Reishith Chochmah [“Beginning of Wisdom:” ethics]

AUCTION 65 | Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Ceremonial Objects and Graphic Art

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Lot 70

DE VIDAS, ELIJAH.

Reishith Chochmah [“Beginning of Wisdom:” ethics]

<<FIRST EDITION.>> Marginalia. ff. 8, 1-88, 93-96, 93-248, 269-272, 253-421, (32). Opening eight- and concluding two index leaves supplied from a shorter copy, previous owners’ inscriptions and signatures in various places, marginal repair on final leaves, variously stained, title and introductory leaves loose and slightly frayed, affecting a few letters of the introductory poem. Modern boards. Thick 4to. Vinograd, Venice 642.

Venice: Giovanni di Gara 1579

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,800

<<Rare First Edition of a 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.