Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
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Manuscript leaf, halachic responsum regarding grafted etrogim, handwritten by R. Yishmael HaKohen of Modena, author of Zera Emet. [Italy], 1793.
Autograph, with deletions, corrections and additions between lines. The top of the manuscript reads: "Dalla villeggiat.a 2 agosto 5553" ["from vacation, August 2, 1793"]. The first lines are also written in Italian (with an apology for the delayed reply due to his vacation), after which he commences to write in Hebrew. He goes on to mention a lengthy halachic ruling he had written elsewhere [apparently referring to the 1792 responsum printed in Responsa Zera Emet, III, 73], and offers to send a copy upon his return from vacation.
At the end of the letter he discusses another halachic topic, absorption of forbidden foods in vessels, and refers to another yet-unpublished responsum of his (Zera Emet, Yoreh Deah 39).
At the top and bottom of the leaf appears the inscription "copied". To the best of our knowledge, this responsum has never been published.
R. Yishmael HaKohen, Rabbi of Modena (1724-1810), leading Italian rabbi and prominent posek. In 1782, he succeeded his brother R. David HaKohen as Rabbi of Modena, effectively leading all of Italian Jewry.
When the Jewish Sanhedrin was instituted by Napoleon in 1806, he wrote a detailed response to 12 questions asked by Napoleon about the relation between state law and Jewish law, which served as the basis for the rabbis representing Italian regions in the Sanhedrin.
[1] leaf. 20 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Booklet handwritten by R. Mazal Tov Modena, index of responsa and halachic rulings of his teacher, R. Yishmael HaKohen of Modena, author of Zera Emet. [Modena, second half of 18th century or early 19th century].
Contains 87 sections, some including the conclusion of the halachic ruling.
Some of the halachic rulings documented here were printed in the three parts of Responsa Zera Emet, but others were apparently never printed, such as: section 27 (eulogizing a gentile king in the synagogue and using sacred objects), section 33 (that a widower marrying a widow should be particular to marry at the full moon), section 75 (a Torah scroll missing a dot) and sections 86-87 (a communal decision not to allow anyone but the posek to offer halachic rulings, intending to exclude a particular individual).
R. Mazal Tov Modena, disciple of R. Yishmael HaKohen, author of Zera Emet, and his successor as Rabbi of Modena. Leading Italian rabbi ca. 1770s-1830s, invited to Napoleon's Sanhedrin.
[4] leaves (5 written pages), bound in paper wrapper. 18 cm. Good condition. Light wear and creases. Inscriptions and tears to paper wrapper.
![Manuscript, Sefirat HaOmer according to Kabbalah, with prayers and Kavanot for additional matters. [Italy, ca. 19th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/15_1.jpg "Manuscript – Sefirat HaOmer According to Kabbalah – Prayers and Kavano")
![Manuscript, Sefirat HaOmer according to Kabbalah, with prayers and Kavanot for additional matters. [Italy, ca. 19th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/15_2.jpg "Manuscript – Sefirat HaOmer According to Kabbalah – Prayers and Kavano")
![Manuscript, Sefirat HaOmer according to Kabbalah, with prayers and Kavanot for additional matters. [Italy, ca. 19th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/15_3.jpg "Manuscript – Sefirat HaOmer According to Kabbalah – Prayers and Kavano")
![Manuscript, Sefirat HaOmer according to Kabbalah, with prayers and Kavanot for additional matters. [Italy, ca. 19th century].](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/15_4.jpg "Manuscript – Sefirat HaOmer According to Kabbalah – Prayers and Kavano")
Manuscript, Sefirat HaOmer according to Kabbalah, with prayers and Kavanot for additional matters. [Italy, ca. 19th century].
Square Italian script, incorporating several colors – some words written in red, green and gilt ink. On the first page is an illustration of a Lamnatzeach menorah.
Contains a listing of all the days of the counting of the Omer, with the appropriate Kavanot according to Kabbalah.
Afterwards appears a prayer with kabbalistic Kavanot for success in livelihood: "When going to do business one should say…", and additional prayers for various times. Afterwards appears a prayer for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, followed by a kabbalistic confession, integrating kabbalistic Kavanot; followed by various prayers, such as: "this prayer should be recited by one who has an understanding heart (and not the masses)", "one who has a sickness in his family… should pray…", and more.
[14] leaves. 23 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dark dampstains. Tears and wear. Worming. Several leaves detached. Elegant velvet binding, heavily damaged.
Manuscript, haftarot for Pesach and Shavuot, with a journal of family inscriptions and miraculous events, made by Shlomo son of Yitzchak Bianchini. Ferrara, first half of the 19th century.
The first part of the manuscript contains the text of the haftarot for Pesach and Shavuot, with the Aramaic Targum (verse by verse) and blessings over the Haftarah. Square and semi-cursive script, mostly vocalized. The Haftarah text includes cantillation. Floral decorations in several places.
In the second part of the manuscript, the scribe and owner, Shlomo Bianchini (Bianchino), documents family events, marriages and births, as well as miracles that occurred to him and members of his family between 1823-1838. Among other events, there is documentation of: his son Moshe's recovery from a fall from the bed in 1827; a collapse of part of the stairs of his house without affecting any family member in 1825; his marriage to Rivkah daughter of Nachum Neppi in 1823; the birth and circumcision of his son Shmuel Aviad Sar Shalom in 1824; the birth and circumcision of his son Moshe in 1825; the birth of his three daughters in 1827-1831 (including a dream seen by his wife); his daughter Stella's recovery from a fall in 1828; the passing of his father Yitzchak Chizkiyah Bianchini in 1833, and the birth of another son named after his father a year later; inscriptions on additional births; and more. The last leaves contain inscriptions in Italian from later years.
[34] leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. Partially detached leaves. Original binding, damaged.
![Manuscript, anthology of piyyutim and songs, with songs for a circumcision. [Ancona], 1826.Illustrated title pages, painted i](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/17_1.jpg "Manuscript, Anthology of Piyyutim and Songs – Ancona, 1826 – Illustrat")
![Manuscript, anthology of piyyutim and songs, with songs for a circumcision. [Ancona], 1826.Illustrated title pages, painted i](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/17_2.jpg "Manuscript, Anthology of Piyyutim and Songs – Ancona, 1826 – Illustrat")
![Manuscript, anthology of piyyutim and songs, with songs for a circumcision. [Ancona], 1826.Illustrated title pages, painted i](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/17_3.jpg "Manuscript, Anthology of Piyyutim and Songs – Ancona, 1826 – Illustrat")
Manuscript, anthology of piyyutim and songs, with songs for a circumcision. [Ancona], 1826.
Illustrated title pages, painted in a style characteristic of Ancona. Square Italian script (with some cursive script).
Ownership inscription on title page at beginning of manuscript and on title page for circumcision songs in middle of manuscript.
First part contains piyyutim and songs for Shabbat, festivals, weddings and various occasions (some piyyutim characteristic of Ancona; includes a Judeo-Italian poem). Second part contains songs for circumcision.
In the middle of the manuscript are bound leaves from a later period with other piyyutim and prayers.
[103] leaves. 14.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Worming. Marginal tears, partially repaired with tape. Most leaves detached. Old binding, damaged.
Provenance: Collection of R. Menachem Emanuel Hartom, Ms. 7.
![Manuscript, prayers and piyyutim for high holidays and festivals. [Pitigliano, Italy, 1865].Title page decorated with colorfu](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/18_1.jpg "Manuscript, Prayers and Piyyutim for High Holidays and Festivals – Pit")
![Manuscript, prayers and piyyutim for high holidays and festivals. [Pitigliano, Italy, 1865].Title page decorated with colorfu](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/18_2.jpg "Manuscript, Prayers and Piyyutim for High Holidays and Festivals – Pit")
![Manuscript, prayers and piyyutim for high holidays and festivals. [Pitigliano, Italy, 1865].Title page decorated with colorfu](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale96/18_3.jpg "Manuscript, Prayers and Piyyutim for High Holidays and Festivals – Pit")
Manuscript, prayers and piyyutim for high holidays and festivals. [Pitigliano, Italy, 1865].
Title page decorated with colorful frame. Square Italian script.
See Hebrew description for contents of manuscript.
[65] leaves. 15 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains (food stains on Rosh Hashanah nighttime meal service). Two detached leaves. Old binding, with light damage.
Provenance: Collection of R. Menachem Emanuel Hartom, Ms. 8.
Letter to the American philanthropist R. Dov Manischewitz and his wife Nesha, regarding the donations collected from the United States for the poor of Jerusalem, with the signatures and stamps of the Jerusalem Torah scholars and heads of the Vaad HaKlali, appointees of the kollels. Jerusalem, Kislev 1904.
Ten signatories: R. "Yitzchak Blazer" [the Rabbi of St. Petersburg, disciple of R. Yisrael Salanter]; R. Menachem Mendel Rabin [head of the Chassidic settlement in Jerusalem, son of R. Shmuel Aharon, Rabbi of Korczyna, author of Masa Meiron]; R. Elimelech Perlman [an important activist and leader of the Chassidic community of Jerusalem, son of R. Yisrael Isser Perlman, Rabbi of Rozwadów and son-in-law of R. Baruch Binyamin Ze'ev Wolf Weinstock, the first Chassidic dayan in Jerusalem]; R. Eliyahu Ze'ev Wolfsohn; R. Gedaliah Nachman Broder; R. Asher Dov Sussman; R. Yitzchak Eliezer Charlap; R. Moshe Ze'ev Silberman; R. Meir Adler [son-in-law of Rebbe Elazar Mendel Bidermann of Lelov]; and R. "Dov Ber Abramowitz – secretary" [a rabbi of St. Louis, United States, and a head of the Vaad HaKlali in Eretz Israel and the United States].
In the margins of the signatures is a letter with the signatures of the rabbis of the city, R. Shmuel Salant and R. Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim (the Aderet): "We too greet you and bless you with success and sign with a blessing".
R. Yitzchak Blazer – known as R. Itzele Peterburger (1837-1907), prominent disciple of R. Yisrael Salanter, and disseminator of the Musar movement in the Lithuanian yeshivas. Leading Torah scholar of his times, a Musar personality known for his holiness. At the instruction of R. Salanter he began to serve as Rabbi of St. Petersburg in 1862; in 1878 he resigned and moved to Kovno, and headed the Kovno Kollel starting in 1880. Later he also resigned from this position in order to continue his service of God as a private individual. During all of these periods, he would deliver Musar sermons in the Knesset Yisrael yeshiva in Slabodka, near Kovno. In 1902 he began preparing to immigrate to Eretz Israel, to which end he sold his house and property in Kovno, finally arriving in Eretz Israel in 1904. At his arrival in Jaffa, he was received in a ceremony attended by many leading Jerusalem rabbis. During this period R. Itzele directed the Vilna Kollel in Jerusalem and headed the Vaad HaKlali of charitable institutions in Jerusalem. Author of Responsa Pri Yitzchak in two parts.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains. Wear and folds. Repaired with paper on verso.
Huge collection of over 200 letters from rabbis, gabba'im and philanthropists from all over the world: United States, Europe, South Africa, and various other countries. [Ca. 1890s-1900s].
The letters were sent to R. Shmuel Salant, Rabbi of Jerusalem. Some are also addressed to the other rabbis who assisted him in administering the city's tzedakah funds: R. Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim (the Aderet); R. Yitzchak Blazer of St. Petersburg; R. Chaim Berlin of Moscow; and other rabbis and gabba'im from the Vaad HaKlali and additional institutions in the city.
R. Shmuel Salant (1816-1909), immigrated from Salant to Eretz Israel in 1841 to serve as posek and rabbi of the Perushim community of disciples of the Vilna Gaon in Jerusalem. His father-in-law R. Yosef Zundel Salant immigrated to Jerusalem in the same period. In his capacity as rabbi of Jerusalem, a position he held for close to seventy years, he founded the educational and charitable institutions in the city, established the Beit Din and strengthened the Ashkenazi community. He was renowned for his brilliance and practical approach to halachic ruling and in running communal matters in Jerusalem and worldwide.
Over 200 letters. Size and condition varies.
Large collection of letters and documents, halachic decisions, receipts and additional papers, from the estate of R. Shalom Yosef Alshich, head of the Yemenite Beit Din in Israel, including letters and documents signed by him and sent to him, including many signatures of Yemenite rabbis in Jerusalem.
The Yemenite rabbis and community leaders whose signatures appear on documents in the collection include: R. Avraham Chaim Nadaf, R. Shalom Yosef Iraqi, Chaim son of David Jamal, Yehudah son of Avraham Shalom Chabshush, R. Yosef Chiya HaLevi Alshich, and others.
This lot includes a halachic decision from 1901 signed by R. Yosef Nisim Burla (1828-1903, head of the Sephardic Beit Din in Jerusalem) and R. Vidal Chanoch Angel (dayan and head of the Beit Din, head of the Beit El kabbalistic yeshiva, d. 1907); and a record of testimony from 1930 signed by the witness "Amram Aburbeh" (1892-1967; dayan in Jerusalem and Chief Rabbi of Petach Tikva; author of Netivei Am books).
Also includes: Various visiting cards of R. Shalom Yosef Alshich and Shanah Tovah cards, invitations and printed items of the Yemenite Community Committee, and more.
R. Shalom son of Yosef HaLevi Alshich (1859-1944), a prominent kabbalist and head of the Yemenite Beit Din of Jerusalem and Chief Rabbi of the Yemenite community. Born in Sanaa, Yemen, he was a disciple of R. Chaim Korach and R. Yichya Badichi. He immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he strengthened Yemenite institutions in Jerusalem. He taught at the kabbalistic yeshivas Beit El and Rechovot HaNahar. He wrote commentaries on Yemenite piyyutim and himself composed many piyyutim expressing the Jewish longing to return to Eretz Israel.
Over 50 items, including 27 signed letters and documents. Varying size. Most in overall good condition.
Assorted collection of letters, emissary letters and letters to philanthropists, and letters on various matters and documents, from Sephardic rabbis and Torah scholars from Jerusalem. Jerusalem, ca. 1880s-1930s:
• Emissary letter from the Beit El kabbalistic yeshiva for the emissary R. Moshe Ben-Shushan, signed by the yeshiva deans – R. Shalom Hedaya, R. Naftali Baruch, R. Yeshuah Ben-Shushan and R. Avraham Azriel. [Jerusalem, ca. 1930s].
• Letter to R. Refael Tzarfati and the philanthropist Yachya Amoyal, requesting assistance for the Beit El kabbalistic yeshiva, signed by the yeshiva deans – R. Shalom Hedaya, R. Naftali Baruch, R. Shmuel Azran, R. Yeshuah Ben-Shushan and R. Avraham Azriel. [Jerusalem, ca. 1930s].
• Letter to the philanthropist Moshe Sikirra, a request for assistance for the poor of Jerusalem before the Passover festival, signed by the Rishon LeTzion R. Eliyahu Moshe Panigel, R. Mordechai Yisrael, R. Chaim David Sornaga and R. Shmuel Nisim. Jerusalem, Adar 1929.
• Three letters from the Sephardic Beit Din. Letter on divorce matters sent to R. Uziel, signed by dayanim R. Shmuel Nisim, R. Shlomo Hedaya and R. Chaim Eliyah HaLevi. Jerusalem, Tamuz 1912; certificate declaring Avraham son of Chaim Chason unmarried, signed by dayanim R. Chaim Eliyah HaLevi, R. Shmuel Moshe Mizrachi and R. Shalom Hedaya. Jerusalem, Elul 1912; certificate declaring Bat Sheva daughter of R. Yitzchak HaLevi unmarried, signed by dayanim R. Shmuel Nisim, R. Shalom Hedaya and R. Avraham Bijajo. Jerusalem, Iyar 1914.
• Letter signed and stamped by R. Moshe Franko, "Chacham Bashi in Jerusalem", to R. Bentzion Uziel. Jerusalem, Av 1914.
• Letter from the Maghrebi community council, sent to R. Refael Chaim Moshe Ben-Naim (Rachaman) in Gibraltar, signed and stamped by rabbis of Jerusalem and Maghrebi community officials – R. Nachman Betito, Rabbi of the Maghrebi community; R. Eliyahu Yaakov Ajimi; R. Shimon Ashriki; R. Shmuel Alaluf; and R. Yaakov Ben-Atar. Jerusalem, Tishrei 1912.
• Letter of the Maghrebi Beit Din in Jerusalem, sent to R. Bentzion Uziel, Rabbi of Tel Aviv, signed by the dayanim R. Shmuel Azran, R. Yosef Shlush and R. Shalom Azulai. Jerusalem, Tamuz 1931.
• Printed emissary letter (in gilt ink) for the emissary of the Maghrebi community R. Shlomo Kohen Zaguri, with (printed) signatures of R. Avraham Abikhzir, R. Yosef Shlush, R. Shalom Azulai, R. Amram Aburbeh and community officials. Rohld press, Jerusalem. Filled in by hand, mentioning "Sefrou" and the philanthropist "Amram Attiya", with stamp of R. Shlomo HaKohen Sikli, Sivan 1936.
• Letter containing an appeal from the General Orphanage, signed by R. Avraham Pilosof, R. Yosef HaLevi, R. Chanania Gavriel and R. Avraham Azriel. Jerusalem, Elul 1914.
• Letter signed by R. Nisim Danon, head of the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem, regarding the Blumenthal orphanage. Jerusalem, Shevat 1919.
• Handwritten inscription (in Ashkenazic script) of money accounts, signed by R. Yaakov Shaul Elyashar. Jerusalem, Tishrei 1887.
13 items, including 12 items with the rabbis' signatures. Varying size and condition. Overall good condition.
Large assorted collection of letters, documents, receipts and various documents, most signed by Sephardic rabbis in Tiberias, between ca. 1900-1960.
Among other things, the collection includes: Official stationery and printed receipts, some printed in color, decorations and pictures of holy sites, filled in by hand and signed or stamped by the rabbis.
Some items included in the collection:
• Letter of blessing for the bar mitzvah of Mordechai son of Avraham Nachum, neatly written, with the signatures of the city rabbis (calligraphic signatures): R. Aharon Alchadif, the Chacham Bashi (with his stamp); R. Yehudah Toledano; R. Shmuel Ben-Kiki; R. David Soudri; R. Baruch Toledano and R. Machluf HaKohen. Tiberias, 25 Shevat [1900].
• Large printed leaf with Shanah Tovah wishes, from the Sephardic Jewish community in Tiberias, with the addressees, the brothers Ashkenazi, filled in by hand. Stamps of Tiberias institutions and signature-like stamps of R. Shmuel Ben-Kiki and R. Avraham Abuchatzeira. Tiberias, [ca. 1890s-1910s].
• Certificate declaring Yosef son of Yeshuah Zrihan unmarried, with (calligraphic) signatures and stamps of dayanim R. Shmuel Ben-Kiki (head of Tiberias Beit Din), R. Yaakov Chai Zrihan and R. Eliyahu Illouz. Tiberias, 1914.
• Certificate declaring Yosef son of Yeshuah Zrihan unmarried, signed and stamped by R. Chaim Yissachar Abulafia, the Chacham Bashi. Tiberias, 1914.
• Letter from the Chacham Bashi R. Chaim [son of R.] Aharon Alchadif to R. Bentzion Uziel. Lengthy handwritten letter [scribal writing?], with R. Alchadif's official stamp and signature-like stamp. Tiberias, Tamuz [1919].
• Reports on Torah and educational institutions in Tiberias, signed by R. Meir Vaknin. 1920s-1930s.
• Postcard with letter from R. Meir Vaknin to his son Pinchas Vaknin. 1943.
• Three postcards with letters handwritten and signed by R. Meir Vaknin (with his stamp), to R. Shimon Ohayon, a rabbi in Jaffa. Tiberias, Cheshvan and Kislev 1959.
• Receipts and signed letters (on official stationeries of the institutions in Tiberias), signed by the rabbis and emissaries: R. Yaakov Vaknin, R. Bechor Yehudah Vaknin, R. Chaim Yosef Maman, R. Refael Bibas, R. Yaakov Chai Zrihan, R. Shalom Malka, R. Baruch Toledano and others.
• Two photographs on postcards, with letters from R. Bechor Yehudah Vaknin. One postcard shows a photograph of a procession of Torah scrolls at the celebration of R. Meir Baal HaNes, and the other shows a photograph of R. Bechor Yehudah and his wife. Tiberias, Adar 1930 / Elul 1931.
28 letters and printed items. Varying size and condition.
Collection of documents, receipts and printed papers, most with signatures of the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias, rabbis of the Ashkenazi Chassidic community and leading Chassidim of Slonim: R. Yitzchak Matityahu Sandberg, R. Moshe Kliers Rabbi of Tiberias, R. Yisrael Kohen, R. Pinchas Mintzberg and Rebbe Avraham Weinberg [the Birkat Avraham of Slonim]. Tiberias, ca. 1900s-1950s.
Includes printed receipts, some decorated or printed in color, with signatures of the rabbis filled out by hand; two manuscript leaves, signed by R. Yitzchak Matityahu Sandberg, one with a list of scholars and students in the Or Torah yeshiva and the other with a list of teachers of the Or Torah school, and more.
R. Moshe Kliers (1874-1934), rabbi of the Ashkenazi community in Tiberias and dean of the Or Torah yeshiva. He was the son-in-law of R. Yehudah Leib Kastelanitz, leading Slonim Chassid in Tiberias, and brother-in-law of Rebbe Mordechai Chaim Slonim, who served as dayan in the Beit Din of R. Moshe Kliers.
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg (the third) of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham (1889-1981), a dean of the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias and founder of the Haredi educational system in Eretz Israel. He led the Slonim community for some twenty-seven years, and served as a member of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
10 items. 7 with original signature (others with photocopied signatures). Varying size. Overall good condition.