Nachlath Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC

David & Samuel ibn Nahmias

Constantinople

1505

FIRST EDITION. Initial text page with a poem by the Author’s eldest son, Judah (Leone Ebreo) Abrabanel, enclosed by a metalcut, white-on-black historiated border of animals designed by the Marrano, Alfonso de Cordoba. A fine copy.

Vinograd, Const. 12; Mehlman 124.

Nachlath Avoth [“The Inheritance of the Fathers”] contains Abrabanel’s testimony to the merit of the suffering that was endured due to the Expulsion from Spain. Abrabanel asserts that what gives meaning to Jewish tragedy is the moral heritage that has been guarded by generations of Jews and which, Abrabanel warns, is in jeopardy due to rising materialistic tendencies post-Exile. The Nahmias Brothers, who printed this work were themselves exiles from Spain who established their press in 1505. It was the first printing-press, in any language, to operate beyond Europe’s borders. For a detailed biography of Abrabanel’s experiences and philosophical conclusions regarding the Spanish Expulsion see B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel, Statesman & Philosopher (1968).