Torath Ha’Olah [Philosophy]

AUCTION 25 | Monday, October 25th, 2004 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books: The Property of a Gentleman

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Lot 19

ISSERLES, MOSES.

Torath Ha’Olah [Philosophy]

FIRST EDITION. On title, printer's mark of Mordecai Katz, consisting of lions and the hands conveying the “birkath kohen” or priestly benediction (symbolic of Katz's priestly lineage). See Ya'ari, Hebrew Printers' Marks (1971), p. 24, pl. 3; p. 137. At the bottom of the frame is a bearded face accompanied by two cherubs. Woodcut of Temple (reproduction of device of Venetian printer Marc Antonio Giustiniani) on ff. 33v. and 69r. On ff. 34v. and 70r. chapter headings historiated. Title with owner's signature “Abraham Kalonymos Kalman of Cracow.” Scholarly marginalia. An attractive copy ff. (6), 173. (Vinograd has ff. 172). Few paper repairs with no loss of text. Wormhole in text of f.115. Modern calf with clasps and hinges. Folio Vinograd, Prague 36; St. Cat. Bodl. col. 6483.22; Heller, The Sixteenth Century Hebrew Book, pp. 612-3

Prague: Mordecai Katz 1569

Est: $7,000 - $9,000

PRICE REALIZED $17,000

GOOD COPY OF R. MOSES ISSERLES' CLASSIC OF JEWISH THOUGHT In this work, R. Moses Isserles (Ram”a) (1525 or 1530-1572) of Cracow, most famous for his lasting contributions to Jewish law Darkei Moshe on R. Joseph Caro's Beith Joseph, and the Glosses to Caro's Shulchan Aruch, here demonstrates his mastery of rationalist, particularly Maimonidean philosophy. This rationalist bent aroused the ire of his contemporaries such as R. Solomon Luria (Maharsha”l) and R. Judah Löw (Mahara”l). Most recently, another aspect of Isserles' complex personality has surfaced with the publication from manuscript of his commentary to Zohar. See EJ, Vol. IX, cols. 1081-1085 After the death of R. Gershom Katz in 1544, direction of his press was assumed by his son Mordechai Katz and his brothers. In 1569, Mordechai soon began to print independently of his brothers, assisted only by his sons. Torath Ha’Olah was the first product of their press. See Ya'ari, Hebrew Printers' Marks (1971), p. 137 * Bound with: Orchoth Tzadikim [“Ways of the Righteous”-Ethics]. Anonymous. ff. 22. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 70]. (Frankfurt a/Main, 1687)