MOSES BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES/RaMBa”M). Moreh Nevuchim [“Guide to the Perplexed”]

(KARAITICA)

Cornilio Adelkind for Tobias Foa

Sabbionetta

1553

Third edition. With commentaries by Shem-Tov, Ephodi and ibn Crescas. Title within historiated border. Printer’s device on title (cf. Yaari no. 20). With: Provencal, Moses. Biur Inyan Shenei Kavim [dissertation on the Theorem of Apollonius]. Bound between ff.64-5. lacking from most copies. WITH EXTENSIVE KARAITE ANNOTATIONS.

Vinograd, Sabbioneta 8; Haberman, Adelkind 113; not in Adams

With extensive marginal annotations by a Karaite scholar, Yitzchak ben Moshe Mangovi (signature on f. 46r), a leader of the Karaite community in Egypt. Also with notes in another Karaite hand. The writer analyzes many philosophic concepts discussed by Maimonides and the classic commentators Ephodi and Shemtob. Such as the Sinaitic tradition, the nature of the Hebrew tongue and the role of the Divine within the world. Although a Karaite, the writer had familiarity with Rabbinic writings, he discusses the Midrashic statement that the Torah existed before the world was created - trying to reconcile this with the fact that the Torah states that God spoke to Moses (f.47a). Includes a number of scientific and astronomic diagrams (f. 25r, 55v, 64v). It is unusual for a Karaite scholar to write so extensively upon a rabbinic text.