Rare Kushta Treasures!
Beis Middos (Maalos Hamiddos). First Edition. Constantinople, 1511
The first edition of the renowned work of mussar ‘Maalas Hamiddos’ by Rabbi Yechiel Anav, one of the early Rishonim. The sefer is divided into 24 attributes, including fear of heaven, humility, faith, charity and others.
The second edition of Beis Middos was reprinted forty-six years later in Cremona based on a handwritten manuscript. Since then, the sefer became widely known as ‘Maalas Hamiddos’.
Rabbi Yechiel ben Rabbi Yekuisel ben Rabbi Binyamin Harofeh dwelled in the era of the Rishonim during the mid- to late 13th century. He was a scion of the legendary Jewish-Italian Anav family. According to Italian-Jewish lore, four families voyaged from Jerusalem to Italy in the era of Emperor Titus and settled in Rome – the Anav family, Ne’arim family, Adumum family and Latifim family.
Colophon:
“And the work was completed…at the hand of the laborers… Rabbi Shmuel Rukomin and R’ Ashruk Detullon…and the book was completed on the fourth day of the month of Tishrei in the year…5272 (1511) in Greater Constantinople…” In his preface to the sefer, Rabbi Yosef Bibas notes that the printing of the sefer commenced in Av of 5271 (1511).
This sefer was the personal copy of illustrious Italian sages. This sefer was owned by Rabbi Refael Ravigo of Modena and is autographed on leaf 2a by his son, the kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Ravigo, who was a disciple of the Ramaz (1650-1714). On the title page there is a signature of Rabbi Yishmael HaKohen, Av Beis Din of Modena, author of Shu”t Zera Emes (1724-1811). The sefer also features an early signature of Yaakov ben Avraham of Cortona, a city in the Tuscana region of Italy.
Constantinople, 1511. First Edition
by Shmuel ben Nachmias Press.
Page Count: [72] leaves.
Page Size: 20.5 cm.
Condition: Good; fine new green leather binding, gilded decorations and decorative spine.
Bibliography: Yaari, Kushta #13; Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod p. 227
