Rabbenu Bachya – commentary on the Torah by Rabbenu Bachya son of Asher ibn Halawa. [Naples: Azriel son of Joseph (Gunzenhauser) Ashkenazi, 1492]. Incunabulum.
First edition, printed in the early years of Hebrew printing. Prototype for all the dozens of subsequent printed editions of this work.
Text of first page of the Book of Shemot and first page of the Book of Vayikra set in elaborate woodcut frames of dense foliage with peacocks, putti, horses, gazelles, and more. Decorated initial panels in additional places.

The author, Rabbenu Bachya son of Asher ibn Halawa (1255-1340), was a Torah scholar of Gerona and prominent biblical commentator. Disciple of the Rashba. Rabbenu Bachya's commentary employs four methods of exegesis: pshat – based on biblical commentators who follow the pshat approach; drash – based on midrashim; logical analysis – based on philosophy; and a method he terms "the path of kabbalah" or "path of light", based on kabbalistic works and scholars, including passages parallel to teachings of the Zohar, which had not been published at the time, but which was apparently used by Rabbenu Bachya. Rabbenu Bachya's commentary is innovative in its combination of these four methods, and in the expansion of the kabbalah approach – expounding upon and clarifying kabbalistic concepts mentioned concisely in Ramban's commentary. Rabbenu Bachya's commentary quickly gained widespread acceptance, as the following testimonies indicate. The Tosafot Yom Tov writes that many would study it every Shabbat, and R. Avraham Zacuto attested in Sefer Yuchasin that the book was renowned worldwide. Rabbenu Bachya is quoted extensively in Tzenah URenah, demonstrating that the book was popular among the general public. Already by the end of the 16th century, the book had been printed in some ten editions, and over the years many more editions were issued.
Many glosses (some lengthy, most trimmed) by several writers (Sephardic script – square, semi-cursive and cursive).

[270] leaves. Originally: [288] leaves. Lacking 18 leaves (including final blank leaf). Collation: ii6 (lacking gathering i and first two leaves of gathering ii), iii-ix8, x10, xi-xxviii8, xxix6 (lacking leaves 2 and 7), xxx-xxxv8 (lacking gathering xxxvi of 6 leaves, including final blank leaf). All lacking leaves supplied in photocopy. 26.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dark dampstains and traces of past dampness. Wear. Tears, including many open tears, affecting text, repaired with paper and paper filling (with photocopy and handwritten text replacement in several places). Most leaves professionally restored. Margins of leaves with woodcut frames trimmed, with damage and loss to frames. Worming affecting text, repaired with paper filling. Inscriptions. New leather binding.

An additional edition of this work was published concurrently (in 1492) in Spain or Portugal. Parts of it are extant, yet it is unclear if it was ever completed during the turbulent times of the Spanish expulsion.