This book, which is over 250 years old, is one of the earliest books printed by a Jewish printer in England. It was printed by L. Alexander in 1772 in London. The Ashkenazi community in London started to flourish under the new rabbinic leadership of Rabbi David Tevele Schiff, who was appointed Chief Rabbi in … Continue reading Pirkei Avoth. The Sentences and Proverbs of the Ancient Fathers… Called Abouth… Translated into English with comments by Maimonides [and R. Abraham Tang], London 1772.
Category: Antique Judaica
Shu”t Mahara”ch Ohr Zarua, by Rabbi Chaim ben Isaac Ohr Zaua of Vienna, Leipzig, 1860 – from the B. Strauss Library.
Berthold-Baruch Strauss, born in 1901, was a book collector, originally from Leipzig in Germany, who came to England with his private library in 1933, and was able to add to it significantly in Britain until his early death in 1962. He had a catalogue of his library printed in 1959. In the first section he … Continue reading Shu”t Mahara”ch Ohr Zarua, by Rabbi Chaim ben Isaac Ohr Zaua of Vienna, Leipzig, 1860 – from the B. Strauss Library.
Tzemach David by David Gans, 2nd edition, 1692 … and Arthur, King of England (the 400th post).
Rabbi David Gans (1541-1613) wrote his famous book Tzemach David, printed in Prague in 1592. It was the first history book printed in Hebrew. This is not a critical or analytical history book, as is usual today, but a chronology. There were two parts, the first being a chronology of Jewish history, and the second … Continue reading Tzemach David by David Gans, 2nd edition, 1692 … and Arthur, King of England (the 400th post).
Levush Ateres Zahav Hagedola, by Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Prague, 1609.
Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe was born between 1525 and 1530, in Prague, and died in 1612, so that my copy (the second edition) was printed during the author's lifetime. Rabbi Yaffe studied in Poland with Rabbi Moshe Isserles (The Rema), and with the Maharshal, Rabbi Solomon Luria. (I have previously written about my copies of the … Continue reading Levush Ateres Zahav Hagedola, by Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Prague, 1609.
Chidushei Halachos, by Maharam Schiff, Dyhrenfurth, 1766.
This is another book from my antique book collection. The author was Rabbi Meir ben Yaakov Schiff – known as Maharam Schiff. He was born in Frankfurt in about 1605 to 1608. In 1622 he was appointed Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva (Head of the Talmudic College) in Fulda, and he became famous throughout Europe. He … Continue reading Chidushei Halachos, by Maharam Schiff, Dyhrenfurth, 1766.
Sefer Kneses HaGadolah by Rabbi Chaim Benveniste, Fuerth, 1692. (With an approbation by the father-in-law of the first British Chief Rabbi).
With the terrible tragedy of the earthquakes in Turkey, my thoughts turned to a Turkish Rabbi, the author of this book, printed in Furth in 1692.. There is also a tangential British connection... read on to the Haskamah (approbation). Rabbi Chaim Benvenisti was born in Constantinople in 1603, and in his youth studied under Rabbi … Continue reading Sefer Kneses HaGadolah by Rabbi Chaim Benveniste, Fuerth, 1692. (With an approbation by the father-in-law of the first British Chief Rabbi).
Bechinas Olam, with Bakashat Hamemin, a commentary by Rabbi Moshe Galanti on a book by Rabbi Yedaya HaPenini, Vienna 1804.
This is an interesting book from my antique book collection. The original book Bchinat Olam by Rabbi Yedaya Hapenini, with Bakashat Hamemin was printed in Ferrera in 1551. Bakashat Hamemin at the end are requests written as poems, with all words beginning with the letter Mem by Rabbi Yosef Fransiche. Rabbi Yedaya Hapenini of Badrash … Continue reading Bechinas Olam, with Bakashat Hamemin, a commentary by Rabbi Moshe Galanti on a book by Rabbi Yedaya HaPenini, Vienna 1804.
Moznaim LeMishpot by Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer, Koenigsberg, 1855.
I usually write about Anglo-Judaica, however this book is from my general antique book collection. It is the only edition of a detailed clarification of the Shulhan Arukh, Hoshen Mishpat written by R. Zvi Hirsch ben Solomon Kalischer. Rabbi Kalischer (1795 - 1874) was an early proponent of the Zionist idea. He was born in … Continue reading Moznaim LeMishpot by Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer, Koenigsberg, 1855.
Ein Yaakov, Amsterdam, 1742 (the Jews College, London copy).
Ein Yaakov is a 16th century compilation of the non-legalistic and folklore-like stories that are in the Talmud, together with commentaries. It was compiled by Yaakov ben Shlomo ibn Habib and his son Rabbi Levi ibn Habib. This edition includes commentaries that illuminate the meaning of the text and provide additional insights, including the commentary … Continue reading Ein Yaakov, Amsterdam, 1742 (the Jews College, London copy).
Masseches Shabbos, Sultzbach, 1755 – from the Manchester Machzike Hadas.
I recently purchased this volume from one of my favorite book dealers, Israel Mizrachi of Brooklyn. Two things caught my eye. The first is that while I have other volumes of this edition of the Talmud, Shabbos is scarce. This is because everyone learns Shabbos - those who follow the "daf yomi" program of learning … Continue reading Masseches Shabbos, Sultzbach, 1755 – from the Manchester Machzike Hadas.
Jewish Miscellanies 