Sermon of R. Yehudah ben Betzalel [the Maharal of Prague] on Shabbat HaGadol, 1589. Prague: Mordechai son of Gershom HaKohen with Betzalel son of Mordechai Katz, [1589]. First edition, printed in the Maharal's lifetime.
Fine title frame, decorated with a woodcut. Colophon on last page: "Completed with the help of the eternal G-d, [1589]".
Several handwritten corrections of printing errors.
The original thought of the Maharal is known to posterity from his celebrated works. He printed most of his philosophical works during his lifetime, thereby preserving them for future generations (his other writings, including halachic works and novellae on the Talmud, have for the most part been lost). For a long period of about two hundred years the books were not reprinted, and it was only after a revival of interest by Chassidic leaders, especially with the encouragement of the Maggid of Kozhnitz, that the works of the Maharal were first reprinted at the end of the 18th century.

[30] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains, including light dampstains to margins of leaves. Worming to several leaves, slightly affecting text, mostly repaired with paper filling. New leather binding.

Rare edition. This sermon was reprinted in the Russia-Poland region, around 1820.

On the content and background of the sermon, see: Avraham Gottesdiner (Ovadiah), HaAri ShebeChachmei Prag, Jerusalem, 2002 (new edition), pp. 59-62.