Tzena U’re’ena
First illustrated edition
Zoltzbach, 1720
___
with over 50 Biblical illustrations!
Yiddish commentary and anthology of midrashim and stories on the Chamishah Chumshei Torah, Haftaros and Five Megillos by Rabbi Yaakov ben Rabbi Yitzchak Ashkenazi of Yanov.
This sefer was written specifically for “the women and daughters of Israel”. this is the first edition printed with illustrations.
It is exceedingly rare to find an early 18th century copy of Tzena U’re’ena in mint condition!
Not extant in the Jerusalem National Library.
Indisputably, the most popular work in the history of Yiddish literature, the Tzena U’re’ena was originally compiled for Jewish women who wished to learn, but were mostly illiterate in lashon hakodesh. With his golden pen, the author brilliantly draws the reader into the fascinating stories of Tanach, superbly interwoven with famous midrashim, parables and stories. The sefer was enthusiastically received by Jewish women who would often read it together on Shabbos, as the Chafetz Chaim attests in his famous letter regarding the founding of the Bais Yaakov movement: “In previous generations, there was a tradition in every Jewish home to follow the way of Torah and religion and to read the sefer Tzena U’re’ena every Shabbos…”
Due to the immense popularity and extensive use of this sefer throughout the ages, there is not a single known extant copy of its earliest editions, and even 18th century copies of the Tzena U’re’ena are rarities.
The Illustrated Tzena U’re’ena
With the goal of drawing the hearts of the masses to learn and study this sefer, printers of the era began adding illustrated scenes from Tanach into the Tzena U’re’ena. Zoltzbach, in particular, was one of the premier printers of illustrated sefarim.
This early illustrated edition features 54 captivating woodcut illustrations, each with a caption explaining the illustration.
On the title page, the printer writes in regard to the illustrations:
“To notify and publicize the great benefits of this lovely sefer that has never yet been seen. For all the stories and topics written in the Torah and Haftaros, we included charming illustrations called kupper shtich, and above every illustration are several words describing the contents of the illustration. This way, men and women shall be at peace, for they shall know and understand what is printed on that page even before they read the sefer.
Zoltzbach, 1720. 158 leaves. Page size: Approx 33 cm. Additional title page for 5 Megillos and Haftaros. Small tear on leaf 148; final leaf with small holes. Otherwise complete and in good condition. Old cardboard binding covered with marbleized paper and new leather spine.
…………………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
