Manuscript. Minchah and Maariv and Kabbalat Shabbat. [Baghdad, ca. turn of 20th century].

Miniature format. Oriental script, square and semi-cursive (characteristic of Baghdad), written in black ink and some colored ink. Initial panels and decorations in color. All pages bordered by frames (colored pink, brown and yellow). Floral decorations in several places. Most pages begin with dome-shaped text: "Know before Whom you stand…". Decorated title page in middle of manuscript.

Includes weekday Minchah and Maariv prayers, and beginning of an Arabic translation of Shir HaShirim (with divisional title page; after which leaves are missing), and Kabbalat Shabbat (interrupted at beginning of Maariv for Shabbat). Kabbalistic kavanot incorporated within text and in margins.

[18] leaves (including 3 blank leaves). Lacking leaves in middle and end. 10 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Several tears. Worming. New binding.

Manuscript, piyyutim and songs, for various occasions. [Persia, 19th century].

Ledger format (tall and narrow). Oriental (Persian) script. Fine color illustrations (flowers, branches and peacocks). One page almost fully illustrated. Decorations to several opening panels. Includes piyyutim of R. Pinchas Chariri, R. Eliyah Sanai and other liturgical poets from the Persian region (including piyyutim not recorded by Davidson in Otzar HaPiyyut VehaShirah, see enclosed material).

Piyyutim for circumcision (first page), Simchat Torah (p. 33b), Shabbat (p. 37a) and conclusion of Shabbat (p. 41a).

[47] leaves. Height: 18 cm. Width: 9 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Light wear. Several tears. Lengthy tear to one leaf, slightly affecting text. New binding.

Manuscript, Passover Haggadah. [Morocco, 20th century].

Square script. Fine color decorations, characteristic of Morocco, "carpet" pages and other decorations.

[13] leaves. Lacking leaves at end and middle. 13.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Many dampstains. Tears, wear and defects, affecting text and decorations. Worming. New leather binding, with blemishes.

Manuscript, order of circumcision. [Morocco, 20th century].

Square and semi-cursive script. Decorative frame on first page and decorated initial panels colored green, orange and red.

[12] leaves. 11.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Wear and tears to margins. New leather binding, with defects.

Manuscript, Book of Laws of the secret society Achva Association, established in Jerusalem, 1894.

Impressive large-format volume, in large square calligraphy on thick paper. Original binding with leather spine and carved olive wood, with symbols of the society: a pair of shaking hands, the Tablets of the Covenant, a Star of David with the word Achva ("brotherhood"), a lion holding a flag reading "Jerusalem" (the symbol of the Jerusalem lodge), stalks of grain, a palm tree and ribbons tied around various trees and fruits with the motto and date of founding of the society (1894). In center of back binding, a captioned Star of David decoration with wooden craftwork.

The Achva Association (founded 1894) was a secret society of religious brethren (mostly members of the Perushim and Chassidic communities of the Old Yishuv) which later opened branches throughout Eretz Israel and the rest of the world. Its ceremonies included elements imitating other secret societies such as the Freemasons. The Book of Laws was a central object in the society's meetings and ceremonies.

The symbols on the binding were meant to represent Torah, agriculture and unity.

The Achva Association has been active for over 130 years (to this day), subtly working to achieve peace and unity between all divisions of the public. Achva worked in various ways to improve the economic conditions of its members, providing key positions in industry and politics for members and their families; was responsible for building Jewish neighborhoods in Eretz Israel, including Neve Shalom, Jaffa and Bayit VeGan, Jerusalem; and was active in establishing Torah and educational institutions and appointing worthy rabbis and mitzvah functionaries (including R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, R. Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky, R. Refael Kook, R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and others).

[37] leaves (including blank leaves and pages, and 51 written pages). 31 cm. Particularly thick paper. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and tears. Original leather-coated binding, carved olive wood and leather spine. Binding in good condition.