[Midrashim on the Pentateuch]. Anonymous.

MIDRASH RABBOTH

Justinian-Adelkind

Venice

1545

FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural border. Printer’s device on title (see: Yaari’s Printer’s Marks no. 16)

Vinograd, Venice 242; Habermann, Adelkind 22; not in Adams

The Midrash Rabboth are the most important of the Agadic collections. Denominated Large (‘Rabba”) on account of its sheer quantity and to distinguish it from smaller collections on the Biblical books. The systemization and organization of this mass of Agadic matter accumulated into this collection lasted several centuries, indeed one of these midrashim was compiled as late as the Twelfth Century. Two simultanious editions appeared in 1545, one printed by the House of Bomberg and one by Cornilius Adelkind for the House of Gustiniani. Regarding the bibliographical and typographical issue-points in these two editions see: A. Marx, Bibliographical Studies and Notes (1977) p.374. The present copy collates as per Habermann.