Auction No. 13 - 07.03.2017

Published by the Va’ad Hatzalah of the Council of Rabbis in Germany after WWII. First complete set of the Talmud Bavli that was published after the war. 19 volumes, 39cm. Each volume has two covers, the first in yellow, with illustrations from the camps and the inscription “Labor Camp in Ashkenaz during the Nazi Period.” Disconnected pages, original binding, some unprofessionally repaired. Wear. Ok condition.

Complete Talmud in one volume. Different page layout, with only Rashi’s commentary and no Tosafot. Stereotype printing of one of the Berdichov printings, with special additions for this edition. Very thick tome, bound in new binding, generally very good condition.

By Rabbeinu Moshe ben Nachman (the Ramban) on Masechet Baba Batra, including Dina DeGarmi at the end; a wonderful copy, rebound with half-leather binding. The three last pages are partially missing and repaired, the last pages have light restorations, mainly in the edges. Light stains from over time. 116 pages, generally very good condition.

By Rabbi Yosef Albo, on the principles of faith and foundations of the religion, in four articles. 171 pages, signatures of ownership: Shlomo Segel Goldschmidt. Light restorations, light tears and various stains. Generally good condition, rebound with handsome leather binding.

Tanach, Mikraot Gedolot, with Rashi’s commentary, Radak, Ralbag, second volume: 41-42 cm. [1] 234-441. Second edition, according to which the Tanach is printed til now. Pages torn and partially missing, much moth damage, mold, binding worn, generally very bad condition.

On the ta’amim of mitzvot and their numbering, by Rabbi Eliezer ben Natan of Maganza (the Ra’avan, 1090-1170), one of the Tosafot. Cover is missing and taped in with an interesting handwriting. Various tears taped, some with damage to text. Binding is disconnected, generally ok condition.

With Rambam’s commentary and Bartenura. With illustrations of the menorah, the Temple bread, and more, and the design of the Mishkan on the last page, the map is missing, heavy moth damage, stains and damage from wear, worn binding. 122 [1] page. Generally bad to ok condition.

By Rabbi Yitzhak ben Moshe Arma. Venice 1565. Missing the cover and first page, begins from page 2 and goes until the end, page 350. First pages until page 20 are torn with damage to text. Wooden binding covers in leather, repaired along the spine in an unprofessional way, moth marks on the last pages. Ok condition.

With Rashi’s commentary, Even Ezra, and more. Complete pages that were missing were added by hand, designed similarly to the rest of the book, in certain places with various decorations—an interesting and singular manuscript. Signatures and lists in Yemenite handwriting and Arabic that were not examined. Tears and lots of moth damage. Pages missing. Generally ok condition, rebound.

Second section of Mishneh Torah with the hasagot of the Ra’avad and the Maggid Mishnah, with Kesef Mishnah by the Gaon Yosef Karo. First edition of the Rambam printed with Rabbi Yosef Karo’s commentary, while he was still alive in Venice, bound in old parchment binding with inscriptions in the local tongue on the spine, much moth damage, also on the binding, pages disconnected, tape on the cover page, there is writing underneath it that hasn’t been examined. Various glosses that were not checked. Stains and wear, generally bad to ok condition. 10, 219 page.

Psalms with exegesis by Rabbi Meir Arama (son of Rabbi Yitzhak Arama, the Ba’al HaAkeidah after his books “Akeidat Yitzhak,” a sage of Spain during the generation of the expulsion). Cover and a number of pages at the beginning of the book are missing, bound in fine, half-leather binding. Moth marks, tears and light stains. Generally good condition.

One volume with the five books of Rabbi Moshe Alshich (the Alshich HaKadosh, 1507-1600), first printed by Rabbi Haim Alshich, the author’s son, around a year after the author’s death, by Di Gara in Venice. 1. Einei Moshe, exegesis on Megillat Ruth—1601. Two pages at the beginning of the book are by hand, then it goes from 6-46 [1]/ 2. Shoshanat HaAmakim, exegesis on Shir HaShirim—second edition, 1606. 60 pages. 3. Devarim Nachumim, exegesis on Eicha—1601. 38 [1] page. 4. Devarim Tovim, exegesis on Kohelet. 1601. 35 (supposed to be 41), [1] page. 5. Mishat Moshe—1601. 84 pages, missing two pages with indices at the end. With illustrations made from wood carvings, of Mordechai, Ahasueros, Esther, and Haman. The Purim Seudah, and Mishloach Manot. Much moth damage, pages disconnected, without binding, glosses. Generally bad to ok condition. 63. Sefer Mar’ot HaTzovot—Venice 1603—partially missing copy, owned by the Alkachlani synagogue. Commentary on the First Prophets by Rabbi Moshe Alshich (the Alshich HaKadosh, 1507-1600), printed by Di Gara in Venice. Paritally missing, from page 127 onwards and additional pages from the book. Moth damage, pages disconnected, various stains, not bound, generally ok condition. In the cover of the book is an interesting dedication in Yemenite handwriting that the book was dedicated to the Alkachlani synagogue. In 1914, a machloket burst in Sana’a on the kabbalah and the minhagim. This machloket caused a split of the community into two camps, the Ikashim and Darda’im, and the Alkachlani synagogue split in Sana’a. At the order of the government, in 1933 the synagogue was closed and the Rav, Amram Korach, made a list of the assets and sifrei kodesh of the synagogue, which he divided among the camps (see: “Synagogues in Yemen” p. 311 and onwards, the list of books is written there, including this book).

