Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
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Displaying 181 - 192 of 314
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium
Orden de las oraciones cotidianas: por estilo seguido con Hanucà, Purim, Ayuno del solo, y las tres Pascuas [Siddur for year-round and festival prayers], followed by a calendar of Rosh Chodesh and holidays for the years 1717-1733 (with a divisional title page). Amsterdam: Shlomo Proops, 1717.
Bound with: Los cinco libros de la ley divina [Chumash with Haftarot for the entire year], with a divisional title page for the Haftarot. Amsterdam: Shlomo Proops, 1718. Spanish.
Title page illustrated with fine engraving (by Joost van Sasse), depicting biblical scenes involving women (featuring Rachel, Deborah, Hannah and others). The top of the title page depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, while the bottom of the title page depicts the Children of Israel leaving Egypt, with the caption (in Spanish): "In the merit of righteous women we left Egypt" (this siddur was evidently printed for women).
Siddur and Chumash with decorated title pages, both printed only in Spanish and meant for Marranos and members of the Spanish and Portuguese communities in Amsterdam.
Siddur: [16], 535, [13] pages. Chumash: 528 pages. 15.5 cm. Gilt and gauffered edges. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. New leather binding.
Provenance: Collection of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
![Cinco libros de la ley divina con las Aphtarot de todo el año [Five Books of the Torah with year-round haftarot], with](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale105/182_1.jpg "Five Books of the Torah and Haftarot – Spanish – Amsterdam, 1691 – Pri")
![Cinco libros de la ley divina con las Aphtarot de todo el año [Five Books of the Torah with year-round haftarot], with](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale105/182_2.jpg "Five Books of the Torah and Haftarot – Spanish – Amsterdam, 1691 – Pri")
![Cinco libros de la ley divina con las Aphtarot de todo el año [Five Books of the Torah with year-round haftarot], with](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale105/182_8.jpg "Five Books of the Torah and Haftarot – Spanish – Amsterdam, 1691 – Pri")
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $300
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Cinco libros de la ley divina con las Aphtarot de todo el año [Five Books of the Torah with year-round haftarot], with divisional title page for haftarot. Amsterdam: David Tartaz, 1691. Spanish.
Title page illustrated with fine engraving, with floral illustrations.
Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Amsterdam was home to a large Sephardi community. Many of its members were descendants of Marranos who emigrated from Spain and Portugal a century after the expulsion. The present book was printed for the members of this community who were not familiar with the Hebrew language.
[1], 436, [4], 128 pages. Approx. 15 cm. Decorated gilt edges. Good condition. Some stains. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Close trimming, affecting marginal notes. Old leather binding, decorated. Wear and minor defects to binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $400
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
Almenara de la luz, tratado de mucho provecho para beneficio del alma, Menorat HaMaor by R. Yitzchak Aboab, translated into Spanish by R. Yaakov Chagiz. Amsterdam: Iahacob Alvares Sotto, Moseh Abeuyacar Brandon, y Benjamin Deyongh, 1708. Spanish.
Second edition of Spanish translation. Includes introduction of translator, R. Yisrael Yaakov Chagiz (1620-1674), rabbi in Morocco and dean of Beit Yaakov yeshiva in Jerusalem, author of Responsa Halachot Ketanot and a stalwart opponent of Shabtai Tzvi.
[2], 148 leaves. 20.5 cm. Partially dark paper. Fair-good condition. Stains (including somewhat dark dampstains to first leaves). Wear. Small marginal tears to title page and other leaves. Old binding with leather spine. Wear and defects to binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $500
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Fundamento Solido, Baza y Thypo de la Sacro Sancta…, by Judah Leon de Joseph Perez. Amsterdam: Ishac Jeudah Leaõ Templo (R. Yehudah Leon Templo), 1729. Spanish. Additional title page in Hebrew: Yesod Oz, "published in a foreign tongue to bring merit to the mighty Jewish people, by a Jewish man of the family of Peretz, Yehudah Aryeh son of R. Yosef Peretz…".
Theological work in Spanish, with title page, colophon and approbations in Hebrew. The work was written for the Marranos, descendants of the Jews forcibly converted to Christianity in Spain and Portugal, who returned to their religion, with the aim of explaining various Jewish concepts, commandments and customs. The work was modeled on the Catholic catechism, in the form of questions and answers on the fundamentals of the Jewish faith.
