Sepher ha-Terumoth [code of commercial law]

AUCTION 42 | Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 240

SARDI, SAMUEL BEN ISAAC

Sepher ha-Terumoth [code of commercial law]

FIRST EDITION. Title within garlanded arch, with printer's mark of Abraham Bassevi (see Yaari, Hebrew Printers' Marks no. 48) ff. 116. Title laid to size. Stained, wormholes silked, minor losses of text. Modern vellum-backed boards. Folio Vinograd, Salonika 143; Mehlman 792

Salonika: Abraham ben Matathia Bat Sheva (Bassevi) 1596

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,300

Rare Edition of the First Code of Jewish Law Devoted Exclusively to Commercial Law (Dinei Mamonoth). Sepher ha-Terumoth is divided into 70 Gates, wherein each case is preceded by a discussion of the Talmudic source and thereafter differing opinions are presented leading to the final decision taken. Samuel Sardi (1185/90-1255/56) of Barcelona, was a pupil and colleague of Nachmanides and addressed halachic queries to his teacher whose responses are included in the Sepher ha-Terumoth. According to Abraham Zacuto, Sepher ha-Terumoth was compiled in the year 1225 (see Sepher ha-Yuchasin, quoted on f.1v. of our edition). R. Jacob ben Asher's Tur Choshen Mishpat is heavily indebted to Sepher ha-Terumoth. According to the title, the sponsor of the publication, "having borrowed money to acquire the tools of printing" (asher lavah mamono le-havi klei ha-hadpasah), was the celebrated Salonikan halachist R. Samuel de Medina (Maharashda"m). See EJ, Vol. V, col. 643; Vol. XIV, col. 875