"On the Seventh Day of Pesach, it is customary to learn Mechilta" –
Mechilta de-Rabbi Yishmael, Venice 1545 in the Bomberg press.
The Mechilta, a halachic Midrash on Sefer Shemos, covers topics including the Korban Pesach, the Yetzias Mitzrayim, the Kriyas Yam Suf, and the Shirah. It is attributed to Rabbi Yishmael. Printed in the Bomberg Press in Venice 1545. Second edition with textual variations from the First Constantinople print in 1515.
"Without this learning, one cannot truly feel the essence of Shabbos Shirah" – (Mahari"D of Belz)
The Mechilta is one of the primary sefarim on the themes of Pesach. It is told that the Mahari"D of Belz said that it was customary to learn the Mechilta with commentary on Erev Shabbos Shirah, and without this learning, one cannot truly appreciate its taste. Furthermore, it is brought down that on the Seventh Day of Pesach, there was a custom to learn the Mechilta (introduction to Merkevet ha-Mishnah on the Mechilta).
