Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law]

KARO, JOSEPH.

Giovanni Griffio

Venice

1567

Second edition. Four parts in one volume. Four title pages. Printers device on titles (Yaari no. 31). Title letters within decorative woodcut border-piece. Previous owner’s inscription on verso of first title (indicating how the Tephilin are equal to all the 613 precepts), marginal notes on ff. 54-55 of Part I

Vinograd, Venice 552; not in Adams.

A digest of the expansive Beith Yoseph, the Shulchan Aruch (“Prepared Table”) was so named by Joseph Karo to indicate he had prepared the extensive material in a manner ready to be “consumed” immediately. It became the Rabbinic Code par excellence. In 1567, two editions were issued simultaneously; one printed by Giovanni Griffio, and the other at the House of Cavalli. For details regarding these early issues of the Shulchan Aruch, see R. Margolioth, Sinai, Vol. XXXVII (1955) pp. 25-35, and R. Y. Nissim in Sinai, Sepher Yovel (1958) pp. 29-39. The Cavalli edition of the Shulchan Aruch was sold by Kestenbaum & Company, Sale XXV (October, 2004), Lot 25.