The book Esa Einai, by the Chida. Levorne, 1785. First edition.
On the title-page, there is a signed ownership inscription of Rabbi Yosef Zonana, saying that the book belongs to his father, Rabbi Yosef Zonana [of the great Sages and leader of the Constantinople community in the second half of the 18th century).
Several handwritten glosses inside. Some are handwritten by Moharsha Elfandri, one gloss opens with the title Esa Einai, which was the way the holy Grandfather Elfandri signed his glosses in books. Esa stands for Eliezer Shlomo Elfandri. [See comparison to photocopy of his handwriting in the Esa Einai glosses on the book Divrei Emet.]
Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Elfandri (1813-1930) was one of the great rabbis of Turkey. In his youth he maintained correspondence with Rabbi Akiva Eiger. He was the Chief Rabbi of Constantinople and Damascus. In his old age, he came to serve as Rabbi in Safed. He died at a very ripe old age in Jerusalem.
[2], 136, 114 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-poor condition, restored wear and moth damage. Some of the glosses are cropped.