Contains three works. Fols 1r-82v: Rashi's commentary to the Former Prophets beginning with Joshua, Chapter 3; fols. 82v-96r: commentary, attributed to Rashi, on Pirkei avot, chapters 1-5; fols 97r... Show moreContains three works. Fols 1r-82v: Rashi's commentary to the Former Prophets beginning with Joshua, Chapter 3; fols. 82v-96r: commentary, attributed to Rashi, on Pirkei avot, chapters 1-5; fols 97r-114: Mivḥar ha-peninim, usually attributed to Solomon ibn Gabirol, sometimes to Jedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi. Folios 1-96 ruled in metalpoint; fols. 96-114 unruled and in a different hand; written in Italian scripts in black ink; Haftarot markers graphically designed; diagram containing names of biblical places; modern foliation in pencil (with errors); catchwords; damage to upper left corner of folio but does not affect text; dampstaining at end with loss of text. Montefiore no. 32. Previous owners of original manuscript: Isaac Shabbethai min ha-zekenim [Del Vecchio]; Solomon Halberstam. Show less
Sabbath sermons delivered between 1751 and 1766. Among the personalities eulogized by Aviʻezri Zelig Oyerbakh are Rabbi Abraham Abusch (Lissa), Tevele Hess, and Isaac Sinzheim. Autobiographical mat... Show moreSabbath sermons delivered between 1751 and 1766. Among the personalities eulogized by Aviʻezri Zelig Oyerbakh are Rabbi Abraham Abusch (Lissa), Tevele Hess, and Isaac Sinzheim. Autobiographical material by the author. Includes autograph. Show less
Contains two works. The first, by Nathan ben Jehiel of Rome, is attributed to the 14th century; the second, by Samson ha-Nakdan, is attributed to the 14th or 15th century. The first work is written... Show moreContains two works. The first, by Nathan ben Jehiel of Rome, is attributed to the 14th century; the second, by Samson ha-Nakdan, is attributed to the 14th or 15th century. The first work is written on parchment by a scribe named Ḥayim on colophon; place unknown. Each leaf has 3 columns with 46 lines; Ashkenazic script. Show less
A response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The p... Show moreA response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The present work is divided into six parts. Vol. 1: general introduction; vols. 2-3: essays on the necessity of religion, the history of the Inquisition and the power of the Church, a refutation of Augustinian doctrines on the acceptable uses of terror and violence to advance Christianity; vol. 4: a letter to Jacquelot summarizing the argument; vol. 5: an appeal to God for judgment in the dispute; vol. 6: summary of the entire work and quotations from contemporary authors supporting the author's argument. Written in Spanish in a cursive hand, 42 lines, each title within architectural columns painted with floral borders; some marginal foxing and browning throughout; contemporary mottled calf, gold stamped with arabesque ornaments along borders and gold-stamped royal supralibros. Abraham Gómez Silveira (1656-1741), a Marrano, was one of the most prolific writers of the western Sephardic diaspora. Born in Avila, Spain, he moved to France and then to Amsterdam where he embraced Judaism and joined the local Sephardic community. He published seven sermons in Spanish, and was recognized as a gifted poet and an original thinker. His works are valuable for the intellectual history of the western Sephardim, the history of the Marranos and the Spanish Inquisition. This is the only known complete copy of this unpublished work. Original copy previously owned by Jews' College, London. Show less
Includes Nezikin and Kodashim with indexes by Aviʻezri Zelig Oyerbakh; commentaries and notes by Avraham Oyerbakh. Includes sermons on the weekly Torah portions. Autograph. Author's name and date o... Show moreIncludes Nezikin and Kodashim with indexes by Aviʻezri Zelig Oyerbakh; commentaries and notes by Avraham Oyerbakh. Includes sermons on the weekly Torah portions. Autograph. Author's name and date of birth appears in Yosef Avivi's book "Rabbinic manuscripts", item #62, page 25. Show less
A response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The p... Show moreA response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The present work is divided into six parts. Vol. 1: general introduction; vols. 2-3: essays on the necessity of religion, the history of the Inquisition and the power of the Church, a refutation of Augustinian doctrines on the acceptable uses of terror and violence to advance Christianity; vol. 4: a letter to Jacquelot summarizing the argument; vol. 5: an appeal to God for judgment in the dispute; vol. 6: summary of the entire work and quotations from contemporary authors supporting the author's argument. Written in Spanish in a cursive hand, 42 lines, each title within architectural columns painted with floral borders; some marginal foxing and browning throughout; contemporary mottled calf, gold stamped with arabesque ornaments along borders and gold-stamped royal supralibros. Abraham Gómez Silveira (1656-1741), a Marrano, was one of the most prolific writers of the western Sephardic diaspora. Born in Avila, Spain, he moved to France and then to Amsterdam where he embraced Judaism and joined the local Sephardic community. He published seven sermons in Spanish, and was recognized as a gifted poet and an original thinker. His works are valuable for the intellectual history of the western Sephardim, the history of the Marranos and the Spanish Inquisition. This is the only known complete copy of this unpublished work. Original copy previously owned by Jews' College, London. Show less
A response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The p... Show moreA response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The present work is divided into six parts. Vol. 1: general introduction; vols. 2-3: essays on the necessity of religion, the history of the Inquisition and the power of the Church, a refutation of Augustinian doctrines on the acceptable uses of terror and violence to advance Christianity; vol. 4: a letter to Jacquelot summarizing the argument; vol. 5: an appeal to God for judgment in the dispute; vol. 6: summary of the entire work and quotations from contemporary authors supporting the author's argument. Written in Spanish in a cursive hand, 42 lines, each title within architectural columns painted with floral borders; some marginal foxing and browning throughout; contemporary mottled calf, gold stamped with arabesque ornaments along borders and gold-stamped royal supralibros. Abraham Gómez Silveira (1656-1741), a Marrano, was one of the most prolific writers of the western Sephardic diaspora. Born in Avila, Spain, he moved to France and then to Amsterdam where he embraced Judaism and joined the local Sephardic community. He published seven sermons in Spanish, and was recognized as a gifted poet and an original thinker. His works are valuable for the intellectual history of the western Sephardim, the history of the Marranos and the Spanish Inquisition. This is the only known complete copy of this unpublished work. Original copy previously owned by Jews' College, London. Show less
A response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The p... Show moreA response to Isaac Jacquelot (1647-1708), a Protestant theologian, whose Dissertation, published in 1699, aimed to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. The present work is divided into six parts. Vol. 1: general introduction; vols. 2-3: essays on the necessity of religion, the history of the Inquisition and the power of the Church, a refutation of Augustinian doctrines on the acceptable uses of terror and violence to advance Christianity; vol. 4: a letter to Jacquelot summarizing the argument; vol. 5: an appeal to God for judgment in the dispute; vol. 6: summary of the entire work and quotations from contemporary authors supporting the author's argument. Written in Spanish in a cursive hand, 42 lines, each title within architectural columns painted with floral borders; some marginal foxing and browning throughout; contemporary mottled calf, gold stamped with arabesque ornaments along borders and gold-stamped royal supralibros. Abraham Gómez Silveira (1656-1741), a Marrano, was one of the most prolific writers of the western Sephardic diaspora. Born in Avila, Spain, he moved to France and then to Amsterdam where he embraced Judaism and joined the local Sephardic community. He published seven sermons in Spanish, and was recognized as a gifted poet and an original thinker. His works are valuable for the intellectual history of the western Sephardim, the history of the Marranos and the Spanish Inquisition. This is the only known complete copy of this unpublished work. Original copy previously owned by Jews' College, London. Show less
Lists the founding members of the Ḥevra Tehilim in a unit of the Russian Army by name and battalion, date and town of birth, and the by-laws of this society. Also included are minutes of meetings,... Show moreLists the founding members of the Ḥevra Tehilim in a unit of the Russian Army by name and battalion, date and town of birth, and the by-laws of this society. Also included are minutes of meetings, a list of the original founders, contributors to the Torah Fund, 14 new members, a painting of the regimental arms, a description of the journey of the regiment from Skudy to Moscow, a prayer for the Tsar and royal family, and service records of soldiers. There is a letter from Rabbi Chaim Berlin, chief rabbi of Moscow, approving of the activities of the Ḥevra and committing a regular stipend to finance its expenses. The Hebrew scribe is identified as Aharon Shalom ben Yehuda Shaindling. Features color illustrations. Founded in 1864 by 16 Polish and Russian Jews of the Fourth Infantry Koporé His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Saxony Regiment, the Ḥevra Tehilim was based near the Lithuanian town of Shkudy (Kovno Province). In 1865 it was transferred to Moscow. These Jewish soldiers in the reign of Alexander II banded together to strengthen one another, form minyanim, recite Psalms, promote study and peaceful relations among the members, and provide for care for the sick and burial of the dead. In Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian. Original manuscript bound in red calf with gilt decorations; in protective case. Appears as Lot 190, Important Judaica: Books, manuscripts, and works of art, May 28, 1986. This ms formed the basis for the study of Michael Stanislawski entitled Psalms for the Tsar (New York: Yeshiva University Library, 1988). Show less
