Yalkut Shimoni [Midrashic anthology to the Bible]. Attributed to Shimon the Preacher of Frankfurt. Part II: Nevi’im-Kethuvim (of 2).
AUCTION 80 |
Thursday, March 28th,
2019 at 1:00 PM
The Valmadonna Trust Library: Further Selections from the Historic Collection. * Hebrew Printing in America. * Graphic & Ceremonial Art
Lot 66
(MIDRASH)
Yalkut Shimoni [Midrashic anthology to the Bible]. Attributed to Shimon the Preacher of Frankfurt. Part II: Nevi’im-Kethuvim (of 2).
Salonika: Don Judah Gedaliah 1521
Est: $20,000 - $25,000
<<A rare complete volume from the first edition of a most celebrated text.>>
The Yalkut is “The best known and most comprehensive Midrashic anthology covering the whole Bible… It has been published frequently but many errors have crept into it. For accurate reading one can only rely on the Salonika edition.” (EJ, Vol. XVI, cols. 707-9.) The present volume was issued five years prior to what was to become the first volume, that of the Yalkut Shimoni on Chumash, published in 1526.
Although the identity of the author is shrouded in doubt, it appears clear that he compiled the Yalkut in the 13th century, as he drew from various medieval aggadic sources, as well as older Midrashim and the Talmud. Additionally, the oldest record mentioning the Yalkut is by Azariah de Rossi in 1310, implying it had been written only somewhat prior to his own generation.