Manuscript, poem of thanksgiving for the miraculous "Purim Sheni" (second Purim) salvation of the Cuneo community, Italy, during the Napoleonic wars. [Cuneo, Italy, 18th/19th century].
Italian square script, vocalized, on thick paper. The poem consists of 20 stanzas of eight lines. Owner's signature on the first leaf: "Yechiel Lattes", and other inscriptions. This poem was composed in commemoration of the events which occurred in the Cuneo community during the battles against Napoleon, and the miraculous
survival of the Jews from the shelling of the synagogue during the bombardment of the city. This event was celebrated every year in the community as a "Purim Sheni", and was dubbed "Purim della Bomba" (Purim of the bomb). This piyyut, which offers a poetic description of the events of 4th Kislev 1799, was recited every year in commemoration of the miracle.
The Jewish communities of Piedmont, Italy, including that of Cuneo, had their roots in the renowned Provence (southern France) communities, which emigrated from Provence following the papal bull of 1569 restricting their settlement. Due to their geographic closeness to several borders and to an international crossroad, the Jews of Piedmont suffered from many wars and sieges from the various European armies, as they passed through the divided Italian territory.
The event documented in this poem took place at the end of 1799, when a small division of Napoleon's army took position in the city, and attempted to defend themselves against the Russian and Austrian troops besieging the city. The battle extended over three months, during which the Jews of the city endured shelling, starvation and illnesses, as well as violence and acts of vengeance from the local population. Following heavy bombardment, the French troops retreated, and the city was conquered by the Austro-Russian forces. During the shelling, a cannonball hit the wall of the synagogue, while it was full of praying Jews, and miraculously, no one was hurt. In commemoration of this miracle, the community instituted a "Purim Sheni", celebrated every year for over a century (until the Holocaust). This day was marked with the recital of the complete Hallel and piyyutim, nocturnal Torah study, the distribution of charity to the poor, and a festive meal.
The hole which the cannonball made in the wall of the Cuneo synagogue remains until this day, with a sign beside it reading: "For the miracle which occurred here".
[8] leaves (including two blank leaves). Thick paper. 20 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Dark stains in several places. Tear to first leaf. Old binding.

Manuscript, prayers for protection against a plague, handwritten by R. Refael Ergas. [Livorno, 1832].
Autograph (semi-cursive Italian script), with deletions and emendations. Writer's colophon on the last leaf: "HaRafa" - presumably the acronym of R. Refael Ergas, a Livorno Torah scholar (author of Sefer HaZichronot shel HaRafa, JTS MS 3787; published in Brooklyn, 1985).
This manuscript includes special prayers instituted in Livorno in 1832, when the city was threatened by a plague. On leaf [2], the writer describes how this prayer order was composed by a committee of three dayanim, following a request from the local ruler: "Since the king requested to pray and plead G-d for mercy, regarding the disease which has struck other places, so that it should not affect us, G-d forbid, the dayanim immediately… formed a committee to compile a prayer order… and they resolved to fix Wednesday, of the second week of Cheshvan, 1832, and on this day, close to the time of Mincha… we gathered together in one of the synagogues… to pray and beg for mercy for us and all the Jews residing in the other places…".
The first leaves contain a special order of verses, followed by "Verses forming the acrostic - Livorno" (the initial letters of the verses form the word "Livorno"), and a special prayer composed for this misfortune.
On the first leaf, an inscription by the writer, dedicating this book to R. Avraham Coriat, a Livorno Torah scholar and dayan: "This book, which I handwrote, was made for my beloved and cherished friend... the Torah scholar R. Avraham Coriat…".
The closing colophon mentions once again the year 1832, as well as the Torah portion of that week - Vayera (read in Cheshvan), and the "three dayanim who composed this prayer".
At the foot of the last leaf, a later inscription was added, documenting that they availed themselves to this prayer order once again in Av 1835.
[7] leaves (12 written pages). 15 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Original paper cover, damaged.

Manuscript, Tikkun Shovavim [by R. Moshe Zacuto]. [Italy, ca. 18th century].
Italian square script, vocalized; with instructions in semi-cursive, non-vocalized, script.
Includes the text of the special prayers for the Shovavim period (weeks of the first six Torah portions of Shemot), as established by the kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto (the Remez). It begins with a special piyyut which is "fitting for the Shovavim days", composed by R. Moshe Zacuto.
[18] leaves (35 written pages). 13.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear, dark dampstains. Light worming. Original cardboard cover, damaged.