RaLBa”G). Pirush al Hatorah [commentary 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 100

LEVI BEN GERSHOM (GERSONIDES/

RaLBa”G). Pirush al Hatorah [commentary to the Pentateuch]

Second edition. Title within architectural arch. Initial word of each Book within ornamental frame ff. 248 (i.e. 246). Variously stained, marginal paper repairs. Later mottled-calf, neatly repaired. Folio Vinograd, Venice 327 (incorrect pagination); Habermann, Bomberg 196; Adams L-603

Venice: Daniel Bomberg 1547

Est: $800 - $1,200

PRICE REALIZED $1,700

In this voluminous commentary to the Pentateuch, Ralba"g initially examines the literal meaning of the text before expounding upon philosophical and moral maxims.The author (1288-1344), lived in Provence and represents the Rationalist School within medieval Bible exegesis. During his career, this extraordinary savant provided important contributions in such diverse fields as philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. It is known that Ralba”g was an eminent halachist, however the bulk of his halachic writings have been lost. For a recent detailed study of aspects of Ralba"g's philosophy in the present work, see D. Horowitz, Ha-haritzut Emet: Ralbag's View of a Central Pragmatic Ethical Characteristic of Abraham in: Hazon Nahum, Studies Presented to Norman Lamm (1997) pp. 265-309