Hatzaah al Odot HaGet, regarding the Tamari-Venturozzo divorce affair and the controversy surrounding it, with letters exchanged between the rabbis, and rulings. Venice: [Giorgio di Cavalli, 1566].
Copy of R. Akiva Eger. Ownership inscription (slightly deleted) on verso of the title page, handwritten by his son: "Belongs to… the outstanding Torah scholar R. Akiva Eger of Eisenstadt, presently rabbi and dean in Märkisch Friedland [--], his son… Avraham".
Printed during the course of the Tamari-Venturozzo polemic (see below). The present book was published by the Tamari family and the rabbis of Venice who supported them. The book opens with a narrative of the affair from their point of view. This is followed by letters and rulings issued by rabbis in favor of the Tamari family, in which they express their opposition to R. Moshe Provençal and his party.
The present book was published in several stages, as described by Y. Yudlov (Bibliographical Notes on the Tamari-Venturozzo Affair, Alei Sefer, II, 1976, pp. 105-114): The first chapter (leaves 1-4) was published first, under the title She'elah al Odot HaGet. Leaves 1-4 were later reprinted with additional chapters – leaves 5-41, under the title Hatzaah al Odot HaGet (in some cases, the new leaves were added to existing copies of She'elah al Odot HaGet). 41-leaf copies can be found in Jerusalem and in the Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana. In the third stage, an addition to the work was printed – leaves 42-77 (at this time leaves 39-41 were reprinted, with certain changes). Most of the known copies comprise 77 leaves. The present copy ends with leaf 77, however an error occurred during the printing of leaves 39-40: pages 39a and 40b were printed on the same leaf, while pages 39b and 40a were omitted.
R. Akiva (Güns) Eger (1761-1837), a leading Torah scholar in his times, was born in Eisenstadt to R. Moshe Güns and Gittel – daughter of the first R. Akiva Eger (rabbi of Pressburg, author of Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva). Before he reached the age of 13, he began studying in the Breslau yeshiva under the tutelage of his uncle and teacher R. Binyamin Wolf Eger and at the age of fifteen, he was already delivering Torah lectures. After getting married in 1778, he moved to Lissa (Leszno) to the home of his father-in-law R. Itzek Margolies. In spite of his young age, he was regarded as one of the leading scholars of the city, which was the hub of Torah study at that time.
In 1792, he was appointed rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec) and established a yeshiva there. In 1815, he began serving as rabbi of Posen (Poznań), a position he held over 20 years, until his passing in 1837. In Posen as well, he founded a yeshiva and taught many disciples. He was a holy person with Divine Inspiration, though supremely humble and gracious, he knew how to insist upon the honor due to the Torah and the rabbinate. He issued numerous regulations and established many public institutions. He replied to the thousands of questions addressed to him from around the world and recorded many novellae.
His descendants were also leading Torah scholars: R. Shlomo Eger (1786-1852), one of Warsaw's most influential Jews and his father's successor in the Posen rabbinate, author of Gilyon Maharsha and other books; R. Avraham Eger of Rawicz who edited his father's writings (with his own additions signed "A.A.B.H.H.", acronym of the Hebrew "Amar Avraham ben HaRav HaMechaber" [Avraham, son of the author says]); his renowned son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer, who after the death of his first wife, married the daughter of R. Akiva Eger (Rebbetzin Sorel, who bore him R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Wolf – the Ketav Sofer, and R. Shimon Sofer – rabbi of Kraków).
R. Akiva Eger devoted his entire life to Torah study and was known for his amazing proficiency and profound definitions which became basic tenets of Torah learning until our times. His books and novellae are key Torah texts for yeshiva students and poskim alike. R. Elazar Menachem Shach, author of Avi Ezri, writes in his approbation to the book Pote'ach She'arim – Teachings of R. Akiva Eger (Jerusalem, 1985) "For us, R. Akiva Eger, his opinions and reasoning are as conclusive as one of the Rishonim…".
