Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi (Known as the Rif; 1013-1103) was a native of northern Algeria who received his education in Kairouan, The Rif resided for much of his life in Fez (hence the surname Alfasi) until about the age of 75, when he was forced to flee to Spain, where he died. This book, … Continue reading Hilchos Rav Alfas (Halakhic Code), Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi, Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1554-1555
The Minutes of the Federation of Synagogues, 1887-1912, by Joseph E. Blank, London, 1912.
This book does not pretend to be a history of the Federation of Synagogues in London. It is what it says it is - extracts from the first 25 years of the minute books. On Sunday, 16th October 1887 a meeting took place at the Spital Square Synagogue, presided over by the Liberal Member of … Continue reading The Minutes of the Federation of Synagogues, 1887-1912, by Joseph E. Blank, London, 1912.
The London Jewry, 1290 – in Jewish Ideals and other essays by Joseph Jacobs, London 1896.
Joseph Jacobs, was born, to a Jewish family, in New South Wales in 1854. His father, a publican, had emigrated from London in about 1837. He was a writer about British folk-lore, and published collections which included and popularized some of the best known British fairy tales. He was also a historian and writer on … Continue reading The London Jewry, 1290 – in Jewish Ideals and other essays by Joseph Jacobs, London 1896.
A Jewish Iconography, Alfred Rubens, The Jewish Museum, London, 1954.
This is an illustrated catalogue of engravings. Before the days of photography, the only images of people and places were paintings, drawings and engravings. This catalogue of about 1,240 engravings includes a large selection of images, and I have reproduced a few interesting ones below, mainly pages of Anglo-Jewish interest. I have a pristine copy, … Continue reading A Jewish Iconography, Alfred Rubens, The Jewish Museum, London, 1954.
The Jewish Travel Guide, London, 1960.
This is a nostalgic book in my Anglo-Judaica collection which also forms a historical record. It was compiled by ‘Green Flag”. This was the pseudonym of F. H. Samuel, a long-time Jewish Chronicle journalist who worked for the Jewish Chronicle for over 50 years. He started as the office boy and ended as a respected … Continue reading The Jewish Travel Guide, London, 1960.
The Noda BiYehuda (Rabbi Yechekel Landau) and British Chief Rabbi David Tevele Schiff. Noda BiYehuda II, Sadlikov, 1833.
Rabbi Yechezkel Landau was born in Apta, Poland, in 1713, and died in Prague in 1793. He was a great talmudic scholar, whose responsa (answers to questions) which he called Noda BiYehuda, have great clarity and are mostly accepted today as halachic (Jewish legal) law. The name Noda BiYehuda comes from the beginning of Psalm … Continue reading The Noda BiYehuda (Rabbi Yechekel Landau) and British Chief Rabbi David Tevele Schiff. Noda BiYehuda II, Sadlikov, 1833.
The Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nezikin, Baba Kamma I, translated into English by Rabbi E. W. Kirzner, Soncino Press, London, 1935. (The 500th post).
This is the rarest of Soncino Press Talmud editions. The first edition of the Soncino Talmud, with translations into English by impeccably orthodox Rabbonim, was published in 1935. 1,000 regular sets were printed. There were also 35 special sets, leather bound, printed on handmade Barcham Green's paper, and individually signed by the editor, Rabbi Isidore … Continue reading The Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nezikin, Baba Kamma I, translated into English by Rabbi E. W. Kirzner, Soncino Press, London, 1935. (The 500th post).
Rabeinu Asher with Ma’adnei Yom Tov and Divrei Chamudos by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, Furth, 1745.
This is an interesting book from my antique Hebrew books collection. It consists of an important book by Asher ben Yechiel (1259 Cologne (?)-1327 Toledo), known as Rabeinu Asher or the Rosh, together with important commentaries by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller. Rabbeninu Asher's best known work is this abstract of Talmudic law. It includes … Continue reading Rabeinu Asher with Ma’adnei Yom Tov and Divrei Chamudos by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, Furth, 1745.
MiYemei Kedem (From Days of Old), Stories and Sayings from Talmud and Midrash by Rabbi Wolf Gottlieb, London 1948.
Rabbi Wolf Gottlieb, who was the Rabbi of Queens Park Synagogue, Glasgow, Scotland and later Head of the Beth Din (Rabbinical Court) of Glasgow was the author of this very fine and useful textbook, written in 1948, when Jewish education in the United Kingdom was being reorganized after the Second World War. Details about him … Continue reading MiYemei Kedem (From Days of Old), Stories and Sayings from Talmud and Midrash by Rabbi Wolf Gottlieb, London 1948.
Order of Service at the Consecration of the West End Great Synagogue and Cultural Centre and Induction of Rabbi Maurice Lew, London, 1964.
This 40 page booklet is the record of an event that took place 60 years ago. The West End Great Synagogue qt 21 Dean Street, Soho was the successor to the West End Talmud Torah and Bikkur Cholim Synagogue, which was at 14 Manette Street, off Charing Cross Road until 1941. It is an independent … Continue reading Order of Service at the Consecration of the West End Great Synagogue and Cultural Centre and Induction of Rabbi Maurice Lew, London, 1964.
Jewish Miscellanies 