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Minhag Avot/Sefer ha-Tanya, [Jehiel ben Jekuthiel ben Benjamin ha-Rofeh Anav], Mantua: Samuel ben Meir Latif, 1514
Description
Literature
Condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The authorship of Minhag Avot/Sefer Tanya, a comprehensive halakhic digest, remains uncertain though it is most frequently ascribed to Jehiel ben Jekuthiel ben Benjamin ha-Rofeh, late thirteenth century scribe, liturgical poet, and author.
An early opinion was voiced by Simon ha-Levi (who republished the work in Cremona in 1565). He states that the author, "being most humble, not wanting to take the crown of greatness appropriate to him, did not mention his name, but there are those who say he was Jehiel, brother of. Jacob, Ba`al ha-Turim, for he mentions himself in this work as 'I, the scribe Jehiel.'" Modern scholarship no longer accepts this oft repeated attribution and it is now believed that the author was Jehiel ben Jekuthiel, perhaps a great-nephew of Zedekiah (ha-Rofeh) ben Abraham, author of Shibbolei ha-Leket to which the present work has been compared. The similarities, including identical language, leaves little doubt as to the close relationship of the two works with Minhag Avot/Sefer Tanya being a concise edition of Shibbolei ha-Leket.
This work later became known as Tanya Rabbati, to distinguish it from the later similarly titled Tanya of the founder of Lubavitch Hasidism, Schneur Zalman of Liadi.