/RaMBa”N). Sha’ar Hagemul [on eschatology]

MOSES BEN NACHMAN (NACHMANIDES.

Abraham ibn Usque

Ferrara

1556

Third edition. Title within architectural arch with the printer’s device of an armillary sphere resting on a scroll with a verse from Psalm 130:5; repeated on last page. f.26r with letter by the Author in Jerusalem to his son. THE AZRIEL HILDESHEIMER COPY, with his signature on title.

Vinograd, Ferrara 45; Mehlman 1214; not in Adams

The printer, formerly known as Duarte Pinel, fled his home in Portugal, for safety in Italy, following the unmasking of his heretofore concealed Marrano identity in 1550. Usque was responsible for the appearance two years earlier of the celebrated “Ferrara Bible” - the first edition of the Old Testament in Spanish. Clearly a testament to the tolerance and liberal sentiment of the princely Family of Este, rulers of the Duchy of Ferrara, who formed there a brilliant Renaissance court. Verso of final leaf of this work, with the famed historical letter penned by Nachmanides to his son, describing the condition and destitution of Eretz Israel following the invasion of the Tatar hordes in 1260. Penultimate leaf with intresting poem by Usque entitled"Pekach einecha yelud isha?" (“What use is there for the eye if it is closed?”); exhorting man to pursue knowledge - particularly Torah knowledge. Davidson in Otzar Hashira Vehapiyut vol.III,p.304-5 no.178, notes this beautiful poem was originally published by the printer Joseph ben Joel [Bibas] in the Constantinople 1518 edition of Sha’ar Hagemul. Usque revised it by eliminating the sixth and seventh stanzas entirely and substituted his own name and a later date in the final stanza.