Auction 46 · Lot 14

Hilchoth Rav Alfas [Rabbinic Code]. With commentaries of Rashi, R. Jonah Gerondi, R. Nissim Gerondi, R. Jonathan Hakohen of Lunel, R. Joseph Habiba (Nimukei Yoseph), R. Zerachyah Halevi (Ba’al ha-Ma’or), and Nachmanides (Milchamoth Hashem).

Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
Hammer price: $3,200

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

author

ALFASI, ISAAC BEN JACOB (RI”F).

printer

Tobias Foa

Place

Sabbioneta

Publication

1554-5

Description

Fist edition with the complete commentary Shiltei HaGiborim by R. Joshua Boaz (contains comments of R. Isaiah di Trani). Six volumes. Marginal notes in places.

references

Vinograd, Sabbioneta 16; Mehlman 737; not in Adams.

summary

SIX VOLUMES OF THE RARE SABBIONETA EDITION OF THE RI". F. 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, indeed Joseph Karo regarded Alfasi’s scholarship with utmost respect and determined the laws of his Shulchan Aruch upon his authority. Between the 16th and 19th centuries when the printing of the Talmud was banned in Italy, Alfasi’s work was expressly exempt and thus became a principal subject of study among Italian Jews. See Heller, The Sixteenth Century Hebrew Book, I, pp. 394-5.

Variously stained. Modern calf-backed boards. Vol. I: ff. 98, 97-170, 170-187. Opening two leaves supplied in facsimile. * Vol. II: ff. 189-225, 225-229, 229, 227-267, 265-410. Final page with lower corner removed. * Vol. III: ff. (1), 402- 619. One leaf heavily browned and final leaf soiled. * Vol. IV: ff. 620-778, 54. Final two leaves frayed with loss. * Vol. V: ff. 159. Heavily stained in places, initial leaves supplied from another copy. * Vol. VI: ff. 160-398. Initial leaves supplied from another copy, final leaf laid down. Folio.

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