Manuscript. Mishnah with Rambam’s Commentary on Masechet Avot and Horayot in the Original Arabic.
Yemen, Early 20th Century.
Description:
Manuscript: Mishnayot Avot and Horayot with the Commentary of the Ramba"m, as originally written by the Rambam in Arabic using Hebrew characters.
Large size: 24 x 32 cm, with neat and organized writing.
Significance of Yemenite Manuscripts of the Rambam’s Commentary on the Mishnah:
It is well-known that the Rambam wrote his commentary on the Mishnah in Arabic to be understood by his contemporaries. He completed writing his commentary in the 1230s, and since then, copies began to be made and distributed. Later, translations were made based on various copies. However, the Rambam’s personal copy contained corrections, deletions, and additions, as he mentioned in one of his responsa (see Teshuvos HaRambam, Friedman Edition, Siman 211, pp. 225-226). His comments indicate that the widely circulated copies, which later translations were based on, were from the earlier edition, whereas the Rambam corrected and revised his commentary, known as the later edition. (A study of the later edition reveals that many difficulties discussed by the Achronim are resolved in this edition.)
The Yemenite communities possessed the Rambam’s commentary from the later edition, which is the corrected and revised version. This highlights the importance of the Yemenite manuscripts.
At the beginning of each Mishnah, the text of the Mishna is printed in Hebrew, this contains important information regarding the Rambam’s version of the Mishnah.
Yemen, Early 20th Century.
Number of Pages: [30] leaves
Size: 24 x 32 cm
Condition: Stains mainly on the margins, small holes on the margins, worn light-colored leather binding. Thick paper, neat writing, chapter titles and beginnings of Mishnayot in large letters.
