Sepher Halachoth Rav Alfas [Rabbinic Code]

ALFASI, ISAAC (RI”F).

David and Samuel Nahmias

Constantinople

1509

FIRST COMPLETE EDITION. With commentaries, Chidushei Rabbeinu Nissim, Piskei Mordechai, Rabbeinu Yonah, R. Yonathan HaKohen of Lunel, Nimukei Yoseph. Bound in three volumes. Vol. I: Berachoth, ff. 33 (of 43). First leaf provided in facsimile, few leaves frayed affecting text. * Halachoth Ketanoth, ff. 24 (complete). * Shabbath, ff. 61 (of 62). * Eiruvin, ff. 32 (complete). * Pesachim, ff. 26 (complete). * Ta’aniyoth, ff. 10. * Yom Tov, ff. 16 (complete). * Rosh HaShanah, ff. 10 (complete). * Yoma, ff. 6 (complete). * Sukah, ff. 18 (complete). * Megilah, ff. 14 (of 16). * Moed Katan, ff. 19 (of 20) one leaf and portion of another leaf in facsimile. Extensive marginalia with references to Halachic works including Maimonides, Tur and Semag, along with Rashi’s commentary to the Ri’f (first published in Venice, 1521). Vol. II: Yevamoth, ff. 46 (complete). * Kethuvoth, ff. 64 (complete). * Kidushin, ff. 37 (complete). * Gitin, ff. 50 (complete). * Chulin ff. 56 (complete). * Avodah Zarah, ff. 33 (of 42) lacking the Mordechai. Vol. III: Baba Kama, ff. 40 (complete), first few leaves heavily wormed and loose. * Baba Metziah, ff. 70 (complete), worming and marginal repair to a few leaves, loose. * Baba Bathra, ff. 75 (complete). Heavy staining to first few leaves, marginal repairs. * Sanhedrin, Makoth, ff.1 9 (complete). * Shavuoth, ff. 38 (complete, including colophon with final rare leaf of poetry by Eliahu ben Berachel HaLevi, David ibn Yachya, and poem inscribed on the tombstone of Alfasi in Lucena, Southern Spain). Marginalia.

Vinograd, Const. 13; Yaari, Const. 5; J. Hacker, Aresheth, V, p. 474 no. 5 (corrections to Yaari); St. Cat. Bodl. 5310:1 “ed. extremae raritatis;” S. Shefer, Ha’Rif U’Mishnato (1967) pp. 108-11; I. Rivkind, Dikdukei Sophrim, Kiryat Sepher, vol. II, p. 58.

FIRST COMPLETE EDITION. OF GREAT RARITY. Isaac Alfasi brought the Gaonic 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 Ri’F is the most important halachic compendium prior to the Yad HaChazakah of Maimonides, and indeed paved the way for all later codifiers. R. Joseph Karo regarded the Ri’f’s scholarship with utmost respect and determined the laws in his Shulchan Aruch upon his authority. This Constantinople edition represents the earliest complete edition of the Ri’f’s magnum opus and contains important textual variances from the Bomberg’s 1521 edition. See Rabinowitz, Maamar Al Hadfasath HaTalmud, pp. 296-7.