Auction 19 - Books, Manuscripts and Rabbinical Letters
Ma'or Einayim, Mantua, 1574 - With Handwritten Glosses
Opening: $750
Unsold
Sefer Ma'or Einyaim, by Rabbi Azarya Min Ha'Adumim. Mantua, [1574]. First edition. Glosses in Italian handwriting. Ownership signature in Ashkenazi handwriting by the Etroger family stating that he purchased the book in Korpo, Venice in the year 1722 [apparently a merchant of etrogim from the Ashkenaz countries who traveled to the Korpo island].
Rabbi Azarya [Di Rosi] Min Ha'Adumim (1512-1578, Otzar HaRabbanim 16731), Italian scholar, proficient in Torah and science. His book Ma'or Einyaim was confiscated by rabbis of Italy, immediately after its publication, claiming that the book contains sayings which contradict the spirit of tradition and scorn the sayings of the Sages. The book was brought to Rabbi Yosef Karo - the Beit Yosef, who ordered the confiscation the book, however, the confiscation did not materialize. The Maharal of Prague spoke harshly about the book and it is known that his composition Be'er HaGola was composed as a response to this book. [Despite the negative attitude towards the book, some authors cited sayings from the book, and the Sdei Chemed endorsed them, and wrote that the fact that the confiscation of the Beit Yosef was not carried out is a sign from Heaven that the book is worthy of reaching the public].
During the course of the polemic regarding the book an agreement was reached with Rabbi Azarya that he would remove six leaves (52-53, 81-82, 87-88) from the book which contain inappropriate ideas, and substitute them with other leaves; in addition he would print and include the critique of Rabbi Moshe Proventzalo in the book.
This copy contains the replaced leaves and is missing the leaves of the critique of Rabbi Moshe Proventzalo with the author's response. Other editions contain an additional 2 leaves with author's apology.
188 leaves, 21.2 cm., high-quality paper, good-fair condition, moth holes. Parchment and paper binding.
In some copies the author added leaves 189-194, or added [2] leaves with "author's apology". This copy contains antique binding, however, does not include any of above-mentioned additions.
Rabbi Azarya [Di Rosi] Min Ha'Adumim (1512-1578, Otzar HaRabbanim 16731), Italian scholar, proficient in Torah and science. His book Ma'or Einyaim was confiscated by rabbis of Italy, immediately after its publication, claiming that the book contains sayings which contradict the spirit of tradition and scorn the sayings of the Sages. The book was brought to Rabbi Yosef Karo - the Beit Yosef, who ordered the confiscation the book, however, the confiscation did not materialize. The Maharal of Prague spoke harshly about the book and it is known that his composition Be'er HaGola was composed as a response to this book. [Despite the negative attitude towards the book, some authors cited sayings from the book, and the Sdei Chemed endorsed them, and wrote that the fact that the confiscation of the Beit Yosef was not carried out is a sign from Heaven that the book is worthy of reaching the public].
During the course of the polemic regarding the book an agreement was reached with Rabbi Azarya that he would remove six leaves (52-53, 81-82, 87-88) from the book which contain inappropriate ideas, and substitute them with other leaves; in addition he would print and include the critique of Rabbi Moshe Proventzalo in the book.
This copy contains the replaced leaves and is missing the leaves of the critique of Rabbi Moshe Proventzalo with the author's response. Other editions contain an additional 2 leaves with author's apology.
188 leaves, 21.2 cm., high-quality paper, good-fair condition, moth holes. Parchment and paper binding.
In some copies the author added leaves 189-194, or added [2] leaves with "author's apology". This copy contains antique binding, however, does not include any of above-mentioned additions.
Early Printed Books - Resh and Shin Years
Early Printed Books - Resh and Shin Years