Sections from the Tanach Mikraot Gedolot with the revolutionary commentary “HaTorah v’HaMitzvah” by the gaon Rabbi Meir Leibush (the Malbim). This commentary is also on the Midrashei Halacha Mechilta (Exodus), Safra (Vayikra), and Sifrei (Bamidbar and Dvarim). These midrashim are included in the respective chumashim.
The following sections:
1. Bereishit, first edition, Warsaw 1876. 234, [2] leaves. Bibliographic entries list three additional pages from the end but those are not in this copy and it seems to be original—the entries are from a later stereotype printing (not this one). The first title page is torn. Antique leather binding.
2. Vayikra: published separately, not part of a set. First edition of this format. Warsaw 1875. The commentary had been published prior without the Chumash (with the Mechilta though). Part 1: Vayikra to Shmini. [2], 224, [8] leaves in the original, this copy has [4] only. Part 2: (separate title pages) [2], 225-471, [4] leaves. The first leaves were bound out of order. Bound with Shir HaShirim with the commentary Shirei HaNefesh by the author. Warsaw 1881 based on the censor’s dating. Pagination defective at the end.
3. Bamidbar: First edition, Warsaw 1879. 499, [3], 25, 24 pages in the original—this copy: 499, [3], 22. At the end is Megillat Ruth with the commentary “Geza Yishai” by the author. 3 leaves missing from the end and the first title page. No binding.
4. Devarim: Seemingly a first edition, 1880. 545, [12] pages; [37]-46; [47]-67 leaves; 24 pages. This copy is missing the last 24 pages. At the end of the book are Megillot Eicha and Kohelet (with targum, Rashi’s commentary, and Siftei Chachamim). Antique leather binding.
5. Book of Job: with the commentary Keshet u’Magen by the author. Warsaw 1874. 113 leaves. Bound with Daniel: with the commentary Yafeh LaKetz; with Ezra: with the commentary Aliyat Ezra; Nehemiah: with the commentary Lechem HaPecha by the author. Warsaw 1874. 101 leaves. No binding.
Worming holes, stains, a few detached pages, overall good condition.
The title pages have stamped: “Yehezkel Bennett, Av Beit Din of Warol”. Bereshit has a calligraphic note: “Eliezer Bennett – Benedikt Pressburg…”
Rabbi Yehezkel Bennett, son of Rabbi Gershon Wolf Bennett (son-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried). The work Shem Shlomo on sugiyot of Shas by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried has printed at the beginning the writer’s biography by this grandson. He served briefly as a dayan in Tolchova alongside his father-in-law Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Glick of Tolchova (author of the Shut Yad Yitzhak and the Beer Yitzhak on Masechet Chulin), and then served for around 25 years as Av Beit Din and Rosh Yeshiva of Worohel. He wrote 19 works, of which Shut Meishiv Taam has been printed. He died in 1913.
