Bidspirit auction | A Rare Set of the

A Rare Set of the Talmud (Shas). Kapust, 1816–1828. - An exceptionally rare edition of the Talmud - virtually unknown at auction (only a few isolated volumes have appeared), not recorded in major bibliographic enterprises. Most volumes that were held at the Israel National Libray went 'missing' over the years. In this Kapust edition of the Talmud Bavli, printed between 1816–1828, the rulings of the Rosh were printed in square type, surrounded by the commentaries Tiferet Shmuel, Korban Netanel, Ma’adanei Yom Tov, Divrei Chamudot, and Pilpula Charifta. The printer, Rabbi Yisrael son of Yitzchak Yaffe, of the lineage of the Levush, a devoted Chabad Chassid and disciple of Rebbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was an important printer in Kapust. In 1816 he began printing the Talmud Bavli with several notable innovations: improved editions of the glosses of the Vilna Gaon (printed consecutively at the beginning of each tractate), Maimonides’ commentary on the Mishnah, the rulings of the Rosh with Ma’adanei Yom Tov and Tiferet Shmuel alongside them, and other enhancements. The Printing Controversy: Kapust vs. Slavuta (1816) A major dispute erupted between the printers of Slavuta and Kapust in 1816. Rabbi Yisrael Yaffe of Kapust, a disciple of the Baal HaTanya, began printing this Talmud without the Rif. The Slavuta printers argued (among other claims) that the rabbinic approbations granted to their 1808 edition were still in force, and even earlier ones from 1801 remained valid. The Rif was later printed separately in Kapust in 1818, also during the period covered by Slavuta’s approbations—yet even some rabbis who opposed the Talmud printing permitted the Rif due to additional halachic considerations. The Kapust edition carried approbations from Rabbi Yehoshua Zeitlin (“the minister of Uszacz”) and Rabbi Moshe Cheifetz of Czausy, two of the three leading Mitnagdic rabbis whom the Baal HaTanya was required to visit after his release from imprisonment in 1799. The first clash between Kapust and Slavuta occurred when Rabbi Yisrael Yaffe began printing the Tur in 1811, during the period of Slavuta’s exclusive rights. Since Slavuta had delayed printing for years, rabbis permitted Kapust to proceed. However, once Slavuta resumed activity, Yaffe was forced to halt after printing only one volume. In 1816, Rabbi Yaffe launched the Kapust Talmud project, producing new and elegant typefaces, sample pages, and gathering approximately 3,000 subscribers. His justification rested largely on the fact that Slavuta no longer had complete sets available for sale—thus voiding their protections, which were intended to prevent financial loss. Geographic separation (Volhynia vs. White Russia) also played a role in determining rabbinic jurisdiction and economic impact. In response, Slavuta resumed printing in 1817, bolstered by new approbations from leading rabbis of Volhynia and Lithuania, including prominent Chasidic figures. Notably, most Chasidic Rebbis refrained from supporting the Kapust edition, likely to avoid direct conflict with Slavuta—especially since a letter from the Baal HaTanya appeared among Slavuta’s endorsements. Nevertheless, one major Chabad rabbi, Rabbi Avraham Shor of Orsha, did support the Kapust printing. Ultimately, Rabbi Yisrael Yaffe was unable to compete with the prestigious Slavuta edition. Printing progressed slowly), he ceased operations in Kapust and immigrated to the Land of Israel. This dispute is discussed at length in the responsa of Rabbi Yaakov of Karlin (Kohelet Yaakov, Vilna 1847), who analyzes the competing claims of Slavuta and later Vilna printers regarding rights, unsold inventory, and the validity of earlier approbations. Several volumes bear early ownership inscriptions and signatures, including: Tzvi of Stoltshak Menachem Mendel of Kriva Avraham son of Chaim Lipschitz Yosef son of Zevulun Shabsai, son of Rabbi Reuven, village leader Yitzchak Isaac, son of Yehuda Leib For further study, see: R. N. N. Rabinowitz, Ma’amar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, pp. 130–131; and R. Yehoshua Mondshine, Or Yisrael, issue 32. 21 Volumes: 1. Brachot, 1816. [3], 2-65, 60, 18, 87 Leaves. 37.5 cm. Overall Very Good Condition, few stains, couple marginal tears, very minor marginal worming on last two pages, later binding. 2. Shabbat - Eruvin, 1816. 2, 6-10, 12-160, 38, [1], 105, [1], 29, 13 Leaves. 39 cm. Overall Fair Condition, stains, some tears and repairs sometimes affecting text on first few pages, lacking pages 3-5,11, at beginning, original leather binding damaged. 3. Pesachim - Shekalim(Yerushalmi): 126, 21, 15 Leaves. 40.2 cm. Overall Good Condition, some stains, couple marginal tears and frayed edges, title page detached, original lather binding damaged and lacking front cover and spine. 4. Rosh Hashana - Yoma, 1818. 43, 111 Leaves. 37.4 cm. Overall Very Good Condition, few stains, marginal page repair to last page, very minor marginal worming on last four pages, later binding. 5.