Sefer Me’am Lo’ez al Chumash Devarim – Part I, as written in the original Ladino by Rabbi Yitzchak Becher Shamira Arguaiti. Constantinople, Shmuel Ashkenazi Press, 1773. First editions of all parts of this book are rare and extremely sought-after.
Sefer Me’am Lo’ez is a popular commentary written for the masses in the countries of the Orient, hence it is written in Ladino. The gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Kuli began the work on this commentary, but did not manage to complete it, so others continued his work. The book was enthusiastically received by all sectors of the people, and due to the scope of its appreciation, it was translated into Hebrew!
Unique phenomenon: The entire text of Birkat HaMazon appears in parashat Ekev , with a commentary in Ladino. It is printed here in the text of the ancients: “בא”ה… הזנינו ולא ממעשינו, המפר[נ]סנו ולא ממעשינו…” This wording is still used by some Oriental communities.
8, 231 leaf, 29.5 cm. Lacking two leaves [225, 226], with some of the indices, not from the body of the book.
Moderate-fine condition. Usage and aging stains. Wear and tear in the margins of the title page and several leaves. Original leather binding, worn.