MOSES ALSHEKH’S COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS, HANDSOMELY BOUND 1695 FIRST AMSTERDAM PRINTING

(JUDAICA) ALSHEKH, Moses. Romemot El. Amsterdam: Printed in the house of David de Castro Tartas published by Eliezer ben Haninah, 1695. Small quarto, period-style full red morocco gilt, elaborately gilt-decorated spine and covers, raised bands, black morocco spine label; ff. 94. $3500.

Second edition, the first Amsterdam edition, of Alshekh’s esteemed commentary on the Psalms, beautifully bound.

Alshekh (d. after 1593), rabbi and Bible commentator, was born in Adrianople, studied in Salonika, and then emigrated to Erez Israel, settling in Safed, where he gained prominence as an halakhic authority, a teacher in two talmudic academies, and a preacher. He was active in communal affairs and was a member of the rabbinical court of Joseph Caro, who ordained him. This is the text that Hayyim Alshekh published in Venice in 1605, claiming that it was his father’s authoritative text and not merely a preliminary draft (which had been published a decade earlier in Constantinople under the title Tappuhei Zahav). Alshekh’s Biblical commentaries, which are permeated with religious-ethical and religious-philosophical ideas supported by ample quotations from talmudic and midrashic sources, became quite popular and have often been reprinted.

With an introduction by the publisher citing Ephraim Luntschitz on the importance of the work and quoting the author’s intentions in originally presenting this book to the public. Approbation on last leaf by Moses Judah ben Kalonymus Kohen (known as Leib Harif), the Ashkenazic Rabbi of Amsterdam. In addition, the publisher adds after the first approbation: “Also by the authority and with the permission of the great sage, the head of the rabbinical court of the Sephardim, our master and teacher Jacob Sasportas who has not however added his signature to the approbation due to a lack of time.” The importance of receiving, even without an actual signed approbation, the blessing or perceived blessing of both the Ashkenazic and Sephardic authorities suggests the sharp divide between the two Amsterdam Jewish communities. With three leaves of text (ff. 10-12) replaced in neat facsimile. Vinograd Amsterdam 637. Steinschneider 6431:13. A few early ink marginalia.

Tiny repair to corner of title page, not affecting border, and first two leaves. A splendidly bound volume.