Avodat HaKodesh – Cracow, 1576 – Glosses and Signatures

Avodat HaKodesh, on matters pertaining to Kabbalah and G-d's service, by Rabbi Meir Gabai. Cracow, 1576-1577, printed by Yitzchak of Prostějov (Prostich). First edition with this name [printed previously in Venice in 1567 with the title Marot Elokim]. Many glosses in Italian-Ashkenazi writing from the 16th century. Most glosses contain brief summaries of the content, apart from for one long gloss (Leaf 13/b), which begins with the words: "This is the explanation according to my lowly opinion…". The title page features ownership inscriptions in Oriental writing [18th-19th centuries]: "Nissim Avraham Chabif", "Shlomo Shaul". Rabbi Nissim Avraham Jilbi Chabif, an Izmir rabbi and sage, Dayan in Izmir from 1806-1825, was the son of Rabbi Chananel Chabif, author of Migdal Chananel and father of Rabbi Ya'akov Chabif, author of Va'Yechi Ya'akov. Rabbi Chaim Falagi wrote in his book Kaf HaChaim: "And remembered the good of… Rabbi Nissim Avraham Chabif who always conducted himself piously, even in the days of extreme cold he would wash his arm and head before donning tefillin". Rabbi Refael Ashkenasi also mentions Rabbi Chabif in a responsum in his book Mazkeret Gittin. Rabbi Shlomo Shaul, apparently "sage and important” son-in-law of Rabbi Ya'akov Amado, was mentioned in his book Imrei Emet (Izmir, 1881) Leaf 38/a – Sermon for his wedding which took place in the month of Tevet 1854. 139 leaves. 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Tears to title page. Several detached leaves. Stains and worming. Old binding, with leather spine. Early Polish printing. The title page features the date of the beginning of the printing of the book - Cheshvan 1576, and the last leaf is a colophon with the date it was concluded – Cheshvan 1577. On the last leaf are handwritten Latin censor authorizations from 1601-1609.