Sefer Divrei Yosef, Shu”t by the sage and Dayan, the Divine Kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Irgas ben Rabbi Emanuel of Livorno.

Only Edition, Livorno, 1742. At he press of Avraham Miledola.


The title page features the stamp (with illustration of an eagle, similar to the other Rebbes of the Ruzhin dynasty in his time) of the Holy Rebbe Yosef Hakohein of Riminov, “Yosef Friedman” ( Harav Yosef Hakohein of Riminov, who was raised in the home of Harav Yisrael of Ruzhin, adopted the last name Friedman).

The Holy Rebbe Yosef Friedman of Rymanów (1844-1913), the youngest son of the Holy Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Rymanów, was orphaned at the young age of 3 and raised by his stepfather Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin (Ruzhyn) who remarried his mother, the righteous Rebbetzin Malka. After the passing of R. Yisrael of Ruzhin, his mother remained in the Sadigura (Sadhora) court with her young son and daughter. Her son Yosef was seven years old at the time and Rebbe Avraham Yaakov, the first Sadigura Rebbe, took charge of his education and molded his spiritual character to render him fit of succeeding his father Rebbe Tzvi Hirsh of Rymanów. At R. Yosef’s wedding with Rebbetzin Freida, a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the Rebbe of Sadigura represented the bridegroom and R. Yosef subsequently became a member of his household, treated with honor and love like a son, even adopting the latter’s surname "Friedman".

In 1867, at the age of 23, the Rebbe of Sadigura commanded him to relocate to Rymanów to succeed his father in leading the community, position he held until his death in 1913. His conduct and lifestyle followed the majestic style of Rebbes from the Ruzhin dynasty. When he opened his court in Rymanów, his father’s hometown, many of his father’s followers, who up until then frequented the court of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, began travelling to him.

Signature on the title page of Yosef Shabtai Farḥi (1802-1882) talmudic scholar and kabbalist. 

See Hebrew description for biographical details.

The author, Rabbi Yosef Ergas (1685-1730), author of Shomer Emunim, was one of the great Italian sages and kabbalistic masters of his time, He was praised by the Mishneh Lamelech and Machaneh Efraim, who said: “The nation shall not sway from him right or left” (Shu”t Divrei Yosef ch.39). He was one of the chief opponents of the false prophet Nechemia Chayun, authoring Hatzad Nachash (London, 1715) in protest against him. His disciple, author of the Yad Malachi, recounts his praises in his preface to Shu”t Divrei Yosef.


[1], 110 Leaves. 27.6 Cm.

Overall Great condition, thick quality pages, few marginal stains, minor marginal worming, later cloth and leather binding.

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Lot #127

Copy of the Holy Rebbe Yosef Friedman of Rymanów. Divrei Yosef, Livorno 1742. Only edition- Signature of the Kabbalist Yosef Shabtai Farḥi.

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