Allegory – rhymed prose about the issue of Jewish principles of reward and punishment, time that betrays man and faith in G-d, written as an autobiography of “Matityah who was released from captivity, and did not know what to do until his heart led him to study Torah and loathe the desires of this world.” All his words are written in a lyrical manner and his rhymed poems are full of mussar and wisdom.
The author, Matityah, lived in Spain during the first half of the 15th century. About him, see: H. Shirman, HaShirah HaIvrit B’Spharad U’V’Provance ( Hebrew Poetry in Spain and Provance ), second book, section II, 1961, pp. 648-649.
The book was printed for the first time in the city of Tuhingen in [1660] and according to the colophon at the end of the manuscript, it was copied from the printed book, apparently close to its time of printing. Owner’s signature at the end: Eliezer son of Yitzchak HaLevi of Trir [near Mainz]. There are additional owners’ signatures on the first two leaves at the beginning of the manuscript.
[16] leaves. 21×16 cm. Ink on paper. Beautiful neat Ashkenazic script on both sides. Aging stains.