Shevilei Emunah [astronomical, medical, ethical and kabbalistic encyclopedia].

ALDABI, MEIR

Daniel de Fonseca

Amsterdam

1627

Second edition. With ASTRONOMICAL DIAGRAMS. The Isaiah Tishbi copy with his underlinings and marginal notes alongside many passages.

Vinograd, Amsterdam 17; Fuks 193.

Meir Aldabi, who lived in the 14th century, was a grandson of the Ro”sh (Asher ben Yechiel). This popular work combines the author’s predilection for Kabbalah together with a knowledge of philosophy, medicine and science. It contains ten sections called “Nethivim” (roads), subdivided into chapters, “Shevilim” (paths). It was reprinted many times and served as a source of scientific information for generations. De Fonseca’s Hebrew press at Amsterdam was operative for only one year, during which time he printed just two Hebrew books. The British Museum copy of this Amsterdam edition contains manuscript notes by R. Jacob Emden (see Zedner p. 521).