“Derush I delivered on Shabbat Shlach Lecha, when about a hundred people from among the anusim of Portugal arrived, in 1519” (from this derashah )
Large-format manuscript – dozens of derashot on the weekly Torah portions by the mighty gaon Rabbi Simchah Luzzato, one of the leading geonim and poskim of his generation. “Military leader … elder and esteemed leader, who enlightens the wise, speaks the truth, knows secrets, everything is bound in him … wondrous expert … the great eagle, the av beit din , the honorable Rabbeinu Simchah Luzzato …” So he was called by the Rama”z, Rabbi Moshe Zakut. [Venice, 1610-1620]. Never-published autograph.
Derashot given on special occasions – the arrival of anusim from Portugal, the aliyah laTorah of Rabbi Menashe Ben Israel (apparently on the Shabbat preceding his wedding), a change of parnassim , weddings, births, deaths of community members, etc.
Apparently most of the derashot were written in the 1610s-1620s. There are several later passages. Many derashot are inscribed “Delivered again in [year] …” even a third or fourth time. The earliest year mentioned in this volume is 1616, and the latest is 1654.
This manuscript has never been printed, and very few even know of its existence. No Torah work by Rabbi Simchah has ever been printed, with the exception of individual responsa scattered among sefarim by contemporary sages, and a composition in defense of the Jews, which became very well-known. Encyclopedia L’Toldot Chachmei Yisrael (Part IV p. 1358) writes in the entry on Rabbi Simchah: “He left behind an anthology of derashot .” Professor Moshe Avigdor Schulwass writes, “We don’t have information about whether R’ Simchah Luzzato, as one of the rashei hayeshivah haklalit , would deliver derashot in one of the synagogues. There is, however, evidence that he would speak in public, and that he was a superlative darshan . Indeed, the body of his derashot have not reached us.” ( BiTzvat HaDorot New York, 1960. p. 40. See the note also.)
Handwritten inscription in Italian script on the inner side of the binding: ” … 14 Menachem (Av), Rabbi David Oppenheim, av beit din of Prague . Apparently this manuscript was in the library of Rabbi David Oppenheim, av beit din of Prague, who was the greatest and most prominent collectors of Hebrew books in the world.
At the conclusions of the derashot , Rabbi Simchah often mentions the occasion or guest(s) of honor for whom specific talks were given.
” Derush I gave on Shabbat Shlach Lecha, when about a hundred people from among the anusim of Portugal arrived, 1519″
” Derush I gave again in Neve Shalom in the presence cm”r Menashe Ben Israel and cm”r Yonah … Abarbanel in 1723.” This ‘presence’ refers to bridegrooms who were called to the Torah on the Shabbat before their weddings, according to the custom, or for community parnassim . That year, young Menashe, who already served as rabbi of the Neve Shalom community, married Rachel Abarbanel (refer to: Tish’im Sarim L’Yitzchak Alfasi , p 348).
” Drush for Simchat Torah 1620, when the chattan Torah was cm”r Ya’akov di Silvah. I delivered it again in 1628 when the chattan Torah was c”r Matityah …”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for several more examples and for a brief biography of Rabbi Simchah Luzzato .
Approximately [130] written pages, out of [73] leaves. Average height: 32-33 cm. Several leaves are smaller (one is very small).
Varying conditions. Some of the leaves are in fine condition, some in poor-moderate condition. Many leaves are torn in the margins of the paper, with damage to the text. Many stains, including some serious stains. Faded ink in several places. All the leaves have been professionally restored with paper completions. Antique binding (not the original) with marbleized paper, and many restored worming perforations.