Bidspirit auction | Knesset Ha-Gedolah, First Edition, Constantinople

Knesset Ha-Gedolah, First Edition, Constantinople 1716 – Salonika 1794. - 1 . Yesod - First edition of Sefer Knesset Ha-Gedolah, novellae and commentaries on Shulḥan Aruch, Yoreh De‘ah, by our master Rabbenu Chaim Benveniste. First Edition. Constantinople, 1716. Printed at the press of the legislator R. Yonah son of R. Ya‘akov of Zolochiv. Knesset Ha-Gedolah is one of the foundational works of the world of halachic decision-making, the monumental creation of the gaon Rabbenu Rabbi Chaim Benveniste, Av Beit Din of Izmir. The work is cited many times in halachic literature printed thereafter, among them by Maran the Ḥafetz Chaim, who writes in the introduction to the Mishnah Berurah of his great joy upon meriting to obtain the book: “And the Lord also helped me to obtain the sefer Knesset Ha-Gedolah on Orach Chaim…” The work was printed in different parts and in various cities over many years until its completion, beginning in Livorno in 1648 and concluding in Constantinople in 1716. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod no. 170. [1], 4–246 leaves. 29 cm. Overall Very Good Condition, few stains, very minor marginal worming, new leather and wood binding. 2 . Sefer Knesset Ha-Gedolah, collections and novellae arranged according to the order of the Tur and Beit Yosef on Yoreh De‘ah, by Rabbenu Chaim Benveniste. Salonika, 1794. [1], 247 leaves. 28 cm. Overall Good Condition, some stains, worming mostly marginal sometimes affecting text, old half leather binding slightly damaged. The author, the renowned gaon Rabbenu Rabbi Ḥayyim son of Rabbi Yisrael Benveniste (1603–1673), Av Beit Din of Izmir, and the outstanding disciple of the Maharit, was among the greatest figures to arise for Israel. His works became cornerstones of halakhic literature and are cited thousands of times in the writings of later decisors. Among his books are Dina de-Ḥayyei (commentary on the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol), Knesset Ha-Gedolah (on the Tur and Beit Yosef), Ḥamra ve-Ḥayyei (on Sanhedrin), Pesaḥ Me‘ubbin (laws of ḥametz inspection and the Seder night), and Ba‘ei Ḥayyei (responsa). On the title page: the signature of the righteous Rabbi “Rafael David Teveli Ha-Levi [Schiff].”