Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
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Displaying 97 - 108 of 136
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Tikun Keriah Lechol Lailah VeYom – Tikun for every night and day – a Sabbatean order of Tikunim compiled by Nathan of Gaza, "prophet" of the false messiah Shabtai Tzvi. Amsterdam: Yitzchak son of David de Castro Tartas, [1666]. Small format.
Order of Tikunim edited by Nathan of Gaza, including Tikun Lailah with psalms and Torah passages, and Tikun HaYom with other passages from the Torah and Tractate Avot.
On last leaf, chapter from Derech Eretz Zuta, traditionally recited in Eretz Israel when there is a seventh Shabbat between Pesach and Shavuot.
The present book of Tikunim was published at the pinnacle of the mass movement of repentance which swept through the Jewish people upon hearing Shabtai Tzvi's tidings of the Redemption and news of the events occurring around him, which spread rapidly from the East to other European Jewish communities. Amsterdam was one of the important centers of Sabbatean awakening at that time, and many editions of Sabbatean Tikunim were printed there by the local Jewish printers (Yosef Athias, David de Castro Tartas and Uri Phoebus son of R. Aharon HaLevi). Their publication in Amsterdam was presumably also for the purpose of being sent throughout Europe. The Amsterdam printers competed over who could produce more complete and beautiful editions of the books of Tikunim, and Amsterdam Torah scholars (in particular R. Yitzchak Aboab de Fonseca and R. Shlomo de Oliveyra) even inserted some important additions in some editions, including sections of prayers, confessions and songs.
59 leaves. 14.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Some tears, including small marginal tear to title page, repaired with tape. Loose leaves and gatherings. Early binding (parchment-coated wood), with defects.
Rare. Few copies are recorded in OCLC. The NLI catalogue copy is lacking leaf 15.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Sabbatean Tikunim
Catalogue Value
![Ticun de la Noche, y de el dia ordenado para la saluacion [Tikun for night and day, ordained for the Salvation], a Sabbate](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/98_1.jpg "A Sabbatean Order of Tikunim Compiled by Nathan of Gaza – Spanish – Am")
![Ticun de la Noche, y de el dia ordenado para la saluacion [Tikun for night and day, ordained for the Salvation], a Sabbate](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/98_2.jpg "A Sabbatean Order of Tikunim Compiled by Nathan of Gaza – Spanish – Am")
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Ticun de la Noche, y de el dia ordenado para la saluacion [Tikun for night and day, ordained for the Salvation], a Sabbatean order of Tikunim compiled by Nathan of Gaza, prophet of Shabtai Tzvi. [Amsterdam]: printer not indicated, 1666. Spanish.
An exceptionally rare order of Tikunim edited by Nathan of Gaza, which explicitly names the editor on the title page: "Natan Squenazi", Natan son of Elisha Chaim HaLevi Ashkenazi, better known as Nathan of Gaza, prophet of the false messiah Shabtai Tzvi.
The book begins with a short introduction by the editor, Nathan of Gaza.
The present book of Tikunim was published at the pinnacle of the mass movement of repentance which swept through the Jewish people upon hearing Shabtai Tzvi's tidings of the Redemption and news of the events occurring around him, which spread rapidly from the East to other European Jewish communities. Amsterdam was one of the important centers of Sabbatean awakening at that time, and many editions of Sabbatean Tikunim were printed there by the local Jewish printers. Most Tikunim printed at the time were in Hebrew and did not name Nathan of Gaza.
Handwritten inscriptions on endpaper and inside board.
181 pages. 14.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Light wear. Worming, mainly to first and last leaves, affecting text, partially repaired with tape. Early parchment binding, with worming and defects.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Exceptionally rare. Not recorded in NLI catalogue. One other extant copy exists in the Hebrew Union College collection in Cincinnati.
This book was last auctioned in the Judaica and Hebraica catalogue of Maggs Bros. (London, 1926), p. 62, no. 119.
Category
Sabbatean Tikunim
Catalogue Value
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $25,000
Including buyer's premium
Commentary of the Ramban on the Torah. Pesaro: Gershom Soncino, 1513-1514.
Title page with decorated woodcut frame (this frame also appears on third leaf).
