Shemen Mishchat Kodesh. Salonika, 1779. First Edition. With Rabbi Mordechai Girundi's Signature, and Handwritten Glosses

Shemen Mishchat Kodesh. Shir HaShirim with kabbalistic commentary by Rabbi Shlomo Molcho. Salonika, 1779. First edition. With Rabbi Mordechai Girundi's signature, and handwritten glosses.

The book's title page bears the signature of Rabbi "Mordechai Girundi of Padua," and an additional inscription in his handwriting on the title page. Several kabbalistic glosses in his hand among the book's leaves.

Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ben-Tziyon Aryeh Girundi [1799-1852], was born in Padua. In 1829 he was appointed rabbi of Padua; and two years later he became chief rabbi. He served as the highest authority in the rabbinate, and rabbis of several communities served under him. His most important work is Toldot Gedolei Yisrael, a biographic and bibliographic dictionary of Italy's rabbis and Jewish sages. The book contains 831 new entries written by him. Rabbi Mordechai Girundi's library was one of the largest of his time, and a portion of his library's books are now in the Montefiore Library at the Jewish College in London, and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

The commentary on Shir HaShirim was written by Rabbi Shlomo Molcho, descendant of Rabbi Shlomo Molcho who was murdered for the sanctification of G-d's name. He was disciple of Rabbi Chaim di la Rosa in Jerusalem, from whom he learned kabbalah. A prominent figure in Salonika's community, he immigrated to Jerusalem and was a member of Beit-el. Contains the approbation of Rabbi Yom Tov - the Mahari"t Algazi - and others. The book's end includes 'Shoshanat HaMelech,' kabbalistic piyyutim on the redemption for Shabbat and festivals.

[6] 285 leaves. 21 cm. Ginzei Yisrael- Mehlman Collection 1088.

Fine condition. Stains. Old leather binding.