Bidspirit auction | Midbar Yehudah – First Edition.

Midbar Yehudah – First Edition. Venice, 1602 - Midbar Yehudah, a collection of sermons for the festivals, celebrations and significant occasions in the Jewish life cycle – including weddings, circumcisions, Bar Mitzvahs, eulogies and more – by the Gaon Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh of Modena (Leone da Modena). Venice, printed by Daniel Zanetti, 1602. First edition. One of the important collections of sermons printed in Italy at the beginning of the 17th century, containing discourses delivered on various occasions and reflecting the spiritual and literary world of one of the foremost Italian Jewish scholars of his generation. On the verso of the title page appears a poem of praise by the author’s teacher, Rabbi Shmuel Archivolti, extolling the work and its author, alongside a poem of friendship by the Gaon Rabbi Azariah Figo. On the final page appears a distinctive prayer composed by the proofreader, Rabbi Nissim Shushan, entitled: “A Prayer of Purification by the Proofreader, Concerning Errors, Addressed to the Reader” – one of the unusual prayers found in early Hebrew printed books. The author, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh of Modena (Leone da Modena; 1571–1648), was one of the most prominent and colorful personalities of Italian Jewry. Renowned as a brilliant preacher, poet, author and polymath, his sermons attracted large audiences, including members of the Venetian aristocracy and Christian clergy. He engaged in public disputations with churchmen, represented Italian Jewry before the authorities, and served in rabbinical capacities in several Italian cities, including Venice, Ferrara and Florence, ultimately returning to serve in Venice. Copy with an early ownership signature on the title page. 104 leaves. 18.5 cm. Condition: Good–very good. Age stains. Simple binding.