Commentary on the First Prophets by Rabbi Moshe Alshich (the Alshich HaKadosh, 1507-1600), printed by Di Gara in Venice. Paritally missing, from page 127 onwards and additional pages from the book. Moth damage, pages disconnected, various stains, not bound, generally ok condition. In the cover of the book is an interesting dedication in Yemenite handwriting that the book was dedicated to the Alkachlani synagogue. In 1914, a machloket burst in Sana’a on the kabbalah and the minhagim. This machloket caused a split of the community into two camps, the Ikashim and Darda’im, and the Alkachlani synagogue split in Sana’a. At the order of the government, in 1933 the synagogue was closed and the Rav, Amram Korach, made a list of the assets and sifrei kodesh of the synagogue, which he divided among the camps (see: “Synagogues in Yemen” p. 311 and onwards, the list of books is written there, including this book).

Halakhic chiddushim on the laws of memunot by Rabbi Shmuel ben Rabbi Yitzhak HaSardi, a great sage of Spain, student and friend of the Ramban, whom he mentions in this book, considered one of the foundational texts on halachot of shtarot, loans, and laws of funding. Original wooden binding is worn, stains and wear, generally ok condition. 105 pages.

All four sections of the book by Rabbi Mordechai Yafeh, printed by Yoani Cayon in Venice. Volume 1: 1. Levush HaTechelet, first section on Tor Orech Haim. 201, [2] page. By mistake, bound at the end is an index page of section 3. 2. Levush Ateret Zahav, Tor Yoreh De’ah, the third Levush. Until page 155, then all of the indices were supplied by hand. Signature of ownership: “Yosef ben Yosef Asiyo,” and an additional unreadable signature. Volume 2: 1. Levush HaBotz v’HaArgaman, Tor Even HAEzer, the fourth Levush. 87 pages. 2. Levush Ir Shushan, Tor Choshen Mishpat, the fifth levush. 162, [2] page. Signature of ownership: Yaakov Medina. Much moth damage, stains, tears, and wear. Generally ok condition. Rebound.

Missing the cover, begins from page 2 and goes until the end, page 192. The second section has a defective cover and partially repaired (unprofessionally). Ends at its end, page 108. Pages disconnected, wooden binding covered in leather, defective, from the period. Generally ok, reasonable condition.

Written by Johann Buchesdorf, printed by Ludwig Koenig in Basel. [10], [456] page. In Hebrew and German. Bound with new binding, moth marks and light tears, generally very good condition.

He was Chief Rabbi of Kovna, lived 1817-1896. On the medallion is an engraving with the portrait of the rabbi and the inscription “HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Yitzhak Elchanan Spector.” On the back: his burial place and the inscription “picture of the grave of Rav Gaon Rabbi Yitzhak Elchanan Spector,” as well as date of his birth and death. Diameter: 23mm. A little worn. Generally good condition.

Singular, unknown postcard of Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, the Chafetz Chaim (1838-1933). Famous portrait of Maran, which in the past was doubted because its origin was unknown, it appears as a photograph in the postcard with and inscription underneath: “Moreinu Rabbeinu Tzaddik of the generation, the Gaon Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Shlita known as the Chafetz Chaim.” 9x14cm, light moth marks, light stains, and a scribble in pencil. Generally very good condition.

Singular, unknown postcard of Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib Tversky (1873-1937), the Admor of Chelm, son of Rabbi Menachem Nachum, the Admor of Trisk, son and successor of the Maggid Rabbi Avraham Tversky of Trisk. Served in Breslov, and after his uncle’s death (Rabbi Mordechai of Kozmir), many of his uncle’s chassids turned to him, and he established his beit midrash in Chelm. He was famous for his wonderful prayers, his divrei torah were collected into a book “Imrei Mi” on Genesis and Exodus (Warsaw 1938). On the back of the photograph appears the inscription “Picture of Rav Moshe Yehuda Leib ben Rav Menachem Nachum Tversky of Trisk, who died on 25th of Tammuz, 1937. Very good condition.

Attached to a wooden piece, embossing work with illustrations of the constellations. 23x24cm. Ok to good condition.

With tools from the Mikdash, eagles, and more. Jerusalem. Height: 7cm. Given in a cardboard package, with the printing of the menorah from this mold. Origin: Private collection.

Metal engravings of the Kotel, Migdal David, and Kever Rachel. Max height: 17cm. Good condition.

Colorful, with scenes from a wedding, bar mitzvah, and more. Made in Germany, 1930s (approximately). Average size: 10x18cm. 2 of them have defects and gluing. Generally good condition. From a private collection.

Miniature megillat esther made with gold filigree work. Includes a printed megillah on matching miniature paper. In the center of the housing is a Star of David and the inscription “Zion” with enamel work. Height: 10cm. Housing weighs: 15g. Light defect on the Star of David. Generally good condition. From a private collection.