Fundamental Book: The Responsa of the Rashba – First Edition – Bologna 1539
The largest collection of responsa printed in the 16th century!
Teshuvos HaRashb"a Vol. 1
Part one of Teshuvos HaRashb"a by the leading responder of his generation and one of the greatest halachic authorities, Rabbi Solomon ben Aderet – the Rashba.
The Rashba’s responsa are among the most fundamental collections in the genre, with several volumes printed in the 16th century, a unique phenomenon in responsa literature.
This work is considered one of the cornerstones of Jewish law across generations.
This book contains the largest number of responsa among all responsa volumes printed in the 16th century, totaling no fewer than 1,255 responsa!
Pages are gilt-edged. Bound in an impressive leather cover with beautiful embossing, and an original bookplate: "EX LIBRIS ADOLPH LEWISOHN".
Rabbi Solomon ben Aderet – the Rashba (1240–1310) was one of the great early Sephardic scholars, a Talmid of Rabbeinu Yonah and the Ramban. Rabbi Joseph Karo wrote about him: "The pillar of the world through his light we are able to see " (Beit Yosef, Yoreh De’ah 110). The Maggid Misharim of the Beit Yosef, sent from heaven, refers to him as "Chosen from Hashem."
Bologna, 1539, First Edition. Pagination: 167, 167–216 (should be: 215) leaves; [16] pages, with a special title page: "Indices of Questions and Answers." Size: 28.5 cm. Condition: A remarkable copy. Minor restorations on a few pages. Stains. Signatures and corrections in Spanish and Ashkenazi script.
A magnificent copy from the library of the financier Adolph Lewisohn of New York (d. 1938), which was known as one of the most important private libraries.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod No. 226.
