Kaphtor V’Pherach [on the geography and realia of Erez Israel]

HAPARCHI, ESTORI

Meir Parenzo

Venice

(1549?)

FIRST EDITION. Printers device on title (Yaari, 14). Extensive polyglot scholarly marginalia in Hebrew, Arabic and European languages

Vinograd, Venice 361; Mehlman 772; not in Adams

Estori ben Moses HaParchi (1280-1366) was the first topographer of Eretz Israel. Although he was born in Provence, the family hailed from the Andalusian town of Florenza, hence the family name “HaParchi,” a Hebrew translation of the Spanish “flor” (flower). The name “Estori” is a corruption of the title “Ish Tori” (Man of Touraine, France). Kaphtor V'Pherach is an encyclopaedia on all things related to Eretz Israel. It presents opinions and decisions on the agricultural laws, such as tithes (terumah and ma'aser), the Sabbatical year (Shemitah) and Jubilee year (Yovel). The Author delineates the borders of Eretz Israel as presented in the Bible and identifies the areas occupied by each Tribe. He describes Jerusalem and identifies Biblical and Talmudic sites. He also provides information on the differing religions and sects settled in Eretz Isael at the time. According to Zinberg; “Parchi’s work is a genuine treasure trove for the study of Palestine. He presents highly important information on the flora of the land, on measures and weights, on coins from various periods and on numerous matters connected with archaeology.” See I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. III, pp.152-3; and M. Waxman, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. II, pp. 490-1