"Five Books of the Torah in Yiddish" – Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim (Tanach) translated into Yiddish by R. Yekutiel son of Yitzchak Blitz, with Toaliyot HaRalbag to Torah and Neviim Rishonim by R. Levi son of Gershon (Ralbag). Amsterdam: Uri Phoebus HaLevi, 1676-1679.
Copper-engraved title page at beginning of volume. Five additional divisional title pages: Torah, Megillot, Neviim Rishonim, Neviim Acharonim and Ketuvim. Approbations of the rabbis of the Council of Four Lands, and the Sephardi and Ashkenazi rabbis of Amsterdam. The book begins with leaves of "approbations and privilegium" – special permission granted by the King of Poland for this printing, in Yiddish and in Latin.
German inscription on front endpaper, relating to this edition.
[7], 63, [1], 64-75, 77, 77-256, [1]; 18 leaves. 31 cm. Good condition. Stains. Marginal tears to several leaves, including small marginal tear to illustrated title page, not affecting title frame. Original parchment binding, with defects.
Does not include leaf with table of haftarot and "corrector's apologia".
Various dates appear on the title pages: 1676, 1678 and 1679. The approbations are dated 1671-1677. Two different editions of the Bible translated into Yiddish were printed concurrently in Amsterdam (see next lot), considered to be the first Yiddish Bible editions. For further information regarding the controversy surrounding this printing, see: A.M. Habermann, Perakim BeToldot HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, pp. 300-310.
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
