Ben HaMelech VeHanazir. Mantua 1557.

Ben HaMelech VeHanazir. Mantua 1557.

Rare and valuable book on ethics and parables. Rabbi Avraham named his book, 'Revach VeHatzala'. With time, however, the book became known by the title ‘Ben HaMelech VeHanazir’.

Parables and ethics in poetry and flowery prose form. Structured upon a discourse between a frivolous King and a Nazirite who abstains from worldly pleasures.

Authored by Chacham Rabbi Avraham HaLevi Chasdai, early 13th Century. Based on an early source attributed to Greek sages and heavily revised by Rabbi Avraham. He altered the plot and characters to a Jewish version.

Signatures and ownership listings, and numerous quill practices on the title page and front and back endpapers.

Some of the topics of debate between the King and the Nazirite:

• Emphasis on the value of wisdom against folly.

• Charity saves from death.

• Love of one’s fellow man. Integrity and loyalty. Not to fear the unknown.

• To marry out of love. Not to be embarrassed from anyone. To set boundaries.

• Topics of diet, health, faith, knowledge of G-d. Old age, death, surrendering, anger, forgiveness, quiet, falsehood, secrets, modesty, philanthropy and more.

Approximately 250 wise maxims with ethical messages, code of conduct and advice for life. These adages cover a range of topics including, good and evil, wisdom and folly, pride and humility, youth and old age, laziness, envy, covetousness, faith, flattery, preparation for the World to Come, and appropriate living in this World.

Splendid, beautiful print. Decorative, embellished first letter of each Chapter. Poetry printed with punctuation. Unique Printer’s Mark appears at end of the book depicting a bird within a frame.

The Bibliographical Institute lists the copy of the British Library. The scanned version on the Israeli National Library’s website is from a damaged copy.

Mantua, 1557. Second edition.

92 leaves. 16 cm. Very good condition. Age stains. Magnificent, new, leather binding.

Ginzei Yisrael 1727.

Nice copy of a rare and valuable book on ethics and parables.