Manuscript, compilation of folklore and Hebrew Grammar compositions. [Italy, 15th and 16th centuries].
Sephardic or Proven?al cursive script, from circa late 15th century, with initials and ornaments in red ink. Besides the compositions written in the center of the leaf, additional compositions were also written by the same scribe in the margins.
Written in the center of the leaves is Petach Devarai - an early work on Hebrew grammar (named after its opening words), by a Spanish scholar. Following the latter (beginning on leaf [65r]) is a commentary on Petach Devarai by the author's grandson which begins: "I, Meir son of R. Shlomo son of R. David… needed to explain these matters… which my grandfather did not mention in his work…".
The scribe left wide margins and added other compositions on the margins: Alpha Betha de-Ben Sira [Alphabet of Sirach. A similar version, but with variations was printed by Steinschneider in Berlin in 1858). This is followed (beginning at leaf [42r]) by stories and tales from the book Arabian Nights and other sources (on leaf [45r] is "Maa'se Sindbad" [story of Sindbad]).
Starting with leaf [75r], the scribe left the leaves blank in the center and continued to write only the tales in the margins. Another composition, by another scribe was added to this part, also written in cursive Sephardic or Proven?al script, titled: "The first Page of Hebrew Grammar...". At the end of this composition (leaf [78r]) is the scribe's colophon: "The young scribe Vidal Moshe Refael son of my teacher and Rabbi the physician Yosef Ben Porat" (The handwriting of this copier can be found in a Siddur for the entire year, minhag Carpentras, in the Oxford-Bodleian Libraries, Ms. 14. In that Siddur is an ownership inscription in his handwriting dated "Dec. 3, 1540, Vidal Moshe Refael Ben Porat son of the physician Yosef, I have purchased this siddur…").
On the blank leaves at the beginning of the manuscript (Leaves [1]-[8]) are handwritten notes, including "Pitron Chalomot" (interpretation of dreams) and other folklore notes, written in the style of those times and of that region.
Italian censor inscription from 1687.
[82] leaves (75 written leaves). Approximately 22 cm. Stains. Tears and professionally restored damages (affecting text in some places). New handsome leather binding.
Enclosed is a report by Shlomo Zucker, expert on Hebrew manuscripts.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.