Livyat Chen, principles of Hebrew grammar and writing, by R. Immanuel Benevento. Mantova (Mantua): Meir ben Ephraim of Padua and Yaakov ben Naftali Hacohen of Gazzolo, [1557]. Only edition.
On the title page is the signature of R. Gur Aryeh Halevi: "Gur Aryeh Levi - I know my redeemer lives". On the last page is the signature of "Moshe Ish Tov Halevi". Long glosses in Italian Hebrew script. Handwritten vowelization marks, as well as dozens of short notes and corrections.
The Kabbalist R. Gur Aryeh Halevi Finzi, son of R. Moshe Hoshaya Halevi Finzi, was known as Harav Ga'al (died 1697, Otzar Harabanim 4370). He was a renowned 17th century rabbi in Mantova, where he was appointed dayan in 1665. He corresponded with R. Shmuel Aboav, and dozens of responsa in "Responsa Devar Shmuel" are addressed to him, (par. 97, 106-123, 132-133, 141-144, 153-155, 161-169, 172-174, 210-211, 217-220). He also corresponded with R. Moshe Zacut (See Responsa Harama"z, Yoreh Deah par. 2, Even HaEzer par. 1), and with his student R. Binyamin Hacohen Vitale (see Responsa Haraba"ch). He was a great Kabbalist, and the Chida (Shem Hagedolim, Harama"z), states that R. Gur Aryeh heard the heavenly messenger who taught Torah to Rama"z. His glosses on the Shulchan Aruch were printed after his death in the edition of Shulchan Aruch printed in Mantua (1722-1723) by his student R. Avraham Yedidya Basila and by his nephew, R. Gur Aryeh ben R. Binyamin Halevi Finzi.
R. Gur Aryeh Halevi Finzi II (ca. 1697-1753), rabbi in Casale and Mantova, was the son of R. Binyamin Halevi, brother of R. Gur Aryeh Halevi Finzi. In 1721 he was appointed dayan on the Beit Din of R. Yehuda Briel in Mantova. In 1722 he began to print the Shulchan Aruch with the glosses of his uncle, together with his teachers, the renowned brothers R. Avraham Yedidya Basila and R. Aviad Sar Shalom, author of "Emunat Chachamim". In his introduction, R. Gur Aryeh writes that he was named for his renowned uncle who passed away before his birth. He corresponded in Kabbalah with the students of HaRamaz, with R. Avraham Sagari of Casale, and with R. Eliezer Sofina, rabbi of Pisa. [The book "Toldot Geonei Italia" p. 66-67 mentions the younger R. Gur Aryeh as a grandson of the elder, where in reality they were uncle and nephew. The title "Grandson" was commonly used to refer to nephews in Italy and France. The Italian term Nipote can also refer to a grandson or a nephew - see "Beit Aharon VeYisrael", issue 151, pp. 156-157; issue 152, pp. 133-134; issue 189, pp. 171-172].
[6], 108 leaves (missing [2] leaves at the end that have been added to several copies). 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains and wear. Worming. Title page is worn and has been backed with paper. Open tear in the center of leaf [6]. New leather binding, damaged. Bookplate.
Last page contains censors' signatures from 1595 and 1628. Missing [2] leaves which contained a lamentation over the burning of the Talmud in Ancona in 1556, which was witnessed by the author.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.