Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Five Books of the Torah – Em LaMikra by Rabbi Eliyahu Benamozegh – Livorno, 1862-1863 – Complete Set
Opening: $300
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Five Books of the Torah, with Five Megillot and haftarot, and with Em LaMikra commentary by R. Eliyahu Benamozegh. Livorno: printed by the author, R. Eliyahu Benamozegh and partners, 1862-1863. Five-part set in two volumes.
Two title pages, Hebrew and French, in all parts.
R. Eliyahu Benamozegh (1823-1900) was born in Livorno to a family of immigrants from Fez, Morocco. His grandfather was R. Avraham Curiat. At the age of 18 he was ordained, serving as a rabbi of the city's rabbinic council. He was known for his wide erudition in science, philosophy and kabbalah, which he combined in his unique interpretive approach and worldview.
Em LaMikra was one of Benamozegh's key works (his first Hebrew book), comprising a methodical Torah commentary based on modern research, philology and archeology, including bold, original interpretation advancing a pluralistic and universalistic worldview, while also defending the Torah from Biblical critics. This book's use of modern scholarship ignited a controversy, and copies were publicly burned in Aleppo and Damascus.
Two volumes. Volume I (Bereshit-Shemot): [2], 192 leaves; 146 leaves. Volume II (Vayikra-Devarim): 106 leaves; 26, 29-134 leaves; 190, 35 leaves. Lacking leaves 27-28 of Bamidbar. 17.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Tears and open tears, including tears to title pages of Bereshit, repaired with paper filling. Bindings with leather spine (volume II in old rubbed binding, volume I in new matching binding).
Provenance: Kestenbaum, New York, June 14, 2018, Lot 59.
Books Printed in Livorno – 18th-19th Centuries
Books Printed in Livorno – 18th-19th Centuries