Auction 57 · Lot 6

Shoresh Yishai [Kabbalistic commentary to the Book of Ruth, with text]

Estimate: $1,500–$2,000
Hammer price: $1,500

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

ALKABETZ, SOLOMON HALEVI.

printer

Solomon ibn Usque

Place

Constantinople

Publication

1561

Description

FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch. A wide margined copy.

references

Vinograd, Const. 221; Yaari, Const. 163; Adams B-1327.

summary

Solomon Alkabetz (c. 1505-84) was a liturgical poet and Kabbalist, venerated today as the composer of “Lechah Dodi,” a mystical love-song to the Sabbath Queen chanted at sundown on Friday. Alkabetz, together with other members of a mystic fraternity headed by R. Joseph Karo, emigrated from the Balkans to the Land of Israel, settling in Safed in 1535. He was a prolific author, producing commentaries on Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, the Minor Prophets, Psalms, Job and the Passover Haggadah. R. Moses Cordovero was initially Alkabetz’s disciple, although it seems that eventually their relationship was reversed with Alkabetz becoming a student of Cordovero. See EJ, Vol. II, cols. 635-7.

ff. 96. Some staining, previous owners’ signatures in Sephardic hands on verso of final leaf, slight paper repair to verso of title and upper margin of final leaf, small marginal hole on first few leaves. Modern calf. Sm. 4to.

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