Torah Ohr. With a poem by “Asarja” (Bonajuto de Rossi) entitled Neor Einayim on the Earthquake of Ferrara, 1574-75

YACHYAH, JOSEPH

The Company of Silk-Weavers

Bologna

1538

FIRST EDITION. Opening word within ornamental woodcut border. Pictographic introductory poem in the form of the Temple Candelabra on verso of title

Vinograd, Bologna 13; Mehlman 1202; not in Adams

Joseph ben David ibn Yachyah was born in Florence, Italy, his parents having fled there from Portugal. The family finally settled in the city of Imola. He studied under R. Judah Mintz in Padua. Divided into 78 chapters, Torah Ohr deals with Jewish dogma and theology as well as eschatology. The introduction contains interesting biographical information regarding dramtic experiences in the lives of ibn Yachyah’s parents. His father, Gedaliya and mother Deena, fled to Pisa in 1495, but were imprisoned by the French invaders soon after their arrival. For her safety, Deena was obliged to disguise herself as a man. When true identity was discovered by her jailors, she escaped assailment by jumping from a high roof. She survived, and soon after gave birth to the author. This work is the third of only nine books printed by the Jewish Silk Weaver’s Guild. See Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy, pp.232-35