Reshith Chochmah ["Beginning of Wisdom": ethics]

AUCTION 47 | Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 1:00

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

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Lot 94

DE VIDAS, ELIJAH.

Reshith Chochmah ["Beginning of Wisdom": ethics]

FIRST EDITION ff. 8, 1-88, 93-96, 93-248, 269-272, 253-421, (1 blank), (32). Stained, closely shaved. Modern calf-backed boards. Thick 4to Vinograd, Venice 642; Haberman, di Gara 54

Venice: Giovanni di Gara 1579

Est: $1,200 - $1,800

PRICE REALIZED $2,400

Rare First Edition of Classic of Ethics. Elijah de Vidas was a disciple of R. Moses Cordovero, doyen of Safed kabbalists. Despite its mystical overtones, Reishith Chochmah has become a popular classic within ethical literature. It discusses all moral aspects of Jewish life linking the motifs of aggadic and mussar literature with that of Kabbalah, thus broadly disseminating mystical ideas.