Yalkut Shimoni with the "Brit Avraham" Commentary - Livorno, 1650 - The First Book Printed in Livorno - Impressive ...

Yalkut Shimoni with the "Brit Avraham" Commentary - Livorno, 1650 - The First Book Printed in Livorno - Impressive Copy with a Wooden Binding Covered by Leather
Yalkut Shimoni - collection of ancient Midrashim on Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim, Safra, Mechilta, Midrash Rabba, Midrash Tehilim, Avot De'Rabbi Natan, Pirkei De'Rabbi Eliezer, Masachtot Ketanot, Psikta, Tanchuma and additional Midrashim that have disappeared during the years, such as Midrash Va'Yis'u, Midrash Esfah, Midrash Avkir, Sifri Zuta and more. This book is the only source for these Midrashim. By Rabbi Shimon Ashkenazi, the Darshan of Frankfurt.
Around the text of the Midrash, the "Brit Avraham" commentary was printed, which is commentary and references of the Midrashim from the Talmud, Tosefta, Berayta and references and glosses from early manuscripts. To these were added several Midrashim that the author of the Yalkut had omitted, by Rabbi Avraham Gedalya.
First section on the Pentateuch.

The first book printed in Livorno!
The printing of the book had begun in the new printing press of Yedidya ben Yitzchak Gabai, the son-in-law of the author Rabbi Avraham Gedalya, in 1650 and ended in 1652, as is noted by the title page and the colophon of the book.

Before us is the first section. At the beginning of this section, the printed added "a missive" in which he recalls the founding of the printing press in Livorno: "I began working on this book which was brought from Jerusalem…" An introduction and summary by the author and the printer at the beginning and end of the book.
(The second section, on Nevi'im and Ketuvim, was printed in Livorno in 1653-1657).
Approbated by the most illustrious rabbis: Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin and Rabbi Yisrael ben Rabbi Azarya Ze'evi of Jerusalem and Rabbi Eliezer ben Orcha of Hebron.

At the end of the volume, Praise for the book by Rabbi Ya'akov ben Rabbi Shmuel Hagiz, who came to Livorno to print his "Etz Chaim" commentary on the Mishnayot (Livorno, 1653, by the above Gabai printing Press).

The author of the commentary, Rabbi Avraham ben Rabbi Shmuel Gedalya, was born in Jerusalem in circa 1590. He moved to Hebron and was one of its most prominent rabbis. Later, he returned to Jerusalem from which he travelled in 1648 to Italy, there he stayed during the years 1648-1660 to print his book. There he corresponded with Rabbi Shmuel Aboab Av Beit Din of Venice and Rabbi Moshe Zacuto. In 1660, he returned to Jerusalem. He died in Iyar 1672.

On the front binding, various decorations.
On the title page, two inscriptions of "Etz Chaim" - most likely of the "Etz Chaim" yeshiva in Amsterdam.

Thick volume. 550, [1] leaves. With an original wooden binding covered by leather.
33 cm.
Condition: Good-Very Good. Thick, high-quality, bright leaves. Wide margins. Slight tears on the title page, restored. The first leaves are slightly worn. Various flaws at the edges of the binding. The binding is loose. Missing buckles.