MIDRASH HAMECHILTA
AUCTION 12 |
Tuesday, March 13th,
2001 at 1:00
Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts From the Library of the London Beth Din
Lot 207
MIDRASH HAMECHILTA
Venice: Daniel Bomberg 1545-1546
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
PRICE REALIZED $3,800
The collections of Halachic Midrashim emanated from the third and fourth generations of Tannaim. The methodology of these collections, known as motivated Halachah gives the rules together with their basis, the interpretation of the Biblical verse, and are arranged as a commentary to the Books of the Pentateuch. R. Ishmael’s Mechilta was the first collection of such motivated Halachoth. R. Judah and R. Shimons’ collections were stimulated by their great mentor, R. Akiva. The Halachic Midrashim which we posses, emanated from later anonymous hands but undoubtedly contain the Tannaic collections as their nucleus.
The Midrash Lekach Tov, dates towards the end of the eleventh Century and is a Midrash to the Pentateuch and some of the Scrolls. It draws on both Aggadic and Halachic sources, giving both interpretations. Only a part of the Lekach Tov was preserved, the final three Books of the Pentateuch and a short midrash on the Book of Ruth. See: M. Waxman, Vol. I pp. 66-69 & 149-150.