Sefer HaMusar, on ethics, virtues and rationales for the commandments and prayers, by R. Yehudah Khalatz. Constantinople: Eliezer son of Gershom Soncino, 1537. First edition.
The book comprises ten chapters on ethics and virtues, as well as rationales for the mitzvot and prayers, with kabbalistic explanations.
At the beginning of the book, before the title page, are [4] leaves beginning with an introduction by the publisher, the author's nephew, R. Moshe Khalatz, who writes: "I possess a wonderful book called Sefer HaMusar, authored by my uncle R. Yehudah Khalatz, and I studied it and saw that it is necessary for every Jew… as it comprises all the laws necessary for every layman with proofs from the Talmud… as well as many clear and pure Midrashim. I decided to print it… to bring merit to the public with this work… as well as to publicize the author's name and character, and I proofread it to the best of my ability… and when I saw the virtue and perfection of the book, I decided to complete it in order that it be absolutely perfect…".
The text incorporates some signed additions by the publisher, and the end of the introduction lists all the esoteric explanations introduced by the publisher, "enumerated, each with a reference to its chapter, gathering and leaf…".
The author, R. Yehudah Khalatz, a Sephardic rabbi of the second half of the 15th century. Born in Castile ca. 1440, in the wake of massacres he left for Granada in 1477, where he established a yeshiva. In 1481 he relocated to Malaga, also establishing a yeshiva there. In 1486 he immigrated to Honaine, Algeria, as usual establishing a yeshiva. He later moved to Tlemcen. Sefer HaMusar is his best-known work, effectively an abridgment and popular adaptation of Menorat HaMaor by R. Yisrael Alnaqua, omitting the halachic discussions.
Colophon on last leaf: "The holy work of heaven was completed, refined sevenfold, today on Monday, 24th Sivan of the Hebrew calendar, [1537]…".
Trimmed ownership inscription on upper part of title page ["…Chaim? son of? Yosef?..."].
Censor's signature on last page: "Hippolitus Ferrarensis", dated 1601.
[140] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and traces of former dampness with mold stains (heavy stains to last leaves). Wear. Worming in many places, significant worming in some, affecting text. Close trimming, affecting headers in several places. Old binding, with leather spine and corners. Wear and defects to binding.
