Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,200
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Volume of booklets handwritten by R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen of Modena - sermons he delivered to his community on various occasions. [Italy, Modena? 18th century].
Handwritten by the author, with deletions and many marginal additions. The volume comprises 5 booklets; an additional booklet is enclosed. The booklets are bound with their original paper covers. The details of the sermon with the author’s initials - "Sh.Y.M.K." = Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach Kohen, appear on the covers and first page of each booklet. To the best of our knowledge, these sermons were never published.
The booklets contain the following sermons (in order of binding): "Sermon for Chanukah regarding the virtue of Torah and Torah supporters, in honor of the Talmud Torah society of Busseto, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Tazria, by me, Sh.Y.M.K", "Sermon for Parashat Balak and the 17th of Tammuz, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for the seventh day of Pesach, by me, Sh.Y.M.K., also appropriate for Parashat Beshalach", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Behar Sinai". Separate booklet: "Sermon for Shabbat Parashat Chukat, by me Sh.Y.M.K".
R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, who customarily signed his name with the acronym "Sh.Y.M.K.", was an Italian Torah scholar in the 18th century, rabbi, educator and preacher in Modena and the surroundings. Not much information is known about him, apart from his extant sermons and compositions, which disclose his Torah preeminence and erudition both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. He was born ca. 1740. Most of his extant works consist of his sermons. His first sermon known to us, delivered in Brescello, is dated 1769 (see: Mikavtze’el, Chevrat Ahavat Shalom, issue 31, p. 519). There is a manuscript in the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary (Ms. Kaufmann A 163), which includes novellae sent from a rabbi in "Mantua, 1769" to "Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, teacher in Brescello". In the 1790s, he was active in Modena and delivered sermons there. The last date mentioned in his writings is the year 1795 (see: Mikavtze’el, ibid). He also authored a booklet of prayers and segulot, and this indicates that he engaged in practical kabbalah. One of the amulets is introduced as follows: "Text of a amulet which I, Sh.Y.M.K., instituted and wrote, for a Jew from Colorno who was imprisoned… and praise G-d he derived much benefit from it, as he testified after he was released a year before the designated time" (Mikavtze’el, ibid). The sermons in these booklets are replete with thoughts and commentaries, drawn from the Bible, Midrash and kabbalah. In the sermon for the seventh day of Pesach (p. 86), R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach quotes teachings from the kabbalist R. Shimshon Chaim Nachmani of Modena, the Zera Shimshon, with the following introductory words: "From what my master and teacher wrote on this topic, in his delightful book Zera Shimshon…". This discloses that R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach was a disciple of the Zera Shimshon.
6 booklets (5 are bound together in a new binding, with their original paper covers). Over one hundred written pages. 13-14 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear.
Handwritten by the author, with deletions and many marginal additions. The volume comprises 5 booklets; an additional booklet is enclosed. The booklets are bound with their original paper covers. The details of the sermon with the author’s initials - "Sh.Y.M.K." = Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach Kohen, appear on the covers and first page of each booklet. To the best of our knowledge, these sermons were never published.
The booklets contain the following sermons (in order of binding): "Sermon for Chanukah regarding the virtue of Torah and Torah supporters, in honor of the Talmud Torah society of Busseto, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Tazria, by me, Sh.Y.M.K", "Sermon for Parashat Balak and the 17th of Tammuz, by me, Sh.Y.M.K.", "Sermon for the seventh day of Pesach, by me, Sh.Y.M.K., also appropriate for Parashat Beshalach", "Sermon for a circumcision on Parashat Behar Sinai". Separate booklet: "Sermon for Shabbat Parashat Chukat, by me Sh.Y.M.K".
