Torat Moshe, on Bereshit, by Rabbeinu Moshe (Maharam) Alshich. Bilvodir near Constantinople. 1593. Printed by Ms. Reine Nasi, the widow of Don Yosef HaNasi. First edition of Alshich commentary on the Torah which was first printed in his days.
The place of printing, Bilvodir, mentioned on the title page is the early name of a village on the outskirts of Constantinople. Very few books were printed in this printing press located in the castle of Duchess Dona Reine Nasi.
Rabbi Moshe Alshich (1508-1593) was born in Adrianople Turkey and studied in Thessaloniki by Rabbi Yosef Teitzak. However, his primary teacher was Rabbi Yosef Karo who raised him like his own son. Rabbi Alshich followed his teacher to Safed and served there as rabbi, head of yeshiva and preacher. He was one of the privileged few who studied Torah secrets (sod) from the Arizal himself and was considered one of his foremost disciples. The Ari himself came to listen to his sermons and said that "His sermons are aligned with the truth". His books on the Bible are based on his regular sermons delivered each Shabbat and festival.
The Alshich was one of the leading sages of Safed and was even ordained by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (the Ramak). [Rabbi Ya'akov Birav reinstated the "semicha" in Safed in 1538 and ordained a limited number of great and famous Torah sages: Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero and others. The Ramak ordained Rabbi Moshe Alshich and the Alshich ordained his disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital who studied Kabala from the Ari HaKadosh]. In his later years, Rabbi Alshich led the whole Safed community.
82, [1] leaves. Approximately 28 cm. Fair condition, restored damages, with lacking text. Childish inscriptions on title page in Oriental handwriting. Elaborate leather binding.