Bidspirit auction | Set of the “Angel” Shulchan

Set of the “Angel” Shulchan Aruch. Amsterdam, 1698. Traditional Year of the Birth of the Baal Shem Tov. Complete and Impressive Set in Original Bindings. - An important and elegant edition of the Shulchan Aruch, printed in Amsterdam at the close of the seventeenth century, containing the glosses of the Rema, the commentary Be’er HaGolah, and explanations of difficult terms. It is among the best-known and most desirable editions of the central code of Jewish law. This edition is adorned with numerous approbations from the rabbis of Amsterdam, including Rabbi Yaakov Sasportas, Rabbi Shlomo de Oliveira, Rabbi David ben Attar, Rabbi Naftali HaKohen Katz, author of Semichat Chachamim, and other leading sages of the generation. Most of the set was printed in the year 1698, traditionally accepted in Chassidic circles as the year of birth of Maran, the Light of the Seven Days, Rabbeinu Yisrael Baal Shem Tov. This year is regarded as a milestone in the history of Chassidism. In the very same printing house and year there also appeared the celebrated edition of the Shelah HaKadosh—the famed Shelah Nachat, which became throughout the generations a highly sought-after segulah book. Each of the four sections contains two title pages, the first of which is richly illustrated: figures of angels hold a shield bearing the name of the respective section, while above appears a scene of Moses holding the Tablets of the Covenant. Because of these beautiful engravings, this edition became known as the “Angel Shulchan Aruch.” Contents of the Set: Part I – Orach Chaim: [24], 266, [2] leaves Part II – Yoreh De’ah: [1], 302, [1] leaves Part III – Even HaEzer: [1], 178, 178–180, [1] leaves Part IV – Choshen Mishpat: [1], 432, [1] leaves Size: approx. 15.5 cm. Before us is a complete, handsome, and impressive set, preserved in its original bindings—a significant collector’s item combining typographic beauty, halachic importance, and historical association with the year identified with the birth of the Baal Shem Tov. Condition: Very good. Original leather bindings with minor defects.