Mevaseret Zion – printed proclamation, letter at the behest of R. Raphael Meir Panigel, the Marpe, after he was chosen for the position as "Head of the Rabbis and Rishon LeZion", succeeding R. Avraham Ashkenazi (who died in Shevat 1880). The proclamation bears the official stamp of R. Panigel. Jerusalem, Rosh Chodesh Elul 1880.

In this proclamation, R. Panigel announces the appointment of a committee responsible for material matters and another for spiritual matters, to supervise the distribution of funds received by Kollel Jerusalem and to undertake responsibility for the religious requirements of the city.
The proclamation lists the heads of the material committee who are responsible for supervising the distribution of funds received by Kollel Jerusalem to be distributed among orphans, widows and Torah scholars and for tuition, etc. Also listed are names of the heads of the spiritual committee whose task is to supervise the religious needs of the city according to Torah law and Jewish customs.

28.5X38 cm. Good-fair condition. Few stains. Folding creases. Tears to folding marks in the center of the leaf, slightly affecting the text.

Rare, bibliographically unknown proclamation. It does not appear in Sh. Halevy, nor in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, and is not recorded in the NLI catalogue.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Ashir VeRash, ethical work in the literary form of a dialogue on the virtue of kindness, by R. Bentzion Alkalai. Jerusalem: Elchanan son of Avraham Yitzchak [Tennenbaum] and Aharon Uziel Rokeach, [1884]. First edition.

Ownership inscriptions and dedications: On title page, self-dedication on receipt of the book from the author, signed "Yehudah Chaim HaKohen" [apparently R. Yehudah Chaim HaKohen Tarab-Maslaton, born in Damascus, Rabbi of Cairo, author of VeZot LiYehudah], with another inscription in the same hand on giving the book to someone else. On verso of title page, printed dedication filled out by hand by the author to "R. Efraim Alkalai"; on leaf [2] ownership inscription and stamps.

The author, R. Bentzion Alkalai (1858-1913), born in Morocco, lost his eyesight at the age of eight but nevertheless became a great Torah scholar. Member of the Beit Din of the Sedei Chemed in Hebron and author of over nine books, which were dictated to his son or disciples; the present dedication was apparently also dictated by him.
[2], 29, [1] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears and open tears, slightly affecting text on several leaves. Worming in many places, affecting text. New leather binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 466.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

The book Kedushat HaAretz, a compilation from the Bible, Talmud, Midrashim and the Zohar, about the sanctity of the Land of Israel, by R. Moshe Wortmann (author of "Romemut Nishmat Yisrael"). Jerusalem: Yitzchak ben Tzvi [Gaszinne], [1885].

Between the title page and the following leaf is bound a folded leaf, with a printed dedication to "the Rabbinic Geonim", and to "the mighty wealthy philanthropists, charity administrators in every place", signed by "Levi Yitzchak Wortmann" – the author's son, describing his dire financial situation and requesting aid and assistance. This leaf is not recorded by Sh. Halevy.

The author, rabbi Moshe Wortmann of Kozhnitz (d. 1874), was renowned throughout Poland as a righteous scholar immersed in Torah day and night. He would frequent the courts of the great tzaddikim, including his teacher and mentor rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira the Seraph of Mogielnica, his brother-in-law, rabbi Ze'ev of Józefów, and Rabbi Yerachmiel of Peshischa (Przysucha). He would fast from Shabbat to Shabbat for many years and would distribute all his wealth and possessions to widows and orphans. He ascended to Jerusalem in 1860 and continued his lofty conduct. Among his other books: Romemut Nishmat Yisrael, Tzedah LaDerech, Sefer HaChaim, Divrei Torah, Shivchei HaAretz HaKedosha, and more.

[2], 1-43, 45-51 leaves. Approx. 16 cm. Dry and brittle paper. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear. Tears to margins of leaves. Uncut gatherings. New leather binding.
Sh. Sh. Halevy, no. 527.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Amud HaYirah, by R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger. Jerusalem: [Moshe Yoel Salomon], 1885.

Printed without title page.
The booklet addresses the role of the nations of the world.
This is evidently a new edition and continuation of the Amud HaYirah VeAmud HaTorah published by the author in 1879.

8 pages. Approx. 19 cm. Dry paper. Good condition. Stains. New leather binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 521.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Hanhagat HaBeriut, "letter on medicine by the Rambam to the Arab king". Jerusalem: Avraham Moshe Luntz, [1885].

A letter on medicine sent by the Rambam to one of the Muslim kings, translated by R. Shmuel ibn Tibbon in 1244.
At the beginning of the book, preface by the publisher R. Yaakov Sh. Halevy Sapir (author of Even Sapir who discovered the Cairo Genizah).

55 pages. Approx. 13 cm. Dry paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Small marginal tears and open tears to some leaves, repaired with paper filling. Most gatherings untrimmed. New binding.
Sh. Halevy, no. 494.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.