Midrash Bechidush. With commentary by Eliezer Nachman Foa

(HAGADAH)

Giovanni Calleoni for Bragadin

Venice

1641

FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch

Yudlov 58; Yaari 44

Eliezer Nachman Foa was a link in a kabbalistic chain of tradition; his teacher was R. Menachem Azariah (Ram”a) of Fano and his disciple was R. Moses Zacuto (Rama”z) - both doyens of the Italian school of Kabbalah. A member of an ancient illustrious Italian family, the author served as Chief Rabbi of the Duchy of Modena. For an extensive treatment of many distinguished members of the Foa family, see: A. Yaari, Mechkerei Sepher (1958), pp. 325-44. One branch of the Foa family, under the leadership of Tobias Foa, devoted itself to Hebrew printing. The printer’s mark was represented by the family crest: a Star of David over a palm tree flanked by two lions(cf. Yaari’s Printers’ Marks nos. 20-21, 87-88 and 104-113). In recent years this commentary has become popular among followers of the Grand Rabbi of Belz who republished it together with comments by other senior notables among the Belz dynasty of Chassidic leaders