Libro de Las Generaciones (Ms. 17633, B.N. Madrid) and The Book of Yashar (English Anonymous Translation)

Lazar, Moshe (Editor). Libro de Las Generaciones (Ms. 17633, B.N. Madrid) and The Book of Yashar (English Anonymous Translation). Culver City, CA.: Labyrinthos, 1989. Limited Edition. 1/300. XXVIII, 515 pp. on acid-free paper. Original silver-stamped red smyth-sewn clothbound with silver illustration on front board and silver lettering on spine. Third volume in the “Sephardic Classical Library” series. Two translations of a popular post-biblical book of epic and romance narrative, known as Sefer ha-Yasar [The Upright Book, The Upright Record, or Book of the Upright (Righteous)], and sometimes named after its opening line Sefer Toledot Adam [Book of the Generations of Adam]. The origin and date of composition are still a matter of debate. Long considered one of the lost biblical books mentioned in Joshua (10:13) and II Samuel (1:18), it is, in fact, similar to other pseudo-historical narratives from the Middle Ages. The Sefer ha-Yasar mixes select chapters from the biblical narrative (Genesis to beginning of Judges) with midrashic and legendary episodes borrowed from various sources, focusing on the lives and tribulations of major figures in the Pentateuch (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ismael, Jacob, Esau, Joseph, Moses, Joshua) along with nations and protagonists related to them through historical or legendary links. The English translation is derived from the 1840 Mordecai Manuel Noah edition and is a close literal rendering of the original Hebrew text, whereas the Ladino translation may be characterized as a creative stylized adaptation, often condensing or amplifying dramatic passages, and even rendering two chapters in rhymed stanzas. Preface and Introduction in English; text in romanized Ladino facing English version. Scarce work in fine condition. vg. Hardcover. (38942) $75