Divrei Shalom [sermons and homilies to the Pentateuch]

AUCTION 34 | Tuesday, September 12th, 2006 at 1:00

Exemplary Hebrew Books: The Library of Joseph Gradenwitz, Esq.

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Lot 1

ADARBI, ISAAC

Divrei Shalom [sermons and homilies to the Pentateuch]

FIRST EDITION published with the notes of Elazer ben Shabthai. Title within architectural arch. Previous owners’ signatures on title, including Isaac Raphael bEN Elisha Finzi, Chief Rabbi of Padua (dated 1757) with signature of his disciple, the bibliophile, Mordechai Ghirondi, ff. 168. Some staining in places, slight marginal repair to title and final leaf not affecting text. Later speckled calf, rubbed. Folio Vinograd, Venice 688; Habermann, di Gara 78; not in Adams

Venice: Giovanni di Gara 1586

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,300

The signatory, Isaac Raphael Finzi (1728-1812) a native of Ferrara, was one of the outstanding halachists of his generation and was addressed as Saba De'mishpatim ("Master of Law.") He was a disciple of R. Isaac Lampronti (author of Pachad Yitzchak) and son-in-law of the kabbalist Abraham Segre of Casalei. Finzi served as a member of the French Sanhedrin in 1806 and was elected its vice-president. In his capacity as Chief Rabbi of Padua, he would preach extemperaneously for hours. His talks so spellbound the audience that members of the Italian nobility would attend his sermons. Cecil Roth considered Finzi to be "one of the most forceful preachers df the age.” See The History of the Jews of Italy, pp. 442-43. See also Mordecai Samuel Ghirondi and Hananel Neppi, Toldoth Gedolei Israel u-Ge’onei Italia, pp. 126-132, no. 8; and EJ VI, col.1301