Sepher Haroke’ach [ethics, rabbinic law and custom]

AUCTION 11 | Tuesday, November 28th, 2000 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts From the Library of the London Beth Din

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Lot 30

ELEAZER BEN JUDAH OF WORMS.

Sepher Haroke’ach [ethics, rabbinic law and custom]

FIRST EDITION ff.109 (of 110) lacking final blank. Lightly browned and stained in places, opening two leaves expertly laid to size, with few words provided in facsimile. Modern tan morocco. Folio Vinograd, Fano 12; Mehlman 954; not in Adams

Fano: (Gershom Soncino) 1505

Est: $10,000 - $12,000

PRICE REALIZED $10,000

The first Hebrew Book to be printed with a title page. Gershom Soncino was perhaps the most prolific printer of his time producing more than one hundred Hebrew titles and as many non-Hebrew texts (using the name Hieronymus Soncino). Regarding Soncino’s years on the Adriatic coast in Fano, see M. Marx, Gershom Soncino’s Wanderyears in Italy, in HUCA Vol. XI (1936) pp. 457-59. Renowned as a Tosafist, Eleazar of Worms was the last major figure of the Chassidei Ashkenaz Movement. According to legend, by exercising the esoteric conjointment of the Hebrew alphabet, R. Eleazer was transported by cloud to Spain to acquaint Nachmanides with the mysteries of the Kabbalah. See I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature (1973), vol. III, p.24