From the Yesodot of Mussar – Chovat Hal’vavot – Mantua, 1559 – Wide Margins
Duties of the Heart by the great and pious Rabbi Bahya ibn Paquda, written in Arabic and translated into Hebrew by Rabbi Judah ibn Tibbon.
This edition is more refined than previous prints, corrected according to manuscripts, and includes indexes and a table of scriptural references This edition served as the basis for numerous subsequent prints.
A most impressive copy; high-quality, handsome paper, as thick as cardboard!
Wide and large margins at the bottom and sides of the pages!
Chovat Halevavot is one of the foundational works of ethical and philosophical literature. Great scholars and righteous figures have praised and honored the book, even establishing daily study of it. The ‘Chatam Sofer’ would read a section from the sefer at the beginning of each Shiur.
The proofreader Rabbi Abraham ben David Provinciali writes in his preface that he proofread the book according to manuscripts, stating: "And we did not delay in bringing many copies written with meticulous accuracy… according to them and their writing with great iyoun."
Mantua, 1559. Pagination: 103 leaves. Size: 23.8 cm. Condition: Good. Some restoration and minor holes in the inner margins. Slight creases. Several old and erased stamps. Beautiful leather binding.
Inscription on the title page: "Borrowed from the esteemed scholar Malachi Cohen, peace be upon him." Tiny stamps on the title page.
On the Excellence of the Book:
"The ancients extolled this holy and awesome work, stating that anyone who ponders it will have "Machaze Shakai". It is explained in the book
Maggid Misharim (Parashat Behar) that the angel instructed the Rabbi ‘Beit Yosef’ to read daily from
Chovat Halevavot to subdue and diminish the Yetzer Hara, and the Chassid who authored
Reshit Chochma did not part from it throughout the entire book, as did the
Sefer Hayashar by R.T. and Shalah among others (from the preface of the renowned commentator Marpeh L’Nefesh).
