Three works bound in three volumes: * Rosh Amanah [on the principles of faith]. * Zevach Pesach [commentary on the Hagadah, with text] . * Nachlath Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC.

David & Samuel ibn Nahmais

Constantinople

1505

FIRST EDITION. Title Page of Nachlath Avoth with poem by the Author’s eldest son, Judah (Leone Ebreo) Abrabanel, enclosed by a metalcut, white-on-black historiated border of animals designed by the Marrano, Alfonso de Cordoba

Vinograd, Const. 9, 3 & 12; Yaari, Const. 3; Mehlman 1189; Yudlov, Hagadah 5; Yaari, Hagadah 3; not in Adams

Rosh Amanah [“The Pinnacle of Faith”] is Abrabanel’s most important work on philosophical-theoological questions. The work is devoted to the championship of the Maimonidean thirteen Articles of Belief against the attacks of Chasdai Crescas and Joseph Albo. Zevach Pesach [“Passover Sacrifice”] is the first edition of the Passover Hagadah to be published with a commentary of any kind. (See, Yerushalmi 5). Nachlath Avoth [“The Inheritance of the Fathers”] is Abrabanel’s testimony to the worthiness of the suffering endured by the Jewish Expulsion from Spain. The Nahmias Brothers, who printed this compendium of three works were themselves exiles from Spain who established their press in 1505. It was the first printing-press beyond Europe’s borders. These three works were the first of Abrabanel’s writings to be given to their press. It is clear from the colophon that the three works were published together as one - with one colophon for all. The rare separate colophon page is bound here at the end of Rosh Amana. The elaborate metal-cut border around the opening pages of these works was the first border to be used in a Hebrew book. For a detailed biography of Abrabanel’s experiences and philosophical conclusions regarding the Spanish Expulsion see B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel, Statesman & Philosopher (1968)