Bidspirit auction | Chikrei Lev — First Edition

Chikrei Lev — First Edition | The Copy of Rabbi Chaim Rahamim Yosef Franco (“HaCharif”), with an Autograph Letter and Manuscript Torah Novellae - Chikrei Lev, a halachic work on the Shulchan Aruch, Part II of Yoreh De’ah, by the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yosef Raphael Chazan. Salonika, 5566 [1806]. First edition. The celebrated masterpiece of the Rishon LeZion, gaon, and kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Raphael Chazan (1741–1821), known by the acronyms HaYarach and HaChakal. Born in Izmir, where he served as Chief Rabbi and one of the leading rabbinic authorities of the city, Rabbi Chazan immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1815, settled in Hebron, and was later appointed Rishon LeZion and Chief Rabbi of Eretz Israel. His monumental work Chikrei Lev is regarded as one of the foundational responsa and halachic works of the Sephardic world. The title page bears the ownership signature of Rabbi Chaim Rahamim Yosef Franco, widely known as HaCharif, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Hebron. Accompanying the volume is an autograph letter by Rabbi Franco concerning the publication of his own works. On the reverse of the letter appear Torah novellae in his handwriting. Rabbi Chaim Rahamim Yosef Franco (1835–1902) was born on the island of Rhodes and educated by its leading rabbis. In 1868 he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem. Shortly after his arrival, he was appointed a member of the rabbinical court of the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar, author of Yisa Berachah, alongside Rabbi Shalom Moshe Chai Gagin. In 1878 he was appointed Chief Rabbi of the Sephardic community of Hebron, a position he held for many years. In 1893 he founded the Chesed Le-Avraham Hospital in Hebron, named after the kabbalist Rabbi Abraham Azulai and known today as Beit Hadassah. Following his passing in 1902, he was buried in the ancient Jewish cemetery of Hebron. He was succeeded as Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Hebron by Rabbi Chaim Hezekiah Medini, author of Sdei Chemed. His published works include Shaarei Rachamim, Vayitzbor Yosef, Middat HaRachamim, Yosef Chai, and other rabbinic writings. The present volume is a particularly distinguished association copy, uniting one of the foundational halachic works of the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yosef Raphael Chazan with direct provenance to the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Hebron through his ownership signature, autograph letter, and manuscript Torah notes. [1], 156 leaves. 28 cm. Good condition. Minor wormholes. Worn binding.