Meshivath Nephesh [613 Commandments]. Part One only (positive commandments)

AUCTION 38 | Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 233

VITAS, SHABBTHAI

Meshivath Nephesh [613 Commandments]. Part One only (positive commandments)

FIRST EDITION. Title within typographical border. Text in Hebrew and Ladino (Judeo-Espanol). Hebrew text in square characters vocalized, Ladino commentary in Rashi script ff. 54. Light waterstains. Title and ff. 2-3 tape repaired with minimal loss of text. Later boards. 4to. Vinograd, Const. 527; Yaari, Const. 397; Yaari, Ladino 207; Kayserling, p. 109.

Constantinople: Reuben and Nissim, sons of Jonah Aschkenazi; Abraham Yatom 1743 (colophon reads “1748”)

Est: $400 - $600

The book comments at great length upon the Hebrew rhymed Azharot of Solomon ibn Gabirol, recited on Pentecost (Shavu’oth). In his introduction, Vitas alludes to wanderings, possibly even escape from the Spanish Inquisition (“Saphn"a me-ar’a," a play on the word "Spania”). He goes on to express his gratitude to two savants who helped with his work, R. Solomon Algaze and R. Samuel Palache, both prominent names in the Turkish Jewish community. Part Two of this work, comprising the negative commandments, was issued the following year, 1744 (see Yaari, Const. 404)