Megilath Ta’anith [Scroll of Fast Days]. With commentaries: Peirush shel MaHaRA”H and Chidushei shel MaHaRA”H.

CHANANIAH BEN CHEZEKIAH BEN GIRON.

Immanuel Benveniste

Amsterdam

1659

FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural columns. Printer’s mark (see Yaari, Hebrew Printers’ Marks 61)

Vinograd, Amsterdam 258.

According to Rashi (Shabbath 13b), Megilath Ta’anith was the first portion of the Oral Law to be committed to writing. It is of great importance for the study of the Second Temple period, and records the various events in commemoration of which fasting is proscribed. Of the long roster arranged according to the months of the year, only the section concerning Chanukah is still in effect. In general, the halachic ruling is “batlah megilath ta’anith” [the scroll of fast days was nullified] (Rosh Hashanah 18b). Needless to say, this does not minimize in the least the importance of the historic information to be gleaned therein. See also EJ, Vol. XI, cols. 1231-2. The long commentary Chidushei shel MaHaRa”H is replete with Kabbalistic doctrine, which most certainly was obtained from the work of the author’s townsman, R. Nathan Spira, in his Megaleh Amukoth (Cracow 1637).