Bidspirit auction | A Masterpiece of Early Hebrew

A Masterpiece of Early Hebrew Printing – The Magnificent Three-Volume Rif – First Edition with Shiltei HaGibborim – Sabbioneta, 1554–1555 Halachos of the Rif , in three volumes, arranged according to the masechtos of Shas, by Rabbeinu Yitzchak ben Yaakov Alfasi (the Rif), with the commentary Shiltei HaGibborim by Rabbeinu Yehoshua Boaz . Printed by Tuvia Foa, Sabbioneta, 1554–1555. First edition of Shiltei HaGibborim . For generations, the Rif was studied not only as a sefer of halachah, but as a primary means of mastering the sugyos of Shas. As the Chavos Ya'ir famously writes: ”...He studied the Rif with me, together with several outstanding young scholars, adding some chiddushim. This is the finest and most direct path, surpassing every other method of learning. So practiced the Gedolim of earlier generations... One who masters it will find the gates of wisdom to all sections of the Tur opened before him...” (Shu”t Chavos Ya'ir, siman 124 ). Likewise, the Chafetz Chaim, in his introduction to Likutei Halachos, emphasizes the central importance of studying the Rif and points to the ancient practice of learning it systematically—not merely as a work of practical halachah. Rabbeinu Yehoshua Boaz, author of Shiltei HaGibborim (d. 1555), was one of the foremost Torah scholars of Italy. His classic works, including Shiltei HaGibborim and Masores HaShas , secured his place among the great poskim of his generation. The Rema frequently cites his rulings from Shiltei HaGibborim, referring to him as the author of the Hagahos Alfasi . In recent years, another of his works, Sefer HaMachlokes , dealing with disputes among the poskim, has also come to light. A magnificent complete three-volume set, from the celebrated library of Jack Lunzer of London—one of the finest private collections of Hebrew books ever assembled. A true showpiece of early Hebrew printing!