Tehillah Le’David [philosophy]

AUCTION 20 | Monday, June 02nd, 2003 at 5:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books from the Library of the Late Salman Schocken (1877-1959)

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Lot 21

LEON, MESSER DAVID BEN JUDAH

Tehillah Le’David [philosophy]

FIRST EDITION. THE RABBI NACHUM DOV-BER FRIEDMAN OF SADIGURA COPY, with his alternating stamps on title ff. 108,4. Mispaginated, though complete. Stained in places, marginal repair to title and final leaf. Recent tan half-calf boards. Sm. 4to Vinograd, Const. 269; Yaari, Const. 194; Mehlman 1194; not in Adams

Constantinople: Joseph Javetz 1576

Est: $3,000 - $5,000

PRICE REALIZED $7,500

David Messer Leon (c. 1470-1526), ordained rabbi aged eighteen, devoted Kabbalist ,as well as admirer of Maimonides, boasted a comprehensive knowledge of general culture - particularly philosophy, and an affection for poetry and music. Much of his writings has remained unpublished. Tehillah Le’David, which was published by the author's grandson, comprises three parts: The first deals with the prominance of the Law; the second with the elements of faith - which the author regards as superior to speculative reasoning; and the third part focuses upon the principles of the Divine Attributes, Providence and Free Will. See I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. IV, Italian Jewry in the Renaissance Era, (1974) pp. 91-8