(ReM”A). Zoth Torath HaChatath [Rabbinic Code]. With Hilchoth Nidah by Joseph Karo, accompanied by glosses of the RaM”A.

ISSERLES, MOSES

Isaac Prostitz

Cracow

1591

On title and last page, Hebrew signature of former owner "Yosef Chaim Hamburger." Numerous marginalia in old Aschkenazi hand.

Vinograd, Cracow 146

R. Moses Isserles, born in Cracow circa1525, was regarded among his contemporaries as the “Maimonides of Polish Jewry” and was consulted by the great rabbis of his time on all halachic matters. Among those who corresponded with him were Meir Katzenellenbogen, Joseph Karo, Solomon Luria and his brother-in-law, Joseph Katz. See EJ, IX cols.1081-85. The importance of the Torath HaChatath importance lies in the fact that it includes the customs of Eastern and Central Europe which in many cases differ from the rulings of R. Joseph Karo in his Shulchan Aruch. The RaM”A generally leaned toward Polish custom, an attitude that irked many of his peers, especially R. Chaim b. Betzalel (brother of the Mahara"l of Prague), who severely criticized the RaM”A in his Vikuach Mayim Chaim. Despite such opposition, the RaM”A’s decisions are accepted worldwide by Ashkenazic authorities. According to the title, this third edition has the advantage of being printed from a copy of the work corrected by R. Moses Isserles in his own hand before he passed away.