Sepher ha-Ibronoth [astronomy and calculations of intercalation and the Jewish calendar].

AUCTION 43 | Thursday, April 02nd, 2009 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 56
BEILIN, ELIEZER

Sepher ha-Ibronoth [astronomy and calculations of intercalation and the Jewish calendar].

Second Edition. Calendrical folding chart at conclusion of book ff. 27 (1). Light waterstains, lower marginal tears on ff.11-14. Later marbled boards. 8vo [Vinograd, Riva di Trento 33; Mehlman 1335].* Bound with: Single leaf from unidentified Hebrew scientific work (see below)

Riva di Trento: Jacob Marcaria 1561

Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Maimonides devotes an entire section of his Mishneh Torah to what he regards as a positive commandment “to know how to determine which is the first day of each month of the year.” Sepher Ibronoth was prepared by Beilin as a manual “to help an individual fulfil these commandments.” Our work actually incorporates several small works: "Iggul de-Rabbi Nachshon" (f.8v.); Tekuphoth de-Rabbi Yitzchak be-Rabbi Shmuel (f.20v.); and Sepher Ra'amim (ff.26v.-27r.). See A. J. Karp, From the Ends of the Earth-Judaic Treasures of the Library of Congress, (1991), pp.197-8. Tipped in the beginning of the volume is a single leaf titled "Hekesh ha-Chilluf," which commences with a riddle of sorts concerning the immaterial nature of the soul. On the rear of the leaf we have a series of circles arranged in tree-like fashion (somewhat reminiscent of the Kabbalistic Ilan). This chart, entitled "Sug ha-Sugim" ["The Types of Species") deals with the different levels of being: tzome'ach (vegetable), chai (animal), medaber (homo sapiens), etc. Possibly extracted from the Shevilei Emunah, Riva di Trento 1558 (?)