Sha’arei Eitz Chaim by Rabbi Binyamin ben Avraham - of the Anav Family. Prague, 1598. Rare and Valuable.

Sha’arei Eitz Chaim by Rabbi Binyamin ben Avraham - of the Anav Family. Prague, 1598. Rare and Valuable.

Preface to Kabbalah and fear of G-d, composed in poetry form.

A rare book, not in circulation, comprising four leaves. Composed by Rabbi Binyamin ben Avraham ben Rabbi Refael the doctor, of the Anav family. Rabbi Binyamin lived in the 13th century.

Rabbi Binyamin (ben Avraham) Anav: of the sages of Rome, circa 1240. Member of a famous family of sages and scribes, who purportedly were descendants of captives brought by Titus to Rome following the destruction of the Second Temple. No known details of his life including dates of birth or death. His teachers included Rabbi Meir ben Rabbi Moshe, Rabbi Yitzchak of Kamirino and Rabbi Avigdor HaCohen, and apparently Rabbi Yeshaya ben Mali of Trani.

Rabbi Binyamin holds a prominent place in Halachah, Aggadah and Piyut (poetry). It is evident from his compositions that he was similarly proficient in science, philosophy and astrology.

The Anav family: was one of four famous families in Rome, Italy during the Middle Ages. According to family tradition, they were from the nobility of Yehuda and Yerushalayim, and were exiled by Titus during the destruction of the Second Temple. They were brought to Rome and led through the streets of the city, at the head of the captives, in the year 71. Ever since, these four families became most prominent and influential within Italian Jewry. Many of their descendants became famous Rabbanim, Roshei Yeshiva, Poskim, Chachamim, Paytanim, Sofrim and more.

Prague, 1598.

4 leaves. Complete and in good condition. A few old professional restorations.

This book has never appeared at public auctions and is extremely rare and valuable.