Bidspirit auction | Classic: Sefer Knesses Ha-Gedolah Constantinople,

Classic: Sefer Knesses Ha-Gedolah Constantinople, 1716.First Edition. Signed by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Berlin with a Hagah. Novellae and commentaries on Shulḥan Aruch, Yoreh De‘ah, by our master Rabbenu Chaim Benveniste.  Printed at the press of the legislator R. Yonah son of R. Ya‘akov of Zolochiv. Knesses 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 Knesses 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. R. Tzvi Hirsch Berlin (1721-1800), son of R. Aryeh Leib of Amsterdam and grandson of the Chacham Tzvi. In his later years, he was appointed as the Chief Rabbi of London, as well as Berlin, a positioned which he maintained for 27 years. He was a prolific writer and authored many works, most of which are extant in manuscript and have not been printed.  Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod no. 170. Pages : [1], 4–246 leaves. Lacking 2 pages, 122-123. Size: 30.5 cm. Condition : Moderate condition, mold stains, damages to last 3 pages, new binding.