Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Toldot Shimshon (by the Zera Shimshon) – Livorno, 1766 – Segulah Book for Longevity and Sustenance
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
Toldot Shimshon, commentary on Tractate Avot by kabbalist R. Shimshon Chaim Nachmani, author of Zera Shimshon. Livorno: Moshe Athias, 1766. First edition.
Some words and decorations on title page and second leaf printed in red ink.
Segulah book for longevity and sustenance.
The book's name, Toldot Shimshon or "offspring of Shimshon", reflects the author's view of the book as his only progeny, after the death of his only son. In his introduction, he blesses whoever studies his book with longevity and sustenance: "Since due to my many sins, in the month of Av my beloved eldest and only son passed away, and I have not since merited to bear lasting offspring… and this will be my name and remembrance… Toldot Shimshon… I have printed so that my brothers, friends and students carry my name on their lips and my name will be remembered for good… with ten expressions of prayer I implore them, and may He Who recompenses repay them in the best way, with long life and abundant livelihood to those who do kindness…".
Twelve years later, he published his book Zera Shimshon, which as its name suggests was also intended to serve as his progeny. In the preface of Zera Shimshon, he once again asks that his book be studied in his merit, promising "He Who recompenses will repay you… with the threefold blessing of offspring, life and abundant livelihood", adding: "And your eyes will witness sons and grandsons like olive shoots around your table, wise and intelligent, and houses full of goodness, neither wealth nor honor will cease from your descendants…".
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the Zera Shimshon, and many accounts have been publicized of couples who were blessed with children in the merit of studying his book. These stories were recorded in the Niflaot Shimshon leaflets and later in Kovetz Sipurei Yeshuot printed at the end of the new edition of the book (published by the Association for Spreading the Teachings of the Zera Shimshon, Arad 2015).
The author, R. Shimshon Chaim son of R. Nachman Michael Nachmani (1706-1779), was an Italian kabbalist and Torah scholar. He was a disciple of R. David Finzi (father-in-law of the Ramchal) and R. Aviad Sar Shalom Basilea, author of Emunat Chachamim. He disseminated Torah in Modena and Mantua and edified disciples who later held rabbinic positions in several Italian communities. The Chida wrote that he was proficient in practical Kabbalah and had ordered his kabbalistic writings to be buried in his grave (Shem HaGedolim, Maarechet Sefarim, 46). The present work also includes kabbalistic commentaries and homilies, including references to manuscript texts of R. Chaim Vital in several places.
On back endpapers, interesting draft letter (in three copies written on consecutive dates in Shevat 1852), in Hebrew and Yiddish, by "Nisan Mendel son of R. Moshe HaKohen", who writes from Jerusalem to his father regarding his business affairs.
Enclosed is a separate copy of the first two leaves (including the second leaf in Italian). Signatures on enclosed copy's title page: "Yaakov Yaavetz", and other inscriptions.
R. Yaakov Yaavetz (ca. 1797-1875), a Torah scholar of Izmir, immigrated to Jerusalem late in life and passed away there. Author of Tzur Yaakov (Izmir, 1866), with an approbation by R. Chaim Palachi.
[3], 120 leaves. Lacking [3] index leaves at end (with photocopy replacements). 19.5 cm. Partially dark paper. Overall fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears, mainly to first leaves, affecting text and title frame, partially repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text, with much worming to enclosed copy of first two leaves. Close trimming, affecting page headers. Early leather binding, with wear and defects (parts of spine lacking; front of binding mostly detached).
Books Printed in Livorno – 18th-19th Centuries
Books Printed in Livorno – 18th-19th Centuries