First edition of this multi-part commentary on the books of Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther and novellae on tractates by R. Elijah ben Solomon Abraham ha-Kohen of Izmir. There is an introduction from R. Moses Isaac ha-Levi who brought Dana Peshara to press, and then the text, entitled Agan Sohar (on Shir ha-Shirim), Besorot Eliyahu (on Ruth), Orah ve-Simhah (on Esther), El Tikrei (on Berakhot and Seder Mo’ed), concluding on the last page with novella from R. Pinhas ben Rafael.

R. Elijah ben Solomon Abraham ha-Kohen (d. 1729) was one of the outstanding preachers of his time. Born in Izmir, R. Elijah spent most of his life there as a preacher, dayyan, and rabbi. R. Elijah came from a family of rabbis and writers; his grandfather, R. Michael ha-Kohen, wrote exegetical works on the Torah, and his uncle, R. Isaac ha-Kohen, was also a writer. His father, Abraham Solomon ha-Kohen, one of the rabbis of Iamir, is known for his rescue of captive Jews. R. Elijah was a prolific writer; about 30 of his works are extant, some in print, others in manuscript; his lost works are known only from references to them in his own writings. The teaching of ethical behavior, however, was Elijah's main purpose. He made extensive use of the vast ethical literature of the Middle Ages, both early and late – from Sefer Ḥasidim to the Shenei Luḥot ha-Berit, by R. Isaiah ha-Levi Horowitz. In the sermons, ethical writings, and exegetical works, he also used kabbalistic literature, in which he was well versed. Later writers of homiletics and ethics, the author of the famous Ḥemdat Yamim, for example, made use of his works. Social problems are a basic concern in his thought. The social and economic gap between rich and poor disturbed him, and some of his sermons are devoted to the question of theodicy: Elijah dwells at length upon the heavenly rewards of the poor and the just after death while vividly describing the horrible punishment awaiting the wicked. His preaching displays a strongly negative attitude toward the benefits derived from this world, and his listeners are asked to renounce all its joys, even purposely to take suffering and hardship upon themselves. A considerable portion of Elijah's sermons deals with messianic subjects. G. Scholem proved that in fact he was a Shabbatean, although not one of the extremists. He probably adhered to its theology as expounded by Abraham Cardoso. It is possible that late in his life R. Elijah became detached from this movement, but did not delete the Shabbatean portions from his earlier works.