Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol (Sma”g) [“The Great Book of Commandments”: Enumeration of the 613 precepts]

MOSES OF COUCY

Daniel Bomberg

Venice

1522

Third edition. Divisional title. Printed in Rashi type in double columns. Initial words white-against-black floriated background. Scattered learned Hebrew marginalia in an old hand. On final page, signature of censor: "Dominico Irosolimitano" (see Wm. Popper, The Censorship of Hebrew Books, pl. III, no. 1). On final blank, inscription of former owner in Hebrew in an Italian hand: "I the undersigned, of my own free will to conquer my evil inclination, swear not to laugh...for five consecutive years, commencing today, the 25th of Kislev, 5497 [1737] until the 25th of Kislev, 5502 [1742] should I not be engaged to be married during these years. May God help me to keep my vow, Amen. Raphael Foa." Censored in places

Vinograd, Venice 66; Habermann, Bomberg 73; Adams M-1870

First Post-Incunable Edition. After Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, the Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol (Sma”g) would be the next significant work of codification, reflecting French halachic tradition. Thirteenth-century Rabbi Moses of Coucy followed Maimonides’ general arrangement of the precepts, dividing the 613 commandments into 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments. Joshua Boaz's Ein Mishpat (which first appeared in Bomberg's Venice edition, and has remained a mainstay of the printed page of the Talmud ever since) cross-references the Halachic decisions of three codes, Ramba”m, Sma"g and Tur, which historically represent three Jewish communities: Sepharad (Spain), Tzarphath (France), and Aschkenaz (Germany). Concerning the author, and purpose, contents, and order of the Sma"g, see E.E. Urbach, Ba'alei HaTosaphoth, pp. 384-95