Bidspirit auction | Set of Shulchan Aruch 'Mashiach'

Set of Shulchan Aruch 'Mashiach' Edition Venice, 1598 * The foundation of all Jewish halachah! The four parts of Shulchan Aruch — Orach Chaim, Yoreh De’ah, Even HaEzer, and Choshen Mishpat — by Maran Rabbeinu Yosef Karo of Tzfas, with a commentary explaining the words. A complete early set of the Shulchan Aruch, the most important halachic sefer composed in recent centuries, upon which all of Am Yisrael, of every community and tradition, rely on to this very day. This edition is known as the “Mashiach Edition, ” for on the title pages of the sections the year of printing is indicated through the word “משי״ח, ” whose gematria equals the year 1598. Rabbi Yosef Karo, the author, passed away only twenty-three years prior, and at the time of printing, many of his disciples were still living — among them the Alshich HaKadosh (d. 1600), Maharam Galanti HaZaken (d. 1612), and others. Four parts in two volumes: Part I – Orach Chaim: 100 leaves. Part II – Yoreh De’ah: [1], 102–193, [1] leaves. Part III – Even HaEzer: 56 leaves (bound after Choshen Mishpat). Part IV – Choshen Mishpat: [1], 57–176 leaves. Venice, year “Mashi’ach” – 1598. Printed by Zuan Bragadini, by Zuan Degara. Condition: Overall good; stains and light wear. A few leaves professionally restored. New matching bindings. Bibliography: Ginzei Yisrael (Mehlmann Collection) no. 782. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gedolei Yisrael on the Greatness of Rabbi Yosef Karo and his Sefarim “It was decreed in Heaven that Torah law be given through Maran the holy one” (Chidah, Shem HaGedolim). “Go to Yosef; whatever he tells you, do.” In this verse, the Sefardi sages hinted at the universal acceptance of Maran’s rulings in the Shulchan Aruch. Indeed, Maran merited that from Heaven his rulings were affirmed, and his halachic directives spread throughout the Jewish people, and his words were accepted “as if given to Moshe directly from the Almighty” (see the Rema’s introduction). Immediately following its printing, the Levush writes in his introduction: “All Torah scholars relied upon him, and he found favor, grace, and esteem in the eyes of all who saw him. All the sages of the generation exalted him, for they saw that he sustained the world’s scholars, and they elevated him above all the early poskim, for his work encompassed them all.” All declared: “Ruach HaKodesh was infused within Maran, that his words should align perfectly with halachah… There is no doubt that all was written by Divine inspiration, guided by the hand of Hashem” (Urim VeTumim, siman 25). Similarly, the Pri Megadim writes: “It is well known that Maran’s composition was written through Ruach HaKodesh — beyond any doubt.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Maran HaMechaber Rabbi Yosef Karo was crowned with two unique titles. He is the only one known simply as 'HaMechaber' — “the author” — and all understand immediately to whom it refers, for he is the author par excellence of the great, all-encompassing halachic code of Am Yisrael. He was likewise known by the title 'Maran, ' and all know that this refers to Maran Rabbi Yosef Karo. As for why he is called 'Maran, ' it is written in the name of the Chidah in Shem HaGedolim that he received from the elders the following: Maran established the rule to follow the three pillars of halachic authority — the Rif, Rambam, and Rosh — and two hundred rabbanim of his generation agreed to this principle. Rabbi Eliyahu Chazan added that the earlier sages formed an acronym from this fact: מרן stands for: M atayim R abbanim N is’mach — “he was endorsed by two hundred rabbanim” (Shu”t Ta’alumos Lev, III, Kuntres HaKelalim p. 106b).