Vitas, Shabetai. Meshivath Nephesh (613 Commandments)

AUCTION 21 | Thursday, December 04th, 2003 at 1:00

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Lot 230

(SEPHARDICA)

Vitas, Shabetai. Meshivath Nephesh (613 Commandments)

First edition. Two titles within typographical borders.Text in Hebrew and Ladino (Judeo-Espanol). In two parts: Part I (Positive Commandments) (1748), ff. 54; Part II (Negative Commandments) (1743), ff. 76. Copy in poor condition. Missing part of f. 33 and final two leaves of Part I; final three leaves of Part II.Contemporary boards. 4to. Vinograd, Const. 527, 533; Yaari, Const. 397, 404; Kayseling, p. 109.

Constantinople: Reuben and Nissim, Sons of Jonah Ashkenazi; Abraham Yatom 1743 (colophon reads “1748”)-1744

Est: $400 - $600

The book comments in the vernacular at great length upon the Hebrew rhymed Azharot of Solomon ibn Gabirol, recited on Pentecost (Shavu’ot). In his introduction, Vitas alludes to wanderings, possibly even escape from the Spanish Inquisition (“Saphna me-ar’a”). He goes on to express his gratitude to two savants who helped with his work, R. Solomon Algaze and R. Samuel Palache, both prominent names in the Turkish Jewish community.