Bechinath Olam [“Contemplation of the World.”] With anonymous commentary

BEDERSI, YEDAI’AH (HA’PENINI)

Joshua Solomon ben Israel Nathan Soncino, 24th Kislev

Soncino

1484

Second edition. Text in square Hebrew characters, commentary in cursive rabbinic types

Vinograd, Soncino 8; Goff 61; Goldstein 27; Offenberg 76; Thes. A30; Wineman Cat. 16

R. Yedai’ah Bedersi (c.1270-1340) was a native of Beziers, Provence. His Bechinath Olam is a profound poetic composition on the futility and vanity of the world and the inestimably greater benefits of intellectual and religious pursuits. The author finds consolation in Maimonides’ world of ideas, concluding that the greatest achievement for man is to “perfect one’s understanding and immerse oneself in the grandeur of the idea of God. No power in the world can can break man’s will when he strives toward this exalted goal.” For a brief critical analysis of Bedersi’s poetic style, see I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. III (1973) pp. 96-8