Auction 14 · Lot 63

Sepher Benyamin Ze’ev [responsa]

Estimate: $1,500–$2,000
Hammer price: $1,200

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

BENJAMIN BEN MATTITHIAH (OF ARTA).

printer

Daniel Bomberg

Place

Venice

Publication

1539

Description

FIRST EDITION. The Daniel Itzig Copy, with his stamps.

references

Vinograd, Venice 167; Mehlman 702; Habermann, Bomberg 161; not in Adams.

summary

Of a somewhat disputatious nature, R. Benjamin issued this mammoth collection of 450 legal decisions largely as self-justification following a tendentious Halachic feud with David Hakohen of Corfu concerning Agunoth. The work contains a distinctly independent tone in its rulings, but is often cited by Moses Isserles, thus ensuring for itself a permanent place in the annals of Halacha. Its’ historic importance lies in the insight offered concerning the social conditions and religious life of the Jews in Asia Minor. See M. Carmilly-Weinberger, Censorship and Fredom of Expression in Jewish History (1977) pp. 155-56; M. Benayahu, Prolegomenon to the Responsa Benjamin Ze’ev (1989)

ff. 366 (of 367), (2), 376-399, 399-575. Title provided in an old hand. Lightly browned, opening few leaves stained, censored in places, signed by censors at end. Contemporary blind-tooled vellum, remnants of clasps and hinges. Thick 4to.

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