Lev Aharon [commentary to the Books of Joshua and Judges]

IBN CHAIM, AARON.

Giovani di Gara

Venice

1609

FIRST EDITION. Title within ornate architectural arch. Opening word within ornamental border. Printers mark on f. 2v. (Yaari, Hebrew Printers’ Marks, 19) THE RABBI NACHUM DOV-BER FRIEDMAN OF SADIGURA COPY with his alternating stamp on title, signature on front-free endpaper and book-label on front pastedown

Vinograd, Venice 1052; Habermann, di Gara 266

Rabbi Nachum Dov Ber Friedman was one of the great bibliophiles amongst Chassidic Rabbis. His library was formed from three sources, books inherited from his forbears, books purchased from his own funds, and books given to him as a gift. He utilized different stamps indicating the source, e.g. Kinyan Kaspi (purchased from my own funds) as in this copy, Yerushath Avothai (inherited), and Minchath Shai (a gift). The author, R. Aaron ibn Chaim (1545-1632) served as a dayan or justice in the court of Vidal ha-Tzarfati in Fez, Morocco. He is most famous for his commentary on the Siphra or Torath Kohanim, "Korban Aharon." It is possible that in composing a commentary to the Siphra, ibn Chaim was following in the footsteps of his mentor Vidal ha-Tzarfati, who earlier composed such a commentary. The present commentary to Joshua and Judges excels in its command of Midrashic and Talmudic literature. See Ch.J.D. Azulai, Shem ha-Gedolim I, V-6; EJ, Vol. VIII, cols. 1179-1180 (incl. facs.)