Yesha Elohim (Salvation of God), Moses ben Hayyim Pesante, Constantinople: Solomon Jabez, 1567 together with Ner Mitzvah (Light of the Commandment), Moses ben Hayyim Pesante, Salonika: Joseph Jabez, 1569

Yesha Elohim: 32 leaves (8 x 5 7/8 in.; 203 x 150 mm). Light marginal soiling and dampstaining heavier in last few leaves, worm-tracks in gutter margin some of which are mended affecting the occasional word; censor's signature (Domenico Irosolomitano, 1598). Red cloth.



Ner Mitzvah: 68 leaves (7 7/8 x 5¾ in.; 200 x 145 mm). Printer's ornaments on title; wormtrack in upper and lower margins of a few quires not affecting text; marginal loss f. 50 not affecting text; occasional spotting, soiling and dampstaining. Nineteenth-century black cloth; soiled.

Vinograd, Salonika 86, Constantinople 230; Mehlman 613, 616; Yaari, Sheluhei Eretz Israel, p. 236

Yesha Elohim: 32 leaves (8 x 5 7/8 in.; 203 x 150 mm). Light marginal soiling and dampstaining heavier in last few leaves, worm-tracks in gutter margin some of which are mended affecting the occasional word; censor's signature (Domenico Irosolomitano, 1598). Red cloth. Ner Mitzvah: 68 leaves (7 7/8 x 5¾ in.; 200 x 145 mm). Printer's ornaments on title; wormtrack in upper and lower margins of a few quires not affecting text; marginal loss f. 50 not affecting text; occasional spotting, soiling and dampstaining. Nineteenth-century black cloth; soiled.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Two works by Moses ben Hayyim ben Shem Tov Pesante (c. 1540-d. 1573)

The text of Yesha Elohim comprises the liturgy for the Hoshanot alternating with Pesante's commentary which includes a discourse on relevant customs and the laws of lulav. The second work offered in this lot, Ner Mitzvah, is a commentary on the azharot (exhortations) of Solomon ibn Gabirol. The traditional enumeration of the 613 precepts of the Torah furnishes the theme of these poems which have long been favorite subjects for commentators, including Moses Pesante.

Although they were separate works, Ner Mitzvah and Yesha Elohim were printed almost simultaneously, first in Constantinople and two years later in Salonika. The printer of both works in Salonika was Joseph Jabez while his brother Solomon printed the earlier editions of both titles in Constantinople.

The brothers Solomon and Joseph Jabez set up a Hebrew press in Salonika and printed a number of Hebrew books there between 1546 to 1551. In 1554 they briefly relocated their press to Adrianople where they only produced two volumes before Solomon set off for Constantinople and Joseph returned to Salonika, where he was an active printer until about 1570. Meanwhile Solomon had begun printing in Constantinople in 1559, and his brother Joseph rejoined him there in 1570. Alone or together they printed about 40 important works, among them the present volumes by Moses Pesante.

An earlier effort by the brothers to print the Talmud after that work had been banned and burned in Italy, had only succeeded in producing a few tractates in the years 1561–67. However the Jabez brothers renewed their efforts several decades later and although their edition was not complete, a large part of their Talmud edition appeared between 1583–93.(see lot 99)

Moses ben Hayyim Pesante traveled from town to town selling his books until he was murdered along with two other Jewish travelers in 1573. A near contemporary account relates that his killers destroyed his books by throwing them in a river so as not to be caught and accused of the deaths of the three Jews. Their heinous actions over 400 years ago provide an insight into the scarcity of these volumes today.