Extremely Rare Sefer!
Commentary on Megillas Esther by Rabbi Zechariah ibn Saruk
First and Only Edition. Venice, 1565
Commentary on Megillas Esther by the Torah scholar Rabbi Zechariah ibn Saruk, among the exiled Chachmei Sefard.
This small-sized sefer (only 19 leaves!) was composed in Algiers in 1493, very shortly after the author fled there from Spain due to the expulsion.
In the preface, he writes that "I will not bring in this commentary the opinion of any chacham, " and indeed he almost never cites other commentaries, and nearly all of his commentary is original.
The author concludes his commentary with a heartfelt prayer: "
May His kingdom be revealed and seen, and may He show grace and mercy to the remaining scattered remnant, those exiled from their abode of joy…"
Extremely rare sefer!!
Rabbi Zechariah ibn Saruk (approx. 1450-1550) is described as someone "who served as Rav in the most important kehillas in Spain…" (The Chida in Shem HaGedolim in the entry for Ibn Ezra, based on the preface to this sefer). Almost no information about him has survived. In the preface to the present sefer, he provides unique testimony to the existence of the Ibn Ezra’s commentary on Maseches Kiddushin.
Venice, 1565. First and only edition (reprinted again only in recent years).
Page Count: 19 leaves.
Condition: Good; minor staining. Beautiful new binding.
