Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Tehillim with Commentary of Rabbi Shlomo Attiya – Venice, 1549 – Only Edition – Important Introduction Naming Dozens of Torah Scholars of the Generation After the Spanish Expulsion
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Book of Tehillim, with simple commentary and kabbalistic commentary, by R. Shlomo Attiya, a disciple of R. Levi ibn Habib. Venice: printer not indicated, 1549. Only edition of commentary.
Large-format edition of the Book of Tehillim. The verses of Tehillim are printed in square letters, in two columns in the center of the page (next to the inner margins), with the commentary in Rashi script around it.
The commentary incorporates a simple explanation of difficult words and ideas, as well as deeper comments according to the kabbalistic method.
On the verso of the title page is printed an introduction by the author, which is a valuable historical documentation of the Jewish communities and rabbis of the period, in the generation following the Spanish Expulsion.
The commentator details at great length the Torah scholars he met in various cities, including Salonika, Adrianople, Constantinople, Petra and cities throughout Italy (Venice, Ferrara, Padua, Mantua, Ancona, Verona, Rome and Cremona). Throughout the introduction, the author mentions many dozens of rabbis and Torah scholars as a record for future times.
At the beginning of the introduction, the author also relates some personal information on his early studies under R. Avraham Samsol, R. Yosef Fasi and R. Levi ibn Habib.
The author, R. Shlomo son of Shem Tov Attiya (d. 1560) was a Torah scholar and kabbalist of the 16th century. Born in Salonika, he studied under R. Yosef Fasi and R. Levi ibn Habib. He later immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he passed away in 1560. R. Shlomo Attiya was one of the first authors to write an exhaustive commentary covering all of the Book of Tehillim.
On title page, signature in Italian cursive script: "Aharon Salem". On leaves of book: short glosses and inscriptions, and censorship expurgations.
42, 41-65 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including large dark dampstains and traces of former dampness. Worming, slightly affecting text, and tears, partially repaired with paper strips. Deleted stamps on title page and other leaves, with paper repairs over some. Old binding.
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries