(Hayarchi). Sepher HaManhig.

ABRAHAM BEN NATHAN OF LUNEL

Solomon ben Mazal-Tov

Constantinople

1519

FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut block floral border.

Vinograd, Const. 110; Mehlman 691.

The first work on European Minhag. A record of customs, particularly concerning prayer and synagogue functions as practiced in Provence, southern France. Its explicit purpose was to demonstrate the Halachic underpinning for every Minhag. Due to the wider circulation of Halachic decisions emanating from Spanish Rabbinic authorities, a need arose to record indigenous communal practices and so prevent confusion. The author, R. Abraham ben Nathan of Lunel, was a disciple of R. Abraham ben David of Posquières (RABa"D), famous for his glosses to Maimonides and to Alfasi. See Isadore Twersky, Rabad of Posquières (1962), pp. 240-44. A fine, wide margined copy of a significant and rare text.