Hen Kol Chadash, poems by the kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto (the Ramaz). Amsterdam: Shimshon Shamash and Moshe Dias, [1712].

Poems for weekdays, Shabbat, various festivals and occasions, and for Jerusalem and Hebron. With Tikun Leil Hoshana Rabba.

Rare copy printed on blue paper. We know of no other copies of this edition printed on blue paper.

Blue paper was introduced into Italian Hebrew printing early in the 16th century. Like vellum, it was used for preparing deluxe editions of books, which were printed in a limited number of copies for wealthy individuals (see: Brad Sabin Hill, Hebrew Printing on Blue and Other Coloured Papers, in: Otzrot Yaakov, Treasures of the Valmadonna Trust Library, London and New York 2011, pp. 84 ff; the present book is not listed as one of the books printed on blue paper in the Valmadonna Trust Library).

[1], 19, 19-22 leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains (many stains to some leaves). Paper repairs and remains of paper repairs on margins of several leaves. Gilt edges (faded). Bookplate. Old leather binding, with defects, without spine.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Pi Shnayim, commentary on the Order of Zeraim by Rabbeinu Asher (the Rosh), with additions by the publisher R. Elisha son of R. Avraham, and novellae by R. Yaakov Emden and R. Moshe Chagiz. Altona: Aharon son of Eliyahu Katz, [1735]. First edition of the commentary of the Rosh to the Order of Zeraim. Contains illustrative diagrams.

This work was published by R. Elisha son of R. Avraham of Grodno from a manuscript belonging to R. David Oppenheim. The book includes approbations by R. Moshe Chagiz, who was in Altona in the year the book was printed, and R. Yaakov Emden (Yaavetz), in Altona that year. R. Yaakov Emden added to his approbation an extract from his novellae to Tractate Rosh Hashanah, which was printed after the publisher's introduction. Several pages of novellae by R. Moshe Chagiz were printed at the end of the book (of which the publisher writes "what I found in the handwriting of the Torah scholar R. Moshe Chagiz of Jerusalem…").

Signature on title page. Another ownership inscription deleted with ink, and inscription in Latin characters dated 1796. Inside back board, mounted leaves [apparently from original binding, with early wax stains and various inscriptions and signatures in Hebrew and Latin characters].

[10]; 8, [8]; 1-21, [7], 29-76, 101-108 leaves (misfoliation). Approx. 20 cm. Browning of paper to many leaves (mainly in text area). Good-fair condition. Stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Bookplate. New fabric binding.

Provenance: Collection of Yosef Weinman (1906-1974).

Ten books printed in Amsterdam in the 17th and 18th centuries, including rare first editions:

• Musaf HaAruch – Aruch by R. Natan son of R. Yechiel of Rome, with additions and critiques by R. Binyamin Musafia. Amsterdam, [1655]. First edition of Musaf HaAruch. Ownership inscription on leaf 2.

• Yalkut Reuveni, sayings and midrashim on the Torah, selected from kabbalistic books, the Zohar and early authorities. Amsterdam, [1700]. Second edition.

The author, R. Reuven Hoshke Katz (d. 1673) was a kabbalist and preacher of Prague, grandson of R. Efraim Luntshitz, author of Kli Yakar.

• Shvilei Emunah, ten paths in faith and inquiry, by R. Meir ibn Aldabi. Amsterdam, [1708].

• Kol HaRamaz, commentary on the Mishnah by kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto. Amsterdam, [1719]. First edition.

• Nedar BaKodesh, selections from Idra Rabba, Idra Zuta, Sifra DiTzniuta and Sefer Yetzirah. Amsterdam, [1723].

• Chavatzelet HaSharon, commentary on the Book of Daniel by R. Moshe Alshich. Amsterdam, [1726].

• Ohel Moshe, homilies by R. Moshe Epstein. Amsterdam, [1759]. Signatures and ownership inscription on title page.

• Likutei Man, haftarot with selected comments from the books of R. Moshe Alshich, edited by R. Eliezer Menachem Manly. Amsterdam, [1764].

Segulah book (as detailed on verso of title page).

• Sova Semachot, commentary on the Book of Iyov by Rabbeinu Bachya, with commentary Divrei HaGeonim. Amsterdam, 1768. Inscriptions on title page. Early stamps.

• Passover Haggadah – Arba Yesodot, selected commentaries. Amsterdam, [1783]. Edition with Hebrew commentary. Lacking 2 leaves at end.

Enclosed:

• Shemenah Lachmo, Part I, seven homilies for festivals, and Part II, seven homilies for circumcision, marriage and more. Dessau, [1701]. "Amsterdam" emphasized on title page. Ownership inscriptions on title page (some deleted) and on second leaf.

11 books. Varying size and condition. Most in new bindings, several volumes in original leather bindings. Bookplates. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.

Provenance: Collection of Yosef Weinman (1906-1974).

Shem HaGedolim, lexicon of Torah scholars and their books, by R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai. Livorno, 1774. First edition, printed in author's lifetime.

The composition Chasdei Avot, novellae on Tractate Avot by the Chida, is printed at the end of the book.

R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai – the Chida (1724-1806), prominent posek, kabbalist, outstanding Torah scholar and prolific writer. Besides his immense Torah stature, he devotedly undertook the position of emissary on behalf of the Hebron and Jerusalem communities. Twice in his lifetime he traveled to Europe. On his second journey, he reached Livorno in the month of Iyar 1774. Adhering to the law enforced in those days to prevent epidemics, he was detained for 40 days prior to entering the city. The Chida took advantage of that time to write this work, despite the fact that he had no books with him and could only rely on his phenomenal memory and wide-ranging knowledge. In his travelogue Maagal Tov (p. 66), the Chida writes: "While I was detained in confinement, I began and finished Shem HaGedolim". Soon after, at the end of that year, he printed the book. In later years, the Chida printed three more additions to this book. The edition we know today is composed of all four parts.

Inside front board, printed paper bookplate, filled in by hand, of the Toelet society in Amsterdam, dated 1825, with signature of "Zalman Hartner" ("keeper of books"). On title page and other leaves, stamps (partially deleted) of the Toelet society.

Inscription on title page.

131, [1] leaves. 14 cm. Interior of book in good condition, binding in fair condition. Stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves, including small marginal open tear to title page. Original leather binding, with gilt decorations. Wear, defects and open tears to binding.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Derech Chochmah, bound with: Maamar Al HaHaggadot, Maamar HaIkarim and Maamar HaChochmah – four works by R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal. Amsterdam: widow and sons of Yaakov Proops Katz, [1783]. First edition. Divisional title page for each work.

The book comprises four works by the Ramchal, printed here for the first time: Derech Chochmah – on the purpose of human life, the way of attaining it and the correct course of study (presented as a dialogue between a teacher and his disciple); Maamar Al HaHaggadot – the correct approach to aggadic literature; Maamar HaIkarim – explanation of general topics: Torah and mitzvot, prophecy and providence, reward and punishment, and more; and Maamar HaChochmah – explanation of Rosh Hashanah prayers, Passover seder, reincarnation and kabbalistic principles.

These four works have been reprinted many times, most recently under the names Sefer HaMaamarim or Maamarei Ramchal.

Derech Chochmah: [5], 5; Maamar Al HaHaggadot: [1], 3; Maamar HaIkarim: [1], 7; Maamar HaChochmah: [1], 10 leaves. 17.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and detached leaves. Stamps and inscriptions. Bookplate. Old binding.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.