“Pardes Rimonim”. Sabbioneta, 1554. First edition. Copy with Signatures and Glosses

“Pardes Rimonim”. Sabbioneta, 1554. First edition. Copy with Signatures and Glosses

A rare and important book: Explanations of Chazal’s narratives from the Talmud.

“Pardes Rimonim” by Rabbi Shem Tov Ibn Shaprut, with rational interpretations of Chazal’s

narratives in the Talmud.

Rabbi Shem Tov Ibn Shaprut was one of the great sages of Spain. He was a thinker, philosopher and physician who lived in the city of Toledo, in the second half of the 14th century. Rabbi Ibn Shaprut's theological and philosophical thought was characterized by rationalism from both Aristotle and the Rambam. He authored "Tzofnat Paneach" and other works. Notably, Rabbi Ibn Shaprut participated in a debate with the Bishop Don Pedro di Luna.

Writers sometimes confuse him with Shem Tov ben Yitzchak of Tortosa, who lived about one hundred and fifty years after him. As a lad, he had a debate regarding Adam's first sin and the future redemption, with Bishop Pedro di Luna, who later became Pope Benedict XIII.

The debate took place in the city of Pamplona on December 26, 1375, in the presence of the Bishops and Christian scholars.

This is a complete and beautiful copy of this rare book, with signatures on the title page, and several glosses within the book. At the end of the book appears the printers’ emblem of the Foix family printers, with the verse 'The righteous will blossom like a palm tree' along with their special design.

Sabbioneta, 1554.

51 [1] pages. Complete. Exceptionally lovely copy. Signatures and glosses.

Otzar Hasefer Computerized Database, No. 52481.

Most rare and valuable.