Midrash Chamesh Megilloth Meharaboth [commentary to the Five Scrolls]

AUCTION 66 | Thursday, November 19th, 2015 at 1:00

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

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Lot 152

(MIDRASH)

Midrash Chamesh Megilloth Meharaboth [commentary to the Five Scrolls]

<<Extensive scholarly Hebrew marginalia>> on Midrash Ruth and Eichah Rabathi (ff. 29a-36a and ff. 47a-55b) in a faint but legible late 16th - early 17th century Aschkenazic hand, slightly cut by binder in places. First word of each book within elaborate woodcut design. Printed in double columns. ff. 84 [i.e. 90], ff. 50 and 55 misbound. Title laid down, some staining, marginal worming with tape repair in places, few words lightly censored, censor’s inscriptions and signature on final page. Modern vellum backed boards. Folio. Vinograd, Venice 242; St. Cat. Bod. 3756.

Venice: (Justinian-Adelkind) 1545

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,100

According to Steinschneider the Midrash Chamesh Megilloth was published simultaneously with the Midrash on the Pentateuch. Traditionally each of the Five Scrolls is reserved for a different occasion in the Jewish year: The Song of Songs is read on Passover; Ruth on Shavu’oth; Esther on Purim; Eichah (Lamentations) on the Fast of the Ninth of Av and Koheleth (Ecclesiastes) on Sukkoth. The author of these scholarly marginal notes seems to have written other commentaries on the Midrash elsewhere. The final line of his marginal comment on the left margin of f. 30a states “I have previously explained this Midrash.”