Midrash Tanhuma, Constantinople: Solomon ben Mazal Tov, 1520–22

108 leaves (10 ¼ x 7 ¼ in.; 262 x 183 mm), Title page mounted; f. 2 marginal repair, f. 3 strengthened at gutter, touching several letters; some worming, expertly repaired, occasionally affecting individual letters; very minor light stains; marginal stain in final quire. Modern blind tooled panelled brown morocco, leather ties, matching slipcase with gilt stamped titles.

first edition

The Tanhuma, also known as Midrash Yelamdenu, is among the very oldest collections of midrashic literature. This homiletic midrash on the Pentateuch is named for the 4th century Palestinian sage to whom its authorship has traditionally been ascribed. Rabbi Tanhuma bar Abba, whose name is frequently associated, in the Talmud and Midrashim, with the aggadic interpretation of many biblical verses. This work is also known by an alternative title, Yelamdenu, as many of its discourses begin with the phrase:  "Yelamdenu Rabbenu," (May our teacher instruct us).

The title-page indicates that the printing commenced in April of 1520, under the reign of Sultan Selim. The colophon however states that the work was only completed, nearly two years later, and praises the Sultan Suleiman (Selim's succesor). The death of Selim in September of 1520 and the requirement to renew permission to print under the regime of the new Sultan, may account for the length of the printing period required to complete this first edition of the Tanhuma.

LITERATURE:
Vinograd, Constantinople 123; Ya'ari, Defus ha-Ivri be-Kushta 92; Hacker, "Defusei Kushta be-Meah ha-16," 92; Mehlman, Ginzei Yisrael 177.