BACHIAH BEN ASHER (BEN CHLAVA).

AUCTION 12 | Tuesday, March 13th, 2001 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts From the Library of the London Beth Din

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Lot 51

BACHIAH BEN ASHER (BEN CHLAVA).

Kad Hakemach [ethics]. Second edition. Title within architectural arch. Printer’s device on title (Yaari no.17). Opening words within elaborate woodcut vignette. ff. 83. [Vinograd, Venice 268; Habermann, Adelkind 47; not in Adams]. * BACHIAH BEN ASHER (BEN CHLAVA). Shulchan (shel) Arba [on conduct at table and the Banquet in the World to Come]. Third edition. Printer’s device on title (Yaari no. 16). ff. 11. [Vinograd, Venice 296; Haberman, Adelkind 33; not in Adams] Stained in places. Later blind-tooled chestnut morocco boards, repaired at edges, gently rubbed, upper cover detached. Sm. folio

Venice: Cornelio Adelkind for Marco Antonio Giustiniani 1546

Est: $800 - $1,200

PRICE REALIZED $1,200

In Kad Ha’kemach (“A Jar of Flour” i.e. substance of truth), the author treats his subjects from a purely religious point of view without attempting to find a speculative basis for the virtues he inculcates. Topics are arranged alphabetically and besides strictly ethical themes (humility, purity of the heart, patience and so), principles that bear on rite and ceremonies are included. Here and there, R. Bachiah endeavors to give to his ethical teachings a philosophical aspect. The book is replete with homiletic interpretations of Biblical verses and Agadic passages as well as the Kabbalistic teachings to which R. Bachiah was inclined. “The style of the book adds to its otherwise fine qualities. It is light, elastic and on the whole, makes pleasant reading.” See M. Waxman, Vol. II pp. 275-6.