Bidspirit auction | Sefer Yesod: Ralbag’s Commentary on

Sefer Yesod: Ralbag’s Commentary on the Torah – Bomberg Press – Venice, 1547 * A comprehensive commentary on the Five Chumashim by the renowned commentator and philosopher Rabbi Levi ben Gershom — the Ralbag, one of the leading Rishonim. One of the most fundamental commentaries on the Torah. Printed at the illustrious printing press of Daniel Bomberg, “here in beautiful Venice, ” as Rabbi Eliyahu Bachur describes it in his poetic colophon on the final page. Ralbag’s commentary on the Torah was first printed in Mantua around 1476, making it one of the earliest works produced during the era of Hebrew incunabula. The present edition is the second edition of the work and became the standard text used by generations of scholars. It served as the primary source for the editors of the Mosad Harav Kook edition (Jerusalem, 1992). The Venice edition is considerably more accessible to the student than the Mantua printing. Many abbreviations found in the earlier edition were expanded, and the text was printed in standard square Hebrew type rather than the distinctive semi-cursive Ashkenazic script used in the Mantua edition — a script unfamiliar to many non-Ashkenazic Jews. Rabbi Levi ben Gershom (1288–1344) , one of the great sages of Provence and among the foremost commentators on Tanach, was described as someone who was “well versed in the Talmud and composed a beautiful commentary on the Torah and Nevi’im” (Shu”t HaRivash, Ch. 45). The Malbim likewise praised him, writing: “Who among those who labor in Torah and wisdom does not know the greatness of the Ralbag and his profound scholarship?” In the sefer Shaarei Tzion, written not long after the Ralbag’s lifetime, he is extolled in remarkable terms: “The great Rav, exalted above all others, Rabbi Levi, son of the great Rabbi Gershom… explained the entire Written and Oral Torah and expounded wondrous insights in every field of wisdom… His commentary on the Written Torah is exceptionally distinguished, though its true greatness is appreciated only by a select few” (Yaroslav, 1885, p. 48). Rabbi Eliyahu Bachur aptly characterized the Ralbag’s commentary in his poem with the words: “He explained the Torah without Midrash; there is nothing in it that is not grounded in reason.” Venice, 1547. Second Edition. Page Count: 6, 9–248 leaves. Size: Large format. Condition: Good. Some stains. Small marginal loss at the foot of the title page, not affecting the text. Fine new leather binding. Signatures and inscriptions on the title page. Early ownership inscription on the verso of the title page: “Mine, says Eliyah son of my father and master Rabbi Eliezer, may he live.” Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 8.