Bidspirit auction | Complete Set of the “Levush”

Complete Set of the “Levush” – Important Edition Edited by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh of Modena. Venice, 1620. - Before us is one of the early, important, and handsome editions of the celebrated Levush works, printed in Venice and edited by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh of Modena (Leon Modena), one of the foremost sages of Italy, renowned as preacher, author, and scholar. A complete set of the Levush on the four divisions of the Tur—five parts in four volumes—authored by the gaon Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, one of the greatest halachic authorities of all generations, universally known as the Baal HaLevushim. A Foundational Work of Halachic Literature The books of the Levush were accepted throughout the Jewish world as among the most fundamental halachic authorities, and are cited constantly in rabbinic literature. Many leading later scholars composed commentaries upon them, the best known being Eliyah Rabbah and Eliyah Zuta. The five halachic sections of the Levush on the Shulchan Aruch were written not only to present practical law, but also to explain the underlying reasons and principles of the rulings. For this reason, they became a standard work of halachic study among Ashkenazic Jewry for generations. The Baal HaLevushim – Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe The gaon Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe (1530–1612), foremost disciple of the Rema, served as president of the Council of Three Lands and held rabbinic office in the major communities of Lublin, Prague, and Posen. His monumental achievement was the series known as the Ten Levushim (also called Levush Malchut), each volume bearing the title “Levush, ” based on the verse in Esther: “And Mordechai went out from before the king in royal apparel...” The halachic volumes of the series treat the four divisions of the Tur, alongside additional works on the Torah, the Guide for the Perplexed, and more. He chose to open his introduction with the words: “Said the tailor” —meaning, the tailor who sews the garments. Edition Edited by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh of Modena At the beginning of the Orach Chaim section appears the introduction of Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh of Modena: “The proofreader standing beside the lawgiver, Aryeh speaks and goodness flows.” At the end of the Even HaEzer section appear the approbations of the rabbis of Venice, including his own. Important Ownership Inscriptions On the front flyleaf of the first volume appears the handwritten ownership inscription: “This book belongs to the honored leader… ליב son of the honorable Eliyahu Pozner of the holy community of Amsterdam.” On leaves following the title page (in the first and second volumes) appears an additional inscription: “Mendel Oppenheim son of Shmuel of Heidelberg.” Printing Details Venice, 1620. Printed by Bragadini, in the house of Giovanni Caglione. Although the title pages bear the date 1620, the colophon at the conclusion of Levush HaButz VeHaArgaman states that printing was completed on the eve of Shabbat, Parashat Vayetze, Kislev 1621. Contents of the Set Volume I: Parts I–II – Levush HaTechelet and Levush HaChur on Orach Chaim. 201, [2] leaves. Volume II: Part III – Levush Ateret Zahav on Yoreh De’ah. 148, [2] leaves. Volume III: Part IV – Levush HaButz VeHaArgaman on Even HaEzer. 87 leaves. Volume IV: Part V – Levush Ir Shushan on Choshen Mishpat. 162, [2] leaves. 36 cm. Before us is a complete, impressive, and substantial set of one of the great halachic classics of Jewish history, in an early and distinguished edition, preserved in its antique bindings. Condition: Very good. All volumes in handsome original early leather bindings. Front board of the first volume detached. Fine paper. Age stains.