Large and Impressive Volume with Four Sifrei Yesod:
Pesikta Zutra, Mechilta, HaMichlol and HaShorashim.
Daniel Bomberg Press.
Venice, 1545-1546
An antique and thick volume in large format, containing no less than four (!) important works, all printed by the famous printer Daniel Bomberg.
These are all fundamental sefarim and some are first editions.
Such an impressive volume is extremely rare!!
Details of the Sefarim:
1. Pesikta Zutra – Lekach Tov. Venice, 1546. First edition.
Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, #123.
Midrashim and commentary on Vayikrah, Bamidbar and Devarim by Rabbi Tuvia ben Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Tuvia possessed numerous midrashim that were lost over the ages, and he compiled these into his ‘Pesikta Zutra’. Many of the important midrashim are sourced exclusively in this sefer. ‘Pesikta Zutra’ is remarkable not only for its eclectic sources of midrashim, but also for the original commentaries and halachic rulings it encompasses.
2. Mechilta. Venice, 1545.
Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, #118 in notes.
Midrash Chazal on Sefer Shmos, attributed to the Beis Medrash of the Tanna Rabbi Yishmael (Mechilta D’Rabbi Yishmael). This is the edition that most scholars used in earlier generations.
Midrash Mechilta is one of the foundational works of Chazal. The Chofetz Chaim wrote in his introduction to ‘Toras Kohanim’ that “Toras Kohanim on Vayikrah and Mechilta and Sifri are the foundations of the Oral Torah… and they are the source of all the Mishnayos and Braisos.”
The Mechilta itself was first published in Constantinople in the year 1515. This edition has some textual differences from the Constantinople version. (See: Mechilta, Vienna, 1870, Introduction p. 12.)
3. Michlol by Radak. Venice, 1545.
Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, #517 in notes.
Grammar of the Hebrew language and its origins by Rabbi David Kimchi, the Radak.
4. Sefer HaShorashim by Radak. Venice, 1546.
Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, #516 in notes.
This is a comprehensive dictionary of the Hebrew language, arranged in alphabetical order, with explanations and biblical sources, by Rabbi David Kimchi, the Radak.
These two sefarim of the Radak are foundational works, cited numerous times in all the grammatical works that came after it.
Venice, 1545-1546
Page Count: According to the order of the sefarim in the present volume:
Michlol: 69 leaves.
HaShorashim: 143, [1] leaves.
Pesikta: 93 leaves.
Mechilta: 37 leaves.
In total, the volume contains close to [350] large leaves!
Condition: Generally good. Holes in upper margins and some stains. Wear to margins of first pages. Antique leather binding with remnants of metal clasps (detached and slightly worn).
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On the title page of ‘Sefer HaMichlol’ there is a signature from 1584 of Rabbi Yaakov son of Rabbi Yehuda Giratvall. It appears that this refers to Rabbi Yaakov Giratvall, one of the esteemed scholars of Frankfurt who passed away in 1599. The text of his tombstone appears in the sefer ‘Avnei Zikaron’ by Rabbi M. Horowitz, p. 35.
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Rabbi Tuvia ben Rabbi Eliezer, the author of ‘Pesikta Zutra’, was one of the earliest Rishonim. He lived in Kastoria, Greece in the 9th century, during the era linking the Geonim and Rishonim. Rabbi Tuvia’s sefer spread throughout Germany, France and Spain, and the greatest Rishonim and Achronim throughout subsequent generations drew from his wisdom and halachic rulings. His writings are quoted extensively by Rishonim including the Rashbam, Rabbeinu Tam, Itur, Shibolei HaLeket, Rabbeinu Yerucham, the Rosh, Chizkuni and more, and later by Achronim including Rabbi Shlomo Elkabetz, Maharshal, Maharsha and Minchas Shai.
The sefer was originally named ‘Lekach Tov’, an allusion to the author’s name, Tuvia.
Rabbi David Kimchi, the Radak, was one of the earliest Rishonim and was known as the "greatest of the grammarians". His works on grammar, ‘Sefer HaShorashim’ and ‘Sefer Michlol’, are fundamental pillars of this discipline.
