Bidspirit auction | Hilchot Terefot by Rabbi David

Hilchot Terefot by Rabbi David ibn Yachya – Constantinople, Ca. 1515-1518 – First Edition - Hilchot Terefot, by R. David [son of Shlomo] ibn Yachya. Constantinople: printer not indicated, [ca. 1515-1518]. First edition. Printed without title page. Title of book on first page. An important six-chapter work, discussing the laws of defects in the lungs rendering an animal non-kosher. In his Beit Yosef, Yoreh Deah 39 (discussing the laws of lung defects), R. Yosef Karo refers to the authority of the present work's author over ten times. The author, R. David son of Shlomo ibn Yachya (ca. 1440-1504), was a Portuguese Torah scholar in the generation of the Expulsion. A disciple of R. Yosef son of Avraham Chayun, leader and rabbi of the Jews of Lisbon in the 15th century, R. David succeeded him as Torah disseminator and preacher in Lisbon until the Spanish Expulsion (and possibly some time afterwards). After requesting of the King of Portugal to allow the Jews of Spain to immigrate to his domain, he was compelled to flee Portugal, wandering across the Mediterranean until reaching Constantinople, where he resided until his death, ca. 1504. His other works include Kav VeNaki on Mishlei (Lisbon, ca. 1492), Leshon Limudim on Hebrew grammar (Constantinople, 1506) as well as other works that remain in manuscript. For more information, see: Commentary of R. David ibn Yachya to Rambam's introduction to Moreh Nevuchim, published by Eli Gurfinkel, Kovetz Al Yad, XIV, Mekitzei Nirdamim, Jerusalem, pp. 262-264. Colophon on last leaf: ”The laws of terefot of the sircha by R. David ibn Yachya of the magnificent Lisbon, blessed is the healer of all flesh who grants man dominion over the creatures of the earth, Amen, concluded”. [9] leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains to all leaves. Worming, slightly affecting text. Open tears, including open tear to first leaf, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper filling. Inner margins of some leaves repaired with paper strips. New binding. Location and date of printing after A. Yaari, HaDefus HaIvri BeKushta, Jerusalem, 1967, no. 71.