IBN GABBAI, MEIR

Giovanni Griffio

Venice

1567

Maroth Elo-him (Avodath Ha-Kodesh) [Kabbalah]. Upper margin of title and first leaf excissed, not affecting text. * BOUND WITH: ABRAHAM BEN ASHER. Ohr Hasechel [commentary to Midrash Rabbah on the Book of Genesis, with text]. With commentary of Rashi. Tear in final leaf not affecting text

Vinograd, Venice 549 and 537

First work: “Perhaps the finest account of Kabbalistic speculation before the resurgence of the Kabbalah in Safed.” (G. Scholem). The first two editions of the work were titled Maroth Elo-him, thereafter all subsequent editions were styled as Avodath Hakodesh. Second Work: The Author included an expanded version of Rashi’s commentary to the Midrash Rabbah on the book of Genesis. According to Weiner (Koheleth Moshe no. 440), the text of the Midrash published by the author is based upon a manuscript which differs from the standard text. The commentary attributed to Rashi is based upon two different manuscripts. See also Roest (no.85 and no.1628) who cites the introduction of the commentary on the Midrash published a year later in Cracow. Scholars have debated whether the attribution to Rashi is correct. See H. Albeck’s introduction to Midrash Bereishith Rabbah (1965) pp.132-3