Sefer Cheshek Shlomo, Biblical Ladino dictionary by R. Shlomo di Shirish. [Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, 1588].
Ladino (Españolit) is the unique language spoken by Jews exiled from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). The language evolved from various dialects of Old Spanish, and therefore preserved words, expressions and structures that no longer exist in modern spoken Spanish. A large sector of the Jewish expellees settled within the Ottoman Empire, and thus Ladino was spoken in Turkey, North Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. For hundreds of years Spanish Jews preserved their original language and did not adopt the local tongue. For many generations, Ladino was used for daily conversation as well as for prayer and Torah study. Much Torah literature was translated into Ladino and original compositions were written in this language, most notably the Yalkut Me'Am Loez series by R. Ya'akov Kuli and his disciples. Today, Ladino speakers are dwindling and many efforts are being expended to preserve this language.
Handwritten notes and inscriptions on the blank leaf before the "dictionary for Sefer Yeshaya", including portions of the "ketubah" for Shavuot, and Oriental signatures.
Incomplete copy. 10-11, 13-43, [1], 45-76, 78-105 leaves. Originally: 43, 45-106 leaves. Missing: leaves 1-9, 12, 77 and 106 (altogether 12 leaves missing). [1] blank leaf between leaves 43 and 45. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Large tears to several pages with damaged text. No binding.