Bidspirit auction | Sefer Rinat Dodim, a commentary

Sefer Rinat Dodim, a commentary on Shir HaShirim, by the kabbalist Rabbi Eliyahu ben Moshe of Lorenz. Basel, 1600. First edition - The author, Rabbi Eliyahu Baal Shem of Lorenz (1565–1636), studied at the yeshiva of the Maharal of Prague, engaged in Kabbalah and the writing of amulets. He arrived in Basel after leaving his community in Frankfurt am Main, and published this book “for what is written in a book is as though it were expounded to thousands and myriads” (from the title page). The Chida relates that he saw a manuscript commentary on the Zohar in Rabbi Eliyahu’s handwriting: “…and I saw in Amsterdam a manuscript commentary on the Zohar by the gaon Rabbi Eliyahu son of the gaon Rabbi Moshe Lorenz, and he wrote there that he was of the family of Rashi…” (Shem HaGedolim, Ma’arechet HaGedolim, letter Mem, entry 98). On the flyleaf: dedication and signature – Yaakov Tubyana. [1], 30 leaves. 19 cm. Moderate–good condition. Aging stains. Worming in upper margins. Tears with loss of text on the upper parts of the final two leaves. Old leather binding.