Lechem Abirim. Venice, 1605. First Edition. Rare

Lechem Abirim. Venice, 1605. First Edition. Rare
Lechem Abirim, novellae on tractates Baba Kamma, Baba Metzia, Yevamot, Ketubot and Kiddushin by Rabbi Avraham ben Azuz, known as Avraham ben Burjel. Rare.
This book is quoted in works by leading Later Authorites including the Maharsh"a and the Pnei Yehoshua. The Maharsh"a finished writing his novellae to tractate Kiddushin in 1521 (as he wrote at the end of his novellae), about 16 years after this book's printing, from which we learn that within a short time this work spread throughout Europe and arrived in Ashkenazic study halls.
Owners' notations on the title page and on leaf 3; on leaf 106 there is a lengthy scholarly comment in ancient handwriting, all in Oriental script.
Little is known about the life of the author, Rabbi Avraham Burjel [active in the late 16th century]. He studied in Salonika at the yeshivah of Rabbi Shmuel di Modena - Maharashda"m. He brings several novellae in his name in his book, referring to him as "Moreinu HaRav." Maharashda"m also mentions him in his responsa, referring to him as "HaChacham HaShalem" (Maharashda"m Choshen Mishpat 275). He served as rabbi and rosh yeshivah of Nikopolis. Under his leadership, the yeshivah turned the city into a place of Torah. He was friends with Rabbi Shmuel Arisa, with whom he led the yeshivah. The author passed away in his youth, and the book was published by his brother-in-law and disciple, Rabbi Yosef di Novish, who also wrote an interesting foreword. Material about him is included with this lot.
65, 114 leaves, 30 cm. Moderate-fine condition. Aging stains. Tears. Restored title page with damage to text. The margins of the title page, the following leaf and the last leaf are cropped. Simple binding.