Manuscript, Midrash HaGadol on Shemot – Yemen, Ca. 16th Century

Manuscript, Midrash HaGadol on Shemot – Yemen, Ca. 16th Century

Manuscript, Midrash HaGadol on Shemot, by R. David son of Amram Adeni. [Yemen, ca. 16th century].

Thick volume in early Yemenite script. Glosses on margins, most short references to verses. Some notes with commentary. The manuscript lacks several leaves at the end (ends in middle of Parashat Pekudei, Shemot 40:20). Several of the first leaves written in another hand.

Ownership inscriptions: "David son of Saadiah son of Zechariah son of Saadiah Aziri of Wadi al-Sirr" (p. 14b), "Yachya son of Salim al-Nahari…" (pp. 38a, 62a).

Midrash HaGadol is an early midrashic work on the Torah authored by R. David son of Amram Adeni – who lived in Aden, Yemen, during the period of the Rishonim, likely ca. early 14th century. The work is based on many early-Rabbinic and Geonic sources, including works which have since perished or survive only partially, such as Mechilta, Sifra and other early midrashic works. Some of the midrashim in this work are known from no other source. Each Torah portion begins with a Reshut piyyut – a beautiful poetic sermon introduction by the author. Midrash HaGadol was well-known and common among Yemenite Jews; many Yemenite rabbis studied it and composed several commentaries on it.

[240] leaves (incomplete). 26 cm. Varying condition. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Large open tears to first and last leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper filling. Stains, including large, dark dampstains to some leaves. Tears. Worming. New leather binding (rubbed).