Midrash Chamesh Megilloth Meharaboth [commentary to the Five Scrolls]

(MIDRASH)

(Justinian-Adelkind)

Venice

1545

Extensive scholarly Hebrew marginalia on Midrash Ruth and Eichah Rabathi (ff. 29a-36a and ff. 47a-55b) in a faint but legible late 16th - early 17th century Aschkenazic hand, slightly cut by binder in places. First word of each book within elaborate woodcut design. Printed in double columns.

Vinograd, Venice 242; St. Cat. Bod. 3756.

According to Steinschneider the Midrash Chamesh Megilloth was published simultaneously with the Midrash on the Pentateuch. Traditionally each of the Five Scrolls is reserved for a different occasion in the Jewish year: The Song of Songs is read on Passover; Ruth on Shavu’oth; Esther on Purim; Eichah (Lamentations) on the Fast of the Ninth of Av and Koheleth (Ecclesiastes) on Sukkoth. The author of these scholarly marginal notes seems to have written other commentaries on the Midrash elsewhere. The final line of his marginal comment on the left margin of f. 30a states “I have previously explained this Midrash.”