Bidspirit auction | Machzor for Rosh Hashanah –

Machzor for Rosh Hashanah – Amsterdam, 1766 (תקכ”ו). Luxurious Leather Binding with Gilt Dedication by Rabbi Shaul, Av Beit Din of The Hague, and His Wife, the Rebbetzin Dina - Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, with Kavanat HaPaytan (“Intentions of the Poet”), “according to the custom of Ashkenaz and other holy congregations, ” including Yiddish translation and commentary. Printed in Amsterdam, 1766, at the Proops Brothers press. An exquisite copy in its original ornate leather binding, richly decorated and gilt-tooled, featuring a magnificent gold-stamped dedication from the renowned Rabbi Shaul HaLevi, Av Beit Din of The Hague, and his wife the Rebbetzin Dina, who presented this machzor as a gift to an orphan boy, apparently as a Bar Mitzvah present. On the front cover, within the outer gilt border, appears the following inscription: “A gift for a derashah from the renowned Gaon, our teacher Rabbi Shaul HaLevi, may his light shine, and from his wife, the Rebbetzin Mistress Dina, may she live, to the exceptional youth Yoshiya, may he live long days, son of the famous Rabbi Issachar Berish HaLevi, of the holy congregation of The Hague.” Within the inner frame, an additional line was stamped: “And from his wife, the Rebbetzin Mistress Dina, may she live.” On the back cover, a later inscription was added: “Purchased in the holy congregation of The Hague for thirteen gold coins, on 18 Elul 1786, by the humble Hirsh bar Issachar.” Rabbi Shaul HaLevi, Av Beit Din of The Hague (1712–1785), was among the outstanding scholars of his generation. The Vilna Gaon referred to him as “the great Gaon, praised and exalted, adorned with greatness, our master Rabbi Shaul Segal, may his light shine.” His wife, the Rebbetzin Dina, daughter of Rabbi Aryeh Leib, Av Beit Din of Rzeszów and Amsterdam, and granddaughter-in-law of the Chacham Tzvi, was a remarkable woman renowned for her wisdom, erudition, and righteousness. Her nephew, Rabbi Yaakov Emden (Yaavetz), wrote of her: “A most virtuous woman, possessing fine qualities, love of moral instruction, fear of Heaven, modesty, and great piety.” The Chida, who visited their home, wrote: “She is very wise and exceedingly modest, and speaks with grace, ” even recounting an anecdote of her sharp wit. Many further accounts attest to her brilliance and rare intellect. [1], 32, 74 ff. 18 cm. Condition: Very good. Original decorated leather binding with gilt-stamped ornamentation and inscriptions. Rear cover detached.