Detailed
Description |
|
Commentary and discourses on Tehillah le-David (Psalm 145), “which we say every day,” by R. Sason ben Mordecai Shindookh. The discourses are, according to the title page, in the style of remez (allusion). The volume begins with a preface from the printer, a paragraph in praise of the work, a small list of errata, an introduction which concludes with four pages of verse and then the text. The first pages of the text have copious annotations in a small and very fine script.
R. Sason ben Mordecai Shindookh (1747–1830) was the grandson of R. Moses ben Mordecai Shindookh, nasi of the Baghdad community in the first half of the 18th century and also arraf-bashi (chief banker) to the governor of the city. R. Sason Shindookh was born in Baghdad, and became a rabbi and kabbalist of repute. He was also a poet and preacher, and the author of many works in the field of traditional and mystical Jewish studies. His poetry is both of a religious and secular nature and some are didactic. They were written in the rhyme of Spanish-Hebrew poetry. Some of his piyyutim were included in siddurim and in books of piyyutim in the Babylonian rite. He also served as the permanent hazzan of the Great Synagogue in Baghdad. A practicing kabbalist, R. Sason Shindookh became the subject of legends. His published works, in addition to Tehillah le-David, include: Imrei Sason (Baghdad, 1891); Devar Beito (2 parts, Livorno, 1862, 1864); Mizmor le-Asaf (Livorno, 1864); Kol Sason (Livorno, 1859); Sadeh Lavan (Jerusalem, 1904). He also wrote many works which remain in manuscript. |
