Masechta Bechoroth [“Firstlings.”] With commentaries including Rashi, Tosaphoth and Rabbeinu Asher (Ro”sh)

(TALMUD, BABYLONIAN).

Daniel Bomberg

Venice

1522

FIRST BOMBERG EDITION. First word of Tractate within decorative vignette. Signature on title-page of R. Chaim(?) Alfandari, with marginalia in the same and many other hands throughout. Also bears signature of R. Elia Franzis

Vinograd, Venice 55; Habermann, Bomberg 57

Daniel Bomberg’s editions of 1520-23 formed the edito princeps of the Babylonian Talmud setting the standard pagination and layout to which almost all subsequent editions adhered: a section of the Mishnah text followed by its Gemara, the commentary of Rashi on the inner margin and that of the Tosaphists on the outer. The uniformity of pages in all published editions was of great practical use to Talmudic scholars, creating a standard for reference citation and serving as a symbol of the unity of the Jewish people which Talmud study across the ages has enhanced. Rabbinovicz commented on the aesthetic quality of the famed Bomberg Talmud: “The paper is exquisite, the letters black and vibrant, and the margins between [the commentaries of] Rashi, Tosaphoth and the Talmud broad - subsequent editions never matched up to its beauty.” See Ma’amar al Hadfasath HaTalmud, p.41