Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
- (-) Remove talmud filter talmud
Leaf fragments of Tractate Shabbat from the Babylonian Talmud, printed in Soncino by Gershom Soncino, [ca. 1489]. From the first edition of the Babylonian Talmud to be printed.
Leaf fragments from a "bindings genizah", some forty fragments of Tractate Shabbat – fragment of chapter I, (equivalent to folio 4a-b); fragment comprising end of chapter V and beginning of chapter VI; fragments from chapters III, IV and VII; many fragments from chapters XV-XIX; and more.
Fragments of this tractate are extant in several libraries around the world, however, to the best of our knowledge, this section parallel to leaf 4 is the only existing copy of this section and is not found elsewhere.
Leaves of the first Talmud edition printed by the Soncino family are particularly rare, for several main reasons: 1. The printing was done clandestinely, for fear of the Christian authorities, following the 13th century burning of the Talmud Papal decrees (in 1239 and 1264). For this reason, the printing of the entire Talmud was not completed by the Soncino family (see: R. N.N. Rabinowitz, Maamar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, pp. 8-9). 2. Many copies which were sold to Spain and Portugal were lost during the expulsion and forced conversions in 1492-1497. 3. Many copies were later burnt in the 1553-1554 burning of the Talmud in Italy (see: R. N.N. Rabinowitz, ibid. p. 15). 4. Many copies were worn out from constant use (this was the only edition printed for several decades).
In this edition, the Tosafot were for the first time set as an integral part of the Talmud page layout, alongside Rashi's commentary (unlike Talmud editions printed in Spain, were only the Rashi commentary was printed alongside the text of the Gemara. See: Shem HaGedolim, Maarechet Sefarim, Gemara entry). The type of Tosafot included in each tractate was also determined here for future generations (mostly Tosafot of Touques. Regarding the Soncino family's choice of Tosafot for each tractate, see: Shem HaGedolim by the Chida, Maarechet Sefarim, Tosafot of Sens entry). In contrast, the page layout (and leaf numerals) in this edition is different to the one accepted today, which was only determined in the subsequent Bomberg edition.
The Soncino family, a Jewish family whose members were amongst the first Hebrew printers, took its name from the town Soncino, in northern Italy, where the family settled and established their first printing firm. There, they began publishing the Babylonian Talmud tractates (concurrently, printing of several tractates began in Spain). The first tractate, Berachot, was printed in 1484. Due to difficulties and troubles which befell them, the Soncino family were compelled to wander with their printing tools, and settled in various towns throughout Italy. Wherever they settled they continued their work and published prominent Hebrew books.
Approx. forty fragments (including more than ten large fragments, almost the size of the original leaf, or most of it). Size varies. Various degrees of damage due to use in binding.
Four parts (entire Jerusalem Talmud) in one volume.
Second edition of the Jerusalem Talmud, printed based on the Venice edition (1523-1524).
In the Venice edition, the text of the Talmud was printed alone, without commentaries, and in the present edition a brief commentary was added for the first time in the margins. A preface by the author of the commentary was printed on the verso of the title page, though anonymously. The title page does not state his name either. Yet in his commentary to Tractate Nazir (chapter 6, law 1; folio 54b in the present edition), he reveals his identity: "… so it appears to me David Darshan" – R. David son of R. Menashe of Krakow, known as R. David Darshan. He was a disciple of the Rema. In a question he addressed to his teacher (Responsa of the Rema, section 81), he signs: "So pleads your disciple David Darshan, with the approval of the members". The Rema concludes his response to him (ibid.): "My beloved one, after you read my letter, return it to me, since that is my custom to give it to be copied… so that it be kept for me for my old age…". Shir HaMaalot LeDavid – samples of his compositions, was printed in Krakow in 1571.
A general title page for the Talmud is found at the beginning of the first part (Zera'im). Divisional title page at the beginning of each part (Moed, Nashim and Nezikin).
Owner's signature on title page (in Ashkenazic script): "Acquired with my money… Levi Yerushalmi". Several glosses by several writers (the longest and earliest one is mostly trimmed). On the blank leaf between Order Zera'im and Order Moed, list of Aramaic words with translation.
Signatures on blank page in final leaf: "…Aharon son of R. Shlomo Katz of –[?] from the G---[?] families".
65; 83; 66; 51 leaves. 33.5 cm. Condition varies. Most leaves in good condition, first and final leaves in fair condition. Stains. Open tears to several leaves, affecting text, including tears to first title page (affecting border), to leaf 9 of first sequence and to final leaves, repaired with paper and photocopy replacement. Worming, affecting text, repaired with paper. Margins trimmed, affecting headings of several leaves, and close to text. Handwritten inscriptions and markings in body of text. New binding.
The dayan R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib son of R. Yosef Shmuel of Krakow began printing the Amsterdam Babylonian Talmud edition in 1714. He printed 16 parts, until Tractate Ketubot, and was then compelled to interrupt the printing in 1717. In 1720, he resumed the printing of the edition in Frankfurt am Main (in the printing firm of Johann Kölner), from Tractate Kiddushin onwards. When he completed the printing of the entire Talmud, he printed once again the tractates he had printed earlier in Amsterdam (see: R. N.N. Rabinowitz, Maamar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, Jerusalem 1952, pp. 109-111). The present set is comprised both of volumes printed in Amsterdam and volumes printed in Frankfurt am Main (all the volumes printed in Amsterdam are present, apart from the Berachot volume which was part of the volumes reprinted in Frankfurt, with all the rest of the edition printed in Frankfurt). The last tractate printed in Amsterdam (Ketubot) is bound together with the first tractate printed in Frankfurt (Kiddushin).
On the title pages, the publisher thanks R. Yissachar Bermann Segal of Halberstadt for allowing him to print the present Talmud edition even though the copyright term set by the rabbis in their approbation to R. Yissachar's Talmud edition (printed in Frankfurt an der Oder 1697-1699) had not elapsed yet. On the title pages of the volumes printed in Frankfurt, the publisher also thanks the renowned philanthropist R. Shimshon Wertheim (Wertheimer) of Vienna, who donated "a tremendously large sum" towards the printing expenses.
In some copies of this edition, the title page contains a lengthy notice in Latin, describing the contents of the tractate and declaring that it was printed according to the censorship of Marco Marini in the Basel edition. This notice appears on most title pages in the present set.
This edition includes many emendations and additions: the text was revised based on the corrections of the Maharshal and the Maharsha; the Masoret HaShas and Ein Mishpat compositions were greatly expanded and added in places where they didn't previously appear; previously unpublished sections of Tosafot from manuscripts were added; and more. Other important additions were included in the tractates printed in Frankfurt am Main: "Index to the Laws of the Rosh", in tractates Kiddushin, Gittin and Nedarim and in Order Nezikin; Tosafot for tractate Horayot (printed here for the first time); the Chesed Avraham commentary to Rambam's Shemonah Perakim; many illustrations relating to the Talmudic commentaries, including a plan of the Second Temple (at end of tractate Middot). Likewise, the Rambam's commentary on Mishnayot was printed at end of each tractate (see list of all the additions and innovations in this edition in Rabinowitz's Maamar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, pp. 101-105; 110-111). R. N.N. Rabinowitz praises the superiority of this edition: "…and this edition is superior to all previous editions, for its great value, additions and glosses, and it served as a prototype for all future editions…" (Rabinowitz, p. 111).
Twelve volumes, as follows:
1. Berachot, with Mishnayot Order Zera'im, with commentaries. Frankfurt am Main, [1721-1722].
2. Shabbat and Eruvin. Amsterdam, [1715-1716].
3. Pesachim. Amsterdam, [1716]. Betzah. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Chagigah and Mo'ed Katan. Amsterdam, [1716].
4. Rosh Hashanah, Taanit. Amsterdam, [1717]. Yoma. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Sukkah. Amsterdam, [1717]. Shekalim, Megillah. Amsterdam, [1716].
5. Yevamot. Amsterdam, [1717]. Ketubot. Amsterdam, [1716]. Kiddushin, Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
6. Gittin, Nedarim, Nazir, Sotah. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
7. Bava Kama, Bava Metzia. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
8. Bava Batra, Avoda Zara. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
9. Sanhedrin, Shevuot, Makkot, Eduyot, Horayot (with Avot DeRabbi Natan, minor tractates, Tractate Avot with the commentary of the Rambam and Chesed LeAvraham and Halachot Ketanot by the Rosh). Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
10. Zevachim. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Menachot, Bechorot. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
11. Chullin. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Arachin, Temurah, Keritot, Me'ilah, Kinnim, Tamid, Middot. Frankfurt am Main, [1720]. The chronogram on the title page of Chullin indicates 1723, yet it was presumably printed in 1721.
12. Niddah, Mishnayot Order Taharot with three commentaries. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
Ownership inscriptions and stamp of "R. Yitzchak Heilperin of Lublin" on the title page of Tractate Berachot (the stamp reads: "Iźbica Lub."). Several ownership inscriptions on the title page of Tracate Bava Kama (some deleted), including: "This Gemara belongs to the community leader, R. Gumpel…"; "Gumpel… of Frankfurt an der Oder"; "Belongs to the exalted leader, my beloved R. Elazar Kann of The Hague…".
Set in twelve volumes. • Berachot and Order Zera'im: [3], 2-100; 87 leaves. • Shabbat and Eruvin: [5], 2-191; 117, 119-130 leaves. • Pesachim, Betzah, Chagigah and Moed Katan: 121, 121-138; 51; 26, 26-27; 44 leaves. • Rosh Hashanah, Taanit, Yoma, Sukkah: 41; 35, [1]; 95; 68; 13; 36, 36-38 leaves. • Yevamot, Ketubot, Kiddushin: 148; [2], 2-145, 150-153; 97 leaves. • Gittin, Nedarim, Nazir, Sotah: 116; 59, 61-106; 69; 52 leaves. Lacking leaf 60 of Tractate Nedarim. • Bava Kama, Bava Metzia: 146; 158, [1] leaves. • Bava Batra, Avoda Zara: 219; 97 leaves. Tractate Avoda Zara without title page (many copies of this tractate were printed without title page). • Sanhedrin, Shevuot, Makkot, Eduyot, Horayot, Avot DeRabbi Natan, Minor Tractates, Tractate Avot and Halachot Ketanot of Rabbenu Asher: 129; 61; 28; 14; 16, [2]; 33; [1], 38-52 leaves. • Zevachim, Menachot, Bechorot: [2], 2-121, 121-126; 113, [4]; 73 leaves. • Chullin, Arachin, Temurah, Keritot, Me'ilah, Kinnim, Tamid, Middot: 177; 36, [1]; 36; 30, [1]; 36, [1], 37-38, [2], 41-43 leaves. • Niddah, Mishnayot Order Taharot with three commentaries: 88; 178 leaves.
Approx. 35-36 cm. Thick, high-quality paper in many copies. Overall good to fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears in various places, including large tears to some title pages, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Large tears to some leaves (particularly to two volumes of Order Nashim, Tractates Nedarim and Kiddushin), with significant damage and loss to text, repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text in various places. Many stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New, uniform leather bindings.