Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law]

AUCTION 57 | Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 139

KARO, JOSEPH.

Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law]

Second edition. Four parts in one volume. Four title pages. Printers device on titles (Yaari no. 31). Title letters within decorative woodcut border-piece. Previous owner’s inscription on verso of first title (indicating how the Tephilin are equal to all the 613 precepts), marginal notes on ff. 54-55 of Part I ff. 61; 57; 34; 71. Some staining, marginal repair to title and a few other leaves (with a few words in facsimile). Modern half calf. Folio. Vinograd, Venice 552; not in Adams.

Venice: Giovanni Griffio 1567

Est: $6,000 - $8,000

PRICE REALIZED $7,000

A digest of the expansive Beith Yoseph, the Shulchan Aruch (“Prepared Table”) was so named by Joseph Karo to indicate he had prepared the extensive material in a manner ready to be “consumed” immediately. It became the Rabbinic Code par excellence. In 1567, two editions were issued simultaneously; one printed by Giovanni Griffio, and the other at the House of Cavalli. For details regarding these early issues of the Shulchan Aruch, see R. Margolioth, Sinai, Vol. XXXVII (1955) pp. 25-35, and R. Y. Nissim in Sinai, Sepher Yovel (1958) pp. 29-39. The Cavalli edition of the Shulchan Aruch was sold by Kestenbaum & Company, Sale XXV (October, 2004), Lot 25.