Tzeda LaDerech – First Edition – Ferrara, 1554

Tzeda LaDerech, by R. Menachem son of Aharon ibn Zerach. Ferrara: Abraham ibn Usque, [1554]. First edition.
A comprehensive composition by R. Menachem ibn Zerach, a Spanish scholar in the 14th century and disciple of R. Yehuda son of the Rosh, covering all the year-round laws and customs. The lengthy preface contains many important details relating to the Tosafists and Rishonim and about the author's time. The author writes that his book is geared to "members of His Majesty the King's court… [who] due to the turbulences of the time and desire for luxuries… become lax in their fulfillment of Mitzvot…".
The last leaf bears the printer's device and a colophon: "The work of Heaven was completed here in Ferrara in the house of the illustrious Abraham ibn Usque".
Several glosses. Censor deletions on one leaf.
[13], 32, [3], 38-75, [213] leaves. Lacking title page (replaced with photocopy). 20.5 cm. Page size varies. Fair condition. Many leaves replaced from other copies. A detached leaf at the beginning of the book. Stains. Signs of past dampness and mold stains to some leaves. Worming, affecting text. Tears. Worming and tears to approx. last 10 leaves, repaired with adhesive tape (damage also to last leaf with printer's device). New leather binding.
In this copy, as most copies, leaves 33-37 containing a commentary to Birkat HaMinim (blessing on the heretics), were omitted for censorship reasons, and replaced with three unpaginated leaves containing an abridged version [see article of Yitzchak Rivkind, Alexander Marx Jubilee Volume, New York, 1950, Hebrew vol., p. 416; and article of S. Hasida, Birkat HaMinim in Sefer Tzeda LaDerech, Moriah, Tishrei 2012, pp. 15-17].
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.