Sefer Yesod: 2 Vol. Set of ‘Shem HaGedolim’ by Chida – Printed by the Author.
The Most Fundamental Book on the History of Rabbis and Works of the Rishonim and Acharonim
Two volumes of the monumental book ‘Shem HaGedolim’, a premier bibliographic and biographical work on the history of great Jewish scholars and their printed and manuscript works, by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai – the Chida.
Initially, ‘Shem HaGedolim’ Part I was printed as a single volume in pocket format. Due to its immense popularity , It quickly ran out of print. The Chida prepared a corrected edition of Part I with numerous additions, and wrote additional parts:
‘Shem HaGedolim’ Part II, as well as two parts of ‘Beit Va’ad LaChachamim’ printed here for the first time .
Later, all parts of the book were unified into one volume by the bibliographer Ben-Yaakov, with various changes and edits, which is the common edition.
Before us appear the two parts of Shem HaGedolim in its original text from the author’s pen and was proofread by him.
*Part I of Shem HaGedolim – Authors Section. Livorno 1798. Second printing. containing additions to ‘Shem HaGedolim’. It includes the
first printing of ‘Beit Va’ad
LaChachamim’ Part I, At the end appear corrections and omissions to Part I named ‘Shulchan BaMidbar’, also printed here for the first time.
*Part II of Shem HaGedolim – Books’ Section. Livorno 1786. First Edition. It includes ‘Beit Va’ad LaChachamim’ Part II, also for the first time.
Beautiful copies, clean pages, strong and high-quality paper.
*The Chida (1724-1806) an extraordinary genius in both Talmudic and Kabbilistic Torah, with a rare bibliographic sense. During his travels around the world, he was exposed to thousands of manuscripts and rare books, which he described in his book ‘Shem HaGedolim’, which is a primary and often unique source on the works of Rishonim and Acharonim, as well as on the history of rabbis and their times.
Livorno 1786-1798. Page count: Part I: [2], 144 leaves. Part II: 104 leaves. Size: 19 cm. Good condition. Bright and strong paper. Paper restoration in the inner margins of Part II’s title page. Few stains and signs of use. Matching half-leather and marble paper bindings.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod No. 544 (Part II), 545 (Part II).
Also printed here for the first time is ‘Midrash Temurah’ attributed to the Tannaim Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva.
As was Chida’s custom, additions and completions to his previous books were printed at the end of the volumes: additions,
‘Rashei Avot’ on the commentary ‘Chasdei Avot’ on Pirkei Avot;
‘Pe’at HaRosh – Second Part’ – omissions from the author’s books Rosh David, LeDavid Emet, and Simchat HaRegel.
