Kenaf Renanim, songs, bakashot and piyyutim for various occasions, with explanations, by R. Yosef Yedidiah son of R. Binyamin Yekutiel Carmi. Venice: Giovanni Calleoni, 1626.

Kenaf Renanim contains supplications and piyyutim to be recited at daybreak on weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. These piyyutim were composed by R. Yosef Yedidiah Carmi, a kabbalist, poet and rabbi in Modena, Italy. Even before this book was printed, a fierce polemic broke out against these piyyutim, which were being circulated in manuscript among Italian sages. The author's brother-in-law, the famed kabbalist R. Aharon Berachiah of Modena, author of Maavar Yabok, spearheaded the conflict, opposing the premise of prayers composed by contemporaries, especially those which are not compatible with the Arizal's kabbalistic approach.

Nonetheless, the book received enthusiastic approbations by Italian rabbis (see: M. Benayahu, Copyright, Authorization and Imprimatour for Hebrew Books Printed in Venice, Jerusalem 1971, pp. 103-105 [Hebrew]). In his second introduction to the book, the author tells at length the history of the polemic and explicates the claims of both parties and his rejoinder, including a report that the Rama of Fano was fond of the confession in Kenaf Renanim.

On last leaf, on verso of errata, appears the license of the Padua authorities to print the book (in Latin), dated 1626.

12; 107, [11] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Light wear. Tears and open tears, affecting text of several leaves, partially repaired with tape. Loose and partially detached gatherings. Close trimming, slightly affecting text of one leaf. Early parchment binding, with non-original spine. Damage to binding.

CB, no. 5892,1; Zedner, p. 354; Roest, p. 596.