Melechet Machshevet, philosophical study on the Five Books of the Torah, by Rabbi Moshe Chafetz. Venice, [1710]. Printed by Bragadin. First edition.
Complete copy on high-quality, light-colored, paper with wide margins, including an engraved half-title page, a leaf with the author's portrait [under the portrait is a caption with his age at the time of printing "I am 'meah' (100) years old at present", i.e. the gematriya of 'meah'= 46. Many misunderstood this statement and thought that he literally meant 100 years old]. Leaf with geometric sketches. Another sketch on Leaf 57.
Rabbi Moshe Chefetz (1664-1712, Otzar HaRabbanim 14709), a Rabbi in Italy, researcher and philosopher. Born in Trieste and raised in Venice, taught Torah, had a wide range of knowledge of G-d and nature as is clearly portrayed in this book Melechet Machshevet. He authored his book to console himself after the untimely death of his beloved father, Rabbi Gershom, author of Yad Charuzim. Rabbi Moshe died at the young age of 48 on the 30th of Cheshvan 1712. (Rabbi Chananel Nifi in his book, printed inside the book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael by Rabbi M.S. Girondi, Trieste p. 239).
[11], 98 leaves. 31 cm. High-quality, light-colored paper. Good condition. Stains and dampness marks. Light worming to few pages. Gluing for restoration at the bottom of the illustrated title page. New binding.