Tehillah LeDavid, philosophical work on the principles of faith and the Torah, by R. David son of R. Yehudah Messer Leon. Constantinople: Yosef son of Yitzchak Yaavetz, 1576. First edition.

The book was brought to press by grandsons of the author, R. Aharon Messer Leon.

The work comprises three parts. Part I: "Regarding the virtue of Torah and the perfection of those who accepted it and of Moses"; Part II: "Regarding the principles called faith which are above examination"; Part III: "Regarding the principles of theology, on examining G-d's attributes and names, His thirteen attributes and providence, reward and punishment, investigation of astrology, free will and divine visions".

On leaf 97, the publisher writes: "Up to this point was found in the author's autograph, which he had left open, intending to add lessons and go on at length, but he did not manage to achieve his intention before he was called to the heavenly yeshiva…". The publisher goes on to discuss him and the printing of the present book, also mentioning various works by the author and his father which remained in manuscript.

108 leaves. Leaves 89-92 misordered (misfoliation). Pages of leaves 81-82 printed out of order in original. 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Dark stains to last leaves. Worming (mainly to last leaves), slightly affecting text. Tears, including small open tear slightly affecting text of last leaf. Old leather binding.

Without last 4 leaves with two additional homilies by author, which the publisher obtained after the printing was completed, and do not appear in all copies.