Sepher Mo’adei Hashem Ukeri’ei Mo’ed [prayers for three Festivals with Hagadah for Passover]. According to Sephardic rite.

Auction 94 | Thursday, June 17th, 2021 at 11:00am
Rare & Excellent Hebrew Printed Books: From the Library of Arthur A. Marx

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Lot 306
(LITURGY).

Sepher Mo’adei Hashem Ukeri’ei Mo’ed [prayers for three Festivals with Hagadah for Passover]. According to Sephardic rite.

Two volumes. Both with large woodcut vignettes of Jerusalem on titles. Vol. I with additional letterpress title. Contains the Haskamoth (approbations) of the Rishon LeTzion, Hayim Abraham Gaguine and the Chief Rabbi of Damascus, R. Jacob Antebi. <<A mint set.>> ff. 185; 179. Original calf-backed boards, gilt Hebrew titles on spine. Handsome custom solander box. Lg. 4to. Vinograd, Jerusalem 22, 33; Halevy 19, 20.

Jerusalem: Israel Bak 1843

Est: $8,000 - $10,000
PRICE REALIZED $11,000
<<The first Machzor printed in Jerusalem.>> This two-volume first edition in <<Unusually fine condition, with wide margins.>> For nearly two millennia, Jews around the world could only dream to one day make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for one of the three Regel festivals: Pesach, Shavu’oth and Sukoth. The present work nods towards how the Jewish position in the Land of Israel was shifting, increasingly becoming more firmly established and materially productive. With a lengthy introduction by R. Ya’akov Antebi recounting his involvement in the Damascus Blood Libel Affair of 1840. Includes a special prayer for Queen Victoria, with English translation, likely in thanks for her Government’s positive involvement in the affair. The title proclaims the book was executed upon the printing-press of Moses and Judith. Sir Moses and his wife Lady Judith Montefiore of Ramsgate, England donated the press and so established a publishing industry in Eretz Israel. On ff. 51b. and 52a of Vol. I and f. 42b of Vol. II the blessing and prayer for the Monarch is dedicated in Hebrew and English to: “Our most Gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria; Adelaide, the Queen Dowager; Albert Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family.” This variant issue of the Machzor, with the English prayer is exceptionally rare, apparently Bak produced only a small handful of such copies for the personal use of Sir Moses Montefiore and his entourage. Most other copies contain the blessing for the Turkish Sultan. See Halevi, no. 20, p. 12.