Responsa of R. Yaakov Segal (Maharil). Hanau: Hans Jacob Hena, [1610].
Illustrated title page (Binding of Isaac, figures of Moses and Aaron).
Copy of R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, Rabbi of Padua, author of Toldot Gedolei Yisrael UGeonei Italia and other works. At bottom margins of title page, handwritten ownership inscription of "Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi of Padua, at full price from R. Avraham Senigallia in Modena, for 6 lira austriaca". Other handwritten inscriptions on endpaper before title page, including a rhyme about the Maharil, the author of the book.
R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1800-1852) was the Rabbi of Padua, a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the history of Italian rabbis. He served as Rabbi of Padua beginning in 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on halachah and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael UGeonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of the generation writes about his greatness in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone proficient in kabbalistic teachings like the kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi writes of his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought back many from sin… very well-versed in responsa and halachah, and rabbis of his time also posed halachic questions to him, and his wide-ranged responsa are recorded in his responsa named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
R. Avraham Chaim Senigallia, a 19th-century rabbi of Modena, disciple of R. Yishmael HaKohen of Modena author of Zera Emet. Authored Divrei HaYamim, still in manuscript.
Inscription on endpaper before title page.
72 leaves. 19.5 cm. Somewhat dark paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears, including marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Bookplate. Early parchment binding, with defects.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Jordan S. Penkower.
