Bidspirit auction | Sefer Malkiel, Tübingen, 1560 (ש”כ) An

Sefer Malkiel, Tübingen, 1560 (ש”כ) An exceptionally rare and early Kabbalistic work! - Malkiel – First Edition. Tübingen, 1560 (ש”כ) Exceptionally Rare Early Kabbalistic Work Sefer Malkiel, “to explain parables and allegories, the words of the sages and their riddles... on the topics of Aggadot and riddles in the Talmud…”, authored by Rabbi Malkiel Hezekiah ben Avraham. Printed in Tübingen, 1560 (ש”כ). First edition. This rare and important early Kabbalistic work interprets deep concepts of Chazal regarding Gan Eden and Gehinnom, the mystery of ”zugot” (pairs), and the Tree of Knowledge, all through the lens of Kabbalah. The book was later reprinted a few times, including a noted edition published in Vilna-Horodna, 1819 (תקע”ט). That edition references the high praise for Malkiel found in the Shelah HaKadosh (Shnei Luchot HaBrit, fol. 177b), stating: “From this you may understand the secret of 'zugot'... and the Malkiel has already elaborated at length, and all his words are sweeter than honey and honeycomb, and one’s lips shall kiss his delightful words more precious than gold…” Authorship: The identity of the author is uncertain. Some scholars associate him with Rabbi Malkiel Ashkenazi, a sage of the early 16th century who founded the Jewish community in Hebron and served as its Av Beit Din until his passing in 1596 (שנ”ו). Printing: The book was printed in Tübingen, a town in southern Germany where a Jewish press operated only in the year 1560 (ש”ך). A total of only six Hebrew books were printed there—each of great significance and extreme rarity. [22] leaves. Size: 19 cm. Very fine-good condition. Tiny holes on the title page with reinforcement stickers on the reverse side of the title page. Some age stains. New leather binding.