Lot 220
Me'on HaShoalim - Venice, 1601 - First Book by a Jewish Woman - Poet Devorà Ascarelli
"Me'on HaShoalim, by the sage R. Moshe Moshe Rieti "; contains: Barchi Nafshi - Tochecha (reproach) by R. Bechaye, Vidui Gadol by Rabbeinu Nissim, Seder HaAvodah according to Sephardi rites, translated into Italian by Devorà Ascarelli; and two poems by Devorà Ascarelli. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, [1601].
Hebrew and Italian on facing pages. The head title, Me'on HaSho'alim is named after a piyyut by this title which appears at the beginning of the book.
The translator, Devorà Ascarelli, born in Rome, translated the poem of Tochecha by Rabbeinu Bechaye and the subsequent sections from Hebrew to Italian. She added two Italian poems (sonnets) which she herself wrote to the book.
Her name is noted on the title page as the translator and at the end of the book an anonymous poem was added in her honor. This book is the only source of information about the poet Devorà Ascarelli. From this book, we can learn that her husband was called Yosef and that she resided in Rome. No other details are known of this woman.
Incomplete copy. 1-8, 10-15, 17-19, 22-14, 26-29, [2] leaves (originally: 29, [2] leaves. Lacking leaves 9, 16, 20-21, 25). The lacking leaves have been replaced with photocopies. 13.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Contemporary damaged binding. Ownership inscriptions.
Rare. NLI possesses only a photocopy.
