Important collection of six early printed Seforim.
1. Sefer Lev Ha’aryeh. Recommendations and exercises for memorization, “with 613 commandments based on the Rambam… to be studied in accordance with the recommendations”, by Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh of Modena.
First Edition Venice, 1612. Yakumu Sarzina Printing Press.
A Rare Sefer! Has only appeared a handful of times at public auction.
18, [5] Leaves. 19.4 Cm.
Overall Good – Fair condition, few stains, marginal restorations, worming restorations affecting text, later binding slightly rubbed.
2. Sefer Yesod : Responsa of the Ralbach – First Edition, Venice, 1565.
A foundational and essential halachic work: Responsa of Rabbi Levi ben Habib (Ralbach), including a commentary on the laws of sanctifying the new moon and the famous "Kuntras HaSemicha".
From leaf 277 onward, the "Kuntras HaSemicha"—detailing the famous debate between Ralbach and Rabbi Yaakov Beirav on the renewal of rabbinic ordination in Safed—is printed.
The commentary on the laws of Kiddush HaChodesh includes illustrations and diagrams, published here for the first time. This work was later incorporated into editions of Rambam’s Mishneh Torah.
Historical Significance: The Semicha Controversy, A crucial halachic and historical debate appears in this first edition:
In 1538 Rabbi Yaakov Beirav was ordained by twenty-five leading scholars of Safed and then proceeded to ordain his students, including Rabbi Yosef Karo (author of the Shulchan Aruch) and Rabbi Moshe Mitrani (the Mabit). This attempt to revive classical Semicha led to strong opposition from the rabbis of Jerusalem, with Ralbach at the forefront. His main argument, found in this "Kuntras HaSemicha", is based on Rambam’s own uncertainty about the validity of such an ordination, as Rambam himself writes: "This matter requires further deliberation." Additionally, Ralbach insisted that ordination required a consensus of all scholars in Eretz Yisrael, not just those in Safed
Initially, Ralbach’s objections were not accepted, and the chain of ordination continued: Rabbi Yosef Karo ordained the Holy Alshich, The Alshich ordained Rabbi Chaim Vital, the chief disciple of the Arizal. However, after four generations, the Semicha initiative faded—and Ralbach’s view became the accepted halachic ruling.
[5], 2- 322 Leaves. Possibly incomplete. 28.7 cm
See Y. Ribkind, "Dikdukei Sefarim, " Kiryat Sefer, Vol. 10 (1933–1934), pp. 492–493, No. 8. Same author, Sefer HaYovel L’Kavod Alexander Marx, New York 1950, pp. 419–420, No. 23. Y. Yudlov, "Genazei Yisrael, " Jerusalem 1985, pp. 119–120, No. 715.
Overall Good – Fair condition, water stains, marginal repairs slightly affecting text on first few pages, a few frayed edges, old brown cloth, wood and leather binding somewhat damaged.
3. Shu”t Harasb”a. Antique Sephardic signatures & inscription, including signatures of Rabbi Shlomo Chazak.
Venice, 1545. 2nd rare edition!
192 Leaves. 25 Cm.
Overall Good condition, quality pages, some marginal water stains, marginal worming on 2nd half of Sefer, New vermillion leather binding.
4. Midrash Rabbot on the Five Books of the Torah – First Edition, Venice, 1545
First edition of "Midrash Rabbot", printed in Venice, 1545, under this title.
That same year, Daniel Bomberg printed a Midrash Rabbah edition with nearly identical text but a different title page and some typographical variations. Contains significant typographical changes, and decorative borders at the beginning of each Chumash differ from the Bomberg edition.
Printed by Marco Antonio Justinian and Cornelius Adelkind (See: "The Printer Daniel Bomberg and His Publications, " No. 176, 1978).
201, 201-208 Leavbes.. Without the Five Megillot. 29.6 Cm.
Overall Fair condition, some stains and water stains, some marginal page and worming restorations affecting missing text and heavily towards end of Sefer, later light brown leather binding slightly rubbed
5. Sefer Romemot El, the Book of Tehillim with a commentary by Rabbi Moshe Alshich.
Venie, 1605. Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, First complete edition of work.
The work was proofread by the author’s son, R. Chaim Alshich. On leaf 2 (lackikng in the present copy) appears his introduction to the sefer, in which he laments that his manuscript (which he says was a draft unedited by his father) was stolen and printed, causing him much distress. He appears to be referring to Tapuchei Zahav, printed in Kuruçeşme, 1597, in which the Alshich’s commentary was printed, only on the first book of Tehillim and without proofreading.
4, 7-177, {4 blank}, 180-310 Leaves. Out of 310 leaves. Lacking copy. 19 Cm.
Overall Good – Fair condition, some stains, some worming affecting text on first and last few pages, first few pages have shortened margins with missing text, missing title page and pages 178-179, later red cloth binding slightly rubbed.
6. Sefer Levush Ateret Zahav Gedolah on Tur Yoreh De’ah, by Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe
Prague, 1609. Printed by Moshe ben Rabbi Yosef Bezalel Katz. Second edition, published during the author’s lifetime.
Antique signature at the bottom of the title page: Hillel Leib, son of my honored and pious father, Rabbi David Shlit”a.
Antique signature: Zelig Leipnik.
Signature: Yisrael of Salant.
174 Leaves (out of 192 Leaves) a lacking copy. 29.5 Cm.
Overall Good Condition, some stains and marginal water stains, first two pages have some marginal worming and are loose, last few pages have marginal tears with missing text, unbound.
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