Only edition. 117, [4] ff. quarto, 190:130 mm., nice margins, title and initial 8 ff with loss, worming throughout, age and damp staining, loose in later boards.

Discourses on the weekly parashot by R. Mordecai ben Isaac Kohen Ashkenazi, (late 17th-early 18th century). He was a student and son-in-law of R. Samuel Laniado (author of Keli Yekar, 1603). The title of Rosh Mar Deror, R. Ashkenazi's only published work, is from "Take you also to you the best spices, of pure myrrh (rash mar deror) ... " (Exodus 30:23). Mar Deror can also be understood as referring to Mordecai, for "where is Mordecai alluded to in the Torah?  It is written mar deror, for which the targum (Aramaic) is meira dakhya מירא דכיא forming a cognate of Mordecai (Hullin 139b).

The title page has a pillared frame and concise text stating that its discourses "are pleasant and 'sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb'" (Psalms 19:11). Published by Bragadin. It gives the printer's name as Giovanni Caleoni. It is followed by prefatory remarks (2a-b) in which Ashkenazi praises the late R. Laniado extensively, noting that he was with him for ten years; Ashkenazi's introduction (3a-4b), the initial phrase in a decorative frame, the only ornamentation in the book; the text, comprised of the source of the homily in square letters and about it Ashkenazi's discourse in rabbinic letters; and concluding with seven pages of indexes, ordered by parashot by subject, para­shot by source (Midrash), and verses.

Rosh Mar Deror is set in a single column, each of its fifty-five discourses comprised of a Midrash in a square font and the accompanying discourse in rabbinic letters. Occasional use is made of kabbalistic concepts. Examples of the homilies are: the creation of the world was by hesed (benevolence) and therefore a person is obligated to pursue righteousness and kindness and thus find life (Bereishit); the purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple is that the peoples of the world will know God's name is called on Israel (Terumah); God repays individuals according to their deeds, measure for measure (Tazri'a); a primary rule in the Torah and correct conduct is from Moses who performed all his deeds privately (with modesty, Nasa); and Israel has no strength except through Torah (Mattat).

The title page is dated שעה (1615). The colophon after the text dates completion of work to Rosh Hodesh Elul Shabbat (30 Av), "Arise, shine קומי אורי (373 = August 17, 1613)" (Isaiah 60:1). After the indexes is the date of permission to print, Can licentia de Superiori, 4 Febraro. 1614. That the completion date is a Shabbat, is indicative of the fact that the type was set by non- Jewish workers. The title page was completed after the book was set, a common practice. Benayahu notes that what is unusual is the brief interval between permission being given by the censor and publication, a process normally taking several years.

Hebrew Description

  והם דרושי’ (בכל פרשה ופרשה... מבראשית עד לעיני כל ישראל)... הכינם וגם חקרם... ר’ מרדכי כהן נר"ו בן... ר’ יצחק הכהן נר"ו...

17th Century Hebrew Book, Marvin J. Heller, pp 320-1; Bibliography of the Hebrew Book 1470-1960 #000184325; BE resh 41