Bidspirit auction | Novellae of Rabbeinu Nissim, of

Novellae of Rabbeinu Nissim, of blessed memory. Riva di Trento, [1558]. Extremely rare – seldom encountered - Novellae of Rabbeinu Nissim, of blessed memory. Riva di Trento, [1558]. Extremely rare – seldom encountered. An important and rare book containing the halakhic novellae of Rabbeinu Nissim Gaon (the Ran), one of the From the geniuses of Israel central early , together with a comprehensive table of all the laws cited by the Ran Gaon in his work according to the method of Maimonides (Rambam). The book also includes an abridgment of the Ran’s Gaon novellae in his commentary on the Rif, and was carefully edited by Rabbi Yosef Otiling, one of the sages of Italy in the 16th century, who was also involved in the printing of Hebrew books. In the same year, another edition of this work was printed in Riva di Trento in folio format; the present copy was printed in a different format and is among the rarest of the rare. The printing of the present book took place during a sensitive and decisive period in the history of the Hebrew book in Italy — the time of the decrees against sacred books, which began with the burning of the Talmud in Rome on Rosh Hashanah of the year 5314 [1553]. Following the decree, Italian Jews were forbidden to possess, study, or print the Talmud, whereas the books of the Rif were permitted for study. As a result, the main focus of learning among Italian scholars during those years was on the works of the Rif, through which they sought to reconstruct Talmudic discussions and the words of the Sages on the basis of writings of the early authorities and indirect sources. The present book thus fits into a unique historical-intellectual context and gains special importance as a living testimony to the continuation of Torah study during that period. (On the decrees against sacred books in Italy, see in detail: Introduction to the Novellae of Rabbi Moshe Kazis, Machon Yerushalayim, 1988; A. Yaari, The Burning of the Talmud in Italy; M. Benayahu, Hebrew Printing in Cremona; and others.) On the title page appears an early handwritten ownership inscription: “I am Yehuda son of Moshe David, of the Heil Prin family.” In addition, on the title page and on the final leaf appears the stamp of the “Etz Ḥayyim” study hall of the Sephardic holy community, attesting to the book’s use within a communal-educational framework. [80] leaves. 15.5 cm. Condition: very good. Fine, high-quality paper. New binding.