Bidspirit auction | Rif – Seder Moed. Constantinople,

Rif – Seder Moed. Constantinople, 1509. Post-incunabula - Halachic rulings of Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi (the Rif), with commentaries by early authorities – the Ran or Nimukei Yosef – and with the rulings of the Mordechai appended at the end of each tractate. Printed in Constantinople by the brothers David and Shmuel ben Nehemias, 1509 [Reshet]. First edition of both the Rif and the Mordechai, in the format that became standard and is studied to this day. This edition marks a milestone in the history of printed halachic literature following the incunabula period. It established the textual and typographical model for later editions of the Rif and introduced the inclusion of the Mordechai’s rulings at the close of each tractate. Over time, the text of the Mordechai underwent additions and variations, making this early edition of particular significance for scholars of halachic printing. See: R.N.N. Rabinowitz, Essay on the Printing of the Talmud, Jerusalem 1952, pp. Rano–Ranez; Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 139. Partial copy, as follows: Tractates Sukkah with Mordechai, and Megillah without Mordechai – [29] leaves. Pesachim with Mordechai – [9] leaves from the end of the tractate. Ta’anit with Mordechai – [10] leaves. Yom Tov (Beitzah) with Mordechai; Rosh Hashanah with Mordechai – [25] leaves. Yoma with Mordechai – [6] leaves. Mo’ed Katan with Mordechai, including the colophon – [18] leaves. Size: approx. 37 cm. Overall condition: good to fair. Plain contemporary binding. Detailed condition: Tractates Sukkah and Megillah – fair condition, tears, worming, and repairs along white margins. Pesachim – tears with slight loss to the first leaf. Ta’anit – good condition. Beitzah – good condition. Rosh Hashanah – Good condition, with minor tears and minimal damage to the text. Yoma – good condition with light marginal tears, no loss of text. Mo’ed Katan – good condition, light water stains in white margins. A bibliographically and historically important copy, from the early period of Hebrew printing in Constantinople.