Korban Aharon - Venice, 1608-1611 - First Edition - Nice Copy - Interesting Signatures

Korban Aharon - commentary on Midrash Sifra Torat Kohanim, with the text. At the beginning of the book, Brayta De'Rabbi Yishmael on the Talmudical hermeneutics, with the "Midot Aharon" commentary by Rabbi Aharon Ibn Chaim (in the author's introduction he writes that he has added the composition on Brayta De'Rabbi Yishmael to "Midot Aharon" since his commentary on the Sifra is based on the Talmudical hermeneutics).

The author
Aharon Ibn Chaim ‎‎ (1545–1632) was a biblical and Talmudic commentator. Born in Fez, Morocco, he served on the Beit Din and studied at the yeshivot of his father, Vidal ha-Zarefati and Joseph Almosnino. In 1606 he left Fez for Egypt, and made his way to Venice in 1608 where he printed his numerous manuscripts. While in Venice, Ibn Chaim gave lectures in several congregations, and was well known by famous rabbis at the time. He died in Jerusalem in 1632, and is well known for his publications Lev Aharon (commentary on Nevi'im Rishonim) , Korban Aharon (commentary on the Sifra), and Midot Aharon.

The last book printed by Giovanni (Zuan) Di Gara in Venice
Di Gara headed the Venice Jewish printers during the second half of the 16th century, when the city was the center of Hebrew printing of the world. Di Gara started his career as a printer in the printing press of Daniel Bombirgi. Later, in 1564, he started working as an independent printer. He and his workers used to take pride in their connection to the Bombirgi printing press by frequently mentioning that the wording was in "the Bombirgi letters".
In the first book he printed, "Seder Ha'Ma'amadot" (1564) he is described as "one of Bombirgi's successors" due to the fact that some of Bombirgi's typographic material moved onto him. Yet, another part of the typographic material was purchased from other printing presses. Thus, for example, Di Gara used title pages whose origin was the printing presses of Mantova and Sabbioneta.
In 1604, the printing press suddenly stopped its operation, probably due to Di Gara's death. The last book it printed, "Mashal Ha'Kadmoni" was most likely not completed. (Source: Yitzchak Yudlov, "The Printer Giovanni (Zuan) Di Gara", 1982).
The printing press renewed its operation in the following years and on 14.1.1611 the printing of the book "Korban Aharon" was completed. This, however, was the last book printed by the Di Gara printing press. Thus, its importance for bibliographers and collectors.

On the reverse side of the title page, an interesting illustration. See Avraham Ya'ari: "Diglei Ha'Madpisim Ha'Ivriyim", illustration 35. An additional illustration after the introduction. The illustrations are from the Bragadini printing press in Venice.


On the title page of the book, interesting stamps and a signature. An ancient inscription in Italian script: " …I P.L.E … the 8th of Elul 5516". Ownership stamp: "Lama ze Tishal Le'Shmi Ve'Hu Pel'i" (Why asked thou thus after my name, seeing it is hidden?). An additional stamp in a foreign language: "E.P".

139, 302, [4] leaves. 30 cm. thick volume.
Condition: Excellent except for damage to single words on leaf 6. Thick, bright, high-quality paper. Nice margins. (original?), restored leather binding. Light stains.