Auction 30 · Lot 59

Biur al HaTorah [Midrashic and Kabbalistic commentary to the Pentateuch]

Estimate: $6,000–$9,000
Hammer price: $5,000

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

author

BACHIAH BEN ASHER

printer

Gershom Soncino

Place

Pesaro

Publication

1517

Description

Initial words within woodcut borders. Printed in two columns. Inscription in Sephardic script, dated 1605, donating this volume to a Synagogue, stating the officers agreed it should not be removed. Owners’ signatures Abraham Gedalia (a number of times) at end of Bereishith

references

Vinograd, Pesaro 43; Mehlman 639; not in Adams

summary

Greatly influential encyclopedic work utilizing a wide variety of sources. Especially noteworthy are R. Bachiah’s Kabbalistic references as well as Midrashic interpretations. He was well versed in this literature and brings forth passages from lost Midrashim. For an excellent work on the Kabbalistic sources of R. Bachiah, see E. Gottlieb, Mekorotav shel R. Bachiah...Be’kitvei R. Yoseph Gikatilla in: Bar Ilan University Annual Vol. I (1969) pp. 306-26; and R. Yitzchak Sag Nahor Ve’Talmidav- Mekorot R. Bachiah Be’kitvei Ha’mekubalim, in: Bar Ilan University Annual, Samuel Bialoblocki Memorial Volume, (1964) pp.215-50. See also Y. Yudlov, Typographical Changes in Hebrew Books, Areshet, VI, pp. 96-98

ff. 272(of 274) first and final leaf in facsimile. ff. 2 repaired with loss of some words. Modern vellum with slip-case. Folio

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