Auction 75
Lot 7:
Volume with two books, small in quantity yet big in quality, by Rabbi Yosef Shalit Riqueti [see below], rare and most unique, which constitute an important and valuable historical source.
1. Sefer Chochmat Hamishkan, a unique work on the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) and its vessels and on Bigdei Kehuna "with a fine commentary and illustrations… by the young … Yosef Shalit Riqueti ben Eliezer Riqueti…". Single edition – Mantova, 1676. 12 leaves. On the top of the pages: "Igeret Melechet Hamishkan".
Unrealized potential!
Printed on the last page: "These are the illustrations which appear on the margins of the sheets" – indices of the 18 illustrations, which in practice, are absent. The reason appears on the preceding leaf, where the author states that he had intended to add illustrations to this work but, could not find expert artists in the town. He planned to complete the work in Venice yet did not carry out his plan.
2. "Zeh Hasha’ar Lahashem Tzaddikim Yavo’o Boh Igeret Mesaperet Yichusta DeTzaddikei DeAra DeYisrael at the request of the young Yosef Shalit Riqueti" – a rare and unique work describing the holy places and tombs of Tzaddikim in Eretz Yisrael. At its beginning, "a prayer to be said by the graves of Tzaddikim". The work includes the graves of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the nation and its Tzaddikim up to the days of the Ari and his disciples in the holy cities of Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberius and elsewhere. One of the earliest works documenting tombs of Tzaddikim in Eretz Yisrael. Mantova, 1676. [4] leaves.
Unique features
Printed across leaf 4a are two (identical) frames. In the first one: "Jerusalem… Beit Lechem". In the second: "Hebron… Chalchul…".
In his introduction to Sefer Chochmat Hamishkan, which was printed in the same place and year, the author wrote: "Twice I have dealt with printing Seder Yichus HaTzaddikim" referring to this edition, which, based on the month appearing on the title pages, was published before Chochmat Hamishkan, and to a preceding edition: Verona, 1646? – about this work and its editions, see Meir Benyahu, Asufot issue 2, p. 359 and onward.
Quality paper. Stains and some tears to edges. Focused moth damage. Good-fair overall condition.
The author
Rabbi Yosef Shalit Riqueti, the son of Rabbi Eliezer, was born in Italy in the late 16th century. He immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Safed, later returning to Italy. In Safed, he was a proofreader of Sifrei Torah and is mentioned by Rabbi Shmuel Abuhav in his response to Rabbi Azarya Piccio (Figo) (Dvar Shmuel Siman 58): יעשה קבלת עדות… מפי הבחור כה"ר יוסף ריקיטי…".
In Italy, he helped the Shadarim of Eretz Yisrael as well as Italian rabbis in publishing their books.
Rabbi Moshe Zacuto wrote of him in a letter (Kaufmann Manuscript 459): "בחור בחיר מארץ ישראל, חריף ובעל אומנויות הרבה באמונה… ע"ד יעלה מן הארץ הקדושה… הבחור הבחיר הלז בתורה ובמעשים טובים ובכושר כל… ביראת ה’ על פניו… ובכל עיר ומדינה אשר יפנה ימצא חן ושכל טוב ורוח המקום נוחה הימנו…". See more in Meir Benyahu, Asufot issue 2, p. 359 and onward.
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