Derashot HaRan / Derashot R. Shmuel Yehudah Katzenellenbogen – Venice,...

Derashot HaRan / Derashot R. Shmuel Yehudah Katzenellenbogen – Venice, 1594 – Early Parchment Binding

Two books of sermons (derashot) – Derashot HaRan and Derashot Maharshik – printed in 1594, bound in one volume:

1. Sefer Derashot HaRan, twelve sermons by Rabbeinu Nisim. Venice, [1594]. Second edition.
Several catalogs give the date 1596; however, the chronogram should probably be read as 1594.
Signature on title page: "Purchased by Avraham Yagel, Adar 1595" [apparently the signature of R. Avraham son of Chananiah Gallichi (Yagel) of Monselice (1553-1624), author of Lekach Tov and Gei Chizayon].
Additional signature and deleted inscription on title page. Signature on leaf 2 and inscription on endpaper.

2. Derashot Maharshik, twelve sermons, by R. Shmuel Yehudah Katzenellenbogen – the Maharshik. Venice, 1594. First edition.
Twelve sermons by the Maharshik (1521-1597), son of R. Meir Katzenellenbogen, Rabbi of Padua (the Maharam of Padua). A leading Torah sage of his times, dayan, chief rabbi and yeshiva dean in Venice. Corresponded with great scholars of his generation such as the Maharshal, the Rama (his relatives) and R. Yosef Karo. His son is R. Shaul Wahl, legendary king of Poland for one day.
Half the sermons are eulogies for contemporary sages, including a eulogy on the death of R. Moshe Isserles (the Rama) and R. Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch.
Censor's signature on verso of title page.

90 leaves; 65, [1] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains to some leaves. Small marginal tears to several leaves. Early parchment binding, original, partially detached (inscription on front of binding with titles). Damage and worming to binding.