Shu”t Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi, The Re’em. Constantinople, 1560. First Edition. Sefer Yesod!

Shu”t Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi, The Re’em. Constantinople, 1560. First Edition. Sefer Yesod!

Book of Responsa authored by Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi, one of Turkey’s leading sages and author of Sefer HaMizrachi on the Torah. Sefer HaMizrachi is comprised of the responsa of prominent Rabbis of Spain, France and Germany living during his era. Also included are Halachot that were elucidated within his Yeshiva.

This book is a fundamental Halachic responsa work.

Aside from the Re’em’s rulings, the book includes those of Rabbi Tam ben Yihye, Rabbi Eliyahu HaLevi, Rabbi Eliyahu Alshaker, Rabbi Yaakov ben Chaviv and others.

This copy, like almost all other copies of the book, is missing leaves 109 and 110. These leaves contain a responsum regarding religious persecution and apostates, and were likely removed out of fear of the authorities’ censorship.

In contrast to this, leaf 60 (numbered 61 in error), the Re’em quotes a ruling of Rabbi Yaakov Chaviv on a similarly sensitive topic. The word apostate that is mentioned numerous times in different forms, is censured and obliterated with black ink.

Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi (1435-1526) was the Chief Rabbi of the Ottoman Empire’s Jewry. He served as Rosh Yeshiva, and was one of the three primary elucidators on Rashi’s commentary on the Torah.

Constantinople, 1560. Shlomo Yaavetz Press. First Edition. Sefer Yesod.

94, 91-106, [2], 111-118, [38] leaves. Total of [158] leaves (disordered pagination throughout book). 30 cm. Very good condition. Particularly lovely copy. Beautiful, half-leather binding with gilt letters. Light colored, thick, quality paper. Wide margins.

Stefansky Sifrei Yesod No. 279.

Ya’ari, Constantinople 161.

First edition of one of the most prominent responsa works.