First edition. Venice 1707.

מעשה טוביה. מהדורה ראשונה. וינציה תס”ז (1707)

Important Hebrew scientific encyclopedia by R. Tuvia (Tobias) Cohen on medical and natural sciences, geography and astronomy. Includes a discourse on the coming of Mashiach as well as an important historical section on the tragic saga of the false Messiah Shabtai Tzvi and his pseudo prophet Nathan of Gaza. Divided into three sections with individual title pages with many fascinating illustrations and diagrams including a full page copper-plate portrait of the author which appears on the verso of the title page.
R. Tuvia (Tobias) Cohen (1652-1729) was born into a rabbinical family. He studied medicine in the University of Frankfurt, however when the Lutheran faculty refused to admit Jewish students to doctoral examinations, he transferred to the University of Padua. Known as a Talmid Chochom as well as successful physician he moved to Constantinople where he served as court physician to five successive Sultans. He later retired to Yerushalayim where he dedicated himself to Torah study. He was a brother in Law of R. Yair Chaim Bacharach (Chavas Yair) who quotes various Torah thoughts in his name.
Vinograd Venice 1572. Bragadin press. 6, 158 pages. 22 cm. Includes 3 title pages. Fine condition, some light staining and foxing. Handsome modern leather binding.
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