Torah Or, Bologna, 1538

Torah Or, Bologna, 1538

Sefer Torah Or, by the Chacham Rabbi Don Yosef Ibn Yichye - Bologna, 1538 - First and rare edition.

Sefer Torah Or elucidates the principles of Emunah according to the Mekubalim in a pleasant and clear language (it also introduces other outlooks of sages and philosophers). 

At the beginning of the book, a fascinating introduction by the author describing, among others, the adventures of his family during the expulsion from Portugal (in 1497). The author writes in his introduction that the book is supposed to be divided into three sections titled: Torah or, Derech Chaim and Ner Mitzvah. In practice, however, this book contains only the first section titled Torah Or and the two other sections were never published. 

On verso of the title page, a Menorah-shaped poem was printed beneath the heading: "מנורת זהב טהור, בשבח ספר תורה אור".

Printed inside the book: "הלצה לאושר החבור" by the famed Rabbi Azariya min HaAdumim (Rabbi Azariya ben Moses dei Rossi), author of Sefer Meor Enayim. 

Chacham Rabbi Don Yosef ben Rabbi David Ibn Yichye (1494-1539) was born in Florence, Italy, to a family that was exiled from Spain and Portugal. Most of his life, he lived in Imola, Italy. He passed away young and approx. ten years after his passing, his coffin was brought to Safed, Maran the Beit Yosef taking care of its burial. (Shalshelet Hakabbalha, Jerusalem 1962 edition, pp. 153-154). 

36 leaves. 18 cm. Most of the leaves are in excellent condition. New binding.