Mekor Baruch [commentary to the Song of Songs, with text]

BARUCH BEN ISAAC IBN YAISH

Eliezer Aschkenazi

Constantinople

1576

FIRST EDITION. Printer’s device on title page

Vinograd, Const. 258; Yaari, Const.191; not in Adams

Introduction carries an interesting narrative as to why the Author wrote this work: "Matters were revealed to me that were heretofore hidden from others...Prior texts of exegesis veered from the paths of truth and and did not comprehend the secrets inherent in the Biblical verses." Ibn Ya'ish recounts a dream in which he dug a well from which emanated cool, clear water, whereupon men and women arrived to jubilantly sing and dance in praise of the "Blessed Source" (hence the title of this work). Upon awaking; ibn Ya'ish declared that Torah will flow from his pen. Later, he was falsely imprisoned and in a further dream, was told "you will not leave this place until a study of the Book of Job is completed." - "The day I finished writing, I was freed." Unknown toYaari, Min HaMeitzar: Books Written While Imprisoned: Mechkarei Sepher (1958) pp. 62-84