Bidspirit auction | A Rare Collection of Three

A Rare Collection of Three Prayer, Segulah, and Medical Publications from the Cholera Epidemics in Europe and the Holy Land - An exceptional collection of three rare items printed during outbreaks of cholera in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, reflecting the response of Jewish communities to one of the deadliest and most feared pandemics of the modern era. In the years 1831–1832, Europe was struck by the Great Cholera Epidemic (the Second Cholera Pandemic). Arriving from Asia through Russia and Poland, the disease was largely unknown, highly lethal, and poorly understood by contemporary medicine. It caused widespread panic throughout Europe and claimed countless victims within a short period. In response, leading rabbinic authorities instituted special prayers, public fasts, and days of supplication, while also issuing health and hygiene directives for the protection of their communities. 1. Seder HaTefillos Asher Yisplalu Beis Yisrael Be'ad Atzeres Choli HaKolera... Amsterdam, 1832. A special prayer booklet composed by Rabbi Shmuel Bernstein, Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam, following the outbreak of cholera in the Netherlands. The booklet was printed at the request of the communal leadership and in conjunction with governmental appeals for public days of prayer to halt the spread of the epidemic. Only a handful of copies of this work are known today, preserved in institutions including the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem and the Rosenthaliana Library in Amsterdam. The National Library’s copy is housed within its rare-books collection (“Special Cabinets”), alongside incunabula and other treasures of early printing. 8 pages. 21 cm. Fine-quality heavy paper. Good to very good condition. Minor worming. Rabbi Shmuel Bernstein (1773–1838), Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi (“Oberrabbiner”) of Amsterdam, was the first individual to hold that position in the city. Following his passing, no successor was appointed for thirty-five years. His father was a grandson of the famed Pnei Yehoshua, one of the greatest commentators on the Talmud, while his mother was a daughter of the renowned Rabbi Itzikel Hamburger. 2. Tefillah Zot Nisyasdah Al Pi R. Avraham Bing... Germany, circa 1835. An exceedingly rare prayer broadside instituted by Rabbi Avraham Halevi Bing, Rabbi of Würzburg and one of the foremost rabbinic leaders of Germany, for public recitation during the cholera epidemic. The prayer was ordered to be recited after the Amidah, before Tachanun, throughout the communities under his jurisdiction whenever “the Attribute of Judgment is stretched over mankind through the illness.” A highly desirable and scarce item. Single broadside. Approximately 21 × 33 cm. Heavy paper. Fair to good condition. One worm channel and several wormholes affecting a few words. Rabbi Avraham Halevi Bing (1752–1841) was among the leading rabbinic authorities of Germany, the foremost disciple of the saintly Rabbi Nathan Adler, teacher of the Chatam Sofer. His students included many of the rabbis who would lead the German states east of the Rhine during the nineteenth century. 3. Kelalim LeHizaher Mipnei HaCholera Shelo Tavo Chas VeShalom Jerusalem, [1916?]. A small but highly significant work containing practical guidance, preventive measures, and remedies relating to cholera, which continued to strike Jerusalem and other parts of the world in the early twentieth century. An unusual and historically important Judaica and medical item, representing a unique genre of Hebrew (and Yiddish) public-health literature produced by rabbinic leaders in their efforts to combat recurring cholera outbreaks. An exceptionally rare publication; to the best of our knowledge, it has never appeared at public auction. 15, [1] pages. 15.5 cm. Interesting engraved illustration on the rear wrapper. Good condition. Age staining, minor tears, and a small loss to the corner of the wrapper. Housed in a modern protective Bristol-board binding.