Sepher Ha’Aruch [Talmudic dictionary]

NATHAN BEN YECHIEL OF ROME.

Gershom Soncino

(Pesaro)

1517

Second Edition. Title within decorative Soncino border. Previous owner’s inscriptions: Presented to Rabbi Yechezkel Banet upon a rabbinic appointment. Also owned by R. Alexander Zushye Klein of Toltshava who received it in trade for other books from Yisrael Meir Gross of Kemetsch, in 1876.

Vinograd, Pesaro 44; St. Cat. Bodl. 2041 (editio rarissima); Adams N-59.

Nathan’s Aruch is “a manifestation not only of its author’s brilliance and deep acquaintance with sources, but also of his encyclopaedic knowledge. Indeed, in some instances it is the sole source for ancient traditions of Talmudic interpretation.” S. B. Linderman, Sefer Sarid B’Arachin (1972) Introduction. The work is important for its many citations of Gaonic sources, descriptions of Jewish customs, and citations of long-lost Midrashim. See Heller, The Sixteenth Century Hebrew Book (2004) pp. 104-5. The previous owner Rabbi Yechezkel Banet was the son-in-law of R. Abraham Yitzchak Glick of Toltshava and grandson R. Shlomo Ganzfried, the author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. See P. Z. Schwartz, Shem HaGedolim Me’Eretz Hagar (1913) Vol. I, p. 86 no. 112.