Lev Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

AUCTION 14 | Tuesday, November 13th, 2001 at 1:00

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

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Lot 208

HALEVI, SOLOMON BEN ISAAC (THE ELDER)

Lev Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

FIRST EDITION. THE DANIEL ITZIG COPY, with his stamp on title ff. 128. Dampstained, taped repairs to title and first few leaves, previous owners signature on title, old-hand inscription on verso of final leaf. Recent boards. Sm. 4to Vinograd, Salonika 66; Adams M-1481

Salonika: (Joseph Ya’abetz) 1565

Est: $1,500 - $2,000

PRICE REALIZED $1,000

A member of the Portuguese Bet Ha’levi Family, Solomon ben Isaac was born in Salonika. After a short period serving as rabbi of Uskub, Yugoslavia, he returned to Salonika. His devotion to communal affairs made his influence in Salonika inestimable and gained him the appelation “Ha’zaken” (The Elder). EJ II, col. 85-6 In the introduction, the author states he completed the first draft of this work aged 21 in 1553 in honor of his engagement. He read parts of it to his bride. He states he revised it ten years later and “although "old age" has set in, it is not from hard labor but purely from the toil of the Torah." One of the earliest complete commentaries to the Pirkei Avoth.