Description: 2 volume Hebrew Ethical Wills by Israel Abrahams Reader of Hebrew at University of Cambridge. Formerly Senior Tutor at Jews' College, London. Published by The Jewish Publication Society of America as part of the Schiff Library Of Jewish Classics. First edition, second impression. Originally printed in 1926, but printed a second time in 1936. The first 2 impressions are special as they have different patterned covers then the 3rd impression (1948). They have cross-lined (Or sort of cross-hatched) design and are smoother, while the 3rd impression is rougher and grainier. (I have that one listed in another listing for cheaper) Also these volumes are in superb condition especially considering that they are almost 100 years old. There is no writing inside whatsoever. Excellent covers, end papers, and margins. First and second volume combined have 348 double numbered pages. Meaning that the Hebrew side and English have the same page number, so the number of page sides is double 348.

This is an excellent work encompassing a vast amount of the wills and last testament of the great leaders and Rabbis of the Jewish tradition from personalities of the Mishnaic times (50 A.D.) down till the 1800's. He includes very valuable introductions to each excerpt and provides informative background to the person who authored the will (Sometimes about little known individuals which will prompt the student of history to branch out further. These are very informative volumes which shed light on the condition of the times described and the very personal aspirations and fears of the people living at the time. Since it is what these people write when they are confronted with death it is very real. The original Hebrew text is shown with a side by side English translation, corrected through manuscripts and documents and annotated and sourced as well.

Condition: Excellent condition, no writing anywhere, clean pages throughout. Excellent binding and covers. Rarely seen in the superb condition that these are in. Especially so, as an early printing with the beautiful 'cross hatched pattern' covers, which the early printing of the first edition possess.

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This listing has pictures of the actual book or books being sold, no stock-photos or photos of similar items, I took a complete set of new pictures especially for this listing and I have carefully described the condition of this specific item that you are looking at.