Auction 17

Rambam, Venice 1551. With a handwritten note by Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi, the Shita Mekubetzet and rabbi of the Ari.

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Mishnah Torah of the Rambam, first section. Books: Science, Love, and Time. Combination of two editions of Venice printings—Jushtenian and Bragadin. With many handwritten glosses in Mizrahi handwriting (dated to the 16th century). The 7th chapter of halachot brachot (page 67(1)). 7 lined gloss, handwritten by Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi, who together with his students fixed the foundational Jewish texts, the Bavli and Yerushalmi talmuds, Rambam, and Rif. He lived approximately from 1520-1594. Was a student of Rabbi Yisrael Najara and rabbi of the Ari. Rabbi Yisrael Najara eulogized his student thusly: “A holy man of God.” His book Shita Mekubetzet was one of the most important books for all those studying gemara, and never left the tables of Torah sages. Until lately, it was traditional to give a bar mitzvah boy a copy, and a copy of the Shas for his wedding. Accompanied by a certificate signed by an expert on manuscripts, Rav Shimon Schwartz, on the identity of the gloss’s author. Bound in new leather binding, handsome. Some of the pages are repaired. No cover page. 3-224 pages. 42cm. Generally good condition.