Lev Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

Estimate

$1,500–$2,000

Hammer price

$1,000

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

HALEVI, SOLOMON BEN ISAAC (THE ELDER)

printer

(Joseph Ya’abetz)

Place

Salonika

Publication

1565

Description

FIRST EDITION. THE DANIEL ITZIG COPY, with his stamp on title

references

Vinograd, Salonika 66; Adams M-1481

summary

A member of the Portuguese Bet Ha’levi Family, Solomon ben Isaac was born in Salonika. After a short period serving as rabbi of Uskub, Yugoslavia, he returned to Salonika. His devotion to communal affairs made his influence in Salonika inestimable and gained him the appelation “Ha’zaken” (The Elder). EJ II, col. 85-6 In the introduction, the author states he completed the first draft of this work aged 21 in 1553 in honor of his engagement. He read parts of it to his bride. He states he revised it ten years later and “although "old age" has set in, it is not from hard labor but purely from the toil of the Torah." One of the earliest complete commentaries to the Pirkei Avoth.

ff. 128. Dampstained, taped repairs to title and first few leaves, previous owners signature on title, old-hand inscription on verso of final leaf. Recent boards. Sm. 4to

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