Meshivath Nephesh [613 Commandments]. Part One only (positive commandments)

VITAS, SHABBTHAI

Reuben and Nissim, sons of Jonah Aschkenazi; Abraham Yatom

Constantinople

1743 (colophon reads “1748”)

FIRST EDITION. Title within typographical border. Text in Hebrew and Ladino (Judeo-Espanol). Hebrew text in square characters vocalized, Ladino commentary in Rashi script

Vinograd, Const. 527; Yaari, Const. 397; Yaari, Ladino 207; Kayserling, p. 109.

The book comments at great length upon the Hebrew rhymed Azharot of Solomon ibn Gabirol, recited on Pentecost (Shavu’oth). In his introduction, Vitas alludes to wanderings, possibly even escape from the Spanish Inquisition (“Saphn"a me-ar’a," a play on the word "Spania”). He goes on to express his gratitude to two savants who helped with his work, R. Solomon Algaze and R. Samuel Palache, both prominent names in the Turkish Jewish community. Part Two of this work, comprising the negative commandments, was issued the following year, 1744 (see Yaari, Const. 404)