''He who has this, has it all." Sefer Kol Bo. Venice, 1567. Signatures of Italian Sages.

''He who has this, has it all." Sefer Kol Bo. Venice, 1567. Signatures of Italian Sages.

This is an early edition of the sefer, printed during the lifetime of the greatest halachic authorities, the Beis Yosef and the Rema. Venice, 1567

This edition was printed at the press of Giorgio di Cavalli in Venice, one of the first printers to begin printing Hebrew seforim after the burning of Hebrew seforim in Venice in 1553. It features his unique printer’s emblem depicting an elephant with a castle on its back. Beneath the elephant is Cavalli’s motto – in Latin: “Tarde sed tuto” – “slowly but surely”.

Unfortunately, Cavalli’s success with Hebrew seforim did not last long, as hundreds of copies of his Hebrew imprints were burned in Venice in 1568, ultimately resulting in the closure of his business. As a result, Hebrew seforim printed by Cavalli are very rare in comparison to other Hebrew seforim printed in Venice during this time.

Signature of Rabbi Yitzchak Yedidya Burgo – one of the rabbis of Ferrara in the early 1600s (early 17th century).

Signature of Rabbi Yaakov Baruch HaKohen Vitale – one of the sages of Italy (mentioned by Rabbi Chanan’el Nefi in his work, p. 225).

Signature of Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchak Burgi [of Ferrara].

[4], 158 Leaves.  29.7cm

Overall Good Condition, few stains, marginal repair to page 157 affecting text, new binding.

Although Kol Bo is frequently recited by the Acharonim, it remains a mystery as to who exactly authored the work. The Beis Yosef writes (Avkas Rochel, Siman 13) that the words of the Kol Bo are identical to Sefer Orchos Chaim, which was written by R. Aharon Hakohen of Luniel, who was one of the Rishonim. Based on this, some suggest that it was the Beis Yosef’s opinion that it was written by R. Aharon of Luniel. This opinion is also held by the Chida (see: Shem HaGedolim, Sefarim, Maareches Kaf), however the Shalsheles Hakabalah is of the opinion that it was authored by the Rivash.