Sepher Hilchoth Rav Alfas [Rabbinic Code]

ALFASI, ISAAC BEN JACOB (RI”F).

Parenzo- Bragadin

Venice

1552

Fifth Edition. Three volumes

Vinograd, Venice 436; Habermann, Parenzo 11; not in Adams

R. Isaac Alfasi brought the Geonic period to a close. His fame rests on this great work, whose purpose was to provide a comprehensive compendium for ready reference to facilitate Talmud study. The work remains an important and widely admired code. R. Joseph Caro regarded Alfasi’s scholarship with utmost respect and determined the laws in his Shulchan Aruch upon his authority. Indeed, between the 16th and 19th centuries when the Talmud was banned in Italy, Alfasi’s work was expressly exempted and so it became a principal subject of study among Italian Jews. This edition was issued amidst the contentious dispute between the Houses of Bragadin and Giustinian, the ramifications of which led to the infamous Papal Order consigning the Hebrew books of Venice to flames. Thus, this is an exceptionally rare edition. No record of a complete set ever selling at public auction