[Midrashim]. Anonymous. (Attributed to Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus)

Estimate

$400–$600

Hammer price

$500

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

author

Pirkei ReBI Eliezer

printer

J. de Ferri

Place

Venice

Publication

1544

Description

Third edition

references

Vinograd, Venice 229; Habermann, Adelkind 8&9; Adams E-136

summary

One of the earliest aggadic books, Pirkei Rebi Eliezer aims to inculcate ethical teachings for daily life, by demonstrating moral values deduced from the beauty of the Biblical narrative. Embellished with many stories, the works’ style at times, waxes poetic, especially concerning the coming of the Messiah, a subject to which many passages are devoted. According to Waxman; “The book is of a peculiar character, it cannot be said to be a strictly ethical book as it contains a good deal of extraneous matters, such as chapters on astronomy, the calculation of the calendar and many exotic legends. It is best characterized...as an ethical narrative book.” See M. Waxman, Vol. I, pp.144-5

ff. 50. Lightly browned, scattered stains in places, scattered marginalia in an early hand, signed by censor on verso of final leaf. Modern vellum-backed boards. 4to

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