Sefer Sod Hashem VeSharvit HaZahav (Book of Secret of Hashem and the Golden Scepter) by Rabbi David Lida, Yemen, Twentieth Century 17 leaves. Paper 10 x 8.5 cm. Yemenite writing. At the beginning: “Sefer Sharvit Hazahav Sod Hashem.” Laws of Circumcision by Rabbi David Lida. He copied sections of the book and added also his own writings. On pages 13a-14b: Warnings to the Mohel. On pages 15a-17a: Prayers for the Mohel. Old Yemenite wooden binding. The edges of the pages were singed without harming the text. In good condition.
Tikun L’Shabbat and Tikun for Shavuot and Hoshana Raba by the Arizal. Yemen, 17-18th century. 30 leaves. 19.5×28 cm. Beautiful Yemenite scribal hand with superlinear vocalization. Copied from a printed version or from a different manuscript that was copied from print. Leaves 1a-9a: end of Tikun L’Shbbat and Tikunim for Shavuot and Hoshana Raba, copied from the Krakow edition of 1613. Leaves 9a-30b: Tikun for Shavuot and Hoshana Raba. The printer’s words were copied at the top: In Venice, 1648. New, cardboard binding. Tear with loss in the first 8 leaves. Stains. Moderate-fine condition.
Manuscript on parchment, removed from a binding. Yemen, 15th century. [1] leaf. Parchment. 17×21 cm. Yemenite, square print. Fragment from the Book of Samuel 1. Remnant of Chapter 1:1-1:15, with the Aramaic targum, both with superlinear vocalization. This is possibly a fragment from the Rosh Hashanah Haftorah. Tears, stains. Poor condition.
Machberet HaTigh’ian in Hebrew and Arabic. Manuscript from the 15-16th century. Hand-written material completing the text by Mori Yechi Kapach from the 19-20th century. Machberet HaTigh’ian is a general text dealing with grammar, vowels, cantillation, and all the intricacies of the holy language, written anonymously and with no identifying details, by an early Yemenite sage. 21 leaves. Paper. 19 x 30 cm. Yemenite handwriting . Most of it (leaves 3-14) is written in the Yemenite style of the 15-16th century. The beginning and the end that are missing in the Hebrew text have been completed by HaRav Yechi ben Saliman Kapach. The Arabic text until the middle of the seventh chapter was copied by HaRav Yechi Kapach (leaves 15-19), and the rest until the middle of the tenth chapter were copied later by someone who did not complete the copying. Magnificent new leather binding. Stains. Minute tears and a few reinforcements. Good condition. See Hebrew text for background.
Maamadot for Every Day According to the Yemenite Custom. Yemen, ~ 1850 100 leaves. Rare. 8×11 cm. Yemenite writing. On page 21a, is the title: Maamadot for Every Day. Also includes: Shir HaYichud (79b- 91b) where it is written at the beginning: Shir HaYichud which the Children of Israel instituted on the other side of the Sambation River and from there it was brought to the Land. Bakashot and piyutim (92-96), Release of Vows for Erev Rosh Hashana (96b – 100b). Kolofon (91b: “I wrote it, I… Yosef ben…” The above mentioned copier copied other manuscripts between the years of 1849-1851. Simple cardboard binding. Apart from the first five pages, the writing is legible and clear and in very good condition.
Three Megillot. Yemen, 18-19th Century 69 Leaves. 11×16 cm. Yemenite script. With punctuation and cantillation notes. On the title page: “Order of three megillot (scrolls) with Targum Yonatan ben Uziel, sage of blessed memory [in upper punctuation] and with the commentary of Hamaor Hagadol Rashi, of blessed memory, set out …..[according] to the Festivals of G-d: Shir Hashirim— Song of Songs for Pesach, Ruth for Shavuot, Kohelet—Ecclesiastes for Shemini Atzeret. In the binding is a section from a Yemenite manuscript from the 14th Century and in it a segment from the Mishnah Torah of the Rambam, Laws of Eruvin, end of Chapter 5, beginning of Chapter 6. Old fabric binding. Moth holes. Stains. Average condition.
Bakashot and Tefillot. Yemen, 19-20th Century. Illustrated Title Page. Bakashot and Tefillot. On the title page: “I will begin to write for myself Bakashot and Tefillot ……. Which G-d has endowed his young servant Avraham ben Saliman Vashzi”. On page 4b, Bakashah of Rabbi Yishmael the High Priest (Kohen Gadol). 7 leaves Paper. 12 x17 cm. Yemenite script. Simple cardboard binding. Tears without anything missing. In good condition. * Bakashot. 12 leaves. Paper. 11×16.5 cm. Yemenite script. The beginning and the end are missing. Simple cardboard binding. Stains. In good condition.
Segment from Techlal manuscript. Yemen, year 1659 28 leaves. Large paper. 19.5 x 30 cm. Nice Yemenite script with decorations in red ink. Charts of the Tekufot Hashanah. Within the manuscript only a section of the works in Arabic-Hebrew about leap years is intact. Includes charts for cycles 286-292, and begins in the third year of cycle 286 which is the year 5419 (1658-1659). From pages 18b to 28b, it is written: “version of the Ketuvot (marriage deeds), the Gittin (divorce papers) and the deeds in Hebrew and Arabic. Simple cardboard binding. Blemishes in the corners. Stains. Last page is damaged in the text. The end is missing. In good condition.
Sefer Kriyei Moed and Tikkun Kriya (Text Reader) for the Night of Shavuot. Yemen, 1863 84 leaves. Paper. 10×16.5 cm. Yemenite script. With punctuation and cantillation notes. The titles are decorated in red ink. Kolofon wrote: “The glorious work was completed on Wednesday, the 2nd of Sivan, 5574 [1863] … [blurred signature]. New cardboard binding.
Hayei Avraham. A composition about the reasons for the Commandments. Copy from the printed one. Printed on the press of Yaaacov Toveyana, Livorno, 5586 [1826] 144 leaves, 16.5 cm. Yemenite scripture. At the end, on page 14b, Kolofon the copier wrote: “We shall complete this book in the month of Av, third day, in the year 2165 of Deeds, I am the light and young…Shalom son of Shlomo son of Gad…”. Simple cardboard binding. Time related stains. Light tears. In good condition.
Two anthologies of Segulot and Kamiot. Yemen, North Africa. 19-20th Century. 20 leaves. Paper. Different sizes. In the first collection 9 separate pages, in Yemenite script, not bound, and in different dimensions. Kamiah (amulet) for making peace between husband and wife, to guard the house, for a woman who despises her husband, for fear at night, for guarding a woman after birth and other medical treatments. In the second collection, 11 leaves in different handwritings, in Hebrew and Arabic, in different scripts from North Africa. Medical kamiot and other remedies. Tears and stains. Average condition.
Two Manuscripts. Persia and Yemen, the 19-20th Century * 118 leaves. Paper. 10×15.5 cm. 19th Century. Persian script. Leaves 1-99: Translation (Targum) of Psalms in Persian by Babi son of Nuriya of Etzfehan. Missing up to the middle of Psalm 7 and from close to the end of Psalm 139. Leaves 100-118 (in different script): segment from the composition of the famous poet Shahin, in Persian, on the Torah. Old cardboard binding. Stains. In good condition. * 130 leaves. Paper. 12×18 cm. Beginning of 20th Century. Different Yemenite Scripts. Collection of Laws of Shechitah and other compilations. Amongst others the book Roshei Besamim by David Masharki (34b and onwards), book Mekor Hayim by Yichya son of Yaacov Tzalach (64a-77b), Laws of Shechitah from book Mishnah Torah of the Rambam (84a-96a), and the beginning of Sefer Shoshanat HaMelech by Shalom son of Yichya Habshush (page 104a-111a). At the beginning of the manuscript matters relating to tekufot and a calendar of leap years beginning from year 5679. Without binding. Apart from 10 damaged pages at the end, in very good condition.
A collection of prayers and piyutim for the High Holidays, hand written. Yemen, the 19-20th Century 36 leaves. Paper. 11.5 x 16.5. Yemenite script. At the end, leaves 33a-36b: segment from a collection of piyutim from Yemen in different handwriting, including amongst others, a piyut in Hebrew and Arabic by Moshe son of Shlomo, which was not recorded in the Bibliographies: “How Shabbat is very dear to me.” Old cardboard binding. In very good condition.
Printed appointment calendar from 1899 used by a Cairo rabbi at the end of the 19th century. Printed appointment calendar. 33×14 cm. Oriental hand. Includes a daily description of the rabbi’s activities within the framework of both the Beth Din and his personal life. He mentions his brother a number of times, his sister in Jerusalem, the circumcision of Yitzchak his nephew and the sons of Avraham the sandek. Original cardboard binding with the sticker of the Beit Din Tzedek in Egypt. Fine condition.
Collection of handwritten hymns (piyutim), most by Moroccan poets. Morocco, 19th century. 98 leaves. 9×11.5 cm. Maghrebi hand (Moroccan). Booklets and solitary leaves in various hands that were bound together. Includes, amongst other things, piyutim by poets: Dovid ben Shimon, Yaakov ben Massoud Abuchatzeira, Yaakov Elmaliach and Yaakov Saboni. Includes a few sermons, including some that were printed in the book Shaarei Tzedek, section Sha’ar HaChatzer by Dovid ben Shiomon (Jerusalem, 1862). One of the writers notes on leaf 32a: I will start writing hymns…in Tafilatt [Morocco]….1898. Damaged binding. Detached leaves – but fine condition.
Writings from Rabbi Shalom ben Maimon Messas, Chief Rabbi of Morocco. Morocco, 20th century. 42 pages. Various sizes, generally 17×22 cm. Maghrebic -Moroccan hand. The writings includes many responsa, halachic answers, and Torah chiddushim. Rabbi Shalom Messas (February 13, 1909 –,April 12, 2003) was the Chief Rabbi of Casablanca, Morocco, then Chief Rabbi of Morocco, and later Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem for twenty five years. He authored many halachic and aggadic works, and was the most prominent halachic authority of Moroccan Jewry of the 20th century. Not bound. Very fine condition.
*Solitary leaves and fragments with different writings. Includes: fragment from Chok L’Yisrael on Parshat Pikudei (2a-4b), personal kabbalistic prayer and table of contents for Sefer Gorolot (5a-7b), Tikun 48 MiTikunei HaZohar (8a-b), amulets and personal calculations (11a-15b). 15 leaves. 5.5×17 cm. 19-20th century. Maghrebic -Moroccan hands. Damaged leather binding. Moderate condition. * Supplications in Yemenite-Arabic. Ends with (31a-35b) morning blessings in Hebrew. Missing leaves at its conclusion. 36 leaves. 5.5×8.5 cm. Yemenite script. 18-19th century. Old leather binding with clasp.
Signed Court Rulings by the great Rabbis of Morocco from the Beth Din in Fass [3], Morocco 5681-5714 (1921-1954). Height. 30 cm, width 21 cm. Fine Rabbinic manuscript, lined, hand written signatures, all from the Beth Din of Fass, Morocco. * Signed court ruling by Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan, known as Asher LeShlomo, 5681 (1921). * Signed court ruling by Rabbi Chaim David Sihru (Siriro), Head of the Pass Beth Din, 5706 (1946). *Signed court ruling by three dayanim: Rabbi Yaacov Aden Danan, Rabbi Machluf Yisrael, Rabbi Yedidya Munsanya, with the seal of the Beth Din in Fass and also the supporting written proof seal of the Beth Din in Jerusalem, 5714 (1954).
Kinot for Tishe B’Av (Ninth of Av), Morocco, the 19-20th Century 53 leaves. Paper. 12 x 15.5 cm. Western writing, in Hebrew and Moroccan Arabic. Each kinah (Lamentation) is specially decorated with an ink design. Most of the kinot are by Moroccan Poets (paytanim), amongst them, Yaacov ben Zur and Shalom ben Zur. Several of the kinot are by Yisrael Najara. Includes Ketzot Iyov, other Ketzot in Arabic, and also the Haftarah for the Ninth of Av with expanded translation in Arabic on pages 30-53. The end is missing. New binding. A few stains. In very good condition.
Manuscript Tikun Chatzot. Includes unusual hymns. Persia, [1870]. 29 leaves. 10×17.5 cm. Oriental-Persian script. Illustrated colophon. Includes a Hebrew Tikun Chatzot (1a-12a), hymns from the manuscript copier פרג’ בן יעקב הכהן (13a-13b), Tafsir Tikun Chatzot in Judeo-Persian (14a-22a) and Hebrew hymns, particularly for motzei Shabbat, including the unknown hymn: ישיר שבת קול רינה, with the acrostics spelling out יעקב רש חזק. The copier signed his name on leaf 12a with the date and signed on other leaves. New binding. Minimal stains. Very fine condition.
*Selichot per the Cochin customs. 19th century. Mentions on leaf 8a: as customary in Cochin. On leaf 10b: here concludes the customs of Cochin. Owner signatures. 38 pages. 10.5×16.5 cm. Oriental, square print. Old, damaged leather binding. * Order of Burying the Dead, per the Cochin customs. 19th century. 19, [1] leaf. 14.5×8.5 cm. Square, oriental hand. Damaged cardboard binding. Detached leaves. Faded ink and a number of blemishes. Both manuscripts are in moderate-fine condition.
Piyutim, Bakashot and Kinot from Cochin. The 19th Century Two volumes in different scripts, each one bound separately. Block scripts with punctuation. First volume – collection of piyutim and bakashot. Most of the leaves were damaged by the acidic ink. 67 leaves. Blue paper. 9×13.5 cm. Not good condition. Second volume – kinnot for Tisha B’Av according to Cochin custom (India). 8 leaves paper. 16×10 cm. In good condition. New bindings.
Handwritten laws of treifot in the Judeo-Persian dialect. Apparently from Kuba, Azerbaijan. 19-20th century. 9 leaves. 10.5×17 cm. Oriental-Persian hand. At the end of the manuscript there are personal notations in a different hand. New binding. Very fine condition.
Manuscript of Amulets, Folk Remedies and Poems. Land of Libya. 19-20th Century 21 leaves. Paper. 11×16 cm. Western script (from North Africa). At the beginning is a writing of amulets and folk remedies (leaves 1-4). In several places there are lists of names and calculations in addition to poems. Amongst the poems there is one entitled Lamentation (kinah) on the killing of Raga, may his soul be bound in the bond of everlasting life, a”h, Amen (8b-9a). The cities of Tarhuna, Libya (9b, 20b), and Tigrinna are listed in several places. The name of the owner Shalom Hassan son of Agvani Hassan Grian appears on several pages. On page 9b are lists from the year 5637 [1877] and on page 20b there is a list in Italian from the year 1931 from Tarhuna. These rare manuscripts were written in Libya. Cardboard binding. Moth holes in the margins. A few stains. In good – very good condition.
