Bidspirit auction | Slavita Tur. Complete Four Volume

Slavita Tur. Complete Four Volume Set of the Tur.  Shapira Press. Slavita, 1815. * A complete set of four large volumes of the Tur of Rabbeinu Yaakov ben HaRosh, together with its classic commentaries: Beis Yosef and Bedek HaBayis by Rabbi Yosef Karo, and Darkei Moshe by Rabbi Moshe Isserles, the Rema. A beautiful set, printed in holiness and with meticulous editing, by Rabbi Moshe Shapira, Av Beis Din of Slavita, son of Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz. At the beginning of the sefer, there are new approbations granted specifically for this edition by the leading Rebbes of the generation: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, author of the Tanya; the Ohev Yisrael of Apta; Rabbi Yisrael of Pikov, son of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev; Rabbi Mordechai Margolios of Stanov, cousin of Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margolios of Brody; and others. These approbations were issued in the name of Rabbi Moshe Shapira himself. This edition was printed following the earlier Slavita edition of 1801–1802, which had been published at the directive of the Tanya, who personally instructed Rabbi Moshe Shapira how the sefarim were to be printed and corrected (see the photograph of the letter of instruction in Kovetz HaTamim, Year 3, Issue 5, Warsaw 1937, pp. 5–7). Four fine volumes. A complete set in such good condition is very rare. In Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah, and Choshen Mishpat, there is an additional internal title page in the middle of each volume, totaling seven title pages. In the first four title pages, the headings, the names of the commentaries, and the place of printing were printed in prominent red ink. Details of the four volumes: Slavita, 1815–1817 . Printed by Rabbi Moshe Shapira. Orach Chaim : 1815. Page Count: [2], 235; [1], 137 leaves. Size: 34.5 cm. Yoreh Deah : 1816. Page Count: 146; [1], 216 leaves. Size: 34.9 cm. Even HaEzer: 1817. Page Count: 204 leaves. Size: 32.8 cm. Choshen Mishpat : 1817. Page Count: [2], 212; [1], 130, 65 leaves. Size: 35 cm. The Even HaEzer volume is approximately two centimeters smaller than the others. Condition : Generally good; it is rare to find a complete set in such condition. Light restoration to the first leaves of Orach Chaim. Some stains. Fine new leather bindings. ------------------------------- Definitive Evidence that the Slavita Press of the “Berelach” Belonged to Rabbi Moshe Shapira At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the title pages of sefarim printed in the Slavita press bore the names of the pair of printers Rabbi Dov Ber son of Rabbi Yisrael Segal and Rabbi Dov Ber son of Rabbi Pesach, who became popularly known as “Berelach.” Only after several years did Rabbi Moshe Shapira begin to print his own name on the title pages. It is clear, however, that the actual owner of the press was always Rabbi Moshe Shapira, who concealed himself behind the names of the two Berelach, for reasons that remain unclear. In the present Tur, printed by Rabbi Moshe Shapira himself as stated on the title pages, there is absolute and clear proof that the so-called “Berelach” press did in fact belong to Rabbi Moshe Shapira himself! In 1808, Maseches Brachos was printed in Slavita, and an approbation of the Tanya appeared at its beginning. On its title page, the printers are listed as the aforementioned pair of Berelach. On the reverse of the title page of Tur Orach Chaim in the present set, Rabbi Moshe Shapira refers to the words of the Tanya in that approbation. He writes: “ I have already printed them in Maseches Brachos, which was printed by me in the year 1808.”