Manuscript - Midrash Ha'Gadol - Yemen, Circa the 15th Century - Rare

Manuscript - Midrash Ha'Gadol - Yemen, Circa the 15th Century - Rare
A very early manuscript of “Midrash HaGadol” on the book of Vayikra, written by Rabbi David son of Amram of Aden. Yemen, circa 15th century. Ancient Yemenite handwriting. Two columns per page.
The Midrash HaGadol on the book of Vayikra. In the page margins are ancient glosses written shortly after the book. The content of the glosses: explanations of difficult words in Hebrew or Arabic, which were most likely copied from the book “HaMargalit” - meaning of words in the “Midrash Ha’Gadol”. In addition, in the margins of the leaves are comments and corrections in different handwriting, which appear to be additions or omissions.

The Work’s Significance and Purpose
“Midrash HaGadol” is a Midrashic work which encompasses the entire Torah and contains Midrashei Halacha and Aggadah, midrashim which appear in the Talmuds, the early books of Midrash and the commentaries on the Bible. In addition, the work also contains commentaries from the Gaonim and Rishonim, primarily from Maimonides, as well as from the author himself - all edited and intertwined with Midrashim from the Sages as one entity.
This work preserved excerpts of many ancient midrashim from many important and rare sources, which disappeared from the Jewish world and only remain in this work.
This work is considered the masterpiece of Yemenite Jewry’s works on the Torah. The work was widely distributed in Yemen and transcribed very many times.
Thick volume, [210] leaves. A few leaves are missing at the beginning and end of the volume. Some of the leaves were bound out of order. 19x25cm.
Condition: Fair. Thick leaves. Stains, tears and moth signs. Detached leaves. Ancient leather binding.