RaMBa’M). Mishnah Torah [Rabbinic Code].

MOSHE BEN MAIMON (MAIMONIDES /

Meir Parenzo for Alvise Bragadin

Venice

1574

First edition with commentary by R. Yoseph Karo. With glosses including Abraham ben David of Posquieres (RAVa”D) and Levi ibn Chabib. Fourteen parts in four volumes. Four title pages, each with Bragadin’s device of Three Crowns, Meir Parenzo’s device of Venice and the Dragon on verso, and following the Table of Contents (the late) Asher Parenzo’s device of a Mountain rising from the Sea. Text illustrations. Final volume with first edition of the alphabetical subject index compiled by the School of Baruch Uziel. Final leaf with a poem in honor of one of Karo’ disciples, Abraham Hayug.

Vinograd, Venice 600.

A significant edition. Contains the first appearance of the Hasagoth HaRava’d as an independent commentary (previously it was incorporated as part of the Maggid Mishnah). Also the first edition of the Rambam with the Keseph Mishnah. It contains a foreword and afterword relating that R. Yoseph Karo had to be urged by R. Moshe Provencal of Mantua “whose net is spread until Safed” to complete the work for publication. Rabbi Provencal’s encouragement was not in vain, as the afterword notes that R. Yoseph Karo died shortly after completing the work. The great scholar and Kabbalist R. Menachem Azaria of Fano was on task to ensure the perfection of the work; it is suggested that he personally examined each volume upon publication. This edition also presents the first publication of a comprehensive alphabetical subject index based upon writings from the school of R. Baruch Uziel.