Contents: Sefer mitsṿot ḳaṭan (p. 2-18, 45-214) -- Text of daily prayer service (p. 19-45) -- Divorce document (p. 102b) issued in Paris, Kislev 5232 [1471] -- Divorce document (p. 103a) issued in ... Show moreContents: Sefer mitsṿot ḳaṭan (p. 2-18, 45-214) -- Text of daily prayer service (p. 19-45) -- Divorce document (p. 102b) issued in Paris, Kislev 5232 [1471] -- Divorce document (p. 103a) issued in Ulm, Germany, Adar 5048 [1288]. Includes marginal notes by Perez ben Elijah of Corbeil. Includes: Seder tefilot shel kol ha-shanah. Written on parchment; 30-35 lines to a page; Ashkenazic script. Show less
Includes a question posed to the author regarding a custom of some women to sew the parchment sheets of Torah scrolls with catgut. Many pages and spaces are blank; apparently only notes or an outli... Show moreIncludes a question posed to the author regarding a custom of some women to sew the parchment sheets of Torah scrolls with catgut. Many pages and spaces are blank; apparently only notes or an outline for a fuller work. Written in author's own handwriting; Ashkenazic script; undated. 5-35 lines to a page. Show less
The beginning is missing until the middle of the laws of circumcision. Part 2 is a compilation of halakhot copied from earlier legal texts, some no longer extant. It contains Talmudic laws includin... Show moreThe beginning is missing until the middle of the laws of circumcision. Part 2 is a compilation of halakhot copied from earlier legal texts, some no longer extant. It contains Talmudic laws including those concerning marriage and damages. Three or four manuscripts of this text are believed to be extant and none is identical to the others. Aaron ben Jacob ha-Kohen of Lunel was a Provençal scholar who lived during the end of the 13th and the first half of the 14th cent. Written in Byzantine semi-cursive script in black ink on alternating quires of parchment and paper. Some damage and repairs, missing text. Vellum over tree calf marbled paper boards; rubbed. For detailed contents, see Sotheby's important Hebrew manuscripts from the Montefiore endowment, New York, October 27 & 28, 2004 (Sale no. 8040), p. 158-159. Montefiore no. 131. Previous owners: Mordecai Samuel Ghirondi; Solomon Halberstam. Show less
A book of genealogies intended to outline the historical development of the Oral Law and to establish the chronology of the sages who had transmitted it. This manuscript covers the period of the am... Show moreA book of genealogies intended to outline the historical development of the Oral Law and to establish the chronology of the sages who had transmitted it. This manuscript covers the period of the amoraim. Abraham Zacuto is renowned as an astronomer whose tables were used by Columbus. His work on genealogy has laid the foundations for scholarly research by succeeding generations. Partly in Oriental cursive script and partly in later (17th cent.) Sephardic cursive script. Brown ink. Text is incomplete; fols. 1-149 lacking; dampstaining; several leaves unbound. Binding defective. Sassoon no. 755. Previous owners: Mordechai Zachor; Shelomo ha-Kohen; David Solomon Sassoon. Show less
Written in Germany in the author's own handwriting and dated 6 Tamuz 335 [1575]. Ashkenazic script; 25 lines to a page. Includes: Mishle shivʻim ḥakhamim (leaves 83b-93), in Yiddish and Hebrew, un... Show moreWritten in Germany in the author's own handwriting and dated 6 Tamuz 335 [1575]. Ashkenazic script; 25 lines to a page. Includes: Mishle shivʻim ḥakhamim (leaves 83b-93), in Yiddish and Hebrew, undated, in Yaʻaḳov Hailbuṭ's own writing, and possibly by him. Second work includes notes added during the Nineteenth century by the Hebrew grammarian Isaac Berlin, on manuscript and on separate sheets. Leaf numbers later written in pencil; text on both sides of leaves. Show less
This manuscript is the oldest known text of the Sheʼiltot, the first work with an attribution of authorship to be composed after the redaction of the Talmud (ca. 500 C.E.). Its combination of halak... Show moreThis manuscript is the oldest known text of the Sheʼiltot, the first work with an attribution of authorship to be composed after the redaction of the Talmud (ca. 500 C.E.). Its combination of halakhic, aggadic, and ethical elements are arranged according to the weekly Torah portion as well as the portions pertaining to holidays. Sheʼiltot may be translated as "questions" or "discourses." Since much of the subject matter of the manuscript predates the final editing of the Talmud, these discourses are important in establishing accurate readings of many talmudic texts. This manuscript is crucial for the establishment of a critical edition of the Sheʼiltot. In Oriental semi-cursive script; headings in square script; numerous marginal glosses in several later hands. Scribe unknown. Ruled in hardpoint, single-column text, 27 lines; brown ink. Sassoon no. 415. Physical manuscript previously owned by: Sasson ben Mordecai Barzani of Mosul; David Solomon Sassoon. Show less
Contents: Masekhet Nazir (mi-daf 30 ṿa-elekh) -- Masekhet Soṭah. Written in France in author's own handwriting. 50 lines to a page. Ashkenazic script.
Contents: Masekhet Ḳidushin -- Masekhet Giṭin -- Masekhet Nazir. Written in France in author's own handwriting. Ashkenazic script. 45 lines to a page.