Description of the wars in Russia, Lithuania, and Poland and the decrees and massacres of 1648-49, by Rabbi Natan Neta Hanover. Venice, [1653]. First edition. Rare.
[12] leaves, page numbering is faulty. 19 cm.
A description of the massacres by the rabbi and Kabbalist Rabbi Natan Neta Hanover, as he saw the destruction of the communities with his own eyes. The author is known as the author of the famous prayerbook Sha’arei Zion, and was martyred in 1683. On the last page is an elegy by the proofreader Yaakov ben Rabbi Naftali who witnessed the riots. The detail on the title page gives a glimpse into the general feeling after the massacres: the year of the coming [bi’at] of the Messiah. This work is of tremendous historical importance. Before us is the first edition of the book, which was later printed in many editions. Mehlman Collection – Ginzei Yisrael 1609.
New semi-leather and marbleized paper binding. The title page was professionally restored in the white margins. The last 3 leaves were professionally restored with damage to a few words. Aging stains. Fine condition.