Auction 101 Part 2 Chassidut and Kabbalah | Jerusalem Printings | Letters and Manuscripts | Objects
Orot HaMitzvot – Emek Binyamin – Amsterdam, 1753 – First Mention of Suriname and the American Continent in Responsa Literature – First Editions
Orot HaMitzvot, commentaries and novellae on the reasons for commandments, according to the order of the Torah portions, with Emek Binyamin – responsa, halachic rulings and laws by R. Binyamin Dias-Brandon (a rabbi of the Portuguese community of Amsterdam). Amsterdam: Jan Janson, [1753]. First editions of both works.
Divisional title page for Emek Binyamin (which was also printed separately). At the beginning of Orot HaMitzvot are many approbations and poems in praise of the author and his book, by rabbis of Amsterdam and Hamburg.
Emek Binyamin sections 15-16 contain a halachic correspondence regarding inheritance between the author and R. Aharon Ledesma of Suriname (South America; his location is mentioned in the contents on the last page). This is the first place in responsa literature where a European rabbi addresses an American rabbi.
[16], 103, [1]; [1], 22, [1] leaves. 18.5 cm. Dark leaves. Good-fair condition. Stains. Several leaves detached. Small tears, including open tear affecting text of one leaf, without loss. Early binding with leather spine. Wear and damage to binding (open tear to spine).