Manuscript, Novellae of "Western" Sages - Shtarot, Urim V'Tumim (Goralot), Interpretations of Dreams - Fez, 18th Century

Manuscript, Novellae of "Western" Sages - Shtarot, Urim V'Tumim (Goralot), Interpretations of Dreams - Fez, 18th Century
Manuscript, novellae by leading "Western" sages - R. Shmuel ibn Denan and his companions, with additional compilations: versions of shtarot, Urim V'Tumim (goralot) and "Dream interpretations of Ben Sira". Fez, [1760s].
The volume was written in Fez by R. "Yitzchak ibn Ya'akov HaCohen Skali" from the city of Debdou, who signed at the end of many sections, sometimes with his curly signature.
Various compilations compose the first part of the volume: Et Sofer - versions of shtarot, Urim V'Tumim - Goralot, "Dream interpretations of Ben Sira" followed by "Dream interpretations of the sage R. Shlomo Almoli" (incomplete copy of the printed version).
Colophon by the writer appears at the end of the section of the versions of shtarot: "…It has been completed on Friday the 3rd of the month of Kislev 1760… here in Fez… Yitzchak ibn Ya'akov HaCohen Skali". At the end of Urim V'Tumim is a concluding colophon with his signature: "Urim V'Tumim has been concluded… I, the undersigned from the city of Debdou have found them in the manuscript of the sage R. Emanuel Seriro…'.
The second part of the volume is composed of a large compilation of Torah and halachic novellae by Western sages, leading 17th century Moroccan sages. The writer copied manuscripts which he accessed and usually noted their sources at the end of each section. For example: "I have found written in the handwriting of R. Shmuel ibn Denan…", or "This I have found written by the sage the dayan R. S.E.D. [Shmuel ibn Denan] and he found it in the name of R. Saadia ibn Denan". "Up to here I have found written in the name of the sage R. Chaim Uziel at the time they appointed him head of the yeshiva".
Large sections are novellae by R. Shmuel ibn Denan, copied by the writer from the former's manuscripts. Towards the end of the volume (leaves [66]-[74]), is a long sermon from 1573: "I have delivered this sermon after the death of my father… in 1573…". Followed by: "Sermon delivered by the sage R. Saadia ibn Denan after the death of his father, the aforementioned R. Shmuel…". In another place (leaf [48]) is a citation of R. Shmuel written in 1612: "Spoken by the writer during the days of siege and distress in Kislev 1612 by Shmuel ibn Denan…". A date is cited elsewhere: "Tevet 1616…". [R. Shmuel ibn Denan III, died on Purim 1622 and was a venerable Moroccan sage. He signed many regulations instituted by Fez sages from 1593-1614 and served as dayan and later as Chief Rabbi of the "Ma'amad". He was a holy person and his tomb became a prayer site (see: Malchei Rabbanan, entry: Meir Benayahu, Divrei HaYamim shel Fez, pp. 33-34)].
Novellae from other sages of his times are cited, such as R. Saadia ibn Denan, R. Yehuda ben Attar, R. Yehuda Uziel, R. Yeshaya Bakish, R. Binyamin Nahon, R. Mordechai ibn Pachicha, R. Yitzchak Avzardil, R. Shaul ibn Denan, R. Yitzchak Kriyot, etc. Torah discussion "in the name of Ashkenazi sages" appear in one place.
To the best of our knowledge, these novellae were not printed.
Bound at the end of the volume are several leaves in western writing, by a number of writers. On one leaf is a section titled: "…Homily for Chanuka", signed "…Machluf [---?]".
[90] leaves (lacking one or more leaves at the end). 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Most leaves are in good condition. Open tears to first leaves, affecting text. Stains and wear. Dampstain traces. Worming. Contemporary damaged leather binding.