Large Handwritten Manuscript of Tannaic Aphorisms, Arranged According to Alphabetical List. The work and the author are unknown. Eastern Europe, the 18th Century. [207] Leaf. Height 33 cm. Width 19 cm. The majority of writing is arranged and set down according to the order of aleph bet. The names of the Tanaaim are mentioned, as well as the heads of the Amoraim such as Rav and Shmuel, Avuhah deShmuel (Father of Shmuel), Levi student of Rebbe and more. Not just Tanaaim are mentioned but also titles of groups of people such as HaTznuim—the Modest, Anshei Vatikin (Senior Men) Anshei Yericho (Men of Jericho), Gozrei Gezerot (Makers of Decrees), Benan shel Kedoshim (Sons of Holy Ones), Dayanei Zippori (Religious Judges of Zippori), and more. At the start of each entry is the name of the initiator of the aphorism and sometimes also a short explanation about his identity. There are also new ideas by the author and thoughts in a different hand writing which disagree with the author. Unknown manuscript, never printed, unknown author. Without doubt arranged by a very well versed Torah scholar. It appears that in order to find aphorisms the approach was adopted according to the approach of that aphorism holder, a style of learning that was once common and which required great knowledge and familiarity of the text and erudition. Sometimes the author was required also to decide the identity of the owner of the aphorism according to text versions. Original semi leather binding, worn. The manuscript is numbered and from the total are missing a number of single leaves. It stops towards the letter taf for the entry Tanna Devei Rabbi Yishmael. There are individual torn leaves. Folds and creases in the margins. Time related stains. General condition average-good.
Sefer HaEvronot for the calculation of moladot (new moons) and the fundamentals of the Hebrew Calendar. Rare and impressive manuscript of the eighteenth century. [72] pages, 19 cm. Ashkenazi manuscript, thin and roundish, very fine with added tables, illustrations, shape of a palm and further astrological calculations. From the book’s contents, it appears that it is Sefer HaEvronot of Rabbi Eliezer Blin. An important book about the calculation of the moladot, calendar of the year and also a calculation of the festivals. First published in Lublin in the year 5375 (1605). According to the content and what is registered in the manuscript on the non- Hebrew title page, it appears that the edition before us is a copy of the manuscript of the second edition of the book which was published in Cracow in the year 5400 (1640). Contains important comments by Rabbi David of Lomaz. There has not been found a printed copy of it throughout the world. Content of the manuscript: Introduction by Rabbi David of Lomez. Opening words by MaRaBlin (2-4); for calculating the moladot (6-8); Mozenei Zedek (9-11); the full months and the missing months (11b. -12b); the four beasts (13a -13b); determining the years (14a-14b); 7 gates (15a-15b); circle of Rav Nachshon (16a -16b); calendar of Roshei Hodashim (beginning of the months); (17a-18b), 14 calendars-14 gates (19a-20a); to know the tekufot (periods) – advantages of the tekufot (20b -22b); to know advantage from Creation of World (23a); calendars of the tekufa (23b); calendar of HaYad and commentary on the Yad (24a-25a); calendar of HaZahav (attributed to Rabbi Saadia Gaon] (26a -27a); Igul HaTekufa (rounding-up the Tekufa); (27b-28b) Avin Tavin (29a-31a); 7 planets (32a); Tekufot Rav Ada (32b); Luach HaChagot (33a-36b). Old cardboard binding. In very good condition.
Very rare manuscript on the secrets of Kabbalah in the holy handwriting of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Mishkalov. Beginning of nineteenth Century. [1] Leaf. Height 31 cm, width 21 cm. Definite Autograph. A number of glosses in the margins, all of which may be deciphered. Explanations of the hidden elements of the Torah by means of HaSod with Gematriot, the secrets of holy Names, tzirufim (combinations) and more written on both sides of the leaf. Rounded print, fine and readable. Please refer to the Hebrew description in the catalogue to see the biography of HaGaon Rabbi Mendel Mishkalov. The leaf is preserved in a new binding. There is a water stain along the length of one side of the leaf. In good condition.
Chiddushei Torah for the completion of tractates, in the hand of Rabbi Yirmiyahu Loewe of Ujhely. 19th century. 7 leaves, 24.5×19 cm. Clear, Ashkenazi hand. Apparently never printed. Includes: 4 leaves for the completion of Tractate Kadshin; 3 leaves for the completion of Tractate Chulin. With elucidations and Chiddushim on the words of Chazal and Biblical verses. Refer to Hebrew catalogue text for more information regarding Rabbi Yirmiyahu Loewe. New cloth binding. Aging stains. Very fine condition.
Zer Zahav, handwritten text on the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah by Torah luminary, Rabbi Yochanan Kremnitzer, author of Orach Mishur on Tractate Nazir. 17-18th century. Apparently with his autograph. [1] [1] 1-5 [1] 1-29 [1] 30-88 [1] 89-117 leaves; 17:20 cm. Script, Ashkenazic handwriting. Here is a discovery of an unknown work from a prominent acharon on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, from siman 1 through 111. A few leaves at the beginning were added to the body of the work by the author’s grandson and includes a title page with a leaf of approbations. This seems to be a copy that was made by the author himself in preparation for print. The style of writing aligns with the era of the author, the 17th-18th century. In addition, there are occasional erasures indicating that the work is the author’s autograph [refer to the second page of the leaf between 5-6; leaf 30, and more]. Approbations from the Av”d of Lissa and his Beth Din and the av”d of Glogau and his Beth Din, both from 1764, were added to the beginning of the work. They are copied in a different hand writing – an additional proof that the work was written earlier, during the author’s lifetime. The author refers to this work many times in his Orach Mishor , but nobody else knew of its existence. It was first published in Moriah , Kislev 1995 (p. 29-32) with some of these references and information regarding its author. Refer to the Hebrew catalogue text for additional information regarding the author. Beautiful, half leather binding within a matching slipcase. Aging stains. Reinforcements in the margins of the four first leaves. Very fine condition.
Collection of handwritten Torah thoughts from Rabbi Yosef Dov Ber Halevi Soloveitchik, and Rabbi Chaim Leib Tiktinsky of Mir. End of the 19th century. [22] leaves; 16.5×10.5 cm. Clear, Ashkenazi hand. Includes [4] leaves of Torah Chiddushim from the author of the Beis Halevi, printed in section 1, siman 33 – but with some differences from the printed edition. This was possibly copied from the personal manuscript of the Beis Halevi before he prepared it for printing. Additionally, includes Chiddushim from Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Leib Tiktinsky on Bava Basra. The year 1872 is listed at the end of the Chiddushim on Bava Basra. Ends with [3] leaves of Chiddushim on Tractate Bava Kama from Hagaon R”Sh [Rabbi Shmuel Tiktinsky?]. Signature on leaf [4b]. Rabbi Chaim Leib Tiktinsky passed away in 1899, and these Chiddushim were printed during his lifetime. It is not clear whether they were copied from his manuscript or notes taken during his lectures. New binding. Tears to two leaves with loss of text. Clear, legible hand. Fine condition.
Handwritten sermons. Written by a rabbi in Germany, Rabbi Avraham Shimshon Kolka, apparently the son-in-law of Rabbi Nachum Trebitsch. Autograph. [1848-1851]. About 100 leaves of different sizes, bound together. Sermons for the High Holidays, Succot, Shabbat Hagadol, Shabbat Zachor and more – most in Yiddish-German with a few leaves in Hebrew. The author’s autograph with the ethical lessons he imparted to his congregation. Features two Hebrew leaves in the middle with text of a sermon said by Rabbi Nachum Trebitsch. Rabbi Nachum Trebitsch lived from 1779 through 1842. In his sermon, written in 1838, he is mentioned with the attribution that he was still alive. However, in his son-in-law’s sermon written in 1848, he is already mentioned as no longer alive. He was the av”d in Nikolsburg from 1831, following the death of its previous Rabbi, Rabbi Mordechai Benet. Rabbi Avraham Shimshon Kolka was the Rabbi in a village in Moravia. He wrote an elegy for his father-in-law. [It was published in the preface to the Shu”t Rabbi Nachum Trebitsch published by Machon Yerushalayim in 1989.] New, half leather binding. Minimal aging stains. Very fine condition.
Pri Shmuel in the hand of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke b”r Dov Weintraub of Jozefow. Autograph, [1868]. Not printed. 123 leaves; 20×15 cm; small Ashkenazi print, crowded and clear. Marginal corrections; erasures and additions. Original, expansive commentary on the Tur and Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim through siman 48. The work begins with a poem with an acrostic of the author’s name. Followed by a lengthy introduction in which the author notes that he wrote the work in 1868 in Jozefow. Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke moved to Jerusalem at the end of his life and was one of its noted sages. He authored a number of works including Bikurei Shmuel on Proverbs, Jerusalem, 1882; Invei Shmuel on Tractate Avot, Jerusalem, 1883; Milchemet Shmuel Neged Da’as Hanotzrim was published in 1900 posthumously. [He signed all his works with the initials בהר”ד. The National Library and the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book list his father’s name as Dovid. However, in this work, he signs his full name; his father’s name was Dov.] His Pri Shmuel commentary on the Torah was lost. New, half-leather binding. Very fine condition.
Chidushei Maharaf. Commentary on the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim – with emphasis on the Magen Avraham and Turei Zahav. Includes responsa and Chiddushim on the Talmud, all in the hand of Rabbi Pinchas Katzenellenbogen av”d Ottingen. Autograph. Beginning of the 19th century. Never printed. 48, 12, 61-67, [3] leaves; 26×22 cm. Clear, Ashkenazic hand. Title page that was added later. Commentary on the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, primarily on the laws of Tefilin and Tefilah through Siman 104 (laws of prayer). [44 leaves], including responsa. See Hebrew catalogue text for more information regarding the content of this manuscript. Rabbi Pinchas Katzenellenbogen was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Lvov ben Yehoshua Heschel, the author of the Pnei Levana and in his second marriage, of Rabbi Yehoshua Moshe of Furth. He was rabbi of Schwabach and the region, Ottingen and the region for about fifty years. He is mentioned in the work of his cousin, Rabbi Meshulem Igra. Old, dismantling binding. Pages detached. Aging stains. All clear and legible. Very fine condition.
Meil HaMiluim – Onia DiYona. Work on the laws of Sefer Torah in the hand of Rabbi Moshe Leib Litsch-Rosenbaum. 3 volume autograph with many variations from the printed version. 19th century. 285 leaves, most measuring 23×18 cm. Clear, Ashkenazic hand. The author’s original work – with many differences from the printed version. This is apparently the first edition of the work. Though there are many ideas that were not included here, there is also much material in this autograph that was not printed. The author writes on the first page: “This is the work that was printed, though some things were not printed and some other things were changed.” The work was first printed by the author’s son in Pressburg in 1864. The work is divided into two sections: halachot, titled Onia Di’Yonah (based on the Kanfei Yonah of Rabbi Yonah Landsofer, Dayan in Prague) and the Meil Hamiluim, with pilpulim and chiddushim. Both sections of the manuscript are different from the printed versions. Includes many supplements and Chiddushim that were not printed. Volume 1: leaves 1-96 (siman 270-272) Volume 2: leaves 97-185 (siman 272-276) Volume 3: leaves 186-285 (siman 276-284) See Hebrew catalogue text for more information regarding the author of this work. 3 volumes bound together in a new, magnificent leather binding within a matching slipcase. Aging stains. Very fine condition.
Handwritten response regarding the release of an agunah by Rabbi Shlomo ben HaGaon Rabbi Meshulem Zalman HaKohen of Furth. 18-19th century. Autograph. [2] large leaves, 35×21 cm. Clear Ashkenazic handwriting on both sides of the leaf. The response was written by Rabbi Shlomo HaKohen and three other Torah luminaries who concurred with his opinion: his father, Rabbi Meshulem Zalman HaKohen av”d Furth; Rabbi Chaim Hirsch av”d Magentza; and Rabbi Zvi Hirsh [of Zamosc] who was av”d in Brodt and then in Glogau. Rabbi Shlomo copied his father’s critique of the words (which are not included), wrote a rebuttal and then signed his name [apparently incomplete]. This is then followed by the words that: Again Rabbi…Zvi Hirsch replied to these words. The words of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch are included with Rabbi Shlomo’s response in parentheses. Followed by part of the new response that Rabbi Shlomo gave to his father’s question. These two leaves seem to be part of a larger work of responsa that Rabbi Shlomo prepared for print – but that were never printed. He starts with siman 3 which is followed by siman 4 which is incomplete. The following leaf features the end of siman [5] with his signature. This is followed by siman 6, and then the start of siman 7 on the second page. Rabbi Shlomo was the son of Rabbi Meshulem Zalman Kohen, av”d of Furth and author of the Bigdei Kehuna responsa. This work includes his son’s responsa [siman 7]. Rabbi Shlomo was Rabbi in various cities; Sneituch and Mergentheim. He passed away in 1824. Light tears, primarily to the bottom of the leaves, without loss of text. Fine-very fine condition.
Halachic and Talmudic Chiddushim. Autographs, in various hands. 19th century. Three booklets containing about 60 leaves of various sizes. About 21×13 cm. Clear, Ashkenazic hands with marginal supplements. Booklet 1: Chiddushim on Tractate Beitzah; followed by [in another hand] Chiddushim on the Tanach [Chayei Sarah, Shir Hashirim], a number of blank leaves; two pages about Tractate Niddah, 55a. Booklet 2: Chiddushim on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. On the Rosh and the Rambam; Chiddushim on the Talmud [Pesachim, Succa, etc.]. Chiddushim in the name of אדמ”ו מוהרנ”ט אב”ד פה והמדינה – apparently referring to Rabbi Nachum Trebitsch, av”d of Nikolsburg. Booklet 3: [Paginated 1-21]: Chiddushim on the Tur and Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah; Chiddushim on Tractate Chulin. The booklets are not bound. Aging stains. Light tears, not affecting text. Fine-very fine condition.
Two volumes of lectures. Germany, 19-20th century. *A notebook of lectures given by a rabbi between the years (1881-1888), including a eulogy for Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer (leaves 19a-21a). A few lectures in German. 76 leaves, Paper. 8 x14 cm. Ashkenazi handwriting. *Drashot and novella on parashat Bereishit by Rabbi Moshe Yuda Neumeister, copied by his grandson. 20th century. 22 leaves. Paper. 16 x 20 cm. German writing in a student’s notebook.
Memorial volume by Zev ben Yisrael. Shochet V’bodek, Russia, beginning of the 20th century. 55 leaves. Paper. 9 x14 cm. Ashkenazi handwriting in a pocket notebook. At the beginning (leaf 2a) it is written: that I’ve collected from holy sefarim… and heard from people…The insignificant Zeev ben Yisrael, shochet v’bodek, from the city of Yampoli in Russia.” The writer quotes from sefarim that were printed up to the beginning of the 20th century. Soft cover. Very good condition.
Lengthy halachic response regarding treifot, 19th century. [4] pages. 21×16 cm. Clear, Ashkenazic writing on both sides of the page. Lengthy response regarding the laws of treifot – defects to the lungs. Unknown writer who did not sign his name. However, it was clearly written by a Torah scholar or rabbi. Small tears and folds. Aging stains. Fine-very fine condition.
Hand-written Voltshe Practika. Mathematics textbook for merchants. Yiddish, 18-19th century. 66 leaves. Paper. 9.5 x 10 cm. Yiddish, attractive and well-written Ashkenazi handwriting. A long manuscript that includes 91 mathematical exercises with explanations in the form of questions and answers. At the end are some exercises in math written by the owners. The small size of this manuscript indicates that merchants used it to study while travelling. Original binding. Leather-covered wood with metal clips. Small tears on the spine. Age stains. Good-very good condition.
Masechet Purim, Manuscript. Parody, Amsterdam [1784]. 16 leaves, 13 x 19 cm. Ashkenazi handwriting. On each page a double frame has been drawn around the text. At the top of each page there is a title indicating the content of that page. The manuscript has five chapters. See Hebrew text. There are differences in format in the printed editions. From leaf 14a-16a: Maariv for the second night of Purim. At the beginning of the manuscript: Yesod Mussar B’charuzim opens with: By people filled with his joy. It appears that this poem has no other source. At the end: Indicates the year and place where this was written: Queen Esther was taken to the King, here in Amsterdam, the capital. At the end of the manuscript is an illustration of the seven-branched menorah. Worn cardboard binding, age stains. Good condition
Poem handwritten: Ashrei HaGoy Bachar Lo’ya.. by Rabbi Yaacov Frances, copied by Rabbi Shimshon Cohen Modon, from Mantua. Mantua, 1699. [1] Leaf paper, 40.5 * 29 cm. Italian script. Poem mocking students who are not proficient in Bible and Talmud but occupy themselves with Kabbalistic Law, by Yaacov Frances, one of the prominent poets in Italy in the seventeenth century. Written at the top of the poem are the words: sung by the general Sage, Rabbi Yaakov Frances regarding the people who don’t know and don’t understand and walk in darkness to learn the secrets and wisdom of kabbalah. The poem was only printed a few times. This copy features important variations. In addition to solitary text variations, some lines were omitted and in their place were written other lines. The scholarly edition of Yaakov Frances’ poems does not mention these variations. On the reverse of the leaf: 7 Adi, Mantova. Modon –Marzo 1699. According to a later comment at the top of the page: [manuscript of Shimshon Cohen Modon], he was a Mantua Sage, a disciple of Rabbi Yehudah Briel, and a poet and author. According to a later comment on the head of the leaf, it is written: that the wise one, Shimshon Cohen Modon (1679-1726) from the Sages of Manta, of the students of Rabbi Yehudah Briel. Poet and author of book of Kol Mussar and other poetic and halachic works. Rabbi Shimshon Modon copied other works of Yaacov Frances in 1725 (Budapest manuscript 538). Fold marks. Light tears to folds blemishing solitary letters. A few light aging stains. Fine condition.
Fragment from Megillat Esther on parchment removed from a binding. Ashkenaz, 16th century. [1] sheet. 26×40 cm. Ink on parchment. Square, Ashkenazic hand. 22 lines. Fragment from a Megillat Esther (Esther 8:12-9:10) that was used in the binding in Sefer Yetzirah with four Biurim. Tears, stains. Poor condition.
Hand written holy, autographical article with signature of HaRav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch. Germany, the nineteenth century. [8] large pages, 33cm. Long, handwritten Torah article in German combining verses in Hebrew, with deletions and additions in the margins and his signature at the end of the article. HaRav Shimshon Rafael Hirsch (5665-5649) was one of the leaders and molders of German Orthodox Jewry in the nineteenth century. He held the ideology of combining Judaism with modernity, according to the way of Torah with Derech Eretz, in parallel with his war against the Reform movement. His way of thinking and leadership which became known in his books and in the press, served as the foundation stones for the development of the religious way of thinking of German Jewry and beyond. New, prestigious leather binding with gold emboss. The top part of the leaf is missing on both sides including damage to the text. In good condition.
Ma’amarei Ein Yisrael. Index to the sayings of Chazal in the Ein Yaakov of Rabbi Yaakov Ibn Chaviv, arranged in alphabetical order by Rabbi Eliezer ben Yitzchak Rietti. Italy, beginning of the 17th century. [4] leaves, paper. 15×11 cm. Nice, organized Italian script, arranged according to the Venice edition of 1612. Here are the entries from א through ש. Each entry title is surrounded by a doubled square. Watermarks correspond to the above date. It is very possible that the book was printed according to this manuscript, and this may even be the autograph of the author Eleizer ben Yitzchak Rietti. Old cardboard binding. Decorated title page. Minimal aging stains. Leaves 37-40 have a light, restored tear, with loss of text. Fine-very fine condition.
Unique, thick dictionary with rhymes. Verses, phrases and sayings of Chazal and others arranged in alphabetical order according to their last syllable. 18th century. 175 leaves, paper. 19×14 cm. Clear, oriental writing. The dictionary was utilized by poem writers and people interested in embellishing their letters and sermons. The author added many supplements on every page. Faded stamp, in Russian [?], in solitary places. Original, worn leather binding without the back section. Minimal aging stains. Fine condition.
Novellae on tractates Bava Kama, Bava Metzia and Sanhedrin. 19th century. [40] leaves, paper. 21×17 cm. Clear, legible Ashkenazic script on both sides of the leaf. Autograph, with marginal erasures and supplements. We have not identified the author and have not adequately researched the issue, however, his profound novellae indicate an outstanding Torah Scholar. Most of the manuscript refers to Tractate Bava Kama, with a little relating to Bava Metziah and Sanhedrin. Elegant, new leather binding. Light-green paper, minimal worming holes. Very fine condition.
Manuscript. Chidushim and Argumentation on the ‘Tur Zahav’ in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, siman 600, and on ‘Hilchot Nazir’, by an unidentified Torah scholar. 38 pg. 37 cm. Ashkenazic handwriting on lined paper. Readable and clear. Very-fine condition. New binding.
