Bidspirit auction | Mishmerot Kehunah. Amsterdam [1753]. With the

Mishmerot Kehunah. Amsterdam [1753]. With the added section containing the author’s apology - Mishmerot Kehunah – essays, parables, ethical teachings, decrees, ordinances, and rules of the Talmud arranged alphabetically (A–Z). By Rabbi Ḥiyya ha-Kohen di Lara. Amsterdam, printed by Proops, 5513 [1753]. Sole edition. “And I hereby request forgiveness from their pure and esteemed souls.” A unique work, with the approbation of Rabbi Isaac Ḥayyim Dana de Brito, rabbi of the Sephardic community of Amsterdam. The author’s name does not appear on the title page; he is described only as a member of the Etz Ḥayyim study hall in Amsterdam. During the printing of the book, sharp criticism was leveled against the author because of certain statements included in the work, such as those found on leaf 11 regarding the method of study of the “scholars of the South” and of Ashkenaz: “From here is a great protest against the scholars of the South, who consume their days in vain and their years in confusion, and who study words of nonsense and falsehood—what compelled Rashi, of blessed memory, to explain thus… and all the more so the scholars of Ashkenaz who make distinctions…”. As a result, the author was compelled to add an “Apology of the author for matters found in this book that are improper.” This section was printed following the title page and contains nine clauses, including: “That I did not show to the esteemed and complete scholar of our community, the holy Sephardic congregation… all of my compositions… but only part thereof, as mentioned in his approbation.” [4], 84 leaves, 26.5 cm, with wide margins. Good to very good condition. White paper. Minor flaws at the corners of the leaves, mainly toward the end of the book. Original leather binding with a restored spine.