Sefer ‘Masoret HaMasoret’, by the Grammarian Rabbi Eliyahu ben Asher HaLevi Ashkenazi. First edition. Daniel Bombergi Press, Venice 1538.
With ownership listing: "…יוסף ב"ר יצחק… נכדו של המדקדק הגדול מחבר אל הספרים הר"ר אליהו סג"ל ז"ל נפטר שנת ש"ט כ’ פיבראר בויניציא" (… Yosef ben R’ Yitzchok…. Grandson of the great Grammarian and author of sefarim Rabbi Eliyahu Segal z"l who passed away on 20th of February (5309) in Venice". With hand written editing, corrections, interpretations and calculations, in Hebrew and foreign language, by his grandson R’ Yosef ben R’ Yitzchok.
87, [2] pages, 18 cm. New cover. Over 40 corrections and notations, calculations and translations. In the poetic introduction Rabbi Eliyahu refers to the criticism from some Rabbanim against him that he teaches Torah to foreign nations, explaining the events he has been through which brought him to teaching Hebrew grammar to educated foreigners and argued that there is no prohibition to teach Torah to foreign nations.
Rabbi Eliyahu ‘Bachur’ HaLevi ben Asher ‘Levita’ Ashkenazi (1469-1549). Scholar, Hebrew language researcher, Grammarian, and publisher, born in Neustadt next to Nuremberg, wandering to Venice and Padua, there he worked with copying manuscripts and giving lessons in Hebrew language to Christian scholars. After the conquest of Padua R’ Eliyahu wandered to Rome and continued in his scientific work and giving lessons in Hebrew language, composing books and translating books from Hebrew to Latin. In 1520 he published his sefer ‘Dikduk Eliyahu’ also known as ‘Sefer Bachur’ and his name became famous as the expert Grammarian in Hebrew language. In edition he composed grammar and research books by the name of ‘Sefer HaHarkavah’ and ‘Pirkei Eliyahu’, Masoret Hamesoret’ on the Masorah and story book ‘Babe-Buch’ (Bovo-Bukh). With the conquest of Rome by the Spaniards he wandered again and reached Venice, there he served until 1538, as the director of the Hebrew book department in the Press of Daniel Bomberg, and continued to teach the Hebrew language to Christian scholars. Later he participated in the founding of a Printing house in Germany and published many sefarim. After the printing house closed, R’ Eliyahu returned to his family in Venice, there he passed away at an old age.
Daniel Bomberg was one of the most important printers of Hebrew books. A Christian who employed rabbis, scholars and apostates in his Venice publishing house, Bomberg printed the first Mikraot Gedolot and the first complete Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds.
Aging stains, moth damage. Good condition.
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