Shivim Tikunei Zohar, with commentary Chemdat Tzvi by R. Tzvi Hirsch son of R. Yerachmiel Chatsh. Amsterdam: Moshe son of Avraham Mendes Coutinho, 1706.

Illustrated title page depicting many Biblical scenes. Top depicts two deer holding a crown with a Sabbatean allusion, along with other allusions in the chronogram and line printed at bottom of title page (see: Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, illustration no. 89 and pp. 154-155; according to Yaari, the author of the commentary was an adherent of Sabbateanism).

Early leather binding, with gilt inscriptions of owner's name on both sides: "D. M.".

Signature on endpaper, in Ashkenazic script.

[6], 7-8; 164 leaves. Approx. 32 cm. Varying condition; first leaves in fair condition, most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains. Tears and open tears, mainly to first leaves, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper. Some worming. Early leather binding, repaired, front side detached and back side loose. Wear and defects to binding.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

HaTzad Tzvi, by Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun. Amsterdam: printer not indicated, [1714].

In this book, Nechemiah Hayyun, the famous Sabbatean kabbalist, responds to R. Tzvi Ashkenazi, the Chacham Tzvi, Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi of Amsterdam, who had fought against Hayyun's Oz LElohim (see previous lot) and his Sabbatean tendencies.

Includes summary of the Chacham Tzvi's letter, halachic ruling of the Amsterdam Beit Din in favor of Hayyun and against the Chacham Tzvi, polemic against R. Naftali Katz and more.

On endpaper (facing title page), handwritten dedication dated 1890.

Signature (partially deleted with ink) on title page.

Ownership inscription on back endpaper, dated 1850.

Pen trials and inscriptions on p. 37b.

[9], 40 leaves. 15.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears, including marginal open tears to title page, and small open tear to center of leaf, affecting text. Old binding.

Illustrated bookplate of "Justus Tal".

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Shever Poshim, polemical work against Hayyun, Cardozo and Ayllon "who rejected the Torah of G-d… and will not be in the council of His people…", by R. Moshe Chagiz. London, [1714]. First edition.

Sharp anti-Sabbatean polemical work, comprising announcements, letters and bans against the Sabbatean Nechemiah Hayyun and his supporters Avraham Miguel Cardozo and R. Shlomo Ayllon (Rabbi of the Portuguese community in London and Amsterdam). At end of book (leaves 44-56), 12 letters of recommendation received by R. Moshe Chagiz from various rabbis, most of them approved by R. Shlomo Ayllon and his court, one letter of support sent by R. Shlomo Ayllon himself [these letters preceded the polemic and were meant to showcase the support R. Moshe Chagiz had garnered from distinguish rabbis, including his present opponent R. Shlomo Ayllon].

Ownership inscription on margins of title page.

[56] leaves. 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Minor creases and tears. Inscriptions. Bookplate. Old binding, with leather spine; defects and wear to binding and spine.

Rare complete copy. Most extant copies are incomplete due to its initial distribution in shorter booklets, and due to the ban against the book by the Portuguese and Ashkenazic communities in Amsterdam.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Luchot Edut, articles and letters of rabbis in defense of R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz in the amulet controversy he was embroiled in. Altona: Aharon Katz, [1755]. First edition.

The book comprises articles, copies of announcements and letters from rabbis and community leaders who supported R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz against allegations of Sabbateanism brought forth by R. Yaakov Emden, based on amulets he had written. The book opens with a foreword by R. Yehonatan narrating the course of the controversy. It concludes with a commentary on one amulet, and a sermon "which I delivered when the commotion began, on 26th Shevat 1751 in public, in which I defended myself at length".

Many handwritten glosses and corrections contemporaneous with publication.

Various inscriptions and ownership inscriptions contemporaneous with publication.

On last page, lengthy, signed marginal inscription in Yiddish.

In response to this book, R. Yaakov Emden published Vayakem Edut BeYaakov (Altona, 1756).

[12], 2-11, 6-7, 14-78 leaves. 18.5 cm. Some leaves dark. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Worming to several leaves, affecting text. Bookplate. Original wooden and leather binding, with wear and defects.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Machzor, Orden de Ros asanah y Kipur [prayers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur]. Amsterdam: David Pardo y Salom ben Yosseph, printed by Menasseh Ben Israel, 1630. Spanish.

Introduction by publishers, David Pardo and Salom ben Yosseph, at beginning of book.

Although the name of Menasseh Ben Israel is unmentioned in the book, bibliographical sources (see below) record that this machzor was printed by his press.

172, 174-234 leaves. Lacking leaf 173. 14 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and signs of heavy use. Tears, including marginal open tears to several leaves, affecting text. Close trimming, affecting text of several leaves. Handwritten inscriptions. Elaborate early leather binding. Wear and defects to binding and spine.

Typographical differences on last page from the digitized copy of the NLI catalog (different order of lines and concluding decoration).

References:

1.Harm den Boer, Spanish and Portuguese Editions from the Northern Netherlands in Madrid and Lisbon Public Collections, Vol. 22, No. 2 (Autumn 1988), pp. 97-143, no. 58.

2. Y. Ch. Copenhagen, Menasseh Ben Israel, Manuel Dias Soeiro 1604-1657, Bibliography, Institute for Study and Research on the Sephardi and Oriental Jewish Heritage, Jerusalem 1991, 1-297 (p. 60; Hebrew).

Exhibitions:

1. Menasseh Ben Israel, 1604-1657, catalogus van de tentoonstelling, Amsterdam, Joods Historisch Museum, 1957, no. 7 (a 1957 exhibition of books printed by Menasseh Ben Israel at the Jewish Museum of Amsterdam).

2. Treasures from the Library Ets Haim: Livraria Montezinos / Exhibition. Edited by Refael Weiser. Jerusalem: National Library of Israel, 1980, no. 74 (Hebrew).

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.