Auction 17 · Lot 183

(Gaon of Pumbeditha). Mishpatei Shevu’oth [“A Treatise on Oaths”]

Estimate: $400–$600
Hammer price: $550

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

author

HAI BEN SHERIRA

printer

Daniel Zanetti

Place

Venice

Publication

1602

Description

FIRST EDITION. Title within decorative woodcut cartouche

references

Vinograd, Venice 951

summary

Hai Gaon was the last of the great Geonim of Mesopotamia. Only fragments of the Arabic original of this work are extant. This Hebrew rendering was compiled by an unknown translator. Hai Gaon was opposed to the absolute annulment of vows on the eve of the Day of Atonement and his formulation of the Kol Nidrei prayer reads; “Of all vows....which we have vowed..... and have omitted to fulfill either through neglect or under constraint, we pray that the Lord in Heaven may absolve and pardon us.”

ff. 55. Dampstained in places, expert marginal repairs to title, previous owners inscription on front-free endpaper, signed by censor on verso of final leaf, starting. Contemporary morocco-backed paper boards, rubbed. Sm. 4to

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