Bidspirit auction | Sefer Michlal Yofi – First

Sefer Michlal Yofi – First Edition, Constantinople, 1549. - Sefer Michlal Yofi, authored by Rabbi Shlomo ibn Melech and serves as a kind of encyclopedic work for the study and interpretation of Scripture. It compiles commentaries on the biblical text arranged according to the order of the Tanakh, drawn from thirty-nine works by leading grammarians and biblical commentators, all of whom are listed at the end of the book. In addition, the author analyzes the verses linguistically, commenting on word roots, grammatical forms, and verb conjugations. First Edition, Constantinople, printed by Moshe ben Elazar Parnas HaRofeh, 1549. The author’s primary sources include the works of Rabbi Judah Ḥayyuj, Rabbi Jonah ibn Janah, Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra, Rabbi Joseph Kimhi, and Rabbi David Kimhi. The central place is given to Rabbi David Kimhi, particularly his works Michlol and Sefer HaShorashim. Of him, the author writes: “I was exceedingly zealous for the honor of the sage Rabbi David Kimhi, of blessed memory, for this man is complete with us in his views and beliefs.” He emphasizes the importance of his work in making the teachings of Rabbi David Kimhi accessible in clear language and arranging them according to the order of the Tanakh. Through this book, he writes, Jews of the Maghreb—especially those of his native city of Fez—as well as Jews of the cities of Turkey, renowned for their excellence in biblical study, would be able to benefit from the teachings of the Radak. Lacking copy: 184 out of 192 leaves. 31 Cm.