Auction 79 · Lot 15

Biur al HaTorah [commentary to the Torah]

Estimate: $1,000–$1,500
Hammer price: $1,800

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

BACHIAH BEN ASHER

printer

Giorgio di Cavalli

Place

Venice

Publication

1566

Description

Title within architectural arch. Title of each of the Five Books within an elaborate woodcut border incorporating the elephant-and-castle printer’s mark of Cavalli (Yaari, Printer’s Devices 33).

references

Vinograd, Venice 514.

summary

Bachiah ben Asher ben Chalawa (13th-century), Dayan of Saragossa, was a Kabbalist of the school of R. Solomon ibn Adret of Barcelona (the Rashb"a). His Commentary is one of the most influential encyclopedic works on the Torah utilizing a wide variety of sources. Noteworthy are his Kabbalistic references, Midrashic interpretations as well as citations from lost Midrashim. The immense popularity of Rabbeinu Bachiah’s work is attested to by the dozen or so super-commentaries that have been written upon it.

ff. 251. Stained in places, opening few leaves neatly remargined, signatures on title. Bound in Valmadonna-custom mahogany calf inlaid in blind and gilt. Folio.

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