Midrash Shmuel, Pirkei Avot. First Edition – Venice 1579
With a very early Kabbalistic ‘chiddush’ from the Ari z"l!
Pirkei Avot with Rashi’s commentary, and a long and special commentary,
like a ‘Shitah Mekubetzet’ of previous commentators, by Rabbi Shmuel de Uceda of Safed, one of the important disciples of the Ari.
The commentary became immediately widely accepted, and between 1585-and 1600 was printed 3 more times!
The author was one of the most distinguished disciples of the Arizal, and in his introduction (4b) he brings a chiddush on the secret of redemption "in its time I will hasten it", which "I heard from the pious and holy Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of blessed memory"!
For the first time in the world, the Ari’s Torah insights were printed this year in two books by the sages of Safed: this Midrash Shmuel and Reishit Chochmah.
The author also mentions in this book his teacher and friend Rabbi Chaim Vital – the Maharch"v (116a): "I asked the Chacham Eloki Rabbi Chaim de Vital, may his light shine" – this is one of the earliest mentions in the world of Rabbi Chaim Vital !
The holy author Rabbi Shmuel de Uceda of Safed (d. around 1604) – one of the Ari’s Talmidim Muvhakim, and among the chief signatories on the connection document to Rabbi Chaim Vital. He wrote important commentaries on the Megillot, and became especially famous for his work on Pirkei Avot, which became one of the fundamental books on the tractate.
He was also in contact with Maran Rabbenu Yosef Karo, author of ‘Beit Yosef’, and on page 85b he mentions "the Maggid of Maha"r Yosef Karo of blessed memory".
"And whoever is in doubt about any version [of Pirkei Avot] – should look in the book Midrash Shmuel and there he will find what he seeks" (Rabbi Shabtai Sofer in his Siddur, in the introduction to Pirkei Avot)
Venice [1579], First and Rare Edition. Page count: 265 leaves. Size: 19.5 cm.
Magnificent leather binding with clasps, gilded embossing on the spine on a piece of red leather.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod No. 39.
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"Once the Rabbi [-the Ari] was sitting with his companions before him, and Rabbi Shmuel Uceda entered… And when the Rabbi saw him, he stood up to his full height and said to him ‘Welcome’, and took him by the hand and seated him at his right, and spoke with him all that was necessary…" (Biography of the Ari. See there further, that the Ari said he honored him because at that time the soul of Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair was impregnated in Rabbi Shmuel’s soul)
