Composition by Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Reggio, who wrote it as a sample of a book that was to be published in 50 volumes. It contains a translation of the Torah into Italian, with a new elucidation on interpretations of the scripture according to linguistic rules, similar to Mendelssohn’s translation into German. There is a preface to the book with the author’s considerations in his work on the book, and a sermon about the Divine source of the Torah.
Yasha”r of Gorizia Italy – Yitzchak Shmuel ben Rabbi Avraham Chai Reggio (1784-1785) – was one of the leaders of the Chochmat Yisrael movement. He studied Tana”ch, Talmud and Hebrew with his father, was fluent in many other languages and also studied maths and sciences. In 1810 he was appointed professor in Halicium. Following the demand of the Austrian authorities in 1922 not to appoint rabbis that are not also scholars of philosophy and science, Yasha”r published a proclamation calling for the establishment of a rabbinic study hall for the study of Torah and “wisdom, ” after which a seminary was established in Padua led by Shada”l. Yasha”r was active in promoting the ideas of the enlightenment movement, and was criticized by rabbis in Germany for his positions and studies.
The book contains several handwritten critical notes. Italian.
[4] 6-32 leaves, lacking the Hebrew title page and the last leaf, and possibly another leaf.
Not bound. Tear with lack in the lower corner of the title page. Minimal worming perforations and stains. Condition: Moderate-fine.