Masecheth Avoth BeTargum Leshon Paras [Ethics of the Fathers with Judeo-Persian translation]

AUCTION 53 | Thursday, December 08th, 2011 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 204
(PERSIA)

Masecheth Avoth BeTargum Leshon Paras [Ethics of the Fathers with Judeo-Persian translation]

Verso of tile-page woodcut engraving of the Cave of Machpelah. Hebrew fully vocalized followed by unvocalized Judeo-Persian translation, both in square characters. Partially uncut. copy. ff.(1), 44. Brittle. Unbound. 8vo Friedberg, M-4135

Jerusalem: J.N. Levy and Partners 1902

Est: $500 - $700
This Judeo-Persian translation of the Mishnaic Tractate Avoth was brought out by three brothers, "Israel, Nathanel and Benjamin Shauloff…men of Bukhara and residents of Jerusalem" (title-page). Friedberg credits Shimon Haham with the actual translation to Judeo-Persian. In the mid-19th century Bukharan Jews began to settle in Eretz Israel. In terms of their customs and unique pronunciation of Hebrew, the Bukharan Jews resemble their co-religionists from Persia. They also share the Jewish vernacular that has come to be known as Judeo-Persian.