Me'or Einayim, novellae by R. Josiah Pinto on the Talmudic aggadot which appear in the book Ein Ya'akov. Venice, [1643]. First edition. These novellae were later printed in many editions of the book Ein Ya'alov, under the title "Rif".
Glosses in Italian Hebrew script. On page 54/b is a long (cutoff) gloss, which begins: "I who write…".
The kabbalist R. Josiah Pinto (Rif; 1565-1648), disciple of R. Chaim Vital in Damascus. In 1625, he moved to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem and in Safed, however, just one year later, after the death of his son Yosef, he returned to Damascus and was appointed Rabbi of its Jewish community. He authored the books Kesef Nivchar, Kesef Mezukak, and more. Some of his descendants moved to North Africa. The Pinto family that settled in Marrakesh in the 18th century became a well-known family of Rabbis and Kabbalists [R. Jacob Pinto of Marrakesh was among the teachers of Rabbi Shalom Buzaglo, author of Mikdash Melech; his son, R. Avraham Pinto was Rabbi of Marrakesh and author of Hadarat kodesh].
194, [3], [1 blank leaf]; 14 leaves. 30 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Worming to some leaves, mostly not affecting text. First leaves are loose and partially detached. Ancient leather binding, with damages and worming.