Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Mikraot gedolot: Torah Neviim u-Ketuvim [Biblia Rabbinica]. Complete in 4 vol.

Modena, Leo di [Jehudah] (ed.)

Venice: Pietro and Lorenzo Bragadini, Giov. Cajon, 1617. Hardcover. Elephant Folio. 4 vols. (I): 1-228ff., (II): 229-441ff., (III): 442-667ff., (IV): 668-908,8,(24)ff. Modern 3/4 leather over black cloth boards with blind-embossed lettering to spines, raised bands, red page edges to 3 of 4 volumes. The fifth Biblia Rabbinica (Mikraot Gedolot), edited by Leo (Judah) di Modena, based Bomberg's 1525-26 Masoretic Bible, according to Jacob ben Chaim's codex (see Darlow and Moule #5119, Steinschneider Catalogus #424). Follows Bomberg's famous layout design- vocalized, cantillized, partially versified Hebrew Biblical text in the center, surrounded on the outside by the classical commentaries of Rashi and the Masoretic notes, as well as several other classical commentators. These additional sources include: the Arameic Targum Onkelos (side by side with Pentateuch text), Ibn Ezra (Pentateuch, Writings), Jacob b. Asher- "Baal ha-Turim" (Pentateuch), David Kimchi- "RaDaK" (Early and Later Prophets), Levi ben Gershon- "Gershonides" or "RaLBaG" (Early Prophets), and Saadia b. Yosef Gaon (Daniel). Decorative title pages at the beginnings of all 4 volumes, illustrated with a repeating copper plate engraving depicting a cutaway of a traditional Temple design. The imprint of the same date (377, or 1617) is present on all 4 volumes, but with a different Hebrew mnemonic on Early Prophets. Book headings engraved with the traditional Bomberg design. First volume opens with a one-page preface in Hebrew block letters, by Leo di Modena, in which he thanks all of the people who worked on the release of this edition- Lorenzo Bragadin, Yosef Danan, Meir Mili, Avraham Chaver Tov, and Slomo Chaim Ha-Sofer. Interestingly, the name of Jacob ben Chaim Adonijah- the creator of the Bomberg Rabbinic Bible codex- does not appear on the title page. Jacob b. Chaim's own original 1526 preface follows after Modena's, in Rashi script, again never mentioning his own name, in contrast to the opening of the original 1526 Bomberg edition: "amar ha-tzair Yaakov ben Chaim... [thus spoke the humble Jacob b. Chaim...]"- this introduction is absent from subsequent editions because of b. Chaim's conversion to Christianity shortly after his completion of Bomberg's original codex (see Orlinsky, Harry. The Library of Biblical Studies. KTAV: New York, 1968). B. Chaim's name does appear on the appendices at the back of Writings. Preface is followed by an index of sidrot and parshot [order of weekly readings] "according to the Masorah [tradition]," a complete index of TaNaKh verses, and a 25-line poem & commentary by ibn Ezra- one of the two main medieval Jewish commentators given over extensively in this edition. Vol II (Early Prophets) opens with two paragraphs by Radak and Ralbag. Vol III (Later Prophets) contains another paragraph by Radak, and Vol IV (Writings) has another short poem and a paragraph by ibn Ezra. End of Writings also contains several indexes: Targum Yerushalmi (10pp.), Derchei ha-Nikud ve-ha-Neginut (explanation of vocalization and cantillation marks), an extended alphabetical index of important Biblical Hebrew words and their occurrences throughout the TaNaKh, and Khilufei Kria ve-Shaar ha-Neginut (variances on public reading customs). Title-page of the first volume crudely repaired and mounted on tab, not affecting text. 5th leaf in beginning appendix of first volume loose, but present and fully intact. Water-staining throughout first 10 leaves of the first volume, not affecting text. Very minor browning, sporadic foxing and very few water stains, not affecting text. Set overall in very good condition. vg. Item #15246

Price: $5,000.00