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.