Lot 358
Merkevet HaMishnah – Sabbioneta, 1551 – Antique Glosses – Dedication for Wedding by Rabbi Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Cracow
Merkevet HaMishnah, a commentary on Devarim (Mishne Torah) by Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel. Sabbioneta, 1551.
Antique glosses in Italian writing [from the time of printing]. On the title page owners' and sales inscriptions by three people. In ancient Italian handwriting: "a gift given to me by the Chacham Hillel my teacher… I the young… Eliezer…" "I, Hillel have exchanged this book…" – "I, [Shlomo Aharon]… Segal have exchange this book for three…".
On the binding leaf, a dedication for a wedding by Rabbi Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Cracow, 5 lines in his handwriting and his signature: "A gift for the young man… Yosef Lak, on his wedding day… the 20th of Shvat 1868… Shimon Sofer". On the back binding leaf inscription by recipient "this dear book was given to me… by Rabbi Shimon Sofer Rabbi of Cracow…".
Rabbi Shimon Sofer of Cracow (1821-1883) son and disciple of the Chatam Sofer, one of the most prominent rabbis of his generation, genius, holy and pure from youth, was considered by his father as having a pure mind and pure ideas, and he relied on his conclusions from the time Rabbi Shimon was yet a young man. He also learned kabbala according to his father's advice. He served in the Mattersdorf rabbinate and in 1861 was appointed Rabbi of Cracow. He was one of the orthodox Jewish leaders of Galicia, and also served in the parliament of Vienna. His books "Michtav Sofer" – responsa, novella and homiletics on the Torah.
145, [1] leaf. 29 cm. Fair-poor condition, wear, stains and detached leaves. Torn and detached binding, with parchment covering with writing (in Latin).
The first Hebrew book printed in Sabbioneta (Italy). On the last page two flags of printers, see Bibliography Institute CD Listing 0106694 on various forms.
