Midrash tehilim Rabatha. [Midrashic commentary to the Book of Psalms]. * Midrash Shmuel Rabatha [Midrashic commentary to the Book of Samuel]

(MIDRASH)

Daniel Bomberg

Venice

1546

First complete edition. (Midrash Tehilim was published in Constantinople in 1512 [until Psalm 119]; and in Salonika in 1515 [Psalms 119-150]. Thus, this is the first complete edition.) Title within architectural arch. Divisional title. Opening word of each part within an elaborate floral woodcut border. Several words struck by Church censor

Vinograd, Venice 273; Habermann, Bomberg 193; Adams M-1426

The Midrash Tehilim was most likely composed towards the end of the tenth-century, probably in Southern Italy. It is chiefly a compilation of sayings relating to the verses of the Psalms scattered throughout the Agadah, but it also contains some original material. Midrash Tehilim is followed by R. Mattathias Ha-Yizhari’s commentary to the 119th psalm, Peirush ha-Alpha Beitha (58d-66b). Ha-Yizhari (Spain, 14th-15th century) was descended from a Narbonne family that emigrated to Aragon following the expulsion from France in 1306. This is the only work of the Spanish philosopher to be published. He left in manuscript a commentary on the Ethics of the Fathers. Concerning Ha-Yizhari, see EJ, Vol.11, cols. 1129-1130.