Ohr Ha’sechel [commentary to Midrash Rabbah on the Book of Genesis, with text]. With commentary of Rashi

ABRAHAM BEN ASHER

Giovanni Griffio

Veince

1567-8

FIRST EDITION. Elaborate printer’s device on title (Yaari no. 30). Title letters within decorative floral vignettes, opening word within woodcut cartouche. Marginalia throughout

Vinograd, Venice 537; Mehlman 170; Adams M-1429

The Author included an expanded version of Rashi’s commentary to the Midrash Rabbah on the book of Genesis. According to Weiner (Koheleth Moshe no. 440), the text of the Midrash published by the author is based upon a manuscript which differs from the standard text. The commentary attributed to Rashi is based upon two different manuscripts. See also Roest (no.85 and no.1628) who cites the introduction of the commentary on the Midrash published a year later in Cracow. Scholars have debated whether the attribution to Rashi is correct. See H. Albeck’s introduction to Midrash Bereishith Raba pp.132-133. Seemingly the publisher of this work charged an exorbitant price for this volume (a number of florins- “kama perachim") which could be afforded only by a few