The author, R. Yehudah son of Yosef Peretz, author of Perach HaLevanon (Berlin, 1712) and Shaarei Rachamim (Venice, 1710), scion of one of the most distinguished Jewish families in Spain. Served as rabbi in Venice and Amsterdam. The Hebrew colophon describes the author's miraculous salvation from a shipwreck during a trip from London to Amsterdam for the purpose of printing the present book, with his original thanksgiving poem.
For more information on the book, see: Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, "The Re-Education of Marranos in the Seventeenth Century", in: The Faith of Fallen Jews: Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi and the Writing of Jewish History, Massachusetts, 2014, pp. 157-174.
On R. Yehudah son of Yosef Peretz and his family history, see: Michal Saraf (Malachi), Ayelet Chishki Kelilat Yofi – Toldot Rabbi Aharon Peretz, Lod: Habermann Institute for Literary Research, 1994, pp. 13-21.
[9] leaves, 126, [2], 129-137, [3] pages. Lacking [1] leaf from unnumbered sequence. 18 cm. Fair to fair-good condition. Wear. Worming to several leaves, affecting text. Detached leaves and gatherings. Early binding, with defects (many stains and tears to spine).
Kayserling, p. 88.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $300
Sold for: $425
Including buyer's premium
Two editions of Shesh Shearim, with Azharot, by R. Shlomo Sasportas:
• Shesh Shearim, Selichot, confessions and other prayers, with Azharot (poetic enumeration of the mitzvot), by R. Shlomo Sasportas. Amsterdam: R. Moshe Frankfurt, [1725]. First edition.
In this edition the poem is not accompanied by the commentary or translation appearing in the next edition.
[2], 2-27, [1] leaves. 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Early parchment binding. Dark stains and minor defects to binding.
[1] leaf with errata, not recorded in Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
• Shesh Shearim, Azharot (poetic enumeration of the mitzvot) by R. Shlomo Sasportas, with Spanish translation by R. Shlomo Adahan. Amsterdam: Naftali Hertz son of Alexander Ziskind Levi of Emden, [1727]. Hebrew and Spanish.
Includes poem, commentary and translation, with Spanish divisional title page.
Signature in Oriental script on title page.
16, [30] leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming (significant worming in some places), affecting text. Old leather binding, with defects.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $400
Sold for: $1,063
Including buyer's premium
Medicina de lengua arbol de vidas, Marpe Lashon Etz Chaim, on proper speech and the importance thereof, by R. Yitzchak de Paz. Amsterdam: Yshac Yeuda Leaó Templo, 1734. Spanish.
A five-part Spanish ethical work on the virtue of human speech and its potential for holy as well as improper activities.
The author, R. Yitzchak de Paz, was a translator, editor and printer of Spanish-Portuguese origin, active in Amsterdam in the 18th century. He authored and printed several other short ethical books.
[9], 130 pages. 16 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Old binding with leather spine. Minor defects to binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $400
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
La vara de Juda, Shevet Yehudah, history of the Jewish people and persecution in various countries, by R. Shlomo ibn Verga, translated into Spanish by M. Del (Meir de Leon). Amsterdam: Jan de Wolf for Mosseh d'Abraham Pretto Henriq, 1744. Spanish.
Second edition of Spanish translation.
At beginning of book, introduction by printer addressed to president of the Sephardic community in Amsterdam, Yehudah son of Yaakov de Pardo.
Onwership inscription on endpaper, of "Abraham Mendes Benito(?)" (in Latin characters).
[6], 268 pages. 15.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Light wear. Small marginal tears and open tears to several leaves. Worming in a few places inside the boards. Early binding. Wear and defects to binding.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Portuguese – Especially Rare
Livro das Ordenanças ou Escamoth da Meritoria e Pia Irmandade Intitulada, משמרת הבית, Renovada em Amsterdam. Statutes of Mishmeret HaBayit society. Amsterdam: printer not indicated, 19th Av 1808. Portuguese.
Statutes of Mishmeret HaBayit society, a charitable organization of the Spanish-Portuguese society in Amsterdam.
At the beginning of the book, community leaders are asked to approve of the new formulation of the statutes after changes made by heads of the society, and to approve its printing and membership certificates.
This is followed by 24 statutes regulating the society's activity.
14 pages. 14.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Early paper binding, torn and detached on both sides.
