(Ra”N). Derashoth MehaRav Rabbeinu Nissim [sermons]

GERONDI, NISSIM

Gershom Soncino & Son

(Constantinople

1533?)

FIRST EDITION. Printed without a title page. Scattered Hebrew marginalia. Final line of f.113r supplied in old hand. Adolph Lewisohn morocco book-label

Vinograd, Const. 143; Yaari, Const. 110; Mehlman 903; not in Adams

Complete Copy of Rare Editio Princeps of Derashoth ha-Ra"N R. Nissim ben Reuben Gerondi (1310?-1375?) acted in an unofficial capacity as rabbi and Dayan in Barcelona. His scholarly fame rests upon his commentary to Alfasi on several tractates of the Talmud. Concerning Derashot ha-Ra"n, a book of twelve sermons, Prof. Leon Feldman writes that they are "of a decidedly anti-philosophic character though written in the style of philosophical literature" ( EJ, Vol. XII, col.1186). Rabbeinu Nissim was the teacher of Hasdai Crescas - the anti-Aristotelianism for which Crescas is renowned, perhaps absorbed from his teacher.