Bechinat Olam, ethical and philosophical poetry, by R. Yedaiah (HaPenini) son of Avraham Bedersi. Ferrara: Shmuel ibn Ascara HaTzarfati, [1551]. First edition with the commentaries of R. Moshe ibn Habib, and with a commentary to Bakashat HaMemin by R. Yosef Frances.

Incomplete copy, lacking title page and other leaves.

The book is comprised of ethical lessons in poetic format regarding this world and the world to come. Bakashat HaMemin is a poetic prayer with all words beginning with the letter Mem.

R. Yedaiah HaPenini Bedersi (ca. 1270-1340) was a poet, doctor and philosopher from Béziers in Provence, France. He considered himself a disciple of the Rambam and he wrote enthusiastically in his favor during the great debate regarding the study of philosophy (his responsa were published in the Rashba's responsa, section 418).

Ownership inscriptions in Ashkenazic-Italian script of the De Benedetti family, on pp. 2a and 70a, and non-Hebrew inscription on last leaf [the De Benedetti family lived in several communities in the Piedmont region of Italy].

Incomplete copy. 2-8, 13-28, 33-122; 13 leaves. Lacking 9 leaves: title page (with photocopy replacement), and leaves 9-12, 29-32. 20.5 cm. Varying condition of leaves, fair to fair-good. Stains, including large dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears, affecting text (on one leaf, large open tear of about a third of leaf). Loose gatherings (one leaf detached). Worming in a few places. Stamps. Early parchment binding, with wear, defects and worming.