Bidspirit auction | Knesset HaGedolah (Orach Chaim) –

Knesset HaGedolah (Orach Chaim) – Livorno, 1657 / Sheyarei Knesset HaGedolah (Orach Chaim) – Izmir, 1671 – First Editions - Two Orach Chaim parts from the books Knesset HaGedolah and Sheyarei Knesset HaGedolah commentaries on the Tur, by R. Chaim Benveniste. First editions of both parts, printed by Yitzchak Gabbai (son of author of Kaf Nachat) and his son Avraham, in Livorno and Izmir. • Knesset HaGedolah, Orach Chaim, digest of halachic rulings, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Livorno: Yedidiah son of R. Yitzchak Gabbai, author of Kaf Nachat, 1657. First edition. Signature on title page: ”Refael Chaim of Pergola” – R. Refael Chaim son of Matzliach of Pergola, a Torah scholar and poet from Florence. His family includes Dr. Refael della Pergola (1877-1923), Chief Rabbi of Gorizia and Alexandria. 6; 164 leaves. Leaf 6 of first sequence bound out of place, after title page. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears, including small open tear to one leaf, affecting text, and marginal tears to title page, repaired. New leather binding. One of the first books printed in Livorno. Both volumes, like other books printed by the family, feature three crowns (resembling the printer's device of Bragadin in Venice), with a caption playing on the Gabbai family name: ”There are three crowns, and the crown of a good reputation is superior to them (Gabeihem)”. • Sheyarei Knesset HaGedolah, Orach Chaim, by R. Chaim Benveniste. Izmir: Avraham son of R. Yedidiah Gabbai Kaf Nachat, 1671. First edition. [2], 156 leaves. 28.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains, including some dampstains. Marginal tears and open tears to several leaves. Browning of paper to two leaves. New leather binding.