Beit Elohim, ethics and faith – Shaar HaTefillah, Shaar HaTeshuvah and Shaar HaIkarim, by R. Moshe of Trani – the Mabit, leading sage of Safed. Venice: Giovanni di Gara, 1576. First edition.
Perek Shirah, with the commentary of the Mabit, is printed at the end of the volume. The conventional opening of Perek Shirah lists the segulot of studying it: "Whoever studies Perek Shirah in this world will merit to remember his learning, and he is saved from the evil inclination, evil occurrences, from the pain of the grave and from Gehinnom, and he will merit the days of the Messiah and the World to Come".
Trimmed ownership inscription at top of title page. On margins of first page of Perek Shirah, handwritten draft of a legal document.
120, [6] leaves, 10 leaves. 28.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Tears, including small marginal open tears, repaired with many paper repairs to verso (title page detached). Light worming in several places. Bookplate. Early binding, broken and detached. Fabric spine over damaged spine, torn and damaged.
This edition is the first printing of Perek Shirah (the version printed here varies slightly from the common text today). Some copies of Beit Elohim do not include the ten leaves of Perek Shirah.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Jordan S. Penkower.
