Bidspirit auction | ISSERLES, MOSHE (ReM’A).  Torath Ha’Olah

ISSERLES, MOSHE (ReM’A).  Torath Ha’Olah [philosophical thought, with astronomy]. FIRST EDITION. On title, printer's mark of Mordechai Katz, consisting of lions and the hands conveying the priestly benediction (symbolic of Katz's priestly lineage). At the bottom of the frame is a bearded face accompanied by two cherubs. Woodcut of Temple (reproduction of device of Venetian printer Marc Antonio Giustiniani) on ff. 33v. and 69r. On ff. 34v. and 70r. chapter headings historiated. Title with owner's signature “Avraham Kalonymos Kalman of Cracow.” Scholarly marginalia. With the rare final leaf of poetry in praise of the Author (not seen or noted by Vinograd) missing from most all copies.  ff. (6), 173. Title laid down, few paper repairs with no loss of text. Wormhole in text of f. 115. Modern tan calf with clasps and hinges. Folio. Vinograd, Prague 36; Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. col. 6483.22; Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 500. Prague, Mordechai Katz, 1569-70. First Edition of a Significant Work of Philosophy by a Brilliant Posek. The author demonstrates here his mastery of rationalist, particularly Maimonidean philosophy, with a particular focus on the meaning and purpose of the Temple in Jerusalem. He also writes justifying the study of philosophy, showing its consistency with Kabbalah. See M. J. Heller, The Sixteenth Century Hebrew Book, pp. 612-3; and Yeshiva University Museum Catalogue, The Golden Path, Maimonides Across Eight Centuries: Highlights from the Hartman Family Collection (2023) pp. 75-8. * This copy bound with: Orchoth Tzadikim [“Ways of the Righteous” - ethics]. Anonymous. ff. 22. [Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 70]. (1687).