Toldoth Adam VeChava. Sepher Meisharim [Rabbinic code]. Parts I and II bound in one volume

YERUCHAM BEN MESHULAM OF PROVENCE

A. Bragadin

Venice

1553

Second edition. Printers mark of three crowns on title. Divisional title

Vinograd, Venice 461; Mehlman 742-3 (incomplete); Otzar Ha-Rabanim 2055

AN IMPORTANT EARLY LEGAL CODEX, CONSTANTLY CITED BY THE BEITH YOSEPH. A native of Provence, Rabbeinu Yerucham was exiled from France in the expulsion of 1306. He eventually settled in Toledo, where he studied under the guidance of R. Asher ben Yechiel (Ro”sh). In his Code, Rabbeinu Yerucham quotes the opinions of French, Provencal and Spanish authorities, as well as recording for posterity the customs of those communities. The part of the work entitled Meisharim, deals with civil law; the other part, Adam VeChavah focuses upon life-cycles and ritual law. The prior owner of this copy, R. Eliyahu HaLevi Itingen was the Rabbi of Wengrow and author of Brith HaLevi, (Lublin, 1645). He evidently regarded R. Yerucham’s work in high esteem, writing that he and his children should “study it until the end of all the generations.” R. Eliyahu HaLevi’s father, R. Abraham, was the financial adviser to the Austro-Hungarian Emporer in Vienna. His father-in-law was R. Shimon Ginzberg, leader of the Posen community, and his brother-in-law was R. Akiva Frankfurt