* Sefer Melechet Machshevet – philosophical commentary on chamishah chumshei Torah by Rabbi Moshe Chafetz. The title page states: “Written by a mighty wise man, the rabbi and gaon, the G-dly philosopher Rabbeinu Moshe Chafetz ztz”l, and printed in Venice … when he was 100 years old. [See below – when the author was only 46 years old]. The gaon and philosopher Rabbi Moshe Chafetz (1711-1663) was an Italian sage and biblical commentator.
There is a portrait of Rabbi Moshe Chafetz ztz”l at the beginning of the book, captioned “I am 100 [מאה] years old today.” Black-and-white lithograph. Unique collector’s item.
The original picture appears at the beginning of the book that was printed in Venice in 1710. In the picture there, the rabbi appears without the large kippah he wore in the Königsberg prints, and the caption there also differs: “Moshe Chefetz in 1710, he was 46 [מא”ה] years old here in this picture” such that the actual meaning is that he was 46 years old in 1710. The Königsberg printers erred and thought that the subject was actually 100 years old, and they even changed the hair color to graying instead of the distinctly black hair in the Venice press, and they also crowned him with a large, prominent kippah. [Source: Eli Stern, in the “Notrikon” blog.]
[1] 206, [2] leaves, 23 cm.
* Chamesh Meggilot im Perush HaRalba”g ; 49 leaves.
Fine condition. Stains.