Hand-Colored Hebrew Map of the Holy Land according to Rashi, Horodna (Grodno): Aaron ben Hayyim, 1836

Copperplate engraving on paper; hand colored (15 x 11 ½ in.; 395 x 295 mm). Some minor losses at margins and crease lines expertly repaired. Lightly stained

This rare hand-colored Hebrew map of the Land of Israel records the route taken by the Israelites following the Exodus from Egypt and during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. It also demarcates the division of the Holy Land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The detailed copperplate engraving was executed by Aaron ben Hayyim and originally published together with his book Moreh Derekh (Grodno 1836.)  In the upper right corner, Joshua is portrayed, holding a flag which bears the names and symbols of each of the tribes; at lower right is a depiction of Pharaoh's store-cities, Pitom and Ramses. The cartouche at lower left identifies the source of the map as Rashi (Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, the eleventh century Ashkenazic exegete) and extols the map's accuracy, stating "I have sifted it through thirteen fine sieves" (from Mishnah Menahot, ch. 6:7).

Literature: Laor 874 (reproduction, page 123.)