כתב-יד, מדרש החפץ - תימן, המאה ה-16 - חתימת רבי יחיא יצחק הלוי - הרב הראשי של תימן

Manuscript, Midrash HaHafetz, by our Master Zacharia ben Solomon the Physician. [Yemen, 16th century]. Midrash HaHafetz is a midrashic composition on the Torah and the Haftarot. Written by our Master Zacharia the Physician [also known as: HaRaZ], one of the great sages of Yemen in the 15th century. The composition was written in Judeo-Arabic, which was the common language among Yemenite Jews. A thick volume, ancient Yemenite handwriting on quality paper. Colored titles in red and green ink. On page [64] two illustrations (in red and black ink) of Noah's Ark. On page [116] an illustration of "the shape of the Cave of Machpelah". Several manuscript annotations in the margins of the pages. Beneath the Noah's Ark illustration is a lengthy annotation in Judeo-Arabic, signed with a flourished signature. The ancient manuscripts of the composition. The manuscript was owned by Gaon Rabbi Yahya Isaac HaLevi ({year}-{year}), Av Beit Din of Sana'a and Chief Rabbi of Yemen and one of the great leaders of Yemenite Jewry, who signed it with his own signature (page [321]) and even dated its composition to the 16th century: "This is the book Midrash HaHafetz, its manner of writing is more than four hundred years ago, the Tzaddik Yahya Isaac son of Moses HaLevi" [flourished signature]. [682] pages (the manuscript begins at the end of the introduction and the beginning of the Book of Genesis and ends at the beginning of the portion Ki Tavo). 24 cm. Condition: varying between pages. Most pages in good condition, some in fair condition. A few pages in poor condition (some affixed for restoration). Stains, tears and wear on page margins. New binding.