(“Ha-Penini”). Bechinath Olam [“The Book of the Examination of the World”]. Translated into Latin by Allardus Uchtmannus. Latin dedication and commendatory poem on opening unnumbered leaves. Hebrew and Latin on facing pages

Estimate

$500–$700

Hammer price

Not recorded

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

author

JEDAIAH BEN ABRAHAM BEDERSI

printer

Johannes Le Maire

Place

Leiden

Publication

1650

Description

Title printed in red and black. Printer’s device on title. Both Latin and Hebrew initials historiated. Hebrew letters in attractive large font

references

Vinograd, Leiden 44; Fuks, Leiden 39

summary

A profound poetic composition on the futility and vanity of the World and the inestimably greater benefits of intellectual and religious pursuits. The author, a native of Beziers, Provence, finds consolation in Maimonides’ world of ideas, concluding that the greatest achievement for Man is to “perfect one’s understanding and immerse oneself in the grandeur of the idea of God. No power in the World can can break Man’s will when he strives toward this exalted goal.” For a critical analysis of Jedaiah ha-Penini’s poetic style, see I. Zinberg, Vol. III, pp. 96-8

pp. (24), 369. Ex library. Minor stains. Contemporary calf, rebacked, worn. 12mo

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