Menoras Hamaor
with Nefesh Yehuda Commentary
Amsterdam, 1700
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Menoras Hamaor by Rabbi Yitzchak Abuhav with the first printed edition of the Nefesh Yehuda commentary by Rabbi Moshe Frankfurter of Amsterdam.
Menoras Hamaor is one of the fundamental works of Jewish ethics, and it was enthusiastically received and widely disseminated among Jewish communities around the world.
The sefer contains two title pages. The first title page is magnificently illustrated with copperplate engravings that depict the Revelation on Mount Sinai, Moshe holding his staff, and Aharon lighting the menorah. Leaf 4b presents a poem shaped in the form of a menorah, likely an allusion to the title of the sefer.
Rabbi Moshe Frankfurter (1672-1762) was a famous dayan in Amsterdam and the great-uncle of the Chasam Sofer of Pressburg. He is famous for Zeh Yenachameinu, a comprehensive work on the Mechilta, Mikra’os Gedolos Kehillas Moshe, and his Ba’er Heitev on Choshen Mishpat. His commentary Nefesh Yehuda, was his very first published work, and it was printed when he was only 28 years old!
The first pages of the sefer feature approbations from the Rabbanim of Amsterdam and Rabbi Yosef Shmuel of Cracow, Av Beis Din of Frankfurt am Main and author of Masores HaShas.
Amsterdam, 1700. First printing of Nefesh Yehuda. 330 leaves. Page size: 16 cm. Illustrated title page was reinforced at margins. Last page was professionally restored with all text intact. Good condition. Worn antique leather binding; spine engraved with gilded designs.
Provenance: William L. Gross Collection
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