Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Kli Yakar on the Torah – Lublin, 1602 – First Edition, printed in the lifetime of the author of Olelot Efraim
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Kli Yakar, commentaries and homilies on the Torah, by R. Shlomo Efraim Luntschitz, Rabbi of Prague and disciple of the Maharal of Prague. Lublin: [Kalonymus Yaffe], 1602. First edition.
Rare, first edition of the famous work Kli Yakar, containing commentaries on the Torah and midrashim. The book gained popularity over the years, was printed in many editions and is even included in most editions of Mikraot Gedolot.
Fine woodcut initial panels at the beginning of each book of the Torah. At the beginning of each parashah, enlarged initial word within woodcut frame.
On verso of the title page appears the preface of the printer, who remained anonymous. However, he can be identified by the style of the preface, which resembles his preface to Olelot Efraim, as well as the names of the press workers on the last page. The printer writes that the leaders of the Three Lands donated to assist in printing the book.
In the introduction to the work, the author relates that in 1601 he became deathly ill and recovered, at which point "I vowed to G-d and fulfill it, to author this commentary in honor of G-d and His Torah".
The author, R. Shlomo Efraim Luntschitz (d. 1619), Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Prague (together with the Shlah). A leading Torah scholar of his generation, he was a disciple of the Maharshal of Lublin and the Maharal of Prague. Apart from Kli Yakar, his books include Olelot Efraim, Ir Giborim, Amudei Shesh and others. His Olelot Efraim is cited extensively in homiletic and Chassidic books.
153 leaves. Approx. 28 cm. Varying condition of leaves, fair-good to fair. Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper filling. Tears, including open tears affecting text (large tears across margins of last leaves), repaired with paper filling. Stamps. New binding.
CB, no. 4898,3.
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe
Early Printed Books – Poland, Prague and Western Europe