Minchah Belulah [commentary on the Pentateuch]

AUCTION 27 | Tuesday, February 08th, 2005 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Autographed Letters, Manuscripts, Ceremonial & Graphic Art

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Lot 192

RAPA, ABRAHAM MENACHEM BEN JACOB HAKOHEN OF PORTO.

Minchah Belulah [commentary on the Pentateuch]

FIRST EDITION. Title in typographical border. The first word in each of the Five Books of Moses is surrounded by a rich vignette. On f.207v. escutcheon of Rapa, consisting of a raven (“rappe” is the Middle High German word for raven), two hands extended in priestly benediction (symbol of the Kohen), and two mermaids. Marginal note on f.164v. ff. (3), 208, (1). Dampstained. ff. 83, 104-5 taped. Contemporary boards, rubbed. 4to Vinograd, Verona 3; Adams A-27; Heller,The Sixteenth Century Hebrew Book, pp. 828-9

Verona: Francesco dalle Donne 1594

Est: $800 - $1,200

PRICE REALIZED $1,200

Whilst a young man, the author was apprenticed as a proof-reader at the House of Bragadin in Venice. There he witnessed the violent Burning of the Talmud pursuant to the Papal Bull of 1553. On f.203r of the present work, Rapaport records the tragic event and notes his decision to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic event as a personal fast-day for the rest of his life. See A. Yaari, “Sereiphath ha-Talmud be-Italia” in: Mechkarei Sepher (1958), pp. 198-233.