At the top of the page is a short poem comprised of parts of verses, forming the acrostic of the name of the printer, Gershom. The center of the leaf contains the printing details:
"We, the young typesetters of the Soncino family, began the work on the prized commentary… on 1st Tevet, 1513, and we completed it today, 3rd Sivan 1514… And it was typeset in Pesaro in the country of Italy…".
"We, the young typesetters of the Soncino family, began the work on the prized commentary… on 1st Tevet, 1513, and we completed it today, 3rd Sivan 1514… And it was typeset in Pesaro in the country of Italy…".
Another fine woodcut decoration on second leaf, around the words "Seder Bereshit".
Early ownership inscriptions, in Ashkenazic script, on title page:
"To G-d belongs the world and everything that fills it, and I borrowed this holy book from Him. So says Yonah son of Yaakov". Another inscription with a shield-shaped frame:
"I borrowed it from G-d, so says the one occupied with all his heart, David Ish Pele, here, [1524], Prague". Inscription (deleted) at bottom of title page: "This book is mine---".
"To G-d belongs the world and everything that fills it, and I borrowed this holy book from Him. So says Yonah son of Yaakov". Another inscription with a shield-shaped frame:
"I borrowed it from G-d, so says the one occupied with all his heart, David Ish Pele, here, [1524], Prague". Inscription (deleted) at bottom of title page: "This book is mine---".
Inscription on verso of title page:
"G-d granted me this Ramban as my lot, from the books of my father and teacher, may He grant me the merit to study it forever 'until a donkey climbs a ladder'. And so that no one object to say 'It's mine', I wrote and signed my name on it. So says the one awaiting the coming of the redeemer, Yosef son of Yerachmiel".
"G-d granted me this Ramban as my lot, from the books of my father and teacher, may He grant me the merit to study it forever 'until a donkey climbs a ladder'. And so that no one object to say 'It's mine', I wrote and signed my name on it. So says the one awaiting the coming of the redeemer, Yosef son of Yerachmiel".
Inscription on second leaf, inside initial panel:
"Purchase granted by G-d to His servant, which became his lot… Kalonymus son of R. Asher of Treviso".
"Purchase granted by G-d to His servant, which became his lot… Kalonymus son of R. Asher of Treviso".
The book was printed by the renowned Jewish printer Gershom Soncino, one of the most prominent Hebrew printers in Italy. Soncino traveled with his family and printing equipment through various Italian cities, printing Hebrew books wherever he stayed. In Pesaro he printed some Talmudic tractates and other books.
[177] leaves. Without final blank leaf. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Tears, including tear across one leaf, affecting text, without loss (professionally restored). Worming to several leaves. Early leather binding, with defects (tears to top and sides of spine, with some loss).
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $7,000
Estimate: $15,000 - $18,000
Sold for: $52,500
Including buyer's premium
Likutei HaPardes, responsa and halachic rulings attributed to Rashi, with several other works. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1519. First edition.
Likutei HaPardes was authored in the early 12th century, comprising a wide variety of responsa and halachic rulings spanning nearly the entire Jewish calendar. Although the book was not authored by Rashi himself, it incorporates rulings and halachot originating in Rashi's school, written by his disciple Shemaiah.
Several smaller works are printed together with Likutei HaPardes:
[22b-23]: Refuot HaGeviyah by R. Yehudah al-Charizi.
[24-27]: Sefer HaTapuach, attributed to Aristotle, and Sefer HaNefesh, attributed to Galen.
[28-32]: Zeh HaShaar LaShem – portions of liturgy for the Ten Days of Repentance, attributed to R. Yehudah HaLevi, including several Tochechah piyyutim.
[33-34a]: Enactments of Rabbeinu Gershom.
[34]: Mishlei Chachamim VeChidotam, by R. Yehudah al-Charizi (selections from his Tachkemoni).
[35]: Aryeh Mesubach Alah, extract from Mishlei Shualim by R. Berechiah HaNakdan.
Stamps of "Avraham son of Simchah Goldzieher".
