Bidspirit auction | Orah VeSimchah Collection of Purim

Orah VeSimchah Collection of Purim Songs and Customs with Rulings of the Chida Livorno, 1786. First Edition. * The order of the laws for both days of Purim according to the custom of the community of Livorno, with additional words of insight to uplift the spirit, together with songs and poems by some of our nation's greatest poets such as Rabbi Yisrael Najara and Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Gabirol. Pocket format – 15 cm. Several times, the author mentions the rulings of ”the chassid, the wonder of the generation, may his light shine.” This is referring to the Chida, Rabbi Yosef Chaim David Azulai, who he mentions in his sefarim. The sefer was printed anonymously, with the author signing his name with the acronym ”Na'aman” (leaf 7a). He is identified as Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rachamim Piatza, a rabbi and kabbalist from Livorno. On leaf 30b, the author discusses the wearing of masks! ”The custom that was established in earlier times, and has become even more widespread recently, of wearing masks on Purim…” Printed before the title page is a special leaf, apparently unparalleled in early Hebrew literature, in which the words “Orah VeSimchah” are printed in a square shape with 9 'layers, ' each layer containing one letter of the nine letters of the sefer’s title “Orah VeSimchah.” Printed on the last page is a “rhyme against the jesters, ” those who play dice (card games for money). Livorno, 1786. First edition. Page Count: 56 leaves. Size: 15 cm, pocket format. Condition: Medium to medium-good. Holes, mainly in the margins (some affecting a few words), some repaired. Tears and missing parts on the title page and the page before it, affecting two words. New binding with parchment spine. Provenance: William Gross Collection, Tel Aviv