Birkat Avraham, regarding the correct place to recite the blessing over handwashing, by R. Avraham Treves Tzarfati. Venice: Bragadin, 1552. First edition.
The author, R. Avraham Treves (b. 1470 in Italy) served as rabbi in Salonika and Sofia, later living in Constantinople, Adrianople and possibly in Eretz Israel. The title page states that he was a descendant of Rashi. In his preface to the present work, the author relates that in his youth he merited to see a revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi – see Hebrew sidebar.
The book opens with 17 approbations by the Torah scholars of the generation, including an approbation by R. Yosef Karo – the Beit Yosef.
Unidentified calligraphic signatures (slightly trimmed) at the top of the title page.
315 leaves (originally: 361 leaves; body of work complete. Lacking leaves 316-361, with detailed table of contents and author's colophon; the book appears to have been bound originally without these leaves). Leaves 273-276 bound out of sequence. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and mold stains. Marginal worming, tears and open tears, affecting text in several places. Inscriptions. Signatures. Original parchment binding, damaged.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
