Meshal ha-Kadmoni [Parables of Antiquity]
With 80 woodcuts.
Venice, Paranzoni, 1547.

A book of parables with moral lessons written in 1281 by a Castilian Hebrew poet, scholar and kabbalist as a response to the popular Arabian Nights. To increase its popularity, the book was embellished with fascinating miniature woodcuts, making it the first illustrated Hebrew book ever printed.

Abraham ben Shabbethai, ha-Kohen, of Zante, 1670-1729.
Kehunat Avraham [Priesthood of Abraham]
Venice: Nela Stamparia Bragadina, 1719.

Poems based on the Psalms, written by Abraham ben Shabbethai, who like Joseph Delmedigo (no. 22), was born in the island of Crete when it was ruled by Venice, and studied medicine at the University of Padua. As a renaissance man, he was not only a physician, but also an artist, poet and a philosopher. His portrait on the title page, as well as the engraving of Day Five of the Creation is believed to have been made by him.

 Luzzatto, Moshe Hayyim, 1707-1747.
 La-Yesharim Tehilah [Glory to the Righteous People]
 Amsterdam: Sons of Shalom Katz Proops, 1743.

Luzzatto, or RaMHaL, son of an old and respected Italian family, was a brilliant scholar, kabbalist and poet. La-Yesharim Tehilah, is an allegorical drama in verse, written in honor of the marriage of his student, Jacob di Haves to Rachel de Vega Henriques. Published in a limited edition of 50 copies, it is considered the first work of modern Hebrew literature and was widely imitated by contemporary and subsequent Hebrew maskilim.

Berechiah ben Natronai, ha-Nakdan, 12th/13th century.
Mishle Shu'alim [Fox Fables]
Berlin: [s.n.], 1755 or 1756.

Berechiah was a Hebrew grammarian and translator who lived in Normandy and also in England. Mishle Shu'alim, which appeared in many editions, is a collection of animal fables. The author translated and adapted from three sources: a Latin version of Aesop; an old French book of fables dated 1170; and several Arabic sources. Berechiah was called the Jewish Aesop, by his English translator, Moses Hadas (1967).