Maasei Hashem including the Haggadah—first edition, Hague 1777. Copy owned by Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Bamberger.

Maasei Hashem including the Haggadah—first edition, Hague 1777. Copy owned by Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Bamberger.
“Gedolim Maasei Hashem Droshim for all who desire…”. Exegeses on the acts of Creation, the Forefathers, miracles in the Torah, and on leaves 103-109 “the maasim of Egypt”, including an exegesis on the Pesach Haggadah with the Haggadah’s content inside. The Haggadah wasn’t preserved in the Otzer HaHaggadot and Yaari. Written by Rabbi Eliezer Ashkenazi ben Rabbi Eliya HaRofeh. [4], 150 leaves. Worming holes and stains, tape with damage to the text on a number of pages, some filled in by hand. Leaves detached. Binding probably original—worn, with tape. Overall fair to good condition.

The back of the front binding has a handwritten note: “belongs to my brother, the rabbi Moshe Aryeh HaLevi, residing in Kissingen” (see below). 2 additional signatures: “the holy Refael Leib ben Shimon Kirchheim”. A number of additional handwritten notes, probably one of the two above.

Rabbi Moshe Aryeh HaLevi Bamberger (1838-1900), rabbi of Bad-Kissingen (Bavaria, Germany) for around 25 years. Sixth son of the Wurzberg rabbi, Rabbi Yitzhak Dov Bamberger, and son-in-law (first marriage) to Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger, author of the Aruch LaNer. He worked printing his father’s works with his brother Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Bamberger, Av Beit Din of Senheim.

Refael Kirchheim (approx. 1804-1889) was born in Frankfurt. He compiled Hebrew manuscripts and undertook research, and he is known mainly for his writings and research into the Samaritans. At first he was part of Rashar Hirsch’s community and even served as Shoel u’Bodek, until he became close to Avraham Geiger, with whom he became Reform and was fired from his position as shochet. Kirchheim compiled manuscripts such as a commentary to the Books of Chronicles by one of the students of Rabbi Saadiya Gaon. He also published an edition of Sheva Masechtot Ketanot from the Yerushalmi and a renewed edition to the work Shem HaGedolim by the Chida with the addition of notes and a summary of the author’s life.