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

108 leaves (10 ¼ x 7 ¼ in.; 262 x 183 mm). Lacking title page and final blank. First and last pages strengthened at gutter; final page of first quire mounted. Few leaves with marginal losses, repaired. Lightly soiled and stained. Owners' inscriptions. Illegible ink stamps on first page. Speckled red edges. Black buckram.

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, and 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 printing commenced in April of 1520, under the reign of Sultan Selim but the work was only completed, nearly two years later, after the accession of  Sultan Suleiman (Selim's succesor). 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.