of Harvard University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Philadelphia, 1975, pp. 35-37; plates 14-17.

Passover Haggadah, "with a beautiful commentary and fine illustrations of the signs and wonders G-d did for our ancestors", with commentary of R. Yitzchak Abarbanel and a map of Eretz Israel. Amsterdam: Asher Anshel son of Eliezer Chazan and Yissachar Ber son of Avraham Eliezer, 1695. Two title pages, the first one illustrated with copper engravings.

This Haggadah, illustrated by the artist Avraham HaGer (a German priest from Rhineland who converted to Judaism in Amsterdam), was the first Haggadah to be illustrated with copper engravings, and one of the first Hebrew books to be illustrated with this printing method, which, as the second title page asserts, is infinitely superior to previously used woodcuts. This edition served as a prototype for many subsequent Haggadot, either by inclusion of the map or by imitation of its illustrations (for more information on this Haggadah, see article by Cecil Roth, HaHaggadah HaMetzuyeret ShebiDefus, Areshet, III, 1961, pp. 22-25).

[1], 26 leaves + [1] folded map. 29.5 cm.Fair-good condition. Stains, including large stains to several leaves. Tears and open tears to margins of many leaves, repaired with paper filling (margins of all leaves repaired with paper filling). Folding marks, tears and open tears to map (open tears mainly to margins), affecting illustrations, repaired with paper filling. New leather binding.

Variant. The first title page was printed in two forms. The bottom half of the title page is the same in both, depicting Moses and Aaron. The upper part of the title pages differs. The more common version has six miniature circles with various Biblical scenes. The present variant has a large illustration of Moses kneeling next to the Burning Bush (a title page of this type later appeared in the Amsterdam 1712 edition). Besides this, there are minor differences in the text on the title page.

Otzar HaHaggadot 93.

CB, no. 2702.

Passover Haggadah, with Maaseh Hashem commentary by R. Eliezer Ashkenazi. Fürth: Chaim son of Tzvi Hirsch, 1754.

At beginning of Haggadah, approbation by R. Yaakov Yehoshua, author of Pnei Yehoshua (approbation partly torn and lacking). Instruction in Yiddish (Tzenah URenah font). Yiddish translation to piyyutim at end of Haggadah.

Copy of the kabbalist R. Natan Adler, teacher of the Chatam Sofer. On title page, ownership inscription (possibly in his handwriting): "R. Natan Adler".

R. Natan HaKohen Adler (1742-1800), born in Frankfurt to R. Yaakov Shimon Adler. An outstanding Torah scholar and eminent kabbalist, he headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt, and was the prime teacher of R. Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer – who mentions him extensively in his books in halachic and kabbalistic matters, referring to him as "my prime teacher, the renowned and pious Torah scholar, the great eagle" (a play on the name Adler, German for eagle), and other honorific titles. He suffered much persecution from his townsmen, who even forbade him from holding prayer services in his Beit Midrash conforming with his singular kabbalistic customs. In 1782, R. Natan Adler left Frankfurt for Boskowitz, Moravia (today Boskovice, Czech Republic). His disciple R. Moshe Sofer (the Chatam Sofer) remained with him, accompanying him to Boskowitz where he continued studying under him. R. Natan Adler served as rabbi for only two years in Boskowitz, the only time he held a rabbinic position. He returned ca. 1785 to his home and Beit Midrash in Frankfurt.

[1], 23 leaves. Approx. 31 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear. Tears and open tears, including open tears to title page, affecting illustrated title page and text on verso, repaired with paper. Worming to first leaves, affecting text. New binding.

Otzar HaHaggadot 213.