Manuscript, commentary of R. Levi son of Gershom (Ralbag) on the Book of Kohelet, handwritten by the scribe Daniel son of Chananiah. [Provence], 1469.

Complete manuscript. Sephardic semi-cursive script. Several decorated initial words.

At beginning of manuscript, colophon of scribe, with date of writing: "I, Daniel son of R. Chananiah, wrote this book in Avio[?] on the 24th day of the month of Adar, Wednesday, 1469…".

Some read the uncertain word "Avio" as an abbreviation for Avignon, but this is unclear (there also appears to be a minute line for deletion over the word).

The NLI catalogue records another manuscript (from a private collection) of the Ralbag's commentary on Iyov, with a colophon by the same scribe – R. Daniel son of R. Chananiah, dated Tamuz 1470 (about a year after the present manuscript).

Inscriptions on blank page at end of manuscript: "May G-d protect the owner of this book forever, and may his son soon learn and teach many disciplines, and may no one defeat him in debate…"; "Mordechai M---[?]", "Shmuel son of R. --".

R. Levi son of Gershom – the Ralbag (1288-1344), one of the great Rishonim, was a rabbi, philosopher and scientist who flourished in Provence. He is best known for his philosophical work Milchamot Hashem and his comprehensive commentary on the Bible. The present commentary on Kohelet was first printed (along with his other commentaries on Ketuvim) in Napoli, 1487.

[38] leaves. Approx. 16 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, mainly to margins. Paper repairs (and some acid tape repairs). Edges colored blue. New binding.