[35] leaves. Approx. 24 cm. Fair-good to fair condition. Stains, including many dampstains (some dark), and traces of former dampness with mold stains to several leaves. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Several handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
![Or Amim, philosophical work by R. Ovadia Sforno. Bologna: Silk Weaver's Guild, [1537]. First edition.
The author,
R.](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/101.jpg "Or Amim by Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno – Bologna, 1537 – First Edition")
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $1,800
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Or Amim, philosophical work by R. Ovadia Sforno. Bologna: Silk Weaver's Guild, [1537]. First edition.
The author,
R. Ovadiah Sforno (d. 1550), was a leading Italian Torah scholar, renowned for his commentary on the Torah. He lived in Bologna, where he served as posek and earned a living as an expert physician. He was probably one of the sponsors (or initiators) of the establishment of the press of the Silk Weaver's Guild in Bologna.
R. Ovadiah Sforno (d. 1550), was a leading Italian Torah scholar, renowned for his commentary on the Torah. He lived in Bologna, where he served as posek and earned a living as an expert physician. He was probably one of the sponsors (or initiators) of the establishment of the press of the Silk Weaver's Guild in Bologna.
In his philosophical work Or Amim, R. Ovadiah Sforno challenges and refutes the theories of the renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle. He later translated his work into Latin. The Latin edition was also printed in Bologna, a year later, in 1538. This is the first book printed by the Silk Weaver's Guild (and one of the first Hebrew books printed in Bologna).
Signatures and inscriptions to back endpapers and boards, some in Hebrew: "Yokev Beit of Hamburg"; "Yosef son of R. Yokev Beit"; and more.
64 leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains (many stains to several leaves). Light worming. Small open tear to title page, not affecting text. Early binding. Worming and defects to binding (open tears to spine).
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
Lot 102 Pocket-Size Bible – Paris, 1543-1546 – Complete Seventeen-Volume Set – Fine Leather Bindings
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim. Paris: Robertus Stephanus, 1543-1546. Complete seventeen-volume set, in pocket format.
Seventeen volumes, in fine old leather bindings (two volumes in slightly different bindings).
Each title page bears the Stephanus printer's device – an elderly man standing by a tree with several wilting branches and a banner that reads "Noli altum sapere" (Latin: Do not be proud). See: Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, illustration 27 and p. 135.
Various inscriptions on endpapers of several volumes.
Eight volumes. Bereshit: [146] leaves. Shemot: [123] leaves. Vayikra: [88] leaves. Bamidbar: [122] leaves. Devarim: [107] leaves. Yehoshua and Shoftim: [77; 73] leaves. Shmuel: [176] leaves. Melachim: [184] leaves. Yeshayahu: [131] leaves. Yirmiyahu: [168] leaves. Yechezkel: [144] leaves. Trei Asar: [117] leaves. Tehillim: [159] leaves. Mishlei and Job: [53; 61] leaves. Five Megillot: [80] leaves. Daniel, Ezra and Nechemiah: [47; 30; 43] leaves. Divrei HaYamim: [183] leaves. 10.5-11 cm. Gilt edges (except for one volume). Overall good condition. Stains. Small marginal tears in several places. Fine old leather bindings, with color endpaper. Defects to bindings (repairs to spines in several volumes). Placed in leather slipcase.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $2,500
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
Responsa of R. Yitzchak son of R. Sheshet – the Rivash. Constantinople: Eliezer Soncino, 1546-1547. First edition.
Original decorated leather binding, from the period of the book's printing.
A classic of responsa literature and halachah. The Rivash, one of the last Rishonim, was born in Spain in 1326 and passed away in Algiers in 1408. His primary teacher was R. Nisim son of Reuven (the Ran). He also studied under R. Chasdai Crescas and R. Peretz HaKohen.
The book was printed booklet by booklet and distributed to purchasers on Shabbat in the synagogue, as was the practice in Constantinople in those days. This provoked a halachic discussion among Constantinople rabbis who opposed this practice (see: A. Yaari, HaDefus HaIvri BeKushta, Jerusalem 1967, p. 103, no. 145).
First [11] leaves comprise contents, followed by title page. Last [10] leaves comprise index (in most copies, the index appears at the beginning of the book, before the title page).
