Mechir Yayin – commentary on Meggilat Esther by Rabbi Moshe Isserlis – the Ram”a.
This book is the the “first fruit” of the great Ashkenazic adjudicator – the Ram”a. He compares the stories from the scroll of Esther to the days of a man’s life from his youth, until the end of his days.
When a plague broke out in Krakow, where the Ram”a lived, the Isserlis family was forced to wander to the town of Shidlov, and their economic situation did not allow for them to observe the mitzvah of mishloach manot. Instead of sending his father mishloach manot, which was not within his ability, the Ram”a wrote this composition and dedicated it to his father in place of mishloach manot. His intention by naming the book Mechir Yayin was that for the price of wine which he should have sent his father, he is giving him this commentary to Megillat Esther. The first editions of the book, like the Mezhirov edition, were printed as a booklet on their own. Later editions were printed as a commentary alongside the text of Megillat Esther.
20 leaves. 19 cm. There is a handwritten dedication for mishloach manot on leaf before the title page. Moderate-fine condition. Stains. Worming perforations. Aging stains. Lack in the corners of the leaves, without damage to text. Original binding, partially detached, with wear to the spine.