Lechem Dimah, commentary on the Book of Eichah, including original text, by R. Shmuel de Uzeda (author of Midrash Shmuel). Venice: Daniel Zanetti, 1600. First edition.

At end of book, index of verses and note on typographical errors by proofreader R. Yitzchak Gershon.

Signature on endpaper and ownership inscription on title page.

At end of book are bound eight leaves handwritten in Ashkenazic script (ca. 18th/19th century), with a copying of Yedei Moshe on the Five Megillot (the present copying is on the Book of Eichah), by R. Moshe Almosnino. Enclosed is another detached leaf with a (later) copying of the same part of Yedei Moshe.

119, [1] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming and small open tears to several leaves, affecting text. Tears and open tears to handwritten leaves, affecting text (some of torn pieces of paper enclosed). Old binding.

Illustrated bookplate of Justus Tal.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Levush HaOrah, supercommentary on Rashi's commentary on the Torah, by R. Mordechai Yoffe – the Levush. Prague: Chaim son of Yaakov HaKohen, [1604]. First edition, printed in author's lifetime.

Supercommentary of R. Mordechai Yoffe, Rabbi of Posen, the Levush, on Rashi's commentary on the Torah. Comments on Rashi and his commentators the Mizrachi and Maharal.

The device of the printer, Chaim son of Yaakov HaKohen, appears on the verso of the title page. The device of another printer, Yehudah Loewy son of Moshe, an employee of the printing press, appears on the last page.

An illustrated map of Eretz Israel appears on p. 84b, prefaced on the previous page: "This is a drawing of the borders of Eretz Israel according to Rashi's commentary as it has been transmitted to me, and it is true and correct according to Rashi's words as I will explain. And just as we have merited to draw it, so may we merit to see it with our own eyes rebuilt and settled…".

At bottom of title page is a notable ownership inscription, documenting a 17th century Ashkenazic emissary of Jerusalem descended from the Levush. In the inscription he writes that he was in Hamm (western Germany) on the way back to Jerusalem, lodging at the home of an official by the name of R. Yeshayah Yehudah who hosted him generously and held a lottery as a fundraiser for the poor and Torah scholars of Eretz Israel. The inscription is dated Sunday, 12th Cheshvan 1698 and signed "Naftali son of… R. Moshe Yoffe, a grandson of the Levush, a resident of Jerusalem". R. Naftali Yoffe, an emissary of the small Ashkenazic community of Jerusalem in the 1690s, is mentioned by Meir Benayahu, "The Ashkenazic Community in Jerusalem in the Years 1687-1747", Sefunot, pp. 128-131 (Hebrew). Benayahu calls the Ashkenazic settlement of this period one of the most mysterious historical periods of Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel. The small Ashkenazic community of about 40 families was completely devastated after the aliyah of R. Yehudah HeChasid and his disciples in 1701, until the immigration of the disciples of the Vilna Gaon in the early 19th century.

Another signature on title page. Early stamp on p. 90b.

Inside back board, ownership inscription: "Berlin, Wednesday, belongs to… R. Moshe son of R. Elchanan Rosenstein" [R. Moshe Rosenstein, eldest son of R. Elchanan Rosenstein, dayan in Berlin, author of Sidrei Taharah. R. Moshe passed away at the age of 28, predeceasing his father. He was an outstanding Torah scholar, and his father cites him in many places in his Sidrei Taharah. Some of his novellae are printed as glosses in many Mishnah editions].

Lacking [8] of [9] last leaves, with additions and novellae by the author to his Levush HaTechelet and Levush HaChur.

91, [1] leaves. Lacking [8] of [9] last leaves (last leaf with conclusion appears). Approx. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Light wear. Tears, including small open tears to title page, not affecting text, and tears repaired with paper to last leaves. Worming, slightly affecting text. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Early binding, with wear and defects.

The map is not recorded in the Eran Laor Cartographic Collection.

Itur, monetary laws, betrothal, divorce and ketubot, by R. Yitzchak son of Abba Mari. Venice: Giovanni di Gara, [1608]. First edition.

Early binding, with gilt decorations.

Important halachic work authored in the 12th century by R. Yitzchak son of Abba Mari of Marseilles (in Provence), comprising halachic principles in various areas, often cited in halachic literature over the following generations. The Itur contains several unique halachic positions discussed extensively in later halachic literature.

Ownership inscription on endpaper: "It is purchased by me, Lipman Wertheim" [a leader of the 18th century Worms community, mentioned in the yizkor pinkas]; "I purchased it for 52 pounds". Signature on title page.

On p. 51a, gloss (trimmed) in Ashkenazic handwriting, contemporaneous with printing.

[1], 2-110 leaves. 28 cm. Fair-good to fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and dark stains to title page and other leaves (especially to last leaves). Small marginal tears to several leaves. Last leaf reinforced by mounting on paper. Elaborate early leather binding. Wear and defects to binding (repairs to spine).

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Etz Shatul, Sefer HaIkarim by R. Yosef Albo with Etz Shatul commentary by R. Gedaliah son of Moshe [Lipschitz]. Venice: Giovanni Cajon, [1618]. First edition.

The author of Etz Shatul was a Polish Torah scholar. The book begins with approbations from the prominent leaders of the generation, including the Shlah, the Maharsha, the Maharam of Lublin, the Kli Yakar, the Tevuot Shor and others. The work is divided into "roots" and "branches". The text of Sefer HaIkarim appears in the center of each page, with the "roots" and "branches" printed around it.

Stamps of Saadat Bachurim society (Amsterdam). Handwritten inscriptions on title page.

[1], 2-146 leaves. 27.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Marginal tears and open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Old binding (somewhat loose).

The present copy contains the last two leaves (145-146), lacking from many copies (these leaves are also lacking in the digitized copies on Otzar HaChochma and HebrewBooks).

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Masaot, the itinerary of R. Binyamin, "Itinerarivm d. Beniaminis". With preface, notes and Latin translation by Constantijn L'Empereur. Leiden: Elzeveriana, 1633. Hebrew, Latin, and some Arabic. Pocket format.

Bilingual Hebrew-Latin edition of one of the most famous Jewish travelogues, including a rich and important description of Jewish life in various locations in the 12th century, the period of the Rishonim.

The translator and editor, Constantijn L'Empereur (1591-1648), Dutch Hebraist, theologian and Orientalist.

R. Binyamin of Tudela, a 12th century Jewish traveler and explorer. R. Binyamin departed ca. 1165 on a lengthy voyage in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. He began his voyage in Saragossa, and he later traveled to southern France, departed Marseilles for Genoa, reached Rome and southern Italy, sailed through Corfu to Greece, Turkey and Constantinople, traveled through Syria to Eretz Israel and also reached Mesopotamia and Yemen, finally returning to Spain in 1173. In his travelogue, R. Binyamin describes the lands he visited, with particular attention to the Jewish communities, their number in each location, their ways of life and their customs. His descriptions often mention important Jewish sages he met in various lands.

R. Binyamin's itinerary has been printed in dozens of editions over the years and has also been printed in translation in various languages. The book was first translated into Latin by the Spanish scholar Benito Arias Montano (Antwerp, 1575), whose edition formed the basis for translations into other languages printed thereafter.

[47], 234, [22] pages. 14.5 cm. Colored edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Worming to inner margins of some leaves, slightly affecting text. Latin inscription on one leaf. Early binding (somewhat loose), with gilt-decorated leather spine. Minor defects to binding.