Auction 67 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art

Or Hashem - Rabbi Chasdai Crescas - First Edition - Ferrara, 1555

Opening: $800
Sold for: $1,000
Including buyer's premium
Or Hashem, by R. Chasdai Crescas (R. Chasdai ibn Crescas). Ferrara: Abraham ibn Usque, [1555]. First edition.
This book is the second part of his book Ner Elokim; the first part, intended to supplement the Rambam's Sefer HaMitzvot and to be entitled Ner Mitzva, did not materialize. In his preface, the author writes: "And since this part is the foundation and pillar for the other part (Ner Mitzva), it is fitting for it to precede it". He concludes the book: "The (fourth) essay of this first part named Or Hashem has been completed".
R. Chasdai Crescas, a disciple of the Ran (R. Nissim son of R. Reuven), and colleague of the Rivash (R. Yitzchak bar Sheshet), was a leading Jewish philosopher, who challenged Greek philosophy and especially that of Aristotle. He was a rabbi and Jewish leader, and halachic questions were addressed to him from throughout Spain. Or Hashem is one of the only three surviving works of R. Chasdai.
Signature on the front endpaper: "Yosef Sasson". A (trimmed) signature on leaf [2]: "Acquired with my money, Yichye son of ---".
Incomplete copy. [128] leaves. Lacking [4] leaves of gathering 19. 20 cm. Fair-poor condition. Some leaves in fair condition. Stains. Severe dampstains and traces of past dampness, with mold. Worming, mostly to margins, slightly affecting text. Tears. Stains, extensive wear, damage and tears to title page, affecting text and border. Tears to final leaf, affecting text, printer's device and colophon on final page, repaired with paper. Old binding, damaged and detached, without spine.
Early Printed books
Early Printed books