Ein Ya’akov, [Venice?, 17th century]. Long novellae are written on the sheets, some kabbalistic, handwritten and often signed by Rabbi Shlomo Algazi, patriarch of the Algazi family of geonim. To the best of our knowledge, these novellae have never been published, although a small number of them appear in his book Ta’avah LaEnayim (Sulzbach, 1687). Before us is a historic discovery. Complete work, not yet published, by the one of the greatest Later Authorities, unique in his generation in Torah study, of whom the Chid”a attests in Shem HaGedolim (Ma’arechet Gedolim): “Surely the ear has heard the wonders of the rabbi z”l and his seclusion [that is: his uniqueness] in study.” The manuscript was compared by an expert in rabbinical manuscripts to other manuscripts by the author and was positively identified as Rabbi Shlomo Algazi’s handwriting (confirmation enclosed). Additionally, under one of the glosses in the book (leaf 138 [should be 137] b), the author signed his name, “Algazi.” The style of the glosses also indicates that the writer is Rabbi Shlomo Algazi. For example (leaf 78a), when resolving a problem, he writes “ומצאתי מנוח עם מאמר חז”ל…”, a phrase which appears many times in his books and to the best of our knowledge does not appear in books by other authors. Some of the novellae are kabbalistic, for example: (leaf 163b): “וע”ד הסוד.” Rabbi Shlomo Algazi [1610-1683], the rabbi of Izmir, was unique in his generation in the study of the Torah (as attested by the Chid”a above). The Chid”a also writes of him (Ziknat Shlomo entry): “The great Rabbi Shlomo Algazi was experienced with miracles … and I heard from my grandfather Sha’ar Noraot about this rabbi z”l … that he studied Torah for its own sake and did not benefit from its fruit.” His contemporary, Rabbi David Conforte, author of Koreh HaDorot, writes of him, “There was a rabbi in Izmir, Rabbi Shlomo Algazi, a rabbi knowledgeable in all aspects of the Talmud and a great sermonizer … when I was in Izmir I studied at his yeshivah and with him.” When he was 25, he immigrated to the land of Israel and was appointed adjudicator in Jerusalem. Approximately ten years later, he returned Izmir to print his books. He opened a yeshivah there and served as a rabbi in the community. He was known for his battle against Shabbatai Tzvi and his followers. He was one of the first to foresee Shabbatai Tzvi’s messianic tendency and tried to warn the community rabbis against him. Rabbi Ya’akov Sassport writes of him “all the people of Izmir followed the messiah except for eleven or twelve people including … the sage Rabbi Shlomo Algazi … the masses wanted to attack him and he fled the town.” In 1670, he returned to Jerusalem and was one of the sages of the ‘Beit Ya’akov’ study hall founded by Rabbi Ya’akov Chagiz. His signature is on a ‘receipt of testimony’ as Rosh Av Beit Din of Jerusalem in 1673. His books include: Ahavat Olam, Gufei Halachot, Halichot E-li, Ziknat Shlomo, Yavin Shemu’ah, Lechem Setarim, Me’ulefet Sapirim, Ratzuf Ahavah, Shama Shlomo, Ta’avah LaEnayim. The Chid”a writes that the acronym of his books forms the words ‘Shlomo Algazi Zlh”h’ which is astonishing. Some of his responsa appear in the book Ba’ei Chayei by his friend Rabbi Chaim Benveniste; Pnei Moshe by Rabbi Moshe Benveniste; Bnei Aharon by his son-in-law Rabbi Aharon Lapapa; Mishpatei Tzeddek by Rabbi Shmuel Ghermezian and in many other books by the greatest rabbis (Encyclopedia Arzei HaLevanon pages 1745-1748). [8], 17-195 leaves. 30 cm. Opinion by an expert on rabbinical manuscripts regarding the handwriting identification enclosed. Moderate-fine condition. Aging stains. Worming perforations. Tears, some with loss. Some of the first leaves contain handwritten completions. Lacking title page and first leaves. New leather binding. Pay Attention! On this lot VAT Should be Added to the Commission For Foreign Residents As Well.
