Yashresh Yaakov. Commentary on the Ein Yaakov by Rabbi Chaim Abulafia. Izmir, [1729]. Signature of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Ayash. Leaf 174 has a lengthy comment in an early hand, possibly written by Rabbi Ayash.
Rabbi Chaim Abulafia was born in Hebron around 1660. As a youngster he moved to Jerusalem and studied in the Beit Yaakov Yeshiva of Rabbi Yaakov Chagiz, which was then headed by Rabbi Moshe Galante. In 1699 he was send on a fundraising expedition to Turkey. From 1721 to 1740 he served as rabbi of Izmir. The Arab ruler of Tiberias invited him to revitalize the settlement in the city in 1740. He immigrated with his family and brought many Jews with him. An account of the events in Tiberias was included in the Zimrat Ha’aretz by his son-in-law, Rabbi Yaakov Be Rav. He passed away in Tiberias in 1744. He authored Etz Chaim and Mikraei Kodesh [Izmir, 1719].
The title page bears the curvy signature of Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Ayash (1727-1817), son of Rabbi Yehudah Ayash of Algeria and Jerusalem and author of noted works Shevet Yehudah, Lechem Yehudah, and others. He was sent on a fundraising mission from Jerusalem to North African cities and then Italy. The Chida writes many praises about him. He served as rabbi in the Siena and Ferrara communities where he taught prominent disciples. In his last years, he returned to Eretz Yisrael where he served as Rishon L’Tzion for about ten years.
New binding. Minimal worming holes. Fine condition.