Especially rare. Not recorded in NLI catalog or WorldCat.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
Category
Spanish and Portuguese – Sephardic Converso Jewry
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $250
Sold for: $575
Including buyer's premium
Divrei Nechemiah, novellae on the Torah according to the homiletical and kabbalistic approaches, by Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun. Berlin: Baruch Buchbinder, 1713. Only edition.
On title page, the word "Amsterdam" is emphasized.
At beginning of book, approbations from R. David Oppenheim of Prague, R. Gavriel Leib [Eskeles] Rabbi of Nikolsburg, R. Aharon Rabbi of Berlin and R. Yehudah Leib son of R. Moshe of Glogów.
Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun (ca. 1655-1730) was a Sabbatean Torah scholar and kabbalist, the most prominent Sabbatean after the death of Shabtai Tzvi. When Hayyun's books were brought to the Chacham Tzvi during his tenure as Rabbi of Amsterdam, he found them to contain heretical and Sabbatean material and issued a ban against them and their author, and began a fierce battle against him.
The Chacham Tzvi was joined by R. Moshe Chagiz in his battle against Hayyun, and both suffered the persecution of Hayyun's supporters in Amsterdam. Hayyun extracted the approbations to his book by fraud and deceit. The approbation Hayyun received for this book from R. David Oppenheim was reused for his Sabbatean-kabbalistic Oz LElohim, along with an approbation he had received from R. Naftali Katz. Both later retracted their approbations, but Hayyun refused to return them; they both published their retraction in Milchamah LaShem Cherev LaShem by R. Moshe Chagiz (Amsterdam, 1714).
[2], 86, [1] leaves. 19 cm. Partially dark paper. Good condition. Stains. Early parchment binding, front side partially detached, with defects and light worming.
Category
Sabbateanism and Polemics
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $250
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
"That all the peoples of the land may know" – Lechishat Saraf, collection of letters and bans by various rabbis against Nechemiah Hayyun and his work HaKolot Yechdalun, edited by R. Moshe Chagiz. [Hanau: printer not indicated, 1726]. Only edition.
This anthology is a part of the polemic involving Hayyun's last work, HaKolot Yechdalun, with letters of recommendation and a letter from the rabbis of Constantinople annulling the ban that had been placed upon him earlier. Hayyun's HaKolot Yechdalun is included in this book, alongside Lechishat Saraf, aiming to uncover Hayyun's deceit. This is followed by various bans against Hayyun from the rabbis of Jerusalem, Izmir, Frankfurt, Constantinople, Aleppo and others.
Ownership inscription on title page (name deleted).
2, 5-14, [2] leaves. Lacking leaves 3-4 (with photocopy replacements), and last leaf with errata. 19.5 cm. Somewhat dark paper. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Small marginal tears and open tears to some leaves, slightly affecting text, partially repaired with tape (on several leaves, covering some text). Worming to several leaves, slightly affecting text. Bookplate. Stamps. Old binding.
Bibliographical details on last leaf with errata, which is lacking in the present copy.
Especially rare. To the best of our knowledge, this book has never before been sold at auction.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Jordan S. Penkower.
Category
Sabbateanism and Polemics
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $250
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
Sefat Emet and Leshon Zehorit, polemical work opposing R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz, containing transcriptions of many of the amulets he wrote and proof of their Sabbatean provenance, by R. Yaakov Emden, with letters of support from leading rabbis of the generation. [Altona: R. Yaakov Emden], 1752. First edition.
The first part of the book focuses on amulets written by R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz which were distributed in Metz and the surrounding region during his rabbinical tenure there. The book contains the texts and illustrations of many amulets, along with R. Yaakov Emden's proofs and detailed explanations that the amulets conceal Sabbatean ideas and influences. The second part of the book contains many letters R. Yaakov Emden received from prominent Torah scholars and various rabbis supporting the publication of the book and issuing a ban against R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz.
An interesting perspective on this book, and an alternative interpretation which would vindicate R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz of the allegations, is attributed to R. Nachman of Breslov. Whereas R. Emden contended that a certain word contained messianic allusions, R. Nachman noted that it was in fact the initials of a verse in the Torah, which is in keeping with the accepted use of holy names in amulets (Chayei Moharan, Lublin, 1921, Part II, Avodat Hashem, 19; section 463 in new editions).
[32] leaves. Lacking two leaves (see below). 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Heavy wear. Tears and open tears (mainly to first leaves), affecting text, repaired with paper. Bookplate. Old binding, with minor defects.
