Mada, Ahava, Zemanim of Yad HaChazaka Le'HaRambam - Students' edition with references and a short commentary. With an appendix of the laws of forbidden foods and the laws of ritual slaughter (shechita). Venice, [1665].
An edition printed at the climax of the era of the false Messiah Sabbatai Zevi, when the rumors of his appearance had spread throughout Europe and were at the peak of their popularity.
At the top of the title page is a drawing of an imagined figure of Sabbatai Zevi riding a lion [Sabbatai Zevi riding a "heavenly lion" is mentioned in Sabbatean writings as well as in the "prophecies" of Nathan of Gaza].The title page is extremely rare, since these pages were usually removed due to their Sabbatean connotations, and are missing from most extant copies.
This copy is a variant that has not been bibliographically listed. It includes the following changes from the known copies: the final page is blank, without a colophon; the end of the preceding page contains the addition of the acrostic letters: "Blessed is He who gives strength to the weary… I rejoice in G-d's salvation". This copy also does not include the printer's introduction, and the introduction of the Rambam is titled differently, and contains several typographical changes.
For further information on this edition see: Y. Avida, Sefer Mishneh Torah Le'HaRambam as a Textbook, Areshet, Vol. 3, 1961, p. 44; Y. Zana, Inyanei Shabbetai Zvi, Sefunot, Vol. 3-4, 1959-1960, pp. 67-69.
Ownership inscription (incomplete) on the final page: "One should always write his name in his books to avoid theft; I have therefore written my name as Shlomo Moshe Lattes …"
[5] 186 leaves. Faulty pagination. 21 cm. Condition varies; most leaves are in good condition. Stains; worming to the title page and the following page. Pen and ink drawings added to the border of the title page. Various inscription on the title page. Repaired tears to several pages. Original binding; vellum spine. Worming to spine.