Bidspirit auction | Noheg KeTzon Yosef – Special

Noheg KeTzon Yosef – Special Presentation Copy with Gilt Inscription to Dayan Rabbi Kashman Segal. Hanover, 1717. First Edition. - A complete, distinguished, and impressive copy of one of the foundational works on Ashkenazic custom in general, and the authentic customs of Frankfurt am Main in particular. Before us is the first edition of Noheg KeTzon Yosef, containing laws, customs, and communal practices by Rabbi Yosef Yuzpa HaLevi Segal. The work is based on the celebrated Yosef Ometz, authored by the writer’s grandfather, Rabbi Yuzpa Hahn Neurlingen, one of the chief rabbinic judges of Frankfurt and among the foremost preservers of Ashkenazic custom. The book records many fascinating customs of daily Jewish and communal life, including times for walking to synagogue, prayer order, Torah reading customs, divisions of the weekly portions, Sabbath and festival practices, as well as hymns and liturgical songs—including a Chanukah hymn with commentary, and a “new song to be recited when presenting a Torah scroll to the synagogue.” Exceptional Presentation Copy in Fine Binding Before us is an extraordinary copy, apparently prepared as an honorary gift, in a magnificent wooden board binding covered in leather, with a long decorative presentation inscription stamped on the front cover: “A gift is sent forth to him whose house is open with generosity… to my honored kinsman, learned in Torah, whose occupation is Torah… the distinguished judge… Rabbi Kashman Segal, may his light shine.” The recipient was apparently Rabbi Moshe Kashman Essa ben Rabbi Yehudah Lima HaLevi, a dayan in Nikolsburg, who signed communal approbations in the early eighteenth century. It is noteworthy that the author’s own father was likewise named Rabbi Moshe Kashman of Essa, as stated in the author’s introduction, though the exact family relationship between them has not been established. Complete Copy – With the Rare Supplement At the end of the book are preserved two rare leaves of the supplement Tzon HaNachalot, added after printing and lacking in many surviving copies. Following publication, controversy arose regarding several customs and rulings mentioned in the book. These supplementary leaves were written by the author’s father-in-law, the gaon Rabbi Yehudah Miller of Bingen, who reviewed the volume and corrected the disputed passages. Rabbi Yehudah Miller is cited in the works of major rabbinic authorities of his generation, including Pnei Yehoshua, Chacham Tzvi, Shevut Yaakov, Shav Yaakov, and Knesset Yechezkel. Additional Ownership Marks Signature on the title page: “The humble Kashman Abeles” Additional ownership inscription on the rear flyleaf: “This book belongs to the honored leader and distinguished notable, Rabbi Wolf Abeles of Alt-Ofen.” Before us is a rare and highly significant copy of a foundational Ashkenazic customs work, preserved in its magnificent original binding and with notable provenance—a living document of Ashkenazic communal life in the eighteenth century. Hanover, 1717. First edition. [3], 89, [2] leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Fine quality paper. Condition: Very good, aside from the binding. Original leather-covered wooden boards with remnants of clasps and signs of wear.