Bidspirit auction | Mechilta with the Commentary ”Zeh

Mechilta with the Commentary ”Zeh Yinachmenu” – Amsterdam, 1712 – First Edition This rare and important first edition of the Mechilta on the Torah with the commentary ”Zeh Yinachmenu”, printed in Amsterdam in 1712, carries significant historical and scholarly value. Key Features: Ownership and Signatures: Signature of the Gaon Rabbi Yona Bandy of Prague, a distinguished disciple of the ”Noda B'Yehuda”, appears on the title page: ”Kinyati le'kavod konyi, k. Yona Bandy.” This book once belonged to the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Ketzlenbogen, Chief Rabbi of Ansbach and Fürth (father of the well-known ”Yesh Minhalin”). Ownership inscriptions on the front flyleaf: ”This book belongs to the great Rabbi... N.Y. P.H. by Ksh”T, Rabbi Moshe z”l, Chief Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of the town of Ansbach.” The inscription continues: ”... in Schwabach, 20th of Elul, Parshat Mishpatim, 1748, Part I, Commentary on the Mechilta.” Rabbi Nethanel Hirsch Ketzlenbogen, son of Rabbi Moshe, adds further ownership and details, noting the book was purchased in Schwabach in the year 1748. Historical Background: Rabbi Moshe Ketzlenbogen (c. 1671–1733), a renowned scholar and community leader, was a prominent figure of his generation. He was a direct disciple of Rabbi Shaul Ketzlenbogen, Chief Rabbi of Pinchov, and later served as the Chief Rabbi of Podayitz and Fürth, and ultimately Ansbach. Rabbi Ketzlenbogen was highly respected both for his erudition in Torah and his proficiency in Kabbalah, specifically the teachings of the Ari (Isaac Luria), which he deeply integrated into his rabbinical work. His son, Rabbi Pinchas Ketzlenbogen, wrote in his work ”Yesh Minhalin” that his father was known for his extensive knowledge of the Ari's writings and had a particular expertise in sacred names and mystical teachings. His writings and innovations remain in manuscript form and are housed in Oxford University's library. Rabbi Nethanel Hirsch Ketzlenbogen (d. 1805) succeeded his father and was a prominent Rabbi in Mannheim, where he served as head of the Yeshiva for over thirty years. He was deeply influenced by his teacher, Rabbi Jacob of the ”Shav Yaakov, ” and went on to become a leading halakhic authority in Germany. Rabbi Yona Bandy of Prague (1740-1806), a leading Torah scholar and disciple of the ”Noda B'Yehuda”, is known for his piety and erudition. He was instrumental in the intellectual and spiritual life of the Prague Jewish community. His son, Rabbi Shmuel Bandy, was a prominent figure in Prague as well and composed various liturgical poems found in prayer books printed in Rudolstein. Condition: Pages: The book is generally in good condition, with some water stains and signs of age on the title page and a few subsequent pages. Binding: The original calf leather binding is worn, with some signs of age and usage. Size: 33 cm, comprising [3], 60 pages.