Manuscript. Sefer Ben Sira. Persia, 19th century.

Mishlei Chachmah U’Mussar L’Ben ...

Manuscript. Sefer Ben Sira. Persia, 19th century.

Mishlei Chachmah U’Mussar L’Ben Sira and Alfa Beita D’Ben Sira, manuscript by scribe Gideon ben Shmuel. Persian hand from the 19th century.

Illustrated title page with multi-colored border. Original, antiquated leather binding.

The top of the title page and last leaf bear owner notations from [1870-1871] written and signed by Shabtai bar Moshe.

Sefer Ben Sira is an early work that was authored about 2500 years ago. It was popular amongst the Jews since the era of the second Beit Hamikdash. It was originally written in Hebrew with wording similar to Biblical texts. It is mentioned by Tanaim and Amoraim in the Gemara and other early works. (Regarding the story of its authorship, refer to: Rabbi Reuven Margoliot, “Mechkarim B’Darchei HaTalmud, ” Olelot 12, p. 29)

Starting on leaf 23b, Alfa Beita D’Ben Sira. (Regarding this work, refer to: Epstein, Mikadmoniot HaYehudim, section two, p. 111).

31 leaves with text on both their sides. A few leaves are detached with marginal tears, loss of text in two leaves.