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
Lot 30
ELEAZER BEN JUDAH OF WORMS.
Sepher Haroke’ach [ethics, rabbinic law and custom]
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