Commentary on Megillas Koheles by Rabbi Elisha Galiko. First Edition. Venice, 1578
Long, comprehensive commentary on Megillas Koheles by the Rabbi Hamusmach Rabbi Elisha Galiko of Tzfas, one of the primary disciples of Rabbi Yosef Karo.
Rabbi Elisha Galiko (circa 1520-1580) was one of the great spiritual luminaries of Tzfas and a prime disciple of the Beis Yosef. He served as Rosh Yeshivah in Tzfas, and his signature appears alongside those of his contemporary Rabbanim on many teshuvos, halachic rulings and significant documents.
Rabbi Elisha is known for his commentary on the Megillos, Esther (printed 1583) and Shir Hashirim (1587) The commentary on Megillas Koheles is the longest of all his commentaries, and it is exceedingly rare. The Chida, in Shem Hagedolim, mentions only Rabbi Elisha Galiko’s commentary on Shir Hashirim, indicating that he was apparently unaware of the present commentary on Koheles.
The first twelve pages of this sefer feature a lengthy preface in which the author divides Sefer Koheles into 27 parts corresponding to 27 ways of serving Hashem. The beginning of each part is marked by a antique handwriting in the present copy.
Venice, 1578. First Edition. Page Count: [12], 143, [1] leaf.
Page Size: 19 cm. Condition: Good. Last page restored at margins. Antique leather binding with new spine.
For more information regarding the author and his writings, see: M. Benayahu, Yosef Bechiri , Jerusalem, 1991 pp. 259-290.
