1. Sefer Rosh Yosef by Rabbi Yosef Ishkapa, rabbi and Av Beit Din of Izmir. Commentary on Tur Orach Chaim and related sections of the Rambam, authored by Rabbi Yosef Ishkapa.
Izmir, 1718. Only edition, Extremely Rare!
This year marked the beginning of Hebrew printing in Izmir. This is the second Hebrew sefer printed in Izmir. The author was the teacher of Shabbetai Tzvi and among the first rabbis to excommunicate him when he claimed to be the Messiah.
2. Sefer Kol Ben Levi—includes innovations on the Talmud, Rambam, Tur, commentaries, responsa, and sermons, authored by Rabbi Raphael HaLevi.
Only Edition. Constantinople, 1727.
The author passed away at the age of 22, and his father, Rabbi Elia HaLevi, published the sefer in his memory. The introduction features a long poem by Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen Rappaport, author of Batei Kehunah, praising the young scholar. At the end of the volume are two sermons by Rabbi Rappaport: one delivered at the author’s wedding and another eulogizing him a year after his passing.
Antique signature: "
Mine Hatzair Nissim Yehuda ben Yakar" and a dedication to the Yeshiva Bnei Eliezer.
Mine Hatzair Nissim Yehuda ben Yakar" and a dedication to the Yeshiva Bnei Eliezer.
3. Sefer Divrei Yosef—68 responsa by the scholar, dayan, and kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Ergas, author of Shomer Emunim, who illuminated Livorno with his Torah.
Only Edition. Livorno, 1742. Printed by Abraham Meldola.
Includes a lengthy introduction by the author’s student, Rabbi Malachi HaKohen, author of Yad Malachi, and a preface by the author’s son, Rabbi Avraham Ergas.
On the title page is the signature of Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit.
Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit (circa 1759 – 1812): A prominent rabbi in Izmir and author of the sefer Yakar HaArach. He was born in Izmir to Rabbi Shlomo Ardit, and was the brother of Rabbi Raphael Ardit. He married Sarah, the daughter of the wealthy R’ Chaim Moshe Ardit, who supported him and allowed him to devote himself fully to his studies. Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit stood out from a young age, and at the age of 15 he eulogized his grandfather, Rabbi Aharon Alfandari, author of Yad Aharon. Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (the Chida) corresponded with him on Torah matters and referenced his teachings in several of his works. He also sent him his seforim with dedications; in his work Shem HaGedolim, the Chida wrote: “To my dear friend, bound with love and affection, the perfect and exceptional sage, the great and benevolent Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit, may he be blessed with long life… a small spark of wisdom; his virtues are like a pleasant aroma. I am the humble Chida.” Rabbi Ardit’s insights are also cited in works by his contemporaries. He briefly traveled to the Land of Israel but returned to Izmir, where he passed away.
Inscriptions & signatures of Rabbi Abraham Bechor Nachman Hakohein.
Rabbi Avraham ben Nachman Hakohein was born around 1780 in Salonika.
He grew up in Torah and fear of Heaven under the guidance of the sages of Salonika, becoming a Torah scholar and serving as a dayan in the city. Alongside his involvement in deep halachic study and writing responsa, he devoted himself to public service, including delivering sermons to inspire the community, organizing charity and acts of kindness, and encouraging Torah study. One of his notable students was Rabbi Vidal Angel, who merited ascending to the Land of Israel and served as a dayan in the court of the "Yisa Beracha."
In 1840 he founded the "Beit Avraham LeChaim" Yeshiva in Salonika. This yeshiva educated numerous students, and the sound of Torah study did not cease there until the destruction of the Jewish community of Salonika during World War II.
In 1844 Rabbi Avraham ben Nachman Hakohein. published his sefer Beit Avraham LeChaim in Salonika, a compilation of prayers and remedies for the ill. In 1877, his responsa works Me’at Mayim and She’erit HaPleitah were published. In 1879 his seforim Taharat HaMayim and Shi’urei HaMayim, systematic works arranged according to the alphabet, were published in Salonika. In 1881, he published Yukach Na, a commentary on the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim), which also included the work Se’adu L’vavchem, consisting of novel insights on the Talmud.
