Chavatzelet HaSharon, commentary on the Book of Daniel by R. Moshe Alshich. [Constantinople: Shlomo Yaavetz], 1563. First edition of the first book of the Alshich to be printed.

The author, R. Moshe Alshich (1508-1593), born in Adrianople (present-day Edirne, Turkey), studied under R. Moshe Taitazak in Salonika and R. Yosef Karo, who was like a father to him. Served as rabbi, yeshiva dean and preacher and Safed, and was a prominent disciple of the Arizal in kabbalah, who would come to listen to his sermons and proclaimed that they accorded with the truth. He was ordained by R. Moshe Cordovero (who had himself been ordained by R. Yaakov Beirav, who renewed semichah ordination in modern times, ordaining a few distinguished Torah scholars, including R. Yosef Karo and others; R. Moshe Alshich in turn ordained R. Chaim Vital, the student of the Arizal). In his later years he led the entire Safed community.

On last leaf, signature of censor "Onorato Lissio" dated 1590, and signature of censor "Domenico Gerosolimitano"; on preceding page, signature (faded) of "Giovanni Domenico Carretto".

[116] leaves (collation numbered at tops of leaves). 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Dark stains or traces of former dampness to margins of many leaves. Tears, including tears affecting text to some leaves (without loss), repaired. Early leather binding, repaired. Worming and defects to binding.

Location of printing and printer not indicated in the book. Some bibliographers erroneously located its printing in Safed; in fact it was printed in Constantinople by Shlomo Yaavetz (the brothers Shlomo and Yosef Yaavetz were partners over the years in various cities; the present book was printed while the brothers were working separately). See: A. Yaari HaDefus HaIvri BeKushta, Jerusalem, 1967, pp. 26-27; Y. Hacker, Defusei Kushta BaMeah HaShesh Esreh, Areshet, V, pp. 469-470.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.