Bidspirit auction | Sefer Mor U’Ketziah, First Edition.

Sefer Mor U’Ketziah, First Edition. A magnificent copy. - A complete, handsome and impressive copy of one of the central foundational halachic works of the period of the Acharonim: glosses, explanations, and novellae on the Tur, Beis Yosef, Shulchan Aruch, and Magen Avraham (on Orach Chaim), by the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Emden – the Ya’avetz. The work was accepted as a supreme halachic authority, and its rulings are cited extensively by later poskim up to the Mishnah Berurah. The two volumes of the first edition were printed in the author’s private printing house in Altona, as noted at the foot of the title page: “Printed in Altona – in the author’s home.” Beyond its halachic value, the work is distinguished by its biographical significance, due to the long and fascinating introductions at the beginning of both volumes, in which the author relates details of his life and the upheavals of his era. At the end of the first volume, alongside the table of corrections and omissions, the Ya’avetz adds an emotional biographical account of miracles that occurred to him, for which he established special days of thanksgiving. Among other things, he recounts how he once fell asleep at night at his desk while studying the Tur Orach Chaim, and was miraculously saved from a fire that nearly consumed him due to a burning candle. A unique and exceptional illustration by the author appears on folio 97/2 in the second volume, where a map of the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael is printed, as drawn and shared by the Ya’avetz himself. A splendid copy of majestic appearance. Fine wood binding covered in chestnut leather, with a central geometric medallion framed by a graceful foliate border. Remnants of copper clasps, alongside green-tinted page edge decoration. Artistic restoration to the spine and minor paper infills on the title page. Leaves in excellent condition. Fantastic condition.