Zemiroth Yisra’el [religious poetry].
Auction 94 |
Thursday, June 17th,
2021 at 11:00am
Rare & Excellent Hebrew Printed Books: From the Library of Arthur A. Marx
Lot 382
NAJARA, ISRAEL.
Zemiroth Yisra’el [religious poetry].
Venice: Giovanni di Gara 1599
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
PRICE REALIZED $2,800
<<First appearance of Ya-h Ribon Olam>> (f. 7r), one of the most popular Sabbath Zemiroth.
A rabbi of Gaza, Najara was the first poet to compose and organize his piyutim according to the Near Eastern “maqam” style of musical composition. Born in Damascus c.1555, his compositions are distinguished by their deep religiosity, references to Jewish suffering and yearning for redemption. Although Najara learned much from the great Jewish poets of the Spanish-Arabic period, he frequently employed original forms and themes.
This is the second, expanded edition. The first edition (Safed, 1586) is overwhelmingly rare.