Meʾirat ʿEnayim

This copy of Isaac of Acre's kabbalistic commentary on Nachmanides’ commentary on the Pentateuch was written for Rabbi David of Revere, near Mantua in Italy. As the purchase notes at the beginning and end of the volume prove, it changed hands several times over the 16th century. In one case, the transfer of the ownership is validated by two witnesses. The volume also attracted the attention of the Roman Inquisition and was examined in 1598 by one of their most famous (or infamous) censors, the convert Domenico Irosolimitano (formerly Rabbi Samuel Vivas of Jerusalem). 

Meʾirat ʿEnayim

Isaac of Acre, Revere (Italy), 15th or 16th century
Gaster Hebrew MS 713
Folio 174b

Folio 174b

Crop from folio 174b showing the first purchase note.

First purchase note

Note by Finzi-Venuta acknowledging the sale of the manuscript; dated 19 October 1515, signed by Barchiel ben Meshullam Kaffman (Kaufman?) of Castel Maggiore and Moses ben Menachem of Revere.

Crop from folio 174b showing the second purchase note.

Second purchase note

Note by Moses Biton about the purchase of the manuscript from a certain Abraham in October 1538.

Crop from folio 174b showing the censor's signature.

Censor's signature

“Dominico Irosolimitano 1598” 

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