Bidspirit auction | Sever Panim – First Edition

Sever Panim – First Edition with a Lengthy Autograph Inscription and Signature of the Author, Rabbi Moshe Zaken Mazuz - Sever Panim, containing three works by Rabbi Moshe Zaken Mazuz: Pnei Zaken – novellae on the Talmud, Pnei Moshe – principles and methods of Torah study, and Pnei HaMelech – novellae on the Rambam. Livorno, 1881. First edition. An important foundational work of North African rabbinic scholarship, printed during the author’s lifetime and highly regarded among the sages of Tunisia and Djerba. The volume opens with approbations from the leading rabbis of Tunisia of that generation, including Rabbi Avraham Hajjaj, Rabbi Eliyahu Chai Borgel, Rabbi Avraham Chaim Borgel, Rabbi Saadia Nattaf, Rabbi Shalom Lisha, Rabbi Moshe Shemama, Rabbi Moshe Zamor, Rabbi Ben-Zion Gag, and other distinguished scholars. Among the approbators is also the author’s revered teacher, Rabbi Chaim HaKohen of Tripoli, author of Lev Shomea. The particular significance of the present copy lies in its lengthy autograph inscription and signature of the author, written on the leaf preceding the title page. Autograph inscriptions by the sages of Djerba and Tunisia are relatively uncommon, especially when written by the author himself in his first and most important work. Rabbi Moshe Zaken Mazuz (1851–1915), one of the foremost sages of Djerba in his generation, served as Av Beit Din and rabbinic leader of the community. He was a distinguished disciple of Rabbi Chaim HaKohen of Tripoli and became renowned as a sharp halachic authority, outstanding Talmudic scholar, and kabbalist. He trained numerous disciples, among them Rabbi Chaim Houri, and his influence continued to shape Tunisian Torah scholarship for generations. In addition to the present work, he authored Sha'arei Torah, Sha'arei Halachah, Tzidkat Moshe, Tzaddik VeNisgav, and other works. The present volume is a distinguished copy of considerable rabbinic and bibliophilic significance—a rare foundational work of the sages of Djerba, bearing a personal autograph inscription by its author. [4], 142, 10 leaves. 30 cm. Very good condition. Binding loose.