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Responsa of the noted kabbalist R. Menahem Azariah da Fano. The title page states that it is responsa and deep commentary on sugyot and Mishnayot, practical halakhot as is needed by the inquirer, daily. It was brought to press by R. Isaac ben Mordecai of Polanya and Venice and edited by R. Isaac Gershon. At the bottom of the title page is the pressmark of the Dyhernfurth printer, a mounted horseman stabbing a dragon with a lance. On the verso of the title page are the approbations of R. Benjamin Zev Katz and R. Joseph ben Meir Teomom. Below the approbations is the printer’s introduction. The text, set in a single column in square letters, is comprised of one hundred thirty responsa. At the end of the volume is a two page list of the responsa. Below the list is a detailed woodcut of a hunting scene, the hunter blowing a horn and dogs chasing a stag, with a castle in the background.
R. Menahem Azariah da Fano (1548-1620). A member of a distinguished and wealthy family, R. Fano was a philanthropist and published many important works of contemporary scholars, among them R. Joseph Caro’s Kesef Mishneh (Venice, 1574-75). A scholar in his own right, R. Fano studied under R. Ishmael Hanina of Valmontone, and became a disciple of R. Moses Cordovero (Ramak), reputedly offering 1,000 ducats to R. Cordovero’s widow to copy the manuscript of R. Cordovero’s Or Yakar. Under the influence of R. Israel Sarug, he later also became a student of the teachings of R. Isaac Luria (Ari). Fano was a prolific writer. Fano’s many kabbalistic works include Asarah Ma'amarot (Venice, 1597), discourses delivered on festivals; Gilgulei Neshamot (Prague, 1688) on transmigration; Kanfei Yonah (Korzec, 1786), on prayer; Pelah ha-Rimmon (Venice, 1600), an abridgement of Remak’s Pardes Rimmonim; and Mayyin Ganim (Mantua, 262 1676), piyyutim. In addition to these responsa his halakhic works include Alfasi Zuta (Jerusalem, 1885), an abridgement of Hilkhot Rav Alfas with glosses.
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