His works include: Responsa of R. Akiva Eger, published by his sons in his lifetime, under his instruction. After his passing, his sons continued publishing his novellae in Drush VeChiddush, and additional volumes of his responsa series. Other responsa and novellae are being published until this day based on manuscripts (the books Kushiot Atzumot, Ketav VeChotam, Michtavei R. Akiva Eger and others). His various books were reprinted in many editions, including some annotated and expanded editions, which were enriched with related selections of his Torah teachings appearing in other places.
The glosses of R. Akiva Eger are valued in the yeshiva world and by Torah scholars for their perspicacity and profundity, and they invest much effort in studying them. He himself considered his glosses a composition worth publishing, as is apparent from his letters to his son R. Avraham Eger, printed at the beginning of Hagahot Rabbenu Akiva Eger, Berlin 1862. Especially renowned are his glosses to the Talmud, named Gilyon HaShas (first printed in his lifetime in the Prague and Vilna editions of the Talmud), his glosses to the Shulchan Aruch, and Tosefot R. Akiva Eger on the Mishnah. Over the years, his glosses to various books were published in later editions of those books and in Torah anthologies. R. Chaim Berlin related regarding his father, the Netziv of Volozhin: "And literally one word of R. Akiva Eger would resolve in his eyes several pages of pilpul in other books" (Meromei Sadeh, I, Jerusalem 1956, foreword).
39, 41-77 leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark dampstains. Worming. Leaves trimmed close to text (affecting headings in several places). New leather binding. Placed in matching slipcase.
On p. 16b – the only mention of Hebrew printing in Rome in the 15th century (…the Rashba, as stated in his responsa printed in Rome…" – Responsa of the Rashba was printed there in ca. 1472).
Provenance: Valmadonna Trust Library.

The Tamari-Venturozzo Divorce Scandal
In the 16th century, a scandal known as the Tamari-Venturozzo affair, roused the Jewish public throughout Italy. It began as a halachic controversy over a divorce, and with time grew to involve most of the rabbis of Italy as well as some rabbis of Salonika, Constantinople and Eretz Israel. Even the clergy and government of various Italian cities were embroiled in the dispute.
The two main players in this affair were Yosef son of Moshe HaKohen Tamari – a Venetian physician, with considerable influence both in the Jewish and Catholic circles in the city, and Shmuel Shlumiel HaKatan, known as Ventura or Venturozzo – son of Moshe of Perugia. In 1560, Shmuel Venturozzo betrothed Tamar, daughter of Yosef Tamari (in those times, the Kiddushin was performed at the time of the betrothal, and they were therefore halachically considered married). Three month later, after a dispute had broke out between Venturozzo and his father-in-law, Venturozzo left Venice. He claimed that he had to flee the city since his father-in-law reported him to the authorities. In the following years, wherever he went, Venturozzo was pursued by Tamari, who demanded money Venturozzo allegedly owed him. After four years, Tamari requested the intervention of Maharam Padua. On 4th Adar 1564, Maharam Padua ruled that Venturozzo must either consummate the marriage or divorce Tamar within a month. After extensive legal proceedings, Venturozzo agreed to return to Venice and divorce his betrothed. However, the affair did not end there, since Venturozzo later contended that the divorce was extracted under duress, and was thus not valid. Both sides requested the intervention of the clerical and secular authorities of Venice, Florence, Ferrara, Mantua and other cities. The majority of Italian rabbis were involved in the dispute. Tamari was backed by the rabbis of Venice, while Venturozzo's cause was mainly advocated by R. Moshe Provençal, rabbi of Mantua. The rabbis of Venice placed a ban on Venturozzo, concurrently ruling that the divorce was valid. On the other hand, R. Moshe Provençal ruled that the divorce was invalid and that Tamari's daughter was not allowed to remarry until matters were clarified. This aroused much ire against R. Moshe Provençal, and when he refused to arrive in Venice to explain his position in person, the rabbis of Venice issued a ruling demoting him. Both parties also sent a circular to the rabbis of all Italian communities, thus drawing more rabbis into the affair. From amongst the rabbis of Eretz Israel, R. Moshe Provençal earned the support of R. Yosef Karo and the rabbis of Safed, while R. David ben Zimra (the Radbaz) joined the rabbis of Venice. Each party printed leaflets and books supporting their position, and publicized the rulings of the rabbis on their side.
