Peirush Masecheth Avoth [Commentary to the Chapters of the Fathers]

One of only four books printed at Adrianople, all uncommonly scarce. The author, referred to respectfully as HeChassid Ya’avetz, lived through the Spanish Expulsion of 1492. It was his belief that it was the common folk with their simple faith who demonstrated fidelity to their ancestral faith during this national catastrophe, whereas the philosophically sophisticated aristocracy of Hispano-Judaic society were more likely to choose the politically expedient path of conversion to Christianity. For his espousal of simple faith, Ya’avetz was held in especially high esteem by the Chassidic masters of Eastern Europe. Rabbi Zevi Elimelech Spira of Dinov penned a commentary to Ya’avetz’s trilogy. Solomon and Joseph Ya’avetz, the authors’ grandsons, set up a Hebrew press in Salonika in 1546. Forced to flee Salonika, in 1554, they reestablished their press in Adrianople (presently named Edirne on the Turkish-Greek frontier). A year later, Solomon went to Constantinople and Joseph returned to Salonika where he was active as a printer until 1570. Three philosophical treatises by Joseph Ya’avetz issued together, were sold by Kestenbaum & Company, 16th November 1999, lot 544