below are a few of my recent thoughts, musings and the like
The first Hebrew book printed during
the author’s life time: a case of mistaken identity?
In Rabbi Gil Student’s review of People
of the Book by Akiva Aaronson (Feldheim 2014), in the summer 2015 edition
of Jewish action, Rabbi Student states that the Sefer Ha’agur by Jacob ben Judah
Landau which was printed in Naples in approximately 1491 was the first Hebrew
book printed during the author’s lifetime. However, in an article entitled “First
Hebrew Book Printed During the Lifetime of its Author” states that the Nofet
Tsufim authored by Judah Messer Leon and printed in Mantua Italy in 1474 and
1480.
A quick internet search revealed
that both Wikipedia and the Jewish virtual encyclopedia mention the Agur not
Nofet Tzufim as the first book printed during the author’s lifetime. One possible reason for this misattribution
may be the rarity of the two incunabula printings of the Nofet tsufim. Indeed,
many of the catalogue records on worldcat for the incunabula printing of the
nofet tsufim actually describe the 1863 Vienna printing.
On page 29 of People of the Book,
Aaronson cites the Sefer ha’Agur printed in Naples circa 1491 as the first
book printed during the Author’s lifetime. This misattribution may be due to
the rarity of the incunabula printings of the Nofet Tsufim and errors in
catalogue records for the 1474 and 1480 printings. Unfortunately, Aaronson does
not cite his scholarly sources throughout the book although a few reference
works are cited in the acknowledgements.
Sources:
Bloch, Joshua. Hebrew printing and bibliography. New York Public Library and Ktav, 1976. 143-144.
Jewish action/Student,
Gil. Summer 2015 edition. 23.
my poorly rhymed adaptation of "i am the very model of a biblical philologist"
(rhymming help and comments/feedback are highly appreciated"
Hebrew bibliography: an extensive reference
I am the very essence of a hebraica librarian
I'm quite the bibliographer and a passing critical scholar
My LHR's are free of all numerological inaccuracy
I am holding also in matters obscure, ephemeral and possibly heretical
I side with all the academics and censure the am ha'artzim
And counter all the JEPD and sometimes R of that anti-Semite (heretic) Wellhausen x2
Then I can give a lecture on the history of Hebrew printing
And tell you the topic of each LC heading
In short in matters bibliographic, Talmudic and historical, I am the very model of a hebraica librarian
( In short in matters bibliographic, Talmudic and historical, He/she is the very model of a hebraica librarian)
I know my Gra"sh Ztl and all his tosefta Ki'Fshuṭah
Then I can tell the age of every rare and early Hebrew book
And tell the bomberg from the Soncino and the Rom
I talk in librarian and dream in academish
Im certain that Artscroll biographies are guaranteed Hagiographa
And I can tell at sight an incunabula from an illuminated manuscript
And catalog any book it happens that I wish to own
I know my way around my BM and BS
I call BS on gemeras in BS 1255
And reconstruct the contents of the Ben Ezra Synagogue
glossary of terms:
LC= library of congress; usually in reference to the library of congress classification system.
BM- "judaism subject heasding"
BS- bible subject heading
LHR- local holdings record
GRas"H- Gaon Rabeinu Shaul, a an acronym referring to Saul lieberman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Lieberman)
Bomberg, Soncino, Rom- printers of Hebrew books. Daniel Bomberg printed the first full set of talmud, Gershon Soncino printed many early hebrew books. the brothers and widow rom printed what became known as the vilna shas.
purim kiddush:
ושמרו שונאי ישראל את הפורים לעשות את הפורים לדורותם ברית המן. ביני ובין שכרי ישראל זאת היא
לעולם. כי שני ימים נלחם העם עם מבקשי רעתם וביום הפורים הצליח והשתכר.
סברי מרנן ורבנן וredundancies
וידבר אשתר את משתה היין אל סרי המלך
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