Bidspirit auction | (SCIENCES). David Gans. Nechmad Vena’im

(SCIENCES). David Gans. Nechmad Vena’im [on astronomy, geography, as well as a rejection of astrology in Jewish tradition]. Numerous astronomical diagrams. Introduction in Latin (often lacking). ff. 82, pp. 20 (Latin). [Vinograd, Jessnitz 49]. Jessnitz, 1743. * Bound With:  Yitzchak HaYisraeli. Yesod Olam [astronomy and cosmography]. Edited by R. Baruch of Schklow. With engraved folding astronomical chart. ff. (1), 93, (7). [Vinograd, Berlin 289]. Berlin, 1777. Two works bound in one volume.  Both First Editions. Few stains, second title remargined. Recent boards. 4to. R. David Gans (1541-1603) was a student of the Mahara’l of Prague (1512-1609) as well as an apprentice to the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601). His distinctively Jewish scientific works were inspired by his exposure to both teachers, providing instruction on the physical and metaphysical realms. See A. Neher, Jewish Thought and the Scientific Revolution of the Sixteenth Century: David Gans (1541-1613) and His Times (1986) pp. 58-91 and pp. 6, 20, 24. Yesod Olam includes chapters on: Geometry and trigonometry; the structure and position of the globe; the number and movements of celestial spheres; the time differences in days and nights in various parts of the Earth; the movements of sun and moon; solstices, eclipses, and leap-years. A Dayan on the Beth Din of Minsk, R. Baruch Schick of Shklov (1744-1808) was a close disciple of the Vilna Gaon and translated on his behalf a number of scientific works into Hebrew.