Bidspirit auction | Tanach Menashe Ben Yisrael Amsterdam,

Tanach Menashe Ben Yisrael Amsterdam, 1635 Complete and Beautiful * Chamisha Chumshei Torah, Nevi’im and Kesuvim, carefully proofread and corrected by the renowned scholar Rabbi Menashe ben Yisrael. One of the earliest editions of the Tanach printed in Amsterdam. A magnificent copy in excellent condition — virtually like new! Includes introductions in Hebrew and Latin by Rabbi Menashe ben Yisrael. In his introduction, Rabbi Menashe writes that he meticulously corrected the text, including the vocalization and the cantillation marks (ta'amim). Each section opens with a copper-engraved title page set within an architectural frame, and at the beginning of the Tanach there is an additional title page in Latin. The complete Tanach with nekudos and taamim in one large volume, the text is printed with the same spacing as in a sefer torah. Rabbi Menashe ben Yisrael (1604-1657) was one of the great sages of the Jewish people in the 17th century, a Torah leader, scholar and statesman. Born in Portugal as a descendant of Anusim (forced converts), he devoted great effort to drawing the descendants of Anusim back to Judaism and observance. He promoted dialogue between Jews and Christians and sought to explain the tenets of Judaism through an array of books that he authored and published in several languages. In 1655 he traveled at the head of a delegation to England to lead efforts to restore Jewish settlement there, remaining there for two years. One of his greatest achievements was the founding of the Hebrew printing press in Amsterdam in 1627, which soon became the leading center of Hebrew printing worldwide. Printing began in 1631 and concluded in 1635; the title pages of volumes II–IV originally bore the date 1631, which was corrected by hand to at the time to 1636. Amsterdam, 1631–1636. Page Count: [1], 128; 369 leaves. Size: 21.8 cm. Five title pages: two general ones, and separate title pages for Nevi'im Rishonim, Nevi’im Achronim and Kesuvim. Leaf edges are decorated; fine European leather binding, with a minor flaw to the spine. Exceedingly rare in such magnificent condition. Bibliography : Alfei Menashe no. 24; Ginzei Yisrael no. 35. --------------------------------------------- Any inquiries about this lot? We are available also on WhatsApp >>>