Bidspirit auction | The Sefer Yesod on Maseches

The Sefer Yesod on Maseches Kiddushin: Atzmos Yosef Salonika, 1601. First Edition. * Sefer Atzmos Yosef is a commentary together with halachic rulings on Maseches Kiddushin, by Rabbi Yosef ben Yitzchak Ibn Ezra, one of the rabbanim of Salonika. He devoted himself entirely to the study and understanding of this maseches, until he felt that it had literally become part of his very bones. From the time of its printing until today, this sefer has been regarded as the most comprehensive work on Maseches Kiddushin, a maseches which is studied extensively in yeshivos and kollelim. The author’s deep love for Maseches Kiddushin is evident in his introduction, where he writes: “It is a maseches deep and subtle beyond measure, containing within it fire, brimstone and a fierce wind.” Indeed, he merited that no commentator or posek in the following generations could study the maseches without studying his chiddushim on it. Even the Maharsha, who lived close to the time of the sefer’s printing, quotes the Atzmos Yosef in his commentary. Salonika, 1601. First Edition. Page Count: 125 leaves. Size: 26.3 cm. Condition:  Good. Title page pasted on old paper for preservation. Small tear in corner of leaf 26. A few stains. Other than that, a charming copy. Attractive new leather binding. Handwritten inscription: “To the heirs of Yom Tov Sanguiniti.” Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, No. 96. Provenance: Zaidy Auction No. 1. Signature on the title page in Italian script: Rabbi “Chaim Volterra, ” one of the distinguished rabbanim of Italy in the early 18th century, who served as rav in Venice, Ancona, Senigallia, and Finale. His approbations appear in several important sefarim: Shemesh Tzedakah by Rabbi Shimshon Morpurgo, Pachad Yitzchak by Rabbi Yitzchak Lampronti, Nahar Shalom by Rabbi Shabtai Ventura, and others.