Midrash Yalkut Shimoni – compilation of early Midrashim on the Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim, including Midrashim that had disappeared over the years (and this is their only source). Attributed to Rabbi Shimon Ashkenazi, head of the Darshanim of Frankfurt (one of the Rishonim, the 13th century).
Section I. On the Torah. [2], 272 leaves.
Section II. On Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim, Ketuvim and Chamsh Megillot. [1], 182 [i.e. 282] – 450 leaves.
Leaf 1, which opens Sefer Bereshit, was printed twice with typographic variations: initially, the word "Bereshit" appears in a border with illustrations; the second time, the border is similar to the one that appears on the top of the following books. In the Rare Book Collection of the National Library.
Some of it on dark or bright blue paper. Old bindings, worn. Moth perforation and damage. Some taping. Stains and marks of usage. Good overall condition.
On the title page of section II, an erased ancient signature of Baruch Mordechai, stamps of Rabbi Yekutoel Yuda Adler, Shochet and Bodek of Shamloy ans stamps of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kahanovich.
Section II contains important Chassidic approbations (see Hebrew catalog text).
About the printer’s identity:
The printer’s name, Rabbi Yosef Hachohen, is mentioned in the approbations. On the title page, there is a printer’s mark of Rabbi Shmuel Madpis Segal (blackened on the title page of section I), who was Yosef Cohen’s partner in 1800 and later founded the first Hebrew printery in Berditchev. See: M. Wonder, Hadus HaIvri BePolonne – Alei Sefer, V, 1978, p. 125.
