Yefeh Anaf [commentary to Midrash Rabah of Megilath Ruth, Esther and Eichah]

JAFFE, SAMUEL BEN ISAAC ASCHKENAZI.

Michel Gottschlak

Frankfurt a/Oder

1696

FIRST EDITION. Elaborately historiated title-page featuring Biblical vignettes. A wide margined copy. Front and rear pastedowns with a inscriptions in French and Hebrew by a former Prague owner.

Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Oder 82 (without pagination).

R. Samuel Jaffe-Aschkenazi (d. late 16th century), was spiritual leader of the Aschkenazi community of Constantinople. He is celebrated for his many comprehensive commentaries to Midrash Rabah and similar texts, including Yefeh To’ar, Yefeh Mareh and Yefeh Einayim. See EJ, Vol. IX, col. 1266. Interesting introduction by the editor R. Shimon b. Yaakov, emissary from Safed, relating his trials and tribulations as he traveled through Europe. See Yaari, Shluchei Eretz Yisrael pp. 418-20 and 351-52.