Lekach Tov With Fascinating Handwritten Notations. Constantinople, 1575. Single Edition.

Lekach Tov With Fascinating Handwritten Notations. Constantinople, 1575. Single Edition.

Lekach Tov is a commentary on the Torah, and includes Chazal’s homilies on the Talmud, Mechiltah, Sifrah, Sifri. These commentaries are ordered according to the Torah commandments as per the Rambam’s listing. Authored by Rabbi Moshe Najara.

This book was likely published as a continuation of the printing of the books Rabbi Najara based his composition on. (Constantinople 1510– Venice, 1546).

The concluding page features a printed blessing from the author’s son, Rabbi Yisrael Najara, followed by a poem he authored.

Upon its printing, the book received widespread accolades and recognition from great Rabbis throughout the Jewish world. Yemenite sages, including Rabbi Shomo Adani often quoted this work, as did the Italian Grammarian, Rabbi Shlomo of Norzi.

The Chida was similarly enthusiastic in his praise of this work.

The title page features a handwritten notation.

On the verso of the title page appears a 5-line handwritten poem!

The page following the title page has a handwritten note in Yemenite above the introduction. This note begins with an ownership listing penned in Judeo-Arabic, although the owner’s name is erased. This note continues with a curse on whoever takes and keeps this book without permission. The annotation concludes with a blessing.

Rabbi Moshe Najara (1508-1581) was one of Tzefat’s sages and a disciple of the Ari HaKadosh. Rabbi Moshe’s family hailed from Najera, Spain, and his father, Rabbi Levi was among those expelled from Spain. Rabbi Levi spent some time in Constantinople, eventually relocating to Tzefat where his son Moshe was born. From early on Rabbi Moshe’s talents were apparent, and he was ordained to the Rabbinate at a young age.

Due to the Arab riots in 1579, Rabbi Moshe joined many Jews who fled to Damascus. Here too, he was soon appointed as a leading Rabbi.

Constantinople, 1575.  Printed by Brothers Shlomo and Yosef Yaavetz.

149, [1] leaves. 29.5 cm. Good condition. Small tear and taping on the title page. Stains. Light-colored, quality, thick paper. Without binding.

Ya’ari, Constantinople 183.

Single edition.