Does anyone know if there is an English version of Parafrasis comentado sobre el Pentateuco by Isaac Abohab‏, Jacob de Cordoba? I am thinking of translating into English otherwise...I started a draft and thus far....I can already tell from the dedication that we have a quite ancient custom to quote the hahamin of the goyim in our works... :)Parafrasis Comentado sobre el Pentateuco Targum of the Five Books of MosesBy: Haham Ishac Aboab Da Fonseca, Amsterdam, 5446 (1686 CE)Portrait of the Haham at IntroductionDEDICATORIA - DEDICATIONTo the Most magnificent Gentlemen Parnassimand Gabay of K.K. of Talmud Torah.Iahacob Enriques, President Abraham Teles.Abraham Mendes de Silva. Yshak Mendes Peña Gabay.Moseh de Matatya Aboab. Ioseph Iesurun Lobo Asisstant Gabay.Abraham de Ieudd Toro.Daniel Iesurun Espinosa.It is a most ancient custom of those that wish to publish their works, to offer them and dedicate them to the most valuable Princes of the World. The reason described by Publius Vegetius in a letter that he writes to the Emperor Valentinian, which translated to our language reads as follows. It is not begun nor continued with prosperity anything (that after God) is not furthered by a Prince, or an Emperor. Vegetius spoke as one who knew very well how much one jeopardises, and one obligates himself that something so arduous as to bring to publish a work, and is exposed to the calumny of many, and the applause of few. Vegetius says what he understands, which I understand (and is true) that in a dedication one should endeavour toward three objectives: Adulation, interest, and expressions of thanks. The adulation is done for the Prince, because imploring his favor, impressing his patronage, aide, being to such effect that it is the cause of the work thus adulated. The work is dedicated for the Prince, for the interest that in his generosity may be found: and the third and final reason being for the rendering of many grateful benefits received. [added 24 Aug:]Most noble gentlemen, of the first two, none of them can move me to dedicate this work to V.m.s. Not adulation, for adulating it for gaining favor, or aide, because the Divine favors it and aids it, defending it from any strong calumnies. This obligated me not to accept Praises from friends, nor accept any other praise, because it would have been to offend it, nor gain benefit from it, because I was never persuaded by ambition, nor entertained by any benefit. I have fifty five witnesses of this certain truth, they are these fifty five years that due to the mercifulness of the Most High, and benevolence of the Holy Kahal, whose current government is under the patronage of V.m.s., I took the office, with which in my humility was elevated to such a high sphere, and this very work publicizes it, because with all my effort I tried to bring to it to light, with all possible perfection. Thirdly, not to be ungrateful to such important favors, such eminent aide, these are what obligate me to dedicate to V.m.s. This present work, which really is not my work so to speak. But of V.m.s. For the high esteem they made of me. They relieved me of my work, which it is not, but I am relieved that it is dedicated to the God’s religion, who conceded me the time to bring it to light. He is the caused, and V.m.s. The cause. To V.m.s. I direct applause, and to me the recognition that will amplify me his humble servant and admiring subject of V.m.s. To always implore the Lord for his magnification, happiness, and that of the Holy Kahal, so that they be conceded dilative life, and with it be able to be for him of much service. H.H. Yshak Aboab.