Psalms (Tehillim). With commentary of David Kimchi (Rada”k)

(BIBLE)

Joseph ben Jacob Aschkenazi Gunzenhauser

Naples

1487

Second edition. Biblical text in square type with nikud. Horizontal line above “raphah” (soft) consonants veith, khaph and thav; Kimchi’s commentary in Rashi script. Typical of Rada”k’s commentary to Psalms, several passages censored. Marginalium on f.71r. Edited by Jacob Baruch ben Judah Landa Aschkenazi (see colophon)

Vinograd, Naples 4; Goff 29; Goldstein 49; Offenberg 35; Steinschneider, p. 2, no. 6; Thes. A57; Wineman Cat. 31

The First Hebrew Book Printed in Naples. A Wide-Margined Copy. This edition of Psalms, complete with Kimchi’s commentary, was issued by Gunzenhauser the same year as Proverbs (see Lot 32) and Job (see Lot 33). In rabbinic tradition, the three books of Iyov (Job), Mishlei (Proverbs) and Tehillim (Psalms) form one unit, whose initials spell the word “Emeth” (Truth). The Gunzenhausers, pioneers in Hebrew printing, went to Naples from Gunzehausen in Southern Germany. In Naples they established a press, assembled a talented team of typsetters and proof-readers and between the years 1487-1492 produced in sum twelve books