Sepher Tuv Ta’am [on cantillation points and grammatical accents]

AUCTION 44 | Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 1:00

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

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Lot 178

LEVITA, ELIJAH BACHUR

Sepher Tuv Ta’am [on cantillation points and grammatical accents]

FIRST EDITION. Lengthy two page kabbalistc note in a Sephardic hand written on recto and verso of title pp. 35. Few stains, small tear on final leaf. Modern blind-tooled calf. 8vo Vinograd, Venice 155; Mehlman 1234

Venice : Daniel Bomberg 1538

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $2,600

Levita put forth the theory that the Torah's cantillation points (Trop) were not Sinaitic but rather post-Talmudic in origin. This novel idea, which contradicted that stated in the Talmud (see TB Nedarim 37b and commentaries) became the subject of much controversy. See EJ, Vol. XI, col. 134. This work proved to be so popular that it was immediately republished in Basle, 1539.