Bidspirit auction | Sifsei Kohen, Yoreh Deah –

Sifsei Kohen, Yoreh Deah – First printing, during the lifetime of the author, Krakow, 5406 [1646]. - The most carefully corrected edition, printed during the lifetime of the author, and largely lost as a result of the Cossack massacres of 5408–5409. Importance of the work Sefer Sifsei Kohen (the Shach), by the gaon Rabbi Shabsai Katz, is a central pillar and the foremost of the commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah), and constitutes an inseparable cornerstone of halachic decision-making to this day. Importance of this edition This edition, printed in Krakow in 5406, is the only edition printed by the Shach himself during his lifetime. It is regarded as the most accurate, carefully edited, and corrected version of the work, as later editions contain many printing errors. This edition includes marginal references to the Shulchan Aruch and the Rema, added by the Shach himself. These references were only reprinted in a small number of later editions during the 5400s, and were subsequently omitted and never printed again. Rarity of the edition The book is considered extremely rare and difficult to obtain. Only about two years after its printing, the decrees of 5408–5409 broke out in Poland. As a result, many copies were looted, burned, and lost, making this surviving copy particularly rare and valuable. Together with its remarkable physical condition, it is a true treasure. A wonder of its generation – the work of a 24-year-old genius At the time of printing this monumental work, the Shach was only 24 years old. The leading sages of the generation were astonished and left speechless by his extraordinary brilliance and encyclopedic mastery. According to tradition cited in the name of the Chida and others, the author employed “hashba’as hakolmus” (a form of inspired composition) in writing his work—helping to explain the extraordinary output and his extremely young age at the time of composition. Important approbations Author of Tosafos Yom Tov – elder of the generation Rabbi Heshel of Krakow and Rabbi Yehoshua of Krakow (author of Mageni Shlomo) – his principal teachers Rabbi Sheftel – son of the Shelah HaKadosh Rabbi Yonah Teumim – author of Kikayon DeYona On pages 256–257, misprinted as 246–247. Originally: 3, 2–258, [2] leaves. Incomplete copy: lacking four leaves – 2, 3, 22, 248. Stains. Occasional trimmed pages, with slight loss to text at the margins of some references. Overall, most of the volume is in good to very good condition. Wooden binding covered in leather, with metal decorations and remnants of clasps. Condition: good. Catalog attribution: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 162.