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

Vinograd, Venice 552; not in Adams

A digest of the expansive Beith Yoseph, the Shulchan Aruch (“Prepared Table”) was so named by Karo to indicate that he had prepared the 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 printings 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