R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, who customarily signed his name with the acronym "Sh.Y.M.K.", was an Italian Torah scholar in the 18th century, rabbi, educator and preacher in Modena and the surroundings. Not much information is known about him, apart from his extant sermons and compositions, which disclose his Torah preeminence and erudition both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. He was born ca. 1740. Most of his extant works consist of his sermons. His first sermon known to us, delivered in Brescello, is dated 1769 (see: Mikavtze’el, Chevrat Ahavat Shalom, issue 31, p. 519). There is a manuscript in the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary (Ms. Kaufmann A 163), which includes novellae sent from a rabbi in "Mantua, 1769" to "Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach HaKohen, teacher in Brescello". In the 1790s, he was active in Modena and delivered sermons there. The last date mentioned in his writings is the year 1795 (see: Mikavtze’el, ibid). He also authored a booklet of prayers and segulot, and this indicates that he engaged in practical kabbalah. One of the amulets is introduced as follows: "Text of a amulet which I, Sh.Y.M.K., instituted and wrote, for a Jew from Colorno who was imprisoned… and praise G-d he derived much benefit from it, as he testified after he was released a year before the designated time" (Mikavtze’el, ibid). The sermons in these booklets are replete with thoughts and commentaries, drawn from the Bible, Midrash and kabbalah. In the sermon for the seventh day of Pesach (p. 86), R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach quotes teachings from the kabbalist R. Shimshon Chaim Nachmani of Modena, the Zera Shimshon, with the following introductory words: "From what my master and teacher wrote on this topic, in his delightful book Zera Shimshon…". This discloses that R. Shmuel Yehuda Matzliach was a disciple of the Zera Shimshon.
6 booklets (5 are bound together in a new binding, with their original paper covers). Over one hundred written pages. 13-14 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Sold for: $550
Including buyer's premium
Ledger of the Mercy Society - Compagnia della Misericordia Israelitica, in Vercelli, Italy, [1901-1929].
Ledger, oblong elephant folio (49X58 cm). Printed title page. Original binding. The name of the society is lettered in gilt on the front cover. The ledger is comprised of folded leaves, which open up to nearly double the size. These leaves contain tables with printed headings, in which the details of numerous community members who passed away between 1772-1929 were filled in by hand: their names and fathers’ names, date of death and other details. The ledger is divided into Hebrew months (13 months, including the month of "VeAdar" - Adar II).
The ledger was prepared in 1901, as stated on the title page, and was then filled in with names of community members from 1772 until that time. Additional records were added later, up until 1929.
The Mercy Society served as a burial society, and the ledger records contributions donated in memory of the deceased, as well as various other pledges: lamps in the synagogue, the recital of Psalms and memorial services, synagogue torches, fasts and others.
[14] leaves. Including 13 folded leaves. Heavy stock paper. Height of binding: 49 cm. Width of binding: 58 cm. Size of leaves, unfolded: 56X85 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Damage and tears to binding and endpapers.
Ledger, oblong elephant folio (49X58 cm). Printed title page. Original binding. The name of the society is lettered in gilt on the front cover. The ledger is comprised of folded leaves, which open up to nearly double the size. These leaves contain tables with printed headings, in which the details of numerous community members who passed away between 1772-1929 were filled in by hand: their names and fathers’ names, date of death and other details. The ledger is divided into Hebrew months (13 months, including the month of "VeAdar" - Adar II).
The ledger was prepared in 1901, as stated on the title page, and was then filled in with names of community members from 1772 until that time. Additional records were added later, up until 1929.
The Mercy Society served as a burial society, and the ledger records contributions donated in memory of the deceased, as well as various other pledges: lamps in the synagogue, the recital of Psalms and memorial services, synagogue torches, fasts and others.
[14] leaves. Including 13 folded leaves. Heavy stock paper. Height of binding: 49 cm. Width of binding: 58 cm. Size of leaves, unfolded: 56X85 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Damage and tears to binding and endpapers.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Kehunat Avraham, poetic commentary to the five books of Tehillim, with Eleh Bnei Ketura - The Song of Creation in rhyming verses, six parts, by R. Avraham son of Shabtai HaKohen of Zante (Zakynthos). Venice, [1719]. Seven title pages. Individual title page for each of the six parts.
At the beginning of the book, a general title page for all parts of the book, featuring many illustrations. The title pages of the first five parts are illustrated with trumpet-bearing angels. Title page of Part I: Signature of R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi, and signatures of his son R. Mordechai Shmuel, who signed with his acronym: "HaGeSheM", and with his full signature: "Mordechai Shmuel son of my father, the wise and sage R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi". Another ownership inscription on the front endpaper: "For Avraham as possession, Avraham HaKohen of Głogów, Abraham Cohn - Posen" (author of Be’er Avraham, Poznań 1896). The preceding page contains rhyming verses in Italian script.
