b'47BALMES, ABRAHAM DE. Mikneh Avram (Sepher Dikduk).FIRST EDITION.Hebrew issue (with vowel points). ff. 157. Lightly stained in places, previous owners marks on title. Recent calf-backed marbled boards. 4to. [Vinograd, Venice 82.] Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1523. $1200 - $1800 Distinguished in many fields, de Balmes was an ordained rabbi, a translator of scientic and philosophical works from Hebrew into Latin, as well as a lecturer at the University of Padua, where he attained renown as an Aristotelian. He also served as physician to Cardinal Grimani of Venice. GreatlyvaluedbycontemporaryChristianHebraists,de Balmes prepared this grammatical study at the urging of the printer Bomberg, with whom a deep friendship was shared. Mikneh Avram appeared in two issues, with and without a Latin translation, i. e., one for the Jewish market, and the bilingual issue more suited to the needs of Christians. The Hebrew version has a different title-page than the bilingual edition and the introduction is printed in Rashi letters, whereas the introduction in the bilingual version is printed in square Hebrew letters. The present Jewish version is far more scarce, as the Christian-owned editions were unlikely to have been desecrated over the centuries. See D. Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963), pp. 169-172.48BEDERSI, JEDAIAH (Hapenini). Bechinath Olam [ethics].ff. (44). Opening few leaves remargined, light stains, repaired worming. Modern calf. 12mo [Vinograd, Mantua 30; Mehlman 969.] Mantua, Jacob Kohen, 1556. $500 - $700 A profound poetic composition on the futility and vanity of the world and the inestimably greater benets of intellectual and religious pursuits. The author finds consolation in Maimonides world of ideas, concluding that the greatest achievement for Man is to perfect ones understanding and immerse oneself in the grandeur of the idea of God. No power in the world can can break Mans will when he strives toward this exalted goal. For a critical analysis of Jedaiah Hapeninis poetic style, see I. Zinberg,, A History of Jewish Literature (1975) Vol. III, pp. 96-8.49(BERDITCHEV). Jacob ben Isaac of Janow. Tzeenah Ureenah [interpretation of the Chumash and Haphtoroth for women and children]. Text in Yiddish. Printed on green tinted paper. ff. 183 (mispaginated). Trimmed, worn and stained. Recent boards. 4to. Berditchev, 1815. $400 - $600 Rare edition, bibliographically unrecorded. Although the title-page states in large letters Dyhernfurth as the imprint, this volume was actually printed in the famed Chassidic town of Berditchev, as noted in the much smaller letters on the left side of the title.25'