The number of leaves in this book varies between copies. Complete copies of this book (which are especially rare) contain [39] leaves, including one folding leaf (see Kedem catalog 100, lot 193; and copy of Gershom Scholem collection digitized in NLI catalog). Most copies lack the folding leaf and contain [34] leaves (see: Yitzchak Refael, Writings of R. Yaakov Emden – Bibliography, Areshet, III, p. 254 [Hebrew]). The present copy has [32] leaves, lacking the folding leaf as well as two leaves in the middle of the book.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Jordan S. Penkower.
Category
Sabbateanism and Polemics
Catalogue Value
Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Jan 27, 2026
Opening: $500
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Collection of six posters, notices, decrees and ordinances relating to the Jews of Ferrara and Ancona in the 17th to 18th centuries. Italian, Latin and some Hebrew. Heraldic symbols at top of some publications.
• Notificatione a gl'Interessati Laici nelle Case, e Botteghe del Circondario del Ghetto [Notice regarding homes and shops around the ghetto], from the High Magistrate of Ferrara, Mayor Nicola Gaetano Manfredi. Ferrara: Stampa Camerale, March 4, 1687. Italian.
Invitation to an administrative meeting to resolve disputes between the Jewish community and Christian home- and shop-owners in the environs.
30.5 cm.
• Pro Universitate Haebreorum, cum Interessatis in Ghetto Civitatis Ferrariae, Juris Allegationes [Legal arguments from the Jewish community and interest holders in the Ferrara ghetto]. Ferrara: Typographia Camerali, 1688. Latin.
Official legal argument from the Jewish community and residents of the Ferrara ghetto, in defense of the community's rights in ghetto boundaries, land ownership, rent and tax, rules of dress and trade relations with Christians. The arguments are based on legal literature and canon law, and aim to reduce the restrictions and financial burdens imposed on the Jews of the ghetto.
[2] double leaves (4 printed pages). 30 cm.
• In nome del signore Iddio! Regole delle Tasse della Natione Hebrea di Ferrara, Adi 14 Maggio 1702 [Tax regulations of the Jewish community of Ferrara, May 14, 1702]. Ferrara: Stampa Camerale, June 24, 1702. Italian and some Hebrew.
Poster from Cardinal Fulvio Astalli (1655-1721) on the tax distribution and collection in Ferrara. At end (in Hebrew) is the ban issued by the community leaders against violators.
Approx. 42X54 cm.
• Pragmatica da osservarsi dagl'ebrei del ghetto d'Ancona [Decrees to be observed by the Jews of the Ancona ghetto]. Ancona: Niccola Bellelli, March 1739. Italian.
Large poster with 22 community decrees relating to Jewish life in the Ancona ghetto, restricting dress, wedding dowries, celebrations, and instructions for donations, taxes, homes and commercial activity. The decrees were meant to restrain shows of wealth in the community, and are signed (in print) by five community leaders and by city rabbi R. Shimshon Morpurgo, and approved by the church authorities.
Approx. 56X43 cm.
• Editto sopra li Ebrei [Edicts regarding the Jews], from Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi (1694-1768), representative of the pope and archbishop of Ferrara. Ferrara: Stamperia Camerale, February 18, 1762. Italian.
These edicts detail the obligations of the Jewish community of the Ferrara ghetto in case of fire.
32 cm.
• Regole per ricavarsi gl’Annui aggravi per le spese, chè occorrono all’Università degli Ebrei di Ferrara, ed altre Provisoni [Regulations for the yearly taxes for expenses for Jewish community of Ferrara, and other provisions]. Ferrara: Stamperia della Reverenda Camera Apostolica, 1772. Italian and some Hebrew.
Official booklet of the Jewish community of Ferrara, with regulations on community life, commerce and economy. Mentions some of the important families in the city, including the Lampronti, Finzi, Rossi, Minerbi and other families.
At the end of the booklet is printed the text of the ban issued by rabbis of Ferrara against violators.
16, [1] pages. 28 cm.
Enclosed handwritten document: "Casa grande in ghetto" (a large home in the ghetto) – an appeal addressed to Duke Francis IV of Modena, to permit brothers Yishmael and Laudadio Sacerdote to sell their stake in a home in the Reggio ghetto – in contravention of an existing rule. On the verso of the document is an approval of the request and various administrative inscriptions. Modena-Reggio, April 1815. Italian.
[1] folded leaf (2 handwritten pages). Approx. 31 cm.
Varying condition. Overall good to fair condition.
Category
Jewish Communities – Documents and Certificates
Catalogue Value