Koheleth Ya’akov Toldoth Adam [commentary to the Book of Ecclesiastes, with text]

Baruch ben Moses ibn Baruch

Daniel Zanetti

Venice

1598

FIRST EDITION. Title within ornamental woodcut border and with printer’s device. Previous owner's signature on lower section of the title, dated 1657.

Vinograd, Venice 857

A member of an old noble Spanish family, Baruch ibn Baruch (c. 1540-c.1607) served in the Venetian Rabbinate. This important commentary to the Book of Ecclesiastes consists of two parallel sections: rabbinic-exegetic and philosophic-discursive. To give ground to his speculations, R. Baruch views the Book of Ecclesiastes as a dialogue, in which King Solomon grouped Epicurean views alongside the views of the pious. “Ecclesiastes” (Koheleth), represents the views of the former and “Ben-David” the views of the latter. This logical assumption that the Book of Ecclesiastes is in fact a dialogue is highly original, as each verse seamlessly fits into a general system. According to the author, the following philosophic themes are treated in the Book of Ecclesiastes: The Creation and reasons for creating Man, the immortality and perfection of the soul, Free Will and Divine Providence.