A historic and rare lot featuring two variations of the 1865 printing of Rabbi David Gito’s seminal philosophical commentary, explicitly drawing upon the authority of the Chacham Tzvi, Chida, and Sha’agat Aryeh.
This auction offers
two complete copies of the philosophical work
"Kuzari Sheni" (כוזרי שני), a highly regarded commentary on Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi’s classic Sefer HaKuzari.
About the Author and Editor
- Original Author: Rabbi David Gito (d. 1718) A prominent Sephardic scholar whose insights and philosophy form the core of this text. The book stands as a testament to the enduring influence of Sephardic philosophical tradition.
- Editor/Publisher: Rabbi David Yehuda Blaser (Blaser) The title page confirms his essential role as the editor and driving force behind this 1865 re-publication. This points to his significance in the mid-19th century Jewish world, where he worked to preserve and disseminate important philosophical texts.
The Three Pillars of Authority
The title page dramatically invokes three of the most revered and authoritative rabbis spanning different centuries and traditions—a clear statement of the book’s immense scholarly pedigree and broad acceptance:
- The Chacham Tzvi (Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, 1660–1718): The towering Ashkenazi authority, whose opinion settled major disputes across Europe.
- The Sha’agat Aryeh (Aryeh Leib Heller, 1695–1785): A renowned Polish Talmudist, famous for his deep, analytical approach to Jewish law.
- The Chida (Chaim Yosef David Azulai, 1724–1806): The great Sephardic bibliographer, traveler, and sage, whose inclusion affirms the book’s validity across the entire Jewish world.
Edition Details: 1865 Printing
Both copies stem from the important
1865 printing, a key date for the transmission of Jewish philosophical texts in the 19th century, confirming the book’s continued relevance during the height of the Haskalah and Musar movements.
The Lot: Two Bibliographical Variations
This two-copy lot is a fascinating study in 19th-century printing and binding practices:
Copy A: The Large-Margin Collector’s Copy
- Format: Features significantly wider margins and a larger page size, highly sought after by collectors.
- Binding: Has a more ornate, decorated inner cover/endpapers.
- Condition Note (Unique Error): Contains a rare production error where some pages were bound upside down. The pages are confirmed to be complete and in the correct numerical order, making this a unique bibliographical oddity.
- Overall Condition: Shows use commensurate with its age, with wear on the exterior binding.
Copy B: The Study Copy
- Format: Slightly smaller, with smaller margins.
- Condition: In better overall physical condition than Copy A, with a more sound and intact binding.
- Overall Appeal: Ideal for immediate study and handling.
This is a rare and historically powerful pairing, representing a profound intersection of rabbinic thought, philosophical tradition, and 19th-century Jewish printing history.
