Parshat Toldot of the Megaleh Tzefonot, in the hand of the author, Rabbi Eliyahu HaItamri of Izmir, with the comments of proofreader and publisher Rabbi Ben Tzion Binyamin Roditi. Izmir, [end of the 16th-beginning of the 17th century].
This is the author’s original commentary, written in his own hand, on the midrash of Parshat Toldot [one leaf missing from the conclusion of the parshah], from his Megaleh Tzefonot. The book was purchased by proofreader and publisher, R’ Ben Tzion Binyamin Roditi, as he writes in the preface to the work that he published. This manuscript includes R’ Ben Tzion’s comments, alongside the original manuscript, which were later included (in parentheses) in the first edition of the book in Izmir, 1759.
[14] leaves (numbered 110-123), 22 cm. About 45 lines to a page. Balkan, Oriental script. Erasures to the body of the book and marginal supplements.
Rabbi Eliyahu HaKohen Itamri (1659-1729) was a prominent Izmir rabbi, renowned for his Shevet Mussar. He was a foremost dayan and talented orator who preached asceticism. He was involved in the Shabtai Zvi episode. He authored more than 30 works, including the noted Shevet Mussar, which was first published in Constantinople in 1712, and Midrash Talpiot.
Included are three expert opinions regarding the authenticity of the manuscript, from Rabbi Yosef Avivi, Rabbi Yitzchak Yeshaya Weiss, and Rabbi Shimon Schwartz.
Excerpt from Yosef Avivi:
“This all clearly indicates that this manuscript is the original manuscript of the Megaleh Tzefonot, written in the hand of the author, R’ Eliyahu HaKohen HaItamri, author of Shevet Mussar. This manuscript was owned by R’ Bentzion Binyamin Roditi and was used to publish the book in Izmir, 1759.”
Within a magnificent leather binding. Light waterstains. Light blemishes to the text. A few restorations. Fine condition.