Reshith Chochmah

DE VIDAS, ELIJAH

Isaac b. Aaron (Prosstitz)

Cracow

1593

Third edition. Title within wreathed architectural columns. Headpieces and tailpieces. On front blank, inscription attesting that the book was purchased by Schneur Katz of Metz from R. David Oppenheim in 1690 for the sum of 10 schillings

Vinograd, Cracow 162; Mehlman 1002

THE DAVID OPPENHEIM(ER) COPY. Collector par excellance, David ben Abraham Oppenheimer (1664-1736) was Rabbi of Prague and later Landrabbiner (Chief Rabbi) of all of Bohemia. A bibliophile from his early youth, he utilized family wealth to establish a formidable library, which presently resides in the the Bodleian Library, Oxford Elijah de Vidas (16th century) was a disciple of R. Moses Cordovero, doyen of Safed kabbalists. Reshith Chochmah, despite its mystical overtones, has become a classic of ethics