R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1799-1852), rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the biographies of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on Halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of his generation praised his eminence in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone well-versed in Kabbalah like the kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, describes his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well-versed in responsa and Halacha, rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wise responsa to them are recorded in his book of responsa named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
1, [1] leaves (lacking leaf [2] following title page, with author’s portrait), 2-8; 49; 40; 30 (lacking 4 leaves in Part IV - leaves 9-12, erroneously replaced with leaves 9-12 of Part V); 26; 64 leaves. General title page (of all six parts of the book) bound after title page of Part I. 20 cm. Good condition. Tear to title page of Part I, repaired. General title page mounted on paper for preservation. Inner margins of first three leaves reinforced with paper. Stains. Worming. Parchment binding, with minor damage.
At the beginning of the book, a general title page for all parts of the book, featuring many illustrations. The title pages of the first five parts are illustrated with trumpet-bearing angels. Title page of Part I: Signature of R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi, and signatures of his son R. Mordechai Shmuel, who signed with his acronym: "HaGeSheM", and with his full signature: "Mordechai Shmuel son of my father, the wise and sage R. Ben Tzion Ghirondi". Another ownership inscription on the front endpaper: "For Avraham as possession, Avraham HaKohen of Głogów, Abraham Cohn - Posen" (author of Be’er Avraham, Poznań 1896). The preceding page contains rhyming verses in Italian script.
R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1799-1852), rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the biographies of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on Halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of his generation praised his eminence in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone well-versed in Kabbalah like the kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, describes his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well-versed in responsa and Halacha, rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wise responsa to them are recorded in his book of responsa named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
1, [1] leaves (lacking leaf [2] following title page, with author’s portrait), 2-8; 49; 40; 30 (lacking 4 leaves in Part IV - leaves 9-12, erroneously replaced with leaves 9-12 of Part V); 26; 64 leaves. General title page (of all six parts of the book) bound after title page of Part I. 20 cm. Good condition. Tear to title page of Part I, repaired. General title page mounted on paper for preservation. Inner margins of first three leaves reinforced with paper. Stains. Worming. Parchment binding, with minor damage.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Emet V’Emuna, textbook for youth in Hebrew and Italian, by R. Yitzchak Arobas. Venice, [1672]. Only edition. Hebrew and Italian.
Printed with: Hilchot Yom Tov - laws of festivals, Chol HaMoed and kashrut, compiled from the Shulchan Aruch with minor textual changes. Separate title page.
The beginning of the book Emet V’Emunah is based on Sefer HaMitzvot and on Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith, and the second part is an abridged version of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. Hebrew original and Italian translation on separate pages.
Two poems in praise of the book are printed at the beginning of the book, one by R. Yaakov HaLevi and the other by the kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto (the Remez). Further words of praise, by R. Shlomo Chai Saraval, at the end of Hilchot Yom Tov.
The author, R. Yitzchak Arobas, served as rabbi of Tétouan. He authored other works, including Zivchei Tzedek (Venice 1662) and several books in Spanish.
Two books in one volume. [320] leaves. 36 leaves. 10 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Gilt edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Tears and wear to title page. Wormhole to approx. first 12 leaves, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Hilchot Yom Tov is recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book based on a photocopy, with 1670 as estimated year of printing. From this copy, it is apparent that both compositions were printed together in the same printing house.
Printed with: Hilchot Yom Tov - laws of festivals, Chol HaMoed and kashrut, compiled from the Shulchan Aruch with minor textual changes. Separate title page.
The beginning of the book Emet V’Emunah is based on Sefer HaMitzvot and on Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith, and the second part is an abridged version of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. Hebrew original and Italian translation on separate pages.
Two poems in praise of the book are printed at the beginning of the book, one by R. Yaakov HaLevi and the other by the kabbalist R. Moshe Zacuto (the Remez). Further words of praise, by R. Shlomo Chai Saraval, at the end of Hilchot Yom Tov.
The author, R. Yitzchak Arobas, served as rabbi of Tétouan. He authored other works, including Zivchei Tzedek (Venice 1662) and several books in Spanish.
Two books in one volume. [320] leaves. 36 leaves. 10 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Gilt edges. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Tears and wear to title page. Wormhole to approx. first 12 leaves, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Hilchot Yom Tov is recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book based on a photocopy, with 1670 as estimated year of printing. From this copy, it is apparent that both compositions were printed together in the same printing house.
Category
Italian Jewry - Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue