Auction No. 102
Holy books, Chassidut, Manuscripts, Rabbinical & Admors' letters, Eretz Yisrael & Zionism, Americana, Judiaca & Prof. Albert Einstein
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La Corona Estense : sonetti ebraici colla versione italiana all'altezza serenissima di ,Francesco III, Duca di Modona, Reggio, [Rabbi] Yisrael Binyamin Bassan, Venice, 1753.
Specifications: [19] leaves, paper. Introduction and titles in Italian, the poems appear in the Hebrew and Italian on facing pages. Decorated with large number of wood engravings.
Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin Bassan [1701-1790] - one of the foremost Jewish-Italian poets of his time and rabbi of Reggio Emilia. Born to his father Rabbi Yeshayahu Bassan, who was the Ramchal's rabbi in the Padua Yeshiva and stood by him during the polemic against him. In honor of Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin's wedding, the Ramchal wrote a poem which was published in "Migdal Oz, or Tamut Yesharim" [Königsberg, 1860].
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. New binding with a matching stiff cardboard container.
Manuscript by Rabbi David and Rabbi Shmuel of Recanati. Pisa, (Italy). 1707-1737.
Specifications: 27 leaves. Paper. 9.5X12.5 cm. Italian handwriting.
Unique Features: Contains poems, blessings and wishes for a circumcision and the order of the circumcision (pages 1-13), and at the end: "And all of the work was completed on this day Wednesday the 16th Adar ...1707... Pisa ... I David son of Rabbi Moshe of Recanati student of the above ... Rabbi Yehuda of Fano, here Pisa." Further on, until page 22: lists of writings according to numbers (seven Noachide laws, four things which are fitting for a person, etc.) and proverbs with Italian translation in various scripts, and at the end "Completed ... on the fifth day of the month of Tishrei in 1737... I Shmuel of Recanati wrote this."
Condition: Fine. Aging stains, old cardboard binding.
[10] wedding songs and other prints from "Rama"h V'Tola'ah," HaRofei Yaakov Chai Tzahalon, Shada"l, Asher Viterbo and others, Leghorn [and Florence], 1698-1855.
* "HaBoker Ohr Eit HaLayla Yafuach" introduction and poem with four stanzas upon the wedding of Yitzchak ben Chaim HaLevi and his cousin Chana. [Florence], 1698.
Unique features: Printed poem with decorations and frame. Hebrew, with the name of the printer and printing license in Latin. Rare.
* Riddle and poem in honor of a wedding in Amsterdam, gift to the bride's brother, the city trustee, Avraham Inrikish Ferrara, by Simcha Kalimani. [Amsterdam?], [first half of the 18th century.]
Unique features: The riddle is decorated with an illustration of a of a person standing on top of a house. The riddle consists of [31] lines. The last page features the poem integrated with the names of the bride and groom: "From all the precious, sparkling girls ... Rachel was attractive ... so to in you Yitzchak you saw today ...." Not in the National Library.
* Kumu Sarim V'Siu Kolot B'Rina," poem from "Rama"h V'Tola'ah," upon the marriage of Moshe ben Shmuel Inriks Miranda with Esther bat Moshe de Leon. Leghorn [1744]. Rare.
* "Im kol malitzei lashon l'saper lav ...." poem from "Rama"h V'Tola'ah" upon the marriage of Emanuel ben Rabbi Yosef Igras with Rivka the daughter of the community leader Yitzchak Chai Attias, Leghorn, 1744. Not found in the National Library.
* "Hineh Chachmei Leivav Mussar Haskilu;" poem by HaRofei Yaakov Chai Tzahalon upon the marriage of Yosef ben Moshe Franco with Simcha bat Refael Franco. Leghorn, 1745. This poem is not in the National Library, though it does have another poem written in honor of their wedding by Yaakov ben Avraham Meldola.
* "Mincha Chadasha b'zivug ... Dovid Shabtai son of our rabbi Shimshon Viterbo ... with Rachel daughter of Binyamin Zalman ... Asher Viterbo ... brother of the groom." Venice, [1748].
Specifications: [12] leaves, paper. 24x17 cm.
* Versi Ebraici. Poem in honor of the wedding of King Franz Joseph and Queen Elizabeth in 1854, by Shada"l. The back of the printed poem features a printed illustruation at center of the leaf.
* Shir Yedidot by Shada"l upon the marriage of Avraham Shalom. Printed in Syrian, with Hebrew letters and in Hebrew on facing pages. Printed by Avraham Shalom at the beginning of his Ya'ar Avshalom. [1855].
* Shiro l'Kel Elyon V'Zamru bilti kached ..." poem in honor of a aid society upon the inaguration of the Reishit Chochma yeshiva, by Moshe Meldola. Leghorn, 1745. Not in the National Library.
* Eich Nechsha Livcot, v'lo nehima" elegy from the Gemillut Chassadim society upon the passing of Rabbi Refael Nosson Ashkenazi, by Yitzchak Chaim Tawil, Trieste, 1800.
Condition: Varying sizes and conditions, moderate-fine.
* Poem in honor of the "Chatan Torah" Refael ben Elazar Meldola and "Chatan Bereishit" Yaakov ben Refael M[eldola] and to the Chatan Bereishit "who establish medrash in the magnificent yeshiva the society of Gemilut Chassadim Ateret Tiferet." Leghorn, [1744]. Signed by ח"ג ע"ט. Not in the National Library.
Background: Rabbi Refael ben Elazar Meldola (1685-1748) authored the Mayim Rabim responsa on the four sections of responsa, Shever B'Mitzrayim and Parshat HaIbur.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 27x24 cm.
* "My heart was happy and rejoiced when I was in Reggio my birthplace ...." "Lamnatzech B'Neginot ... for the Talmud Torah society." Poem in honor of the study hall in Reggio and its supporters, by Rabbi Chanina Elchanan Chai Cohen. Florence, 1829. Not in the National Library.
Rabbi Chanina Elchanan Chai Cohen (1751-1834) was the rabbi of Florence. Many of his students served as rabbis throughout Italy. He published and printed works of poetry, language, education, Bible and more, including: Chanoch L'Na'ar, Musraei HaShachrut, Ruach Chadasha, Shaarei Lashon HaKodesh, Bamot Ba'al, Devarim Acherim, Shgionei Kohen, Zemirot Yisrael.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 35x24 cm. Hebrew, with information regarding the printing in Italian.
* "Keter Torah ...." [Italy]. Poem in honor of donor Mordechai Venciano from the "Paamei Dalim."
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 42x31 cm.
Unique Features: Vowelized poem with seven stanzas. Not in the National Library.
Condition: Overall moderate-fine.
"Order of song and supplications recited ... in the Ashkenazi Synagogue in the city of Ferrera." Ferrera, beginning of the 19th century.
Specifications: 47 leaves, paper. Bound manuscript. 18X24 cm. Hebrew. Block Italian handwriting.
Content: Refer to the Hebrew.
Unique Features: Prayer for Napoleon the First, called "The French Caeser and King of Italy," which indicates that the manuscript was written at the beginning of the 19th century, as Napoleon was caeser of France beginning in 1804 and king of Italy from 1805-1814. Erasure of his name and relation to France indicate the change in their relationship to France and to Napoleon after the defeat of France and the ousting of Napoleon from his position.
Condition: Fine, aging stains, minimal erasures, partially dismantled binding.
With this volume: Seder Amirat Taschlich. [1] leaf, paper. 15X21 cm. Italian handwriting. Fine condition.
Impressive collection of documents related to Italian Jewry, songs, posters and proclamations, prayers, community regulations and legal documents. 17th - 19th centuries.
Refer to Hebrew text for details.
Condition: Generally fine condition.
[8] documents, mainly legal, concerning Italian Jewry. Italy, 17th-19th centuries.
* Document related to legal proceedings in the 1680's. [2] pages, paper. 22x34 cm. Italian.
* Il presidente, E maestrato arciducale di mantova, Matua, 1718. Document related to a legal matter. [2] pages, paper. 21x35 cm. Italian.
* Ferrariensis pro Mandulino burghio hebreo contra carolum Antonium Nigrisolem, 1719. Legal document. 12 pages, paper. 19x28 cm. Italian.
* "This is the Order of Decision Making and Leadership placed by ... the elected ones of the congregation of Mantua." Mantua 1722. [4] leaves, paper, on one uncut paper scroll. 20x27 cm. Hebrew. Contains 27 clauses of regulations for tax assessments and the community constitution. The regulations are defined as valid for three years. The last regulation ends in the middle of a sentence. The National Library has 17 editions of the Order of Decision Making in the Mantua congregation between 1651-1795, and the one before us is the third in the series.
* In dei nomine amen & c. Anno Domini 1751. Regarding a legal proceeding by a Jew against an apostate. [1] leaf, paper. 20x29 cm. Handwritten addition relating to this document on an another page. Italian.
* Letter from Rabbi Yosef HaLevi of Alexandria regarding a person who requires a passport and the question regarding the need to give a get to his wife. [1] paper leaf. 19x28 cm. Italian.
* Printed list of [16] names in Italian, with no further details. Rare.
List of names in Italian, with no further details. Among the names is Marini Sebastiano, who may be Rabbi Shabtai Marini, one of the Ramchal's foremost disciples. The name Iona Raffaele also appears.
* Scheda dei Consiglieri Provinciali. Appears to be a list of regional advisers. With no note of time or place. [1] leaf, paper. Italian. 12x17 cm.
General Condition: Fine. Fold marks. Aging stains.
* Pizmon L'Shorer Lehodot L'Hashem B'Leil HaZikaron L'Bni Rachamim Nipi. Vowelized poem, with ten verses arranged in two columns. Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 14x21 cm. Condition: Fine, fold marks.
* Studies for Shabbat night to commemorate the great wonders to Rachamim Nipi, my brother and his family who were saved from fire in 1823 on the tenth of the month of Tevet. Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 21x15 cm. Condition: Fine, fold marks.
In the course of study, verses are indicated to be studied from the Torah, the books of Malachim, Tehillim and Divrei HaYamim, from Mishnayot whose name's initials spell out "Esh" [fire]: tractates Avot and Shabbat, Pirkei Hillel HaGadol, from Siman 4 of the book Yosef B'Seder by the Chida with the liturgy for thanksgiving after experiencing a miracle, concluding with chapter 124 of Tehillim.
* "B'Shir Chadash Nodeh L'El"; a poem for the founding of a charity society. The poem is vowelized, with twelve verses arranged in two columns. 1867. Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 22x31 cm. It is possible that the society's name was 'Etz Chaim', which is mentioned in verse 4 of the poem. The names Chizkiya and Mordechai are mentioned in the poem. Condition: Fine, fold marks, aging stains, slight wear at the edges of the leaf.
Verses, Zohar study and prayers for the shofar blower [Mantua, c. 1790].
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 28x18 cm. The text is within a frame. Other than the holy names, the text is not vowelized.
Unique features: At the top of the leaf: "On Rosh Hashana on the night before kaddish batra or when he is in his home prior to the rooster's call, he should say this: and he will not want for food and necessities the entire year ... " At center of the leaf: prayer for the shofar blower: "Master of the World your children have placed their faces before you ..." and in the margins: "Safed custom ... when standing to blow the shofar, one should recite these verses out loud ...."
The National Library only has a reproduction of this piece.
Condition: Moderate, fold marks, small tears along the fold lines affecting solitary letters. Minimal stains.
Tikkun Shovavim. Venice, 1739.
Specifications: 50 leaves, 17 cm. With the Mincha prayer with kabbalistic kavanot. With the Torah reading 'Vayachel Moshe' for people fasting. Similar edition printed the same year.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. New binding.
Seder Tikkun Shovavim arranged by Rabbi Moshe Zakut. Mantua, 1782.
Specifications: 46 leaves, 17 cm. Kavanat HaMikveh printed at the beginning. Some ten leaves of yichudim, kavanot and shemot are in the body of the book.
Condition: Moderate. Aging stains, and the corners of the last leaves are blemished with damage to a word on the last leaf. New binding.
* Elegy upon the death of the king of Sardinia, written to be recited by a choir of children in the great synagogue in Torino: "Lamnatzeach al machalat l'anot upon the death of the dear King Carlo Alberto," by Rabbi Hillel Cantori, Torino, 1849.
Specifications: [4] leaves including cover leaves, paper. 15x23 cm. Hebrew and Italian on facing pages.
Unique Features: The elegy before us praises the king for the judicial system which he organized and for his wars: "His chair is founded on justice ... he called for freedom, established a constitution, all were equal in it ... hero! He fought against a brazen nation ...." The elegy ends with shattering cry upon the King's death and a prayer for the success of his son, King Victor.
Background: Charles Albert, king of Sardinia (1798-1849), who reigned from 1831 onward, established a new constitution and went out to war to unify Italy in 1848. As a result of a decisive military defeat by the Austrians in 1849, he was forced to abdicate and died in exile in Portugal in that same year.
* Prayer for the success of the Italian armies. Livorno, 1866.
Specifications: [6] leaves, paper. 15x21 cm. Hebrew and Italian on facing pages. Blue cover paper.
Unique Features: Patriotic prayer for the success of the Italian armies, and for the success of the King of Italy, who were fighting a heroic war to free all of greater Italy from foreigners in the name of freedom and liberty. "Then the men of war girded their loins and arose like one entity ... led by their king ... and they are currently fighting to expel the enemy from the entire country and to reinstate the glory of Italy as in previous years ... and Victor Emmanuel, who was chosen by the Italian people to reign over them, will rise up like a lion to defeat his enemies. May he accomplish and be successful in everything he does, and not return until he has expelled the foreigners from the entire country of Italy ...." The prayer is based on an earlier version from 1859.
Background: Victor Emmanuel II (1820-1878) - king of Sardinia from 1849 who took action to unify Italy and was appointed as the first king of the united kingdom of Italy beginning in 1861.
Condition: Both booklets are in fine condition. Fold mark along the entire length of the booklet.
Seder Hoshanot in pleasant handwriting with decorations, according to the custom in Rome. With Kabbalistic prayers. 18-19th century.
Specifications: [18] thick paper leaves. 19x21 cm. Block writing in ink.
Unique Features: Pleasant scribal handwriting, pleasant decorations in several places.
Condition: Very fine. Minimal aging stains. Ancient leather binding with restored spine.