Kli Yakar, commentary on Neviim Rishonim, by R. Shmuel Laniado. [Venice: Zuan di Gara, 1603]. Only edition.
The text of the Neviim occupies the center of the page, and the commentary is printed around it.
The author, R. Shmuel Laniado (1530-1605; LiKedoshim Asher BaAretz, 275), a Safed Torah scholar, head of the Aleppo community in Syria, where he was sent to by his teacher R. Yosef Karo author of Shulchan Aruch. Known as Baal HaKelim after his compositions: Kli Chemdah, Kli Paz, Kli Golah and Kli Yakar.
Brief explanations of words were printed in the margins of the Books of Yehoshua, Shoftim and Shmuel. In the first two books, most the explanations are in Hebrew, while in the book of Shmuel, most are in Ladino.
Inscription and calligraphic signature on the leaf following the title page: "That which G-d granted his young servant Avraham Yitzchaki" – signature of the Rishon LeTzion R. Avraham Yitzchaki author of Zera Avraham. The book contains four glosses in his handwriting (on pp. 193a, 210a, 293a), including one with his signature: "Avraham Yitzchaki", one signed "Avraham" and one beginning with the acronym "A.A." [=Amar Avraham, Avraham says].
A lengthy gloss on p. 9a, with a calligraphic signature (slightly faded): "I, Shmuel B.B.M.[?]".
A gloss by a third writer on p. 104b, beginning with the words: "And I say…".
In the book of Yehoshua, dozens of references to midrashim in early Sephardic script. At the end of the book of Yehoshua: "The references for the book of Yehoshua were completed". Additional references on some leaves of the book of Shoftim.
Signature on the title page: "This is my book, Yehuda Abarbanel". Another of his signatures on the leaf following the title page; inscription on verso of the title page: "I acquired it for the service of my Creator… Avraham Danon".
R. Avraham Yitzchaki (1661-1729), Rishon LeTzion and leading Jerusalem Torah scholar in his times, author of Responsa Zera Avraham. His maternal grandfather was R. Avraham Azulai author of Chesed LeAvraham, whom he studied Kabbalah with. He was also a disciple of R. Yaakov Yisrael Hagiz and R. Moshe Galante (the second). One of his fellow students and a leading Torah scholar was R. Chizkiyahu di Silva, author of Pri Chadah. He married the daughter of R. Avraham Yisrael Ze'evi, rabbi of Hebron. The disciples of R. Avraham Yitzchaki in the Beit Yaakov Beit Midrash in Jerusalem included R. Yitzchak HaKohen Rappaport, R. Moshe Hagiz and R. Yitzchak Zerachya Azulai, father of the Chida (the Chida himself relates that he heard a eulogy from him on R. Eliyahu HaKohen, at the age of five: "When I was a youth who had not yet reached the age of Chinuch, I heard from R. A.Y. a eulogy in 1729". See Shem HaGedolim, in his entry, and see: Benayahu, R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai, I, p. 91, note 52; several months later, R. Avraham Yitzchaki passed away). In 1708, R. Yitzchaki left on a ten-year mission on behalf of the Jerusalem community. During his mission, he fought fiercely against the rise of the Sabbatian movement, and especially against the Sabbatian Nechemia Hayyun. R. Yaakov Emden, who met him in Amsterdam, writes about him: "And in my youth, I saw in Amsterdam an emissary from Eretz Israel Chacham Yitzchaki… he was tall and strong, of great stature…" (Mor UKetziah, II, errata and omissions, p. 91b). In 1715, he was appointed rabbi of Jerusalem and Rishon LeTzion.
[1], 3-564 leaves. 29.5 cm. Condition varies. First and final leaves in fair condition. Some leaves in middle of book in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and creases. Marginal tears. Large open tears to title page, with significant damage to border and text on both sides, repaired with paper (missing border and text replaced in photocopy). Worming, affecting text. Stamps. New binding.