“Siftei Chachamim, a nice commentary on Rashi on the Torah and the Five Megillot…and for maximal benefit it has been printed in its own volume…to be read alongside all of the Chumash.” First edition as its own work (it was first printed in 1680 in Amsterdam as part of the Chumash), still during the author’s lifetime. This foundational work is still printed alongside Rashi in the chumash. With the approbation of the gaon Rabbi Shmuel Kohen Satin, the Maharshach, author of the Kos HaYeshuot. Printed by Johann Kelner. [1], 143 leaves. No binding. Stains and various defects. A number of leaves have tape and tears in the margins with defects to the text, as well as in some of the notes.
Throughout the book are long notes written by hand in the margins, various signatures, some of which have been identified as those of Rabbi Moshe Abikhzer. Most of the notes are from him and a few are from other authors, including Rabbi Maimon ben Chaim Adhan, Rabbi Machluf ben Hamo.
Rabbi Moshe Abikhzer, son of Rabbi Yosef, a foremost Torah scholar in the Tafilalt region of Morocco in the 19th century. He was a close friend of R. Yaakov Abukhazira – the Abir Yaakov, and their signatures appear together on halachic rulings. He lived in the village of Ghris, "and all the neighboring villages subjected themselves to his authority. He was a great scholar and collected many books from distant countries at great personal effort. Eventually, he established a library, and all the books scattered throughout the villages of Tafilalt were left by him" (Malchei Rabbanan, in his entry). Two questions he addressed to R. Yaakov Berdugo were published in the latter’s book Shufreih DeYaakov. See Arzei HaLevnon 1543 and in Malchei Rabbanan.
The author of the Sifrei Chachamim was Rabbi Shabbethai Meshorer Bass (1641–1718), born at Kalisz (Poland), moved to Prague where he received the titles of “Meshorer” and “Bass”, after serving as chazan at one of the city’s synagogues. For his work he gathered from previous commentaries (particularly the Maharam) and added his own words. He discusses Rashi and offers terutzim for many kushiyot. The work was accepted widely and is today found in almost all chumashim, or at least in brief as Ikar Siftei Chachamim.
