Meor Einayim, by R. Azariah de Rossi (Min HaAdumim). Mantua: printer not indicated, 1574. First edition.

Divided into three parts: Kol Elohim (account of the Ferrara earthquake in 1570), Hadrat Zekenim (on the Septuagint translation) and Imrei Binah (various discourses and inquiries).

R. Azariah de Rossi (1512-1578) was an Italian scholar well versed both in Torah and science. His Meor Einayim was banned by Italian rabbis immediately after publication, their claim being that parts of it are inconsistent with tradition and are disrespectful to rabbinic teachings. The book was brought to R. Yosef Karo, who ordered it banned, although this ban was never carried out. The Maharal sharply criticizes the book, and his Be'er HaGolah is known to have been written in response to Meor Einayim. There are nevertheless authors who quote the book, and the Sedei Chemed posits that the fact that R. Yosef Karo's ban never materialized is a heavenly endorsement of its use.

During the controversy over the book, it was stipulated that R. Azariah would replace six leaves (52-53, 81-82, 87-88) containing improper opinions, and print and enclose R. Moshe Provençal's critique along with his book.

The present copy contains the six replacement leaves, alongside the detached original leaves 87-88, which are included along with the book. These leaves are particularly rare and are preserved in few copies. At the end of the book, following the table of contents, appear two leaves with R. Moshe Provençal's critique, followed by four leaves with the author's rebuttal.

Ownership inscription on title page: "Wolfssohn, Prof.". A few glosses (in Ashkenazic script and square script). 

186, [6], 187-194 leaves + [2] leaves (original leaves 87-88). 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Light wear. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Light worming in a few places. Early leather binding, damaged and mostly detached, with tears across spine. Metal clasp (and remains of another clasp).

For more information on the book and the changes made in it, see: Rivkind, Dikdukei Sefarim, Alexander Marx Jubilee Volume, New York 1950, p. 429 (Hebrew section); Y. Yudlov, Ginzei Yisrael, Jerusalem, 1985, no. 1327; M. Benayahu, HaPulmus Al Sefer Meor Einayim, Asufot V, 1991, pp. 213-265.

CB, no. 4448,1; Zedner, p. 66.