Commentary on the Rambam, by R. David Arama. Amsterdam, [1706]. Second edition.
The signature of R. " Natan Adler" appears in the center of the title page. Other signatures and dedications appear in the margins of the title page. Several handwritten scholarly glosses. An inscription attesting to having received the book from R. Natan Adler as a wedding gift appears on the endpaper: " Given to me for a wedding gift by Rabbi Natan Adler of Frankfurt am Main. Moshe Avraham Brandeis Segal".
R. Natan HaKohen Adler (1741-1800) was born in Frankfurt am Main to R. Yaakov Shimon Adler. He was an outstanding Torah scholar and eminent kabbalist. He headed the yeshiva he established in his home in Frankfurt, and was the prime teacher of R. Moshe Sofer – the Chatam Sofer, who mentions him extensively in his books in matters of Halacha and Kabbalah, referring to him as "my prime teacher, the renowned and pious Torah scholar, the great eagle" (alluding to the name Adler, German for eagle), and other similar titles. He suffered much persecution from the residents of his city, who even forbade him from holding prayers services in his Beit Midrash conforming with his singular kabbalistic customs. In 1782, R. Natan Adler left Frankfurt and settled in Boskowitz (Boskovice), Moravia. His disciple R. Moshe Sofer (the Chatam Sofer) remained with him, accompanying him to Boskowitz where he continued studying under him. R. Natan Adler served for only two years in Boskowitz, and this was the only time he held a rabbinic position. In ca. 1785, he returned to his home and Beit Midrash in Frankfurt.
The recipient, R. Moshe Avraham Brandeis Segal was apparently a descendant of the well-known Torah scholar R. Moshe Brandeis Segal (1680-1767), Rabbi of Schnaittach, Bumsla and Mainz, known as "Rabbi Moshe Charif".
[3], 2-40, [1], 42-85 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. High-quality paper. Wide margins. Good-fair condition. Dampstains. Wear to margins. Worming, affecting text. Damage and small tears to title page. New leather binding.