Sefer Yesod Published by Rabbi Menashe Ben Israel: Toldos Aharon with Toldos Yaakov
Amsterdam, 1652
‘Toldos Aharon’ is a comprehensive index of references from Talmud Bavli on the Tanach, compiled by Rabbi Aharon of Pesaro.
At the end of the sefer, an important supplementary work ‘Toldos Yaakov’ was printed for the first time, with a separate title page, which provides references from the Talmud Yerushalmi on the Tanach. It was authored by Rabbi Yaakov Sasportas who later served as the Av Beis Din of the Sephardic community in Amsterdam.
This edition was published by the renowned scholar Rabbi Menashe Ben Israel of Amsterdam (as mentioned in the title page and introduction of ‘Toldos Yaakov’). The ‘Toldos Yaakov’ supplement, appearing here for the first time, was compiled at Rabbi Menashe’s request, and the sefer was printed by his son, Shmuel Ben Israel Soeiro.
That same year, in the same printing house, Rabbi Menashe Ben Israel’s famous work ‘Nishmas Chaim’ was also published, featuring at the end a poem by Rabbi Yaakov Sasportas.
Amsterdam, 1652. First edition of Toldos Yaakov. Page count: [158; 32] leaves.
Size: 17.5 cm.
Condition: Good. Minor loss at the corner of the title page, old adhesive marks on two pages. Erased signatures. New binding.
Bibliography: Sefansky Sifrei Yesod, no. 21 (notes).
