Bidspirit auction | Extremely rare. Menorat ha-Maor, Amsterdam,

Extremely rare. Menorat ha-Maor, Amsterdam, 1722 extraordinarily wide margins! - Menorat ha-Maor with the commentary Nefesh Yehudah. Amsterdam, 1722. An exceptionally large and impressive copy, in an original wooden binding covered with leather — a unique example. One of the foundational works of Jewish ethical literature, which became the shared heritage of the entire Jewish people and enjoyed immense circulation: Menorat ha-Maor by Rabbi Isaac Aboab, with the commentary Nefesh Yehudah by Rabbi Moses Frankfurt of Amsterdam. Tradition relates that the Vilna Gaon held this work in particularly high esteem, and that the Ḥatam Sofer would regularly study Menorat ha-Maor with his daughters. At the beginning of the volume are two title pages; the first is an impressive engraved copperplate title page depicting the scene of the Burning Bush, with figures of Moses holding the staff and Aaron lighting the Menorah—one of the most striking artistic title pages of its period. Rabbi Moses Frankfurt (1662–1762), a dayan in Amsterdam and great-uncle of the author of the Ḥatam Sofer, was also known for his works Zeh Yenaḥamenu on the Mekhilta, Kohelet Moshe (a Mikra’ot Gedolot edition), and Be’er Heitev on Ḥoshen Mishpat. His commentary Nefesh Yehudah was the first work he brought to print, at the young age of twenty-eight. [5], 129 leaves. Monumental format: 42 cm, with extraordinarily wide margins of approximately 10 cm—an exceptionally rare and highly sought-after feature. Condition: Very good. Light age-staining. Fine, professional restoration to the margins of several leaves at the end, with no loss to the text. Wooden boards covered with leather, with remnants of clasps (the binding has undergone professional conservation) — an outstanding collector’s copy, exceptional in its quality, splendor, and state of preservation.