Auction No. 8 - 18.01.2016

Topics relating to Kabbalah on halachot and traditions on a few issues, ‘Elef Alfin’ a request from the thousand words that begin with the letter alef, with exegesis, by the Rav Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Zchut. 52 pages. Only edition (Friedberg 441). Gaon HaRav Moshe Zchut, compiler of the book of origins of the Holy Names, Kol HaRamaz on the Mishnah, and more, HaHida in his book “Shem HaGdolim” writes of him that “his intelligence and his holiness are known throughout the land,” one of his students was Rav Binyamin HaCohen (HaRabach), Rav Avraham Revigo, and more. New binding, defect on the title page and moth damage on a number of pages without damage to the text.

18 subjects, with additions to the Shulchan Aruch Hoshen Mishpat (signs 69-149), amongst which are questions and answers, by HaRav Yeshaya HaLevi Horwitz. 120, 4, page. On the title page is the signature of ownership of HaGvir HaRav “Refael Yitzhak Amado S”t,” father of the Rav Yehuda Yehoshua Amada, compiler of the book “Ohalei Yehuda,” Salonika, 1821. New fabric binding, lots of moth damage.

1. “Divrei Emet” on the Torah, published by Yeshivat Hokhmei Lublin, Shanghai 1947. On the page before the title page is the stamp of ownership of the Admor of Lublin, HaRav Avraham Igar, son of the Rav Shlomo Igar, who served for a period as the head of the Lublin yeshiva after the death of HaRav Meir Shapira of Lublin. 2. “Or HaMeir” on Genesis, published by Yeshivat Hokhmei Lublin in Shanghai, 1946. On the page before the title is his handwritten signature and stamp (the Admor). He lived from 1914-2003, was a talmid chacham and wonderful gaon. Studied at the Chokhmei Lublin yeshiva, during the Second World War he escaped with the family of the Admor of Amnishov to Vilna, then Japan and Shanghai. After the Shoah, he moved to Israel (in 1949). With the recommendation of the great Admors (Rabbi Aharon of Belz and the Reetz of Lubovitch) and the greats of the generation (HaHazon Ish and Rav of Chivin), he rose to replace his predecessor as the Admor of Lublin in Bnei Brak. Dealt with Torah with great diligence, his prayers were done with great intensity, and he taught his legs to act on behalf of good deeds for the community and the individual. His son-in-law is the Admor of Amnishov, shlita, in Jerusalem. In total, 2 books, different sizes, generally good condition.

Commentaries and drashot on the Torah, Prophets, and Megillot, with a drash on eulogizing and dedicating a Torah. By the Gaon HaRav Rahamim Nissim Ye’uda, one of the great sages of Izmir, son of HaRav Pardes, of the important halakhic book “Ot Hi LeOlam” (2) 140 page. Size 30cm. One of the most important books of Izmir, and rare. Generally good condition, original binding is loose. Dry pages. Defect on the last page with damage to the text in a number of words.

A long and deep method of approaching masechet Baba Metziya and Horayot. At the start of the book are many approbations by the rabbis of Livorno, Ancona, Tetuan, and the approval of the Gaon HaHida and Rav Haim Toledano. The compiler was the son of the sister of the Or HaHayyim, was born in Sali in 1714 and died in 1761 when he was only 47 years old. At 15 he had already compiled his book “Milchemet Mitzvah,” full of additions and wordplays on halacha, the Hida in his approbation of the book used wonderful language in praising the book and the author in his growth from youth (HaHida only wrote recommendations for a few books, and never used unnecessary plaudits), and writes in his book “Shem HaGedolim” that “I truthfully heard from him the depth and wonder of the topics that he wrote about…from his students I heard that because of his great diligence he almost never passes into sleep.” On the title page of the book is the signature in the handwriting of the Gaon Rav Haim David Klipi, one of the Tripoli poskim, who compiled “Ma’arechet Klalim” and “Orech LaChayyim,” there are a number of stamps of ownership of the Kabbalist HaRav Hai Maimon, of the rabbis of Tripoli, who compiled an exegesis on the Zohar “Hilula Raba,” and more. Good condition, moth damage mainly in the margins, sometimes touching the text. Some of the pages have bent corners.

Second section, drashot on Numbers – Deuteronomy, at the end are separate issues and general topics of Talmud. From the Gaon Rabbi Yosef David, the rabbi of Saloniki, composer of the book of questions and answers “Beit David,” and more. Only edition. One of the rare Saloniki books. (1) 141 29 page. The compiler, Gaon HaRav Yosef David: 1660-1742, HaHida writes in his book Shem HaGedolim “Rabbi Yosef David, Av Beit Din in the community of Saloniki—he is holy, and we have heard of his holiness and his seclusion…” In another place he writes of him “the greatest of teachers, Rav Nihu HaRav HaGadol Maharar, Yosef David in his book Beit David.” From the questions asked in the text we learn the extent of his fame throughout the world. Generally good condition, moth damage on a few lone pages. Original binding.

Drashot on the Torah, book of Genesis, with drashot for special days and times, with a number of eulogies for the sages of Aleppo, by the Gaon Rabbi Avraham Sat-hon, one of the great sages of Aleppo. First edition, with “Divrei Moshe,” chiddushim on the Torah, book of Genesis, by his son HaRav Moshe Sat-hon, only edition. 167 (1) 40 (1) page. 29cm. 2 books bound together in excellent condition—really as new. New, fancy, nice leather binding.

77 questions on interpreting Yosef’s dream with answers according to the Kabbalah and Gematriya, by the Hassidic Gaon HaRav Avraham HaCohen of Lask. (6) 50 page. At the start of the book are endorsements from the sages of Israel, Tunis, and Morocco, including the Maharit Elgazy, HaPri MiGadim, and more. Important and rare book. Not bound, defects and stains.

Seder Taharot, with commentary “Etz Haim,” by the Rav Yaakov Khagiz. The text of the Mishnah in the middle, the commentary is on both sides. Very rare. 368 pages. Complete copy. Other than defects on the first two pages and the last one, it is all in excellent condition. 15cm. HaRav Yaakov Khagiz, head of the “Beit Yaakov Ferrara” yeshiva in Jerusalem from age 20, was born in Fez in 1620, died in Constantinople in 1874, HaHida writes wonderful descriptions of him.

Chiddushim on the six sidrei Mishnah, Zra’im—Mo’ed. At the end is the pamphlet “Binyan Beit HaBechira,” exegeses on the Rambam. (1) 122 [93 121] page. 35cm. By the Gaon Rav Yaakov Amdin bar Tzvi, the Yavetz. One of his rare and important books. Most of the book is in good condition, a number of pages with moth damage, binding and first pages are loose, pages are dark, signature of ownership on the title page in Tunisian handwriting.

Questions and answers on the four sections of Shulchan Aruch, by the Rav Avraham Kuriyat, with drashot from his father HaRav Yehuda Kuriyat. 66, 12 page. On the title page of the book is a curly signature, the Tzvi Yitzhak bar Gilon. 30cm, generally good condition, moth damage on a number of pages. Old binding.

Long exegesis on the Megilla of Eicha, by the Kabbalist HaRav Binyamin HaCohen (the Rabach). 92 page, 20cm. the Rav Binyamin HaCohen, student of the Rav Moshe Zechut (the Ramaz), the Av Beit Din of Reggio, compiler of the book “Gvul Binyamin,” drashot on Kabbala, HaHida writes of him in his book “Shem HaGedolim” that he was famous in chassidut and that he that he has answers written in the book “Meset Moshe” and “Shemesh Tzedaka,” his son-in-laws were the greats of their generation, the Maharar Yeshaya Bassan and Menashe Padova, the Mahari Irgaz, who sat with him for 7 weeks to learn from him the wisdom of Kabbalah. Good condition, stains (old parchment binding—maybe original).

1. “Sde Yehoshua,” wide-ranging exegesis on the Talmud Yerushalmi, seder Zra’im, by the Gaon Rabbi Yehoshua Benvenishti, brother of the Ba’al Knesset HaGedola. Only edition, very rare. On the introduction page there is engraving of the printer, “Har Sinai,” 190 page, missing the title page, most of the book is in good condition, defects on a number of pages, moth damage, stains. 2. Sefer “Nir,” commentary on the Talmud Yerushalmi, seder Zra’im, first section, by the Gaon HaRav Meir Marim, Av Beit Din of Kobryn, Warsaw 1875, first edition, 78 page. Generally good condition, on the first pages there is wear and stains. Worn and damaged binding. 3. “Mashbich” on the whole Shas, by the Gaon HaRav Moshe Shimon Zivitz, Jerusalem 1929, with 3 endoresments from the Gaon ba’al HaChafetz Haim” who writes, among other things, that “without this book it is impossible to learn and to understand the Talmud Yerushalmi.” Unusually high prasise from the Chafetz Haim for this book. First pages are loose, with rips that don’t damage the text, the rest is in good condition. Original binding is loose, dry pages.

Questions and answers, second section, by the Gaon HaRav Yosef Almoshneinu, Av Beit Din of Bielograd. Only edition, very rare. (2) 118 page. Generally good condition, stains, a little moth damage.

Drashot on the Torah on the pshat and midrash, by the Gaon HaRav Shlomo bar Yehuda HaCohen, compiler of the books “Sha’at Ratzon,” “Yafeh Sha’ah,” and more, one of the great kabbalists of Saloniki. Only edition, (1) 123 page. Very rare. His books were accepted as foundational texts of Kabbalist wisdom, most of his books are rare, most of the large libraries don’t have a copy, which is why they are rarely missing and not described in bibliography. On the first page is the handwritten dedication of the compiler’s grandson. On the title page of the book is the stamp of ownership of the Rav Yaakov Shoshana. On page 49 is a gloss handwritten and signed by the young Nissim Alush, Rav and Dayan in Katztina, rabbi of Rav Yosef Ganasiya. Moth damage, defects, stains, ok to good condition.

Second section. Only edition, a thick tome on the Choshen Mishpat, 214 pages. 28cm. With sign of the printer on the title page. On the four Turim and Beit Yosef, first section, on the Orech Haim, includes the laws of Ta’aniyot and special days, second section before us is on the Choshen Mishpat. The first volume of the book was the first composition printed at the first Hebrew printer in Izmir, by the printer Avraham ben Yedida Gabbai. The compiler, Gaon Rabbi Yosef Ishkafa, one of the sages of Izmir, was the first rabbi of the Saloniki Jews in Izmir, he was also the primary rabbi of Shabtai Tzvi. The Rav Yaakov Shasportch writes in his book that when he saw the deeds of Shabtai Tzvi, he excommunicated him and declared that he would cause the masses to sin in pursuing a new belief, something which proved prophetic (False Messiahs and their Opponents, p. 134). Amongst the pages of the book are a number of stamps of ownership of the Gaon HaRav David HaCohen Sekli, one of the rabbis of Waran, in Morocco, compiler of the book “Kiryat Channah David,” two sections. Rare and scarce book these days. Especially thick pages, most of the book is in excellent condition, except for a few bits of moth damage o nthe first and last pages.

On masechtot Nedarim, Sotah, and Nazir, with chiddushim on masechet Shavuot from HaRav Hanmukei Yosef, brought to the printer by the Rishon LeZiyyon HaGaon HaRav Mordechai HaLevi, with an introduction by him. Printed by Eliezer Saadon, first edition, with permissions and introductions in Italian. (1) 8, 129 page. The Rav Mordechai HaLevi, nicknamed the “Malitz,.” Printed over the years during his shlichot a number of books that were in manuscript form, suchc as “Ishi Hashem” by the Ramban on Nedarim, the Ritba on Nedarim, ad more. Bright, thick pages, moth damage mainly on the first pages, mostly in the margins. Ok to good condition.

Drashot on shabbatot zachor, HaGadol, kala, Tshuva, that the Gaon Uzenu HaRav Chaim Yosef David Azoulay, HaHida HaKadosh, gave. From 1788-1794, from the Beit Midrash of the great Eliezer Chai Shaltiel Riccanati, where HaHida stayed for a number of years. The drashot are on the midrash and mussar, full of awakenings to the work of Hashem and the carrying out of mitzvoth. From page 110 until 117, there is a pamphlet titled “Geulat Olam,” an exegesis on the Passover Haggadah. Corrections and erasures by the name “Pnei Kisseh,” detailed keys and indices under the name “Petach Bachad.” Only edition, printed by HaHida during his lifetime, by Eliezer Saadon. Rare. 134 (1) page. Excellent copy, with restored leather binding.

Large composition, exegeses on halachot of the Rambam through questions and answers on the first and last verses, by the Gaon HaRav Moshe Magar, one of the sages of Jerusalem, a member of the Beit Din of the Rishon LeZiyyon, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Suzin. Only edition. (2) 158 page. 30cm. On the title page is listed and signed the ownership “Reuven Pinto and family.” Excellent condition, stained.

Pirkei mussar and ways to convince people’s hearts, by the Maggid HaYerushalmi, HaRav Yitzhak Prachi. First edition and rare. 91 page. Pocket sized, 14cm. Good condition, stains.

Answers and objections of the generation’s sages and the compiler on the issue of sris and patzu’a dacha, from the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Amdin bar Tzvi (the Yavetz). Second edition with additions—printed by the compiler himself, 25 (1) page. Rare book. Stamp of ownership, good condition, light defects in the margins, professionally restored. New binding with a leather spine.

A long method with chiddushim of the masechet ketuvim with additions to a few other masechtot, by the Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zarka, one of the great rabbis of Tunis. (1) 151 page. On the title page is written “A Ton of Brachot,” to the sage HaRav Natan Burgil, grandson of the Ba’al Hak Natan, on his help in publishing the book. Ok to good condition, not bound, moth damage on a number of pages.

Chiddushei Halachot by the Gaon Rabbi Meir Barbi. On the page before the title page and on the title page itself are signatures of ownership in Ashkenazi handwriting from the time of printing—signatures not checked, seems there are likely important signatures. Generally good condition, old leather binding (maybe original), loose. Light stains.

By the sage and philosopher Rabbi Yehuda Even Tavun on Moreh Nevuchim, explanation of the strange words and names that philosophers used in it that normal people are unfamiliar with. Rare. (1) 32 page, 17cm (Winograd Yesnitz 51). On the page before the title “Shir Yedidut” in Ashkenazi handwriting from 1852. Signed Yehuda Leib HaCohen, of the community of Stavilin in Greater Poland. On the title page are old signatures, handwritten, amongst which are “Azarya ben Cohen Yosef Hess,” “Natan bar Moshe Yehiel…” At the end of the volume are a number of white pages with writing on divrei Torah, in block lettering, from 1868. Additional signature “Shlomo bar Yitzhak Haim z”l” Decorated title page in an architectural framework. Binding and pages loose, stains and wear.

1. Mishnayot, seder Nashim, with commentary “be’er Avraham,” “Mei Be’er” by Avraham Lisker, Amsterdam 1726, only edition, missing title page, generally good condition. 2. “Commentary of the Rambam,” by Rabbi David Arama, Amsterdam 1706, missing title page and a number of pages at the end, ok condition. 3. “Brit Avraham,” by Avraham Gedalya, Livorno 1650, only edition, copy is missing pages, before us is 360-550, the end is complete. Very rare. Excellent condition, like new. 4. “Perach Shushan,” Constantinople 1732, only edition. Missing the title page and the first and last pages (filled in with photocopies). Ok to good condition. 5. “Torat Hayyim” of Rabbi Hayyim Shor on the Shas, Frankfurt de Oder, 1734. Missing the title page (photocopy added), many stamps of ownership—not checked. 6. “HaNoten Imrei Shefer,” drashot from Rabbi Eliyahu ben Haim, the Ranach, Frankfurt-am-Mein 1713, first edition. Complete. Ok condition, stains and damage from water. 7. “Pilpulei Harifata,” Henva, 1716, first edition, missing the beginning until p. 2. Curly signatures of ownership, ok to good condition. 8. “Brit Avraham” of Rabbi Avraham Gedalya on Yalkut Shimoni, on the prophets and writings, missing the title page, thick tome, 288 page, Livorno 1652. Only edition, very rare. Ok to good condition. 9. “Dovev Sfatei Yeshanim,” from Rav Shlomo Elgazy, Izmir 1671, very rare, missing a number of pages at the start and end, first pages are damaged. 10. “Nahalat Yaakov,” drashot on the Torah, Krakow, 1643, first edition. Copy is missing the beginning and end, 2 glosses handwritten, rare. Good condition. In total, 10 rare books from 1640-1740, different sizes. Many stamps and signatures of ownership.