4. Sefer Shema Yaakov V’Ar’a D’Rabbanan, authored by Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Algazi.
First Edition. Constantinople, 1745.
Antique signatures and long, important glosses.
5. Sefer Merkavat HaMishneh, a commentary on Rambam’s Mada and Ahava, authored by Rabbi Aharon Alfandari, author of Yad Aharon.
Only Edition. Izmir, 1755. Printed by Osta Margos.
The title page is framed with depictions of Moses and Aaron, a rare style unique to this Izmir press.
6. Sefer Chakrei Lev, Volume 1 on Orach Chaim, authored by Rabbi Yosef ben Chaim Chazan.
First Edition. Salonica, 1787. Printed by Mordechai Nachman and David Yisraeli.
Extremely rare!
7. Sefer Simchat Yom Tov, responsa, topics, and separate collections, authored by Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi, the Maharit, author of Hilchot Yom Tov.
Only Edition. Salonica, 1794. Printed by Mordechai Nachman and David Yisraeli.
Inscriptions and signatures from the Bubelil family, such as Rabbi Yaakov Bubelil and Rabbi Yehuda Bubelil, among others. One inscription notes that the received from the author.
8. Sefer Chakrei Lev, Volume 1 on Yoreh De’ah, authored by Rabbi Raphael Yosef Chazan, a leading scholar of Izmir.
First Edition. Livorno, 1794. Includes an introduction by the author.
The title page bears the stamp of Rebbi Yisrael Moshe Lipshitz, son of Rebbi Yechiel Meir of Gostynin. Rabbi Yisrael Moshe was a prominent Hasidic leader who led his community in Pruszków for thirty years.
9. Tosafot Rabbi Peretz on Bava Kama.
Livorno, 1819. First Edition of Rabbi Peretz ben Eliyahu of Corbeil’s commentary, one of the Tosafists.
Some of the commentary had previously appeared in Shitah Mekubetzet, but most of it was unpublished until this edition.
The title page features the signature of Rabbi Shlomo Avraham Rzecte, known as "The Genius of Ozarkow, " a prominent Polish sage.
10. Sefer Semichat Chaim—Responsa on the Turim by Rabbi Chaim Palagi, with endorsements from Izmir rabbis Rabbi Raphael Ashkenazi and Rabbi David Amado.
First Edition. Salonica. Printed by the orphans of Bezalel HaLevi.
This is the fourth in the prolific works of Rabbi Palagi.
Very Rare!
11. Sefer Tochachat Chaim, Volume 1 on Bereishit, sermons on the weekly Torah portions infused with ethics and religious inspiration, authored by Rabbi Chaim Palagi.
First Edition. Salonica, 1840. Printed by Saadia HaLevi Ashkenazi.
12, Sefer Erech HaShulchan, Volume on Even HaEzer, authored by Rabbi Yitzchak Taieb of Tunis.
First Edition. Livorno, 1844.
Signature of Moses Montilla.
13. Sefer Chikrei Lev, Volume 2 on Choshen Mishpat, authored by Rabbi Chaim Palagi.
First Edition. Salonica, 1849. Printed by Saadia HaLevi Ashkenazi.
This is the eighth sefer by Rabbi Palagi and possibly predates Torah V’Chaim which was published in 1851 & is numbered 7.
Extremely rare!
14. Sefer U’Vacharta BaChaim—commentary on Rashi, Tosafot, and other commentators on the Torah.
First Edition. Izmir, 1874. Printed by Ben Zion Benjamin Roditi.
15. Sefer Chaim U’Melech, commentary on Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, authored by Rabbi Chaim Palagi.
Only edition. Izmir, 1874. Printed by Aharon Yehoshua Di Segura and colleagues.
16. Sefer Bigdei Yom Tov, Volume 2, novellae on Jewish law by Rabbi Yom Tov Crispin.
First Edition. Izmir, 1887.
17. Sefer Pnei Chaim—sermons on the Torah and Five Megillot, authored by Rabbi Chaim Palagi.
The preface notes that the manuscript was consumed by fire but was entirely reconstructed from memory, with additions.
Written in Tevet 1868, one month before the author passed away. The title page indicates it is the 69th of Rabbi Palagi’s works.
First edition. Izmir, 1893.
Overall Good Condition, Complete copies.
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