Derashoth HaTorah [sermons to the Pentateuch]

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

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

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Lot 154

IBN SHEM TOV, SHEM TOV BEN JOSEPH

Derashoth HaTorah [sermons to the Pentateuch]

Third edition. Title within architectural arch. Initial word of each Book within decorative surround. Previous owners' signatures and inscriptions on title and final flyleaf including: prominent members of the Segri family -Yoseph Asher Segri on the title and the four brothers Shlomo, Moshe, Abraham,Yehudah on the final flyleaf f. 81. Mispaginated as in all copies but complete, few taped repairs, small loss on ff. 31-33, some staining. Modern calf. Folio Vinograd, Padua 2

Padua: Lorenzo Pasquato 1567

Est: $400 - $600

PRICE REALIZED $450

Though a prolific author of philosophic works, only two of the literary creations of Shem Tov (Spain, 15th century) were published - the present Derashoth HaTorah and the commentary to Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed (which continues to this day to be reprinted in standard editions of the Guide). See EJ, Vol VII, col. 1199. Shem Tov’s Derashoth ha-Torah cites abundantly from his predecessors - Sa’adyah, Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, Gersonides - with constant referral to the Guide (“HaMoreh”). Appended are several sermons on the theme of Repentance (Derash LeTeshuvah). Despite the ancient presence of the University - one of the great institutions of learning in Europe - only two Hebrew books were printed in Padua throughout the 16th-century. See Amram, pp. 338-41 and 387-88