(Ba’al HaTurim). Peirush HaTorah LeRabbeinu Ya’akov - (Rimzei Ba’al HaTurim) [commentary on the Pentateuch]

JACOB BEN ASHER.

Samuel ibn Nachmias

Constantinople

1514

FIRST EDITION. Title within handsome historiated white-on-black woodcut border, with printer’s device (Yaari no. 8) above title. Initial word of each part within decorative white-on-black woodcut

Vinograd, Const. 41; Yaari, Const. 25, St. Cat. Bodl. col. 5500 no. 43; Mehlman 658; Adams J-10

Although bibliographers have taken note of an earlier, probably phantom edition, supposedly issued fourteen years prior (Vinograd, Const. 2), this 1514 editon appears to be the first edition of the famed exegesis of the Ba’al HaTurim. His exegesis consists of Masoretic calculations and hermeneutical interpretations, i.e. Gematria and Notarikon. It has become a standard component of almost all editions of the Pentateuch. The Ba’al HaTurim’s lesser known, albeit comprehensive commentary to the Pentateuch did not appear until 1806 and indeed concentrates on providing “peshat” only. The author achieved ever-lasting renown for his remarkable Rabbinic code, the Arbah Turim (see next lot)