Offered here are three books printed during the course of the affair, in 1566: Hatzaah al Odot HaGet (item 14), printed in Venice by Tamari's party (originally printed in installments, later gathered together as a book), the book Eleh HaDevarim printed in Mantua by Venturozzo's party (item 12), and Biur Zeh Yatza Rishonah – the ruling of R. Moshe Provençal, also printed in Mantua (item 13).
For more details on the affair, see: S. Simonson, The Scandal of the Tamari-Venturozzo Divorce, in Tarbiz, Vol. 28 (1959), pp. 375-388 and in History of the Jews in the Duchy of Mantua (Hebrew), II, Jerusalem 1965, pp. 364-367; Y. Yudlov, Bibliographical Notes on the Tamari-Venturozzo Affair, in Alei Sefer, Vol. 2 (1976), pp. 114-115; E. Kupfer, Further Clarifications Concerning the Tamari-Venturozzo Divorce Scandal, in Tarbiz, Vol. 38 (1969), pp. 54-59; R. Tz. Gertner, Parashat HaGet Tamari-Venturozzo – New Discoveries from the Beit Midrash of the Beit Yosef, Moriah, year 16, Iyar 1988, p. 9 onwards.

Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula. Many woodcut illustrations, mostly hand colored. [Italy]: Gershom son of Moses Soncino, [ca. 1497]. Incunabula.
Meshal HaKadmoni, the first illustrated Hebrew book, was first printed by Gershom Soncino in Brescia, ca. 1491. This is the second edition of the book, also printed by Soncino.
The author, R. Yitzchak son of Shlomo ibn Sahula, was a philosopher, physician and kabbalist. Born in Spain in 1244, he presumably passed away in late 13th century. His composition Meshal HaKadmoni is a collection of fables, parables and poems, striving to inculcate ethics and positive attributes. Various animal fables are employed by the author as moral allegories. The composition takes the form of a dialogue between the author and his opponent, who argue over the importance and necessity of cultivating moral virtues.
The book includes many woodcuts illustrating scenes from the parables and fables, depicting both animal and human figures. The illustrations originate in the manuscript of the author, R. Yitzchak son of Shlomo ibn Sahula (now lost). They were copied in later manuscripts, and were printed for the first time by the Soncino family.
The present copy comprises 76 woodcuts (out of 81). The book is lacking three leaves (which originally featured five woodcuts). Some of the missing text was completed by hand in Italian script (from the period of the printing of the book).
The present edition includes two illustrations omitted from the first edition (pp. 53a and 61a), as well as an illustration original to this edition (the final illustration in the book). Most illustrations are hand-colored.
Poem in praise of the book on p. 1b, set in a woodcut frame.
Large woodcut on first page – printer's device of Gershom Soncino, depicting a walled tower with two guards, set on a background of acanthus tendrils and flowers. Caption above the woodcut: "Gershom the printer, son of R. Moshe… of Soncino". The verse "The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the righteous runs into it and is strengthened" is inscribed above and below the tower. This device only appears in the present book, Soncino later used a different, simpler device (see: A. Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriim, Jerusalem 1944, no. 5, note on pp. 123-124).
The Soncino family were prominent printers in the 15th and 16th century, and particularly in the incunabula period. They established their first printing press in Soncino, Italy, ca. 1483, and later wandered through various Italian cities with their printing equipment, resuming their printing operations wherever they settled. One of the prominent members of this family was Gershom Soncino, printer of the present edition.
Incomplete copy. [63] leaves. Originally: [66] leaves. Lacking three leaves: sixth leaf of first gathering (text of recto replaced in manuscript over a page and a half, followed by a blank leaf); two leaves of second gathering – first leaf (blank leaf bound in its place) and eighth leaf (entirely replaced in handwriting). (Book originally comprised nine gatherings; gatherings 1-8 with eight leaves each, gathering 9 with 2 leaves. Present copy: gathering 1 – 7 leaves, gathering 2 – 6 leaves; other gatