Obj. ID: 40226  Devek M'ach by Avraham Chamui, Livorno, 1874

This text was prepared by William Gross:

Kabbalistic volume of segulot, remedies, and medical advice by R. Abraham Shalom Hai ben Raphael Hamavi. The author writes on the title page that he will open a an entrance to the gate, seven “wells of water” (Exodus 15:27, Numbers 33:9), a pit or fountain, all arranged according to the alef bet. The title page is dated, “rightly they love you מישרים אהבוך (634 = 1874) ” (Song of Songs 1:4). After the printer’s name it informs that he acquired the press of Moses Yeshua Tuviana. Devek M’ach has approbations from R. Hayyim Palagi, R. Abrham Ashkenazi, printed previously with his Hach Nafsho; and new approbations for this work from R. Abraham Tolosa, R. Elijah ben Amozag, and R. Israel Kushta; R. Solomon Leoni, R. Joseph Hayyim Sinaigalia, R. Isaac Milol, R. David Ottilenghi, and R. Reuben ben Benjamin Fonaro; and from R. Elijah Hazzan of Jerusalem. Next is R. Hamavi’s lengthy introduction and then the text, which is set in a single column in rabbinic type, excepting headers and initial words. The text is arranged alphabetically with entries numbered within each letter of the alphabet. An example of the subjects covered in yod, which has twenty eight entries are yam (23), yezer tov (24), Yesurin (25), Yamim (26) Yerat Hashem (27) and Yom (28). The volume concludes with verse, the initial letters forming an acronym of Abraham Hamavi.
The printer, R. Yisrael Kushta (1819-1897) was born in Livorno, Italy. He was an author, rabbi and commentator. In 1864, at the age of 45 (three years before this book was published), R. Kushta was appointed chief Rabbi of Livorno, a position he held until his death.
Title page with decorative border.