Biur Al Hatorah [Kabbalistic commentary to the Pentateuch]

Great influential encyclopedic work utilizing wide variety of sources. Especially noteworthy are his Kabbalistic references as well as Midrashic interpretations. He was well versed in this literature and brings forth passages from lost Midrashim. For an excellent work on the Kabbalistic sources of R. Bachiah, see E. Gottlieb, Mekorotav shel R. Bachiah…Be’kitvei R. Yoseph Gikatilla in: Bar Ilan University Annual Vol. I (1969) pp. 306-26; and R. Yitzchak Sag Nahor Ve’talmidav- Mekorot R. Bachiah Be’kitvei Ha’mekubalim, Bar Ilan University Annual, Samuel Bialoblocki Memorial Volume, (1964) pp.215-50. This copy with extensive marginal notations adjacent to the Kabbalistic portions of the work. These manuscript commentaries analyze the author's intentions and suggest deeper interpretations for many of the esoteric portions. The marginalia cite the Moreh Nevuchim, Abraham ibn Ezra and the Ikarim among others. The lower portion of the title page contains inscription, likely referring to the author of these notes: He is described as a "Chochom Hakollel" and "Gaon Hador" Rav Yospa Castille Jaffe. A further inscription (dated 1632) reads "I hereby present this delightful volume to my son Yospa who is named after (the author of the notes). May he study and be able to understand both its revealed and hidden elements. (Signed), Judah ben Meir Castille Yaffa." A number of signatures from various members of the Castille-Jaffe family plus later signatures by Shimon Ullman and Yisroel Gerber of Mannheim also appear. See also f.1, signature (partially cut) of 'Hamechuna', Rabbi Levi Wertheim, 1590. With grateful thanks to both Yosef Avivi, Jerusalem and Professor Moshe Idel, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, for their assistance in researching this text.