Bidspirit auction | Half a set of the

Half a set of the Babylonian Talmud. Zhitomir. 10 volumes comprising 20 tractates - Babylonian Talmud Zhitomir. 10 volumes A distinguished and impressive set of tractates from the Zhitomir edition of the Talmud, printed in sanctity by the rabbis of the Shapira family of Slavuta, one of the most revered Hasidic printing dynasties. Contents (by volumes / tractates): Berakhot, 5622 [1862], with two title pages at the beginning; with Rif (Rabbi Isaac Alfasi), including a separate title page: Part One of the Laws of the Rif; together with Mishnayot, Order Zera’im, with commentaries of the Rishonim, 5621 [1861]. Rosh Hashanah, 5624 [1864] (lacking title page), with Rif; together with Yoma (with Rif) and Sukkah (with Rif). Yevamot, 5622 [1862], with two title pages at the beginning; with Rif and a separate title page: Part Two of the Laws of the Rif. Ketubbot, 5620 [1860], with two title pages at the beginning, and with Rif. Gittin, 5623 [1863], with Rif; lacking a few leaves in the Tosafist commentary of Rambam and at the beginning of the Maharsha. Chullin, 5620 [1860], with Rif. Zevachim, 5620 [1860], with two title pages at the beginning, together with: Menachot, 5620 [1860], with two title pages at the beginning (possibly lacking a leaf near the end). Sanhedrin, 5619 [1859], with two title pages at the beginning, and with Rif. Shevuot, 5618 [1858], with three (!) title pages at the beginning, one of which is a particularly rare general title page; with Rif; together with: Avodah Zarah, 5618 [1858], with two title pages at the beginning, and with Rif. Bekhorot, 5620 [1860], with two title pages at the beginning, together with: Arakhin, Temurah, Keritot, Me’ilah, Tamid, Middot (including the architectural diagram pages); each tractate with a separate title page; together with Ramban’s laws of Bekhorot and Challah. The special general title page added before Shevuot is exceptionally rare. Shevuot was among the first tractates printed in this Shas, and it appears that only a limited number of copies were issued with this additional general title page. Historical importance The printing house of the Shapira family of Slavuta, which was closed following a denunciation, was re-established in Zhitomir in 1847 by the grandsons of the Slavuta rabbi—Rabbi Ḥanina Lipa Shapira and Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Shapira—and operated until 1864. In this press, the third edition of the Shas was printed, with numerous additions. The page layout is considered among the most elegant produced up to that time. In several volumes, the work “Me’ir Nativ” by Rabbi Shabbethai HaKohen appears at the end. It is well known that the Chazon Ish particularly favored the Zhitomir Shas because of the inclusion of Me’ir Nativ, which does not appear in other editions. Books printed in the Slavuta and Zhitomir presses are traditionally regarded with special sanctity in Hasidic communities; even the printing tools and type were immersed in a mikveh prior to use. It is famously held that possessing books from the Slavuta or Zhitomir presses is a segulah for protection of the home and for success. Approx. 38 cm. Uniform bindings. Condition: Good to very good. An important, impressive, and highly desirable Hasidic Talmud set from one of the most venerated Hebrew presses of the 19th century.