Bechinas Olam. Ferrara, 1551
Sefer Bechinas Olam by Rabbi Yedaya Hapenini with the commentary of Rabbi Moshe ben Chavviv HaSephardi and Rabbi Yosef Francis. The present sefer is the first edition of Bechinas Olam with Rabbi Yosef Francis’ commentary. An earlier edition with Rabbi Moshe ben Chaviv’s commentary was first printed in Constantinople, circa 1520, and is exceedingly rare!
This sefer, written in parable form, is replete with mussar, and contrasts the vanities of this world to the eternal joy and rewards of Olam Haba.
The last 13 leaves of the sefer encompass
“Bakashas Ha’Memin” a liturgical poem whose every word begins with the letter mem, with a commentary on the poem by Rabbi Yosef Francis.
Rabbi Yedaya Hapenini (circa 1270-1340) was the son of Rabbi Avraham Bedersi. He was born in Provence, in southern France, but resettled in Barcelona, Spain in his youth. He was a great admirer of the Rambam’s works and authored a lengthy teshuvah regarding the study of philosophy which was subsequently included in Shu”t HaRashba vol. 1 Ch. 418.
In 1551, Rabbi Shmuel ben Ashkera Hatzarfati restarted the printing house in Ferrara (after only two Hebrew books were printed there during the incunabula period). It operated for approximately two years, in which he printed several more sefarim, all of which are rare.
Ferrara, 15 Kislev, 1551. Page Count: 122: 14 leaves.
Page Size: 20 cm.
Condition: Watermarks, marginal holes. Censor stamp. New binding.
Bibliography: Winograd, Ferrara #6; Ginzei Yisrael #968
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
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