Signature deleted with ink on endpaper: "Yaakov son of Shimon Ulm". Inscriptions on first leaf (on blank recto): "R. Itzek Kann"; "[This] came to my portion from my father's estate, Gumpel son of R. Leib Kann… grandson of the above"; inscription in the form of a brief poem (relating to the name Yaakov); "I purchased it… Baer Adler HaKohen".
R. Baer Adler HaKohen (1785-1866), a dayan of Frankfurt am Main. He was a childhood friend of the Chatam Sofer and the Machaneh Levi. He is renowned for his ardent struggle against the prohibition of circumcision being propounded by the Reform movement, to which end he joined with his teacher R. Salman Trier and friend R. Aharon Fuld in authoring a German work, Rabbinische Gutachten über die Beschneidung, printed in Frankfurt, publishing letters and responsa received from leading Ashkenazic rabbis: the Aruch LaNer, R. Tzvi Hirsch Chajes, the Mateh Levi, and others. Some of his Torah novellae were printed by his brother R. Gavriel Adler, Rabbi of Oberdorf, in Kanfei Nesharim, at the end of Leshon Zahav (Offenbach, 1823).
Marginal glosses in Sephardic cursive script, by two writers. Most glosses are summaries of halachot from the responsa; a lengthy gloss with original content to Responsum 101.
[303] leaves. 30.5 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition, first and last leaves in fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Traces of former dampness with mold stains to some leaves. Worming to some leaves, slightly affecting text. A few tears, including small marginal open tear to title page. Early leather binding. Worming and defects to binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
![Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula, with many woodcut illustrations. [Venice]: Meir son of Yaakov Parenzo, [1547?](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/104_1.jpg "Meshal HaKadmoni – Venice, 1547 – Many Woodcut Illustrations")
![Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula, with many woodcut illustrations. [Venice]: Meir son of Yaakov Parenzo, [1547?](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/104_2.jpg "Meshal HaKadmoni – Venice, 1547 – Many Woodcut Illustrations")
![Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula, with many woodcut illustrations. [Venice]: Meir son of Yaakov Parenzo, [1547?](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/104_3.jpg "Meshal HaKadmoni – Venice, 1547 – Many Woodcut Illustrations")
![Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula, with many woodcut illustrations. [Venice]: Meir son of Yaakov Parenzo, [1547?](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/104_4.jpg "Meshal HaKadmoni – Venice, 1547 – Many Woodcut Illustrations")
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000
Sold for: $16,250
Including buyer's premium
Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula, with many woodcut illustrations. [Venice]: Meir son of Yaakov Parenzo, [1547?].
Meshal HaKadmoni, the first illustrated Hebrew book, was first printed by Gershom Soncino in Brescia, ca. 1491; and again ca. 1497 (a copy of the second edition was sold in Kedem Auction 83, Part I, Lot 16). This is the third edition of the book, printed in Venice.
The author,
R. Yitzchak son of Shlomo ibn Sahula, was a philosopher, physician and kabbalist. Born in Spain in 1244, and probably passed away in late 13th century. His Meshal HaKadmoni is a Jewish maqama (rhymed prose) composed of fables, parables and poems, striving to inculcate ethics and virtue. Various animal fables are employed by the author as moral allegories. Part of the work takes the form of a dialogue between the author and his opponent, who argue over the importance of character traits, employing fables and parables to express their views.
R. Yitzchak son of Shlomo ibn Sahula, was a philosopher, physician and kabbalist. Born in Spain in 1244, and probably passed away in late 13th century. His Meshal HaKadmoni is a Jewish maqama (rhymed prose) composed of fables, parables and poems, striving to inculcate ethics and virtue. Various animal fables are employed by the author as moral allegories. Part of the work takes the form of a dialogue between the author and his opponent, who argue over the importance of character traits, employing fables and parables to express their views.
The book includes many woodcuts, illustrating scenes from the parables and fables, depicting both animal and human figures. The illustrations, which originate from the author's autograph (now lost), were copied in later manuscripts, and eventually printed by the Soncino family. The present edition features a new series of woodcut illustrations, more detailed than the illustrations found in the Soncino edition (the illustrations in the present edition are numbered, 1-79).
Printer's device of Meir son of Yaakov Parenzo on title page: a seven-branched menorah with knobs and flowers, standing on three legs, with inscriptions on three sides alluding to the printer's name (see: A. Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, Jerusalem 1944, no. 14; note on p. 128).
On last leaf, signatures of censors: Camillo Jaghel, dated 1613; Luigi da Bologna, dated 1601; Hippolitus Ferrarensis, dated 1594; and Renatus a Mutina, dated 1620(?).
Handwritten addition on p. 3b (copying of sentences from beginning of next page). Another Hebrew inscription on last leaf.
64 leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Tears, including open tears to several leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper filling. Open tear to top of title page, slightly affecting title, repaired with paper filling (with handwritten replacements for tops of several letters). Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper filling. Close trimming, slightly affecting headers. New parchment binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
For more on the book and its editions, see: A.M. Habermann, Kiryat Sefer, XXIX, 1953, pp. 199-203; A.J. Karp, From the Ends of the Earth: Judaic Treasures of the Library of Congress (1991), p. 125.
On the printer Meir Parenzo, see: Habermann, Perakim BeToldot HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, pp. 168-169.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $6,000
Sold for: $5,750
Including buyer's premium
Moreh Nevuchim by the Rambam, with three commentaries: Shem Tov, Efodi and Crescas. Sabbioneta: Cornelius Adelkind HaLevi for Tobias Foa, 1553. Third edition of the work, and first edition of commentary of R. Asher Crescas.
Censorship expurgations (entire lines erased on several leaves, with some words scraped from leaf; occasionally a word is added by hand next to the deleted one).
The present copy includes another line on margins of title page: "Printed on behalf of the honorable noble R. Yitzchak of Modena (other copies include different names; see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book listing 149987).
Gloss in Italian script on p. 64b.
Stamp of Jews' College Library on title page.
[14], 174, [2] leaves. 29 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, and some dampstains. Tears, including open tears to title page, affecting illustrated title page, repaired with paper to verso of leaf. Worming to several leaves, one with significant worming affecting text, repaired with paper filling, with several words supplied by hand. Tape to margins of several leaves. Fine new leather binding. Placed in case.
On last leaf, signature of censor Domenico Gerosolimitano and of Giovanni Domenico Carretto, dated 1618(?). Other censorship inscriptions on verso of title page.
Includes two leaves at end of volume with geometrical commentaries and diagrams, not found in most copies.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Mechir Yayin, commentary on the Book of Esther by R. Moshe Isserles – the Rama. Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1559. First edition.
Mechir Yayin is the first work by R. Moshe Isserles. It was written during his stay in Szydłów following the outbreak of a plague in the Cracow region ca. 1556, which compelled his family to leave the city. The refugees in Szydłów were left utterly destitute, making it difficult for them to fulfill the Purim mitzvot.
The Rama dedicated the present work to his father as a sort of substitute for mishloach manot (the name of the work, deriving from a verse in Yeshayahu, has the literal meaning of "substitute for wine"). The concluding words of the book contain an acrostic poem with the author's name: "What I saw fit to explain in this Megillah… I sent in the days of Purim as a gift to my most valiant father Yisrael, head of the uncountable people. One who wishes to investigate what I say must study physics, metaphysics and sciences, and such a person is one of the celestial spheres".
The book was proofread by Vittorio Eliano, a grandson of R. Eliyahu Bachur.
24 leaves. 19.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including light dampstains (slightly dark stains to last leaves). Small marginal tears to title page and several other leaves. New binding.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
![Chavatzelet HaSharon, commentary on the Book of Daniel by R. Moshe Alshich. [Constantinople: Shlomo Yaavetz], 1563. First](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/107_1.jpg "Chavatzelet HaSharon (Commentary of Alshich on Daniel) – Constantinopl")
![Chavatzelet HaSharon, commentary on the Book of Daniel by R. Moshe Alshich. [Constantinople: Shlomo Yaavetz], 1563. First](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/107_2.jpg "Chavatzelet HaSharon (Commentary of Alshich on Daniel) – Constantinopl")
![Chavatzelet HaSharon, commentary on the Book of Daniel by R. Moshe Alshich. [Constantinople: Shlomo Yaavetz], 1563. First](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale104/107_3.jpg "Chavatzelet HaSharon (Commentary of Alshich on Daniel) – Constantinopl")
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $10,625
Including buyer's premium
Chavatzelet HaSharon, commentary on the Book of Daniel by R. Moshe Alshich. [Constantinople: Shlomo Yaavetz], 1563. First edition of the first book of the Alshich to be printed.
The author, R. Moshe Alshich (1508-1593), born in Adrianople (present-day Edirne, Turkey), studied under R. Moshe Taitazak in Salonika and R. Yosef Karo, who was like a father to him. Served as rabbi, yeshiva dean and preacher and Safed, and was a prominent disciple of the Arizal in kabbalah, who would come to listen to his sermons and proclaimed that they accorded with the truth. He was ordained by R. Moshe Cordovero (who had himself been ordained by R. Yaakov Beirav, who renewed semichah ordination in modern times, ordaining a few distinguished Torah scholars, including R. Yosef Karo and others; R. Moshe Alshich in turn ordained R. Chaim Vital, the student of the Arizal). In his later years he led the entire Safed community.
On last leaf, signature of censor "Onorato Lissio" dated 1590, and signature of censor "Domenico Gerosolimitano"; on preceding page, signature (faded) of "Giovanni Domenico Carretto".
[116] leaves (collation numbered at tops of leaves). 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Dark stains or traces of former dampness to margins of many leaves. Tears, including tears affecting text to some leaves (without loss), repaired. Early leather binding, repaired. Worming and defects to binding.
Location of printing and printer not indicated in the book. Some bibliographers erroneously located its printing in Safed; in fact it was printed in Constantinople by Shlomo Yaavetz (the brothers Shlomo and Yosef Yaavetz were partners over the years in various cities; the present book was printed while the brothers were working separately). See: A. Yaari HaDefus HaIvri BeKushta, Jerusalem, 1967, pp. 26-27; Y. Hacker, Defusei Kushta BaMeah HaShesh Esreh, Areshet, V, pp. 469-470.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value
Auction 104 Part 1 Rare and Important Items
Oct 21, 2025
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $15,000
Including buyer's premium
Sur MeRa, dialogue between two friends, denouncing card games, by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice: Giovanni di Gara, 1595. First edition.
On title page: "Two speak together on the subject of games, one justifying and one condemning. The import of their words is that a person would do best to distance himself from it. A desirable reprimand for every person, clearly and pleasantly written".
The book takes the form of a literary dialogue between two friends, Eldad and Meidad (their names appear, abbreviated, wherever they speak), discussing card games and gambling of various types: one of them is a seasoned gambler, while the other attempts to dissuade him from gambling.
At the beginning of the book is an introduction by the publisher, R. Avraham Chaver Tov, describing his efforts to attain the manuscript from a certain scholar "whose Torah is his trade" – referring to the author, R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena, whose name is not mentioned in the book. Based on R. Yehudah Aryeh's testimony (Chayei Yehudah by R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena, Daniel Carpi edition, Tel Aviv, 1985, p. 74), he authored the present work at the young age of thirteen. Card games and gambling were familiar to R. Yehudah Aryeh, who experienced much suffering in his life, including addiction to gambling.
R. Yehudah Aryeh of Modena (1571-1648) was a rabbi in Venice, teacher, cantor, grammarian and poet, a gifted orator and preacher, a learned scholar and a fascinating and original polemicist. His other works include Tzemach Tzaddik (Venice, 1600), an autobiography Chayei Yehudah, Midbar Yehudah (Venice, 1602) with selected sermons, and many others, including some polemical works.
On p. 11b, signature of censor Giovanni Domenico Carretto, dated 1618.
12 leaves. 14 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Open tears to inner margins, slightly affecting text of several leaves, repaired with paper filling. New leather binding.
Exceptionally rare. Recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book based on a copy from a private collection (likely the present copy). Recorded in the NLI catalog based on images of the Biblioteca Palatina copy, but no printed copy held in the library.
Category
Early Printed Hebrew Books, Classic and Important Books
Catalogue Value