Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Kabbalistic commentary on the Torah, by R. Menachem Recanati. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1523. First edition.
R. Menachem Recanati, a posek and kabbalist – one of the first Italian kabbalists in the 13th and 14th centuries. Named for his city in Italy, his biography is shrouded in mystery. His teachings are influenced by the Gerona kabbalists – R. Yitzchak the Blind and his circle, and the Ramban and his successors. He was also influenced by the Castilian kabbalists, including R. Yosef Gikatilla and R. Moshe de Leon. He was simultaneously influenced by the German pietists, with his works containing quotations from R. Yehudah HeChassid and R. Elazar of Worms. His halachic rulings also show the influence of the laws and customs of the Ashkenazi world. His lengthiest and most important work is his Torah commentary, of which the present item is the first edition. This work exerted a heavy influence on the kabbalists of the following generations. His work covers the entire Torah, following the kabbalistic method. He quotes from the Zohar extensively, and he is in fact the earliest kabbalist to cite it consistently by that name (see: Boaz Huss, KeZohar HaRakia, Jerusalem 2008, p. 62). His other works include Taamei HaMitzvot, Constantinople 1544; Piskei Recanati, Bologna 1538. There are known to have been other works of his which are no longer extant (see further: Moshe Eidel, R. Menachem Recanati HaMekubal, Tel Aviv 1998).
The Recanati commentary on the Torah was one of the first kabbalistic books to be printed, and it contains many quotations from the Zohar (which was first printed only in 1558). The colophon states that the printing was completed on "Monday, 35th day of the Omer [Iyar], 1523".
This is the second book proofread by the famous proofreader Yaakov son of Chaim ibn Adoniyahu at the Bomberg press (the first being Tzror HaMor, printed that year). The beginning of the book contains an introduction by Yaakov son of Chaim, pertaining to kabbalah.
Signature on title page: "Yaakov de Pinto" [a Torah scholar and distinguished member of the 19th century Hague community].
Several glosses in early Italian script and several inscriptions.
[155] leaves (handwritten leaf numbers on margins, misfoliated). Approx. 24 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including many dampstains and traces of former dampness (with mold stains). Tears and open tears, to title page and other leaves (large tears to last leaf), affecting text on last leaf, repaired with paper filling. Bookplate. Old binding with leather spine. Minor defects to binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Tikunei Zohar. Mantua: Meir son of Efraim of Padua and Yaakov son of Naftali HaKohen of Gazzuolo, 1557. First edition.
First edition of Tikunei Zohar, a kabbalistic work attributed to R. Shimon bar Yochai and his companions, including seventy explanations or permutations for the word Bereshit. This edition was edited by R. Imanuel of Benevento based on ten manuscript copies. The editor added eleven additional Tikunim he had found (leaves 137-146; these Tikunim were copied from Zohar Chadash), which were henceforth printed in all editions.
At the beginning of the book are four halachic rulings permitting the printing of the Zohar and Tikunei Zohar.
Censorship inscriptions in several places (many deletions on one leaf).
Marginal glosses on some leaves, mainly by one writer, in early Italian script. Several glosses by another writer.
[4], 146, [2] leaves. 20.5 cm. Varying condition of leaves, fair to fair-good. Stains, including dampstains and traces of former dampness. Wear and creases. Tears and open tears to margins of title page and other leaves (mainly to last leaves), affecting text, repaired with paper (including to verso of title page). Bookplate. Elegant new leather binding, with defects.
Signature of censor Domenico Gerosolimitano on final leaf (1603).
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
![Zohar, attributed to R. Shimon bar Yochai, two parts, on Shemot and Vayikra-Devarim. [Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1559-1560].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale103/356_1.jpg "Zohar – Cremona, 1559-1560 (Incomplete Copy) – First Edition Printed S")
![Zohar, attributed to R. Shimon bar Yochai, two parts, on Shemot and Vayikra-Devarim. [Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1559-1560].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale103/356_2.jpg "Zohar – Cremona, 1559-1560 (Incomplete Copy) – First Edition Printed S")
![Zohar, attributed to R. Shimon bar Yochai, two parts, on Shemot and Vayikra-Devarim. [Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1559-1560].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale103/356_3.jpg "Zohar – Cremona, 1559-1560 (Incomplete Copy) – First Edition Printed S")
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $600
Sold for: $1,750
Including buyer's premium
Zohar, attributed to R. Shimon bar Yochai, two parts, on Shemot and Vayikra-Devarim. [Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1559-1560]. First edition of the Zohar, printed simultaneously with the Mantua edition.
Incomplete copy, lacking Bereshit and several leaves in Shemot and Devarim.
Despite the imprint for 1559-1560 on the title page, the printing of the present edition actually began in 1558, the same year that printing of the Mantua edition of the Zohar commenced (M. Benayahu claims that the present edition even preceded the Mantua printing).
The present edition, with the Zohar printed in one volume and in large format (in square script), was known as the "large Zohar", while the small-format Mantua edition printed in three volumes (in Rashi script) was known as the "small Zohar".
Many copies of the present edition reached Ashkenazic lands – Poland and Germany (it may be that the printers never intended to distribute copies of this edition in Italy). Evidencing this, many authors from Ashkenazic lands cite the text of the Cremona edition until well past the mid-18th century (see further Y. Yudlov's article, below). The subsequent Lublin 1622 and Sulzbach 1684 editions follow the form of the Cremona edition.
Over the years, the Cremona edition became especially rare, in contrast to the Mantua edition which was relatively more common. Benayahu writes that many copies of the Zohar were destroyed in the Cremona burning of Hebrew books (HaDefus HaIvri BiCremona, p. 137). This edition was rare even in the very next generation, as R. Moshe Zacuto writes in one of his letters: "Only a small minority possess the large [Cremona] edition…" (Igrot HaRamaz, Livorno 1780, 2).
Biblical references are printed in the margins of the leaves (uniquely characteristic of the Cremona edition, unlike the Mantua edition). In addition to the foliation of leaves, the columns and lines are also numbered (every tenth line).
Inscriptions and signatures on p. 56b of Vayikra.
Many glosses in Oriental-Persian script, some with kabbalistic content. On margins of several leaves, glosses in Italian script (summary or title).
Enclosed are small handwritten leaves, which were present between the leaves of the book.
Two parts in one volume (lacking Bereshit). Shemot: 7-122 leaves. Lacking leaves 1-6. Vayikra-Devarim: 143, [1] leaves. Lacking last two leaves. 31 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains and traces of former dampness with mold stains. Heavy wear. Tears and open tears, affecting text in several places, partially repaired with paper. Stamps. Old binding, worn.
For a general description of the book and its printing, on the relation between the Cremona and Mantua editions and different copies of the Cremona edition, see: Meir Benayahu, HaDefus HaIvri BiCremona, Jerusalem 1971, pp. 121-137; Y. Yudlov, On Books, Printers and Publishers, HaSefer – 70-year jubilee volume for Mosad Harav Kook, Jerusalem 2008, pp. 556-559 (Hebrew).
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $700
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Tolaat Yaakov, commentary on the prayers according to the methods of "peshat, remez, din and sod", and secrets of the festivals, by kabbalist R. Meir ibn Gabbai. Cracow: Yitzchak Prostitz, 1581. Second edition.
The author, R. Meir ibn Gabbai, was a prominent kabbalist at the time of the Spanish expulsion. He authored other important kabbalistic works, including Avodat HaKodesh and Derech Emunah.
Early wood and leather binding, decorated.
Signatures on title page: "Yosef HaKohen Belenfante"; "Yaakov de Pinto" [a Torah scholar and distinguished community member of the Hague in the 19th century].
[1], 2-83, [1] leaves. 18.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including light dampstains. Minor tears and defects to margins of title page. Close trimming of title page, bordering bottom frame. Elaborate early wood and leather binding, finely gilt. Defects to binding. Without clasps.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $500
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Reshit Chochmah HaKatzar, abridgment of Reshit Chochmah HaKatzar by R. Eliyahu de Vidas, abridged by R. Yaakov Poyeto, with Marpe LaNefesh – Tikunei Teshuvah by the Arizal edited by R. Menachem Azariah (Rama) of Fano, and Tikunei Shabbat by R. Avraham HaLevi. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, 1600. First edition.
Last 19 leaves comprise Tikunei Teshuvah, edited by R. Menachem Azariah (the Rama) of Fano, and Tikunei Shabbat by R. Avraham HaLevi Bruchim, a disciple of R. Moshe Cordovero and the Arizal.
In his introduction to Tikunei Teshuvah, the Rama objects to the inclusion of his name [in initials] on the title page, since the publishers had requested his emended version of the Tikunim only after printing it.
Signatures on title page and on verso.
Handwritten corrections to several leaves.
Birth inscriptions and various inscriptions on back endpaper.
[1], 2-79, 81-136; 19 leaves. Lacking leaf 80. 14 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears, including open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting title frame and text, partially repaired with paper (with handwritten replacements). Worming, affecting text. Margins of several leaves repaired with paper. Close trimming, slightly affecting text of several leaves. Several leaves detached. Early parchment binding, with defects (without spine, front side detached).
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $600
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Tomer Devorah, by R. Moshe Cordovero. Mantua: Yehudah Shmuel of Perugia and his son Yehoshua, 1623. Fourth edition of a foundational ethical and kabbalistic work, which has been printed in over a hundred[!] editions.
With foreword and afterword by R. Moshe Bassola, the first publisher.
[1], 2-19 leaves. 14.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and creases. Light worming. Early Bristol binding, worn.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $300
Sold for: $425
Including buyer's premium
Sifra DiTzniuta DeYaakov, kabbalistic commentary on the Torah based on the writings of the Arizal, by kabbalist R. Yaakov Temerles. Amsterdam: David de Castro Tartas, [1669]. Only edition.
Title page illustrated in fine engraving, with Biblical scenes.
Several approbations at beginning of book, including by rabbis of Amsterdam, R. Aharon Shmuel Kaidanover author of Birkat HaZevach, and R. Gershon Ashkenazi, author of Avodat HaGershuni, a personal acquaintance of the author who calls to print kabbalistic books notwithstanding the "earlier sect" who opposed doing so.
The kabbalist R. Yaakov Temerles, born in Worms (d. 1666 in Vienna), lived in Kremenets and Poland most of his life. Known as a kabbalist and expert in the writings of the Arizal.
[1], 40 leaves. 17.5 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains. Light wear. Marginal tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired with paper filling. New parchment binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $4,500
Including buyer's premium
"This is the book of Adam HaRishon given to him by Raziel HaMalach". kabbalah and segulot. [Amsterdam: Moshe Mendes Coutinho, 1701]. First edition. Many kabbalistic illustrations.
Incomplete copy (lacking title page and introduction leaf).
First edition, compiled and printed directly from manuscripts. This book is the source of many well-known segulot, such as for remembering Torah study, a protective amulet for a woman giving birth, etc. Merely having this book in the house is a reputed segulah for protection from harm and fire, as stated on the title page: "An excellent segulah to bear wise and sage sons; for success, blessing and to extinguish fire, so that it not affect one's home, and no demon or evil incident will affect the dwelling of one who keeps this holy, awesome book safe with his money in his treasury, and in times of fear and trouble it will afford him speedy salvation. And this will be attested to by any Torah observer". Some say that it is a segulah for the childless and for women experiencing difficult labor.
On p. 42b is printed the text of an amulet followed by a special prayer: "May you open the heart of Leib son of Sarah to study Torah… and Torah rationales, secrets and depths, and may his heart be like a flowing spring…". A Chassidic tradition finds hinted in this prayer the wondrous powers of the tzaddik R. Leib Sarah's (Leib son of Sarah), a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. The book was printed about thirty years before his birth (see: Shem HaGedolim HeChadash, letter lamed, leaves 42-43).
Ownership inscriptions on endpapers, dated 1773-1779. The inscription on the verso of the front endpaper [dated 1775?] warns not to perform the kabbalistic acts without protection from impurity and separation from worldly affairs.
This copy lacks first two leaves (including title page). 3-18, [1], 19-45 leaves. 22.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including traces of former dampness, and dark dampstains to margins. Wear. Tears and open tears, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper strips. Worming. One leaf detached, and several leaves loose. Many stamps. Early binding, with defects, without spine.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
![Sefer Zechirah VeInyanei Segulot, by R. Zechariah Simner, Rabbi of Plungė. Hamburg: Tohomis Rohs and his son John, [1709].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale103/362.jpg "Sefer Zechirah VeInyanei Segulot – Hamburg, 1709 – Rare First Edition")
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $400
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Sefer Zechirah VeInyanei Segulot, by R. Zechariah Simner, Rabbi of Plungė. Hamburg: Tohomis Rohs and his son John, [1709].
Rare first edition of book that became highly popular, and was reprinted dozens of times.
The book was authored by R. Zechariah Simner, Rabbi of Plungė, and includes, prayers, tikunim and various segulot.
Ownership inscription on second leaf: "Yozpa son of R. Ber Kohen" (perhaps R. Yosef Yozpa son of R. Yissachar Ber HaKohen of Ostroh?). Additional inscription on p. 3b.
[5], 4-62, [1] leaves. 15.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Small marginal tears and open tears to several leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper (title page reinforced by mounting on paper). Stamps. Early binding with leather spine. Wear and defects to binding.
Especially rare edition. Prof. Gershom Scholem added an interesting note to his personal copy (scanned in the NLI catalog) stating he searched for the book for forty years, and received it in exchange for two expensive Ferrara books.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 103 Part 2 Early Printed Books | Sabbateanism and Crypto-Jews of Spain and Portugal | Chassidut and Kabbalah | Books Printed in Slavita and Jerusalem | Letters and Manuscripts
Sep 2, 2025
Opening: $250
Unsold
Ben Yochai, commentary on all of R. Shimon ben Yochai's teachings in the Oral Torah and evidence that R. Shimon ben Yochai is the author of the Zohar, by R. Moshe Kunitz. Vienna: Georg Holzinger, 1815. Illustration of the tomb of R. Shimon bar Yochai on center of title page.
Written in response to the allegations of R. Yaakov Emden in Mitpachat Saparim disputing the antiquity of the Zohar.
R. Moshe Kunitz (1774-1839) was a rabbi in Buda and Pest, disciple of the Noda BiYehudah and Maharam Mintz, and a controversial figure who blended Torah and secular knowledge.
R. Moshe Kunitz (1774-1839) was a rabbi in Buda and Pest, disciple of the Noda BiYehudah and Maharam Mintz, and a controversial figure who blended Torah and secular knowledge.
On leaves of book, handwritten glosses (in ink and pencil), by an unidentified writer, at times sharply critiquing the author.
Ownership inscriptions on endpapers: "Yitzchak Eizik Bacharach of Suvalk", "from the estate of my father R. Ch.[?] Bacharach", "Belongs to… R. Chanoch Bacharach son of… R. Yehudah Bacharach, Rabbi of[---]".
On title page, stamp: "From the library of R. Yitzchak Eizik Bacharach in Amdur [Indura]".
R. Yehudah Bacharach, author of Nimukei HaGriv, served as Rabbi of Sejny (Suwałki region); his son R. Chanoch Henich Bacharach was another renowned Torah scholar of Suwałki. The grandson, R. Yitzchak Eizik Bacharach, was a publisher of his grandfather's novellae. R. Yitzchak Eizik owned a large library, containing manuscripts and rare books he inherited from his grandfather R. Yehudah Bacharach, including the original autograph Talmudic glosses of the Vilna Gaon, and he was the one who brought them to the Vilna publishers to include in their Talmud edition.
154 pages. Approx. 40 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains. Heavy wear and creases (mainly to title page and first leaves). Worming. Marginal tears and open tears to several leaves. Detached leaves and gatherings. Old binding, with wear and defects, mostly detached.
Category
Kabbalistic Books
Catalogue Value