Bidspirit auction | Spanish Translation of Shivchei Todah

Spanish Translation of Shivchei Todah by Rabbi Malachi HaKohen – Pisa, 1746 – Prayers and Piyyutim for the Fast of 22nd Shevat, In Memory of Miraculous Salvation from 1742 Livorno Earthquake - Traduccion de la Oracion del Ajuno de los Temblores de Tierra [Translation of the prayer of the fast day for the earthquake]. Pisa: Evangelista Pugli, [1746]. Spanish and Ladino (with some Portuguese). Spanish translation of the fast day prayer order Shivchei Todah (Livorno, 1744), originally authored in Hebrew by R. Malachi son of Yaakov HaKohen, a leading Italian rabbi, author of Yad Malachi. Printed after a series of violent earthquakes that shook Livorno in 1742, upon which the rabbis of the city established 22nd Shevat as a fast day and day of permanent prayer and thanksgiving. To make the book accessible to the Spanish-Portuguese Marrano community, the book was translated and commented by Dr. Abraham de Bargas, physician of the Jewish community in Livorno and a member of a Spanish Marrano family (De Bargas, who personally experienced the earthquake, had already authored a report on the events in 1742, Fiel relación de los terremotos). At the beginning of the book is an introduction of the translator addressed to community leadership (the Mahamad), followed by an official authorization to print the book, signed by community leaders and rabbis. Followed by six sonnets authored by rabbis and distinguished members of the community in honor of the event, headed by a sonnet of R. Refael Meldola, Rabbi of Livorno and Pisa, author of Responsa Mayim Rabim. 6, [1], 7-171, [2] pages. Approx. 15 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Marginal worming to all leaves of book (slightly affecting text of a few of last leaves). Old binding, with rubbing and wear. One of the few Spanish publications printed in Pisa in the 18th century for the Spanish-Portuguese community. See: Kayserling, Bibl. Jud. Ant. p. 16.