Etz Ha-Da’at, and the “Bechinat Olam” by Rabbi Yedaya Ha-Penini [with the text] and a commentary by Rabbi Shimshon Morforgo of Mantua, author of the “Shemesh Tzedaka”.
A handwritten signature appears on the book’s title page: “Mordechai Shmuel… Girondi… of Padua” – Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Girondi (1800-1852) Av Beit Din of Padua, authored Halacha and Aggada related books (some of which remained manuscripts). Became famous through his biographical essay called “The Chronicles of the Leading Sages of Israel and the Geonim of Italy” (Trieste 1853), which he co-authored with Rabbi Chananel Nepi [more about him in the enclosed material].
The poem “Ashrei Ha-Goy Bachar Lo HaShaem” - which includes scornful words against Kabbalah and those who learn it, and was authored by the poet Ya’akov Francis - is printed at the end of the book. Along the poem’s margins, Rabbi Mordechai Girondi wrote a lengthy remark, quoting the book “Emunat Chachamim” by Rabbi Yehuda Sar Shalom Basila who extensively wrote against the poem and its author saying that: “the author of that poem was a merchant who was not a rabbi and wasn’t even a member [of Mantua’s leading sages]… he did not believe in the esoteric part of the Torah… and was hated for that by the teachers and rabbinical judges of Mantua…”, following that, Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Girondi praises Rabbi Aviad Sar Shalom Basila, writing: “Those words befit the Holy man who uttered them, since he has learned all of the world’s wisdoms in ten years and was the disciple of Rabbi Beriel, the Ramaz and his disciple Rabbi Binyamin Katz…”. Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Girondi ends his remark below the poem’s ending with the following sharp words: “The author of that poem had an ill-intentioned heart and this is a testimony of his poor legacy”.
38 leaves. 23 cm. Good condition, stains. Worn binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection – “Ginzei Israel”.