Sefer Kesuvim.
Venice, 1525. Bomberg Press
The ‘Masterpiece Edition’ of the Tanach’s Nuschaos, of Enormous Importance!!
First Edition of "HaMesorah"
Sefer Kesuvim from the "Mikraos Gedolos" edition of the Tanach known as "Sha’ar Hashem HaChadash" – the most famous and important edition, according to which almost all the copies of the Tanch are printed to this day!!
Before us is only the part of Kesuvim, the last part of the complete edition which includes four parts (Torah, Nevi’im Rishonim, Nevi’im Acharonim and Kesuvim).
In this edition, the notes of the "Mesorah" were printed for the first time – Mesorah Ketanah and Mesorah Gedolah. They were printed in the body of the sefer, on the sides and above the text of the verses.
The "Mesorah" is built in a sophisticated and ingenious manner with indications of different places in Tanach with identical characteristics, thus creating a non-fail mechanism that preserves the original version in the most accurate manner. Hence its tremendous importance, for generations to come!!
It was extensively proofread according to early manuscripts, by Yaakov ben Chaim ibn Adoniyahu of Tunisia, who gained eternal fame through this great work.
In the important introduction to the edition of the ‘Mikraos HaGedelos – HaKeter’, it is written about the edition before us: "It was the compilation of Ben Chaim that left an indelible mark on the history of the transmission [of Torah], and it was his edition that became almost the only prototype for all editions of Tanach printed since then. Hence the magnitude of its historical importance and merit!" (See there for more details about our edition.)
Before us, as stated, is a part of Kesuvim, which includes:
Tehillim, with commentaries of Rashi and Ibn Ezra;
Mishlei and Iyov, with commentaries of Ibn Ezra and Ralbag;
Daniel, with commentaries of Ibn Ezra and Rabbeinu Saadia Gaon;
Ezra, with commentaries of Rashi and Ibn Ezra;
Divrei HaYamim, with a commentary attributed to Rashi;
Five Megillas, with commentaries of Rashi and Ibn Ezra.
At the end of Kesuvim, the Mesorah tracts of Tanach were also printed, for the first time, in alphabetical order. Later on, there is an exchange of versions between the nusach of Bnei Bavel and the nusach of Bnei Eretz Yisrael and a page of renditions on Ta’amei HaMikrah.
Venice, 1525. Printed by Daniel Bomberg.
Page Count: [298] leaves.
Condition: Good overall condition; nice margins. A few punctures; slight damage to the frame ofthe title page. Adhesions and a few punctures. Stains.
Impressive illustrated antique binding (damaged, spine missing).
Bibliography: Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, #1, in notes.
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The Mesorah is divided into ‘Mesorah Gedolah" and ‘Mesorah Ketanah’:
The Mesorah Ketana indicates where in Tanach there are other similar grammatical structures of the same verse or marked letter. For example: In Chumash Shmos, Chapter 39, Verse 19 it is written: "And my garment." The Mesorah Ketanah writes there the Hebrew letter of Zayin, meaning that the phrase "my garment" appears seven times in Tanach.
The Mesorah Ketanah is printed in Rashi letters on the side of the text, with a small marking, a kind of "circle", on the desired letter.
The Mesorah Gedolah is based on the Small Mesorah, slightly expanded. It is printed in square letters, above or under the text.
It is easy to understand the enormous importance of the ‘Mesorah’, and its important role in preserving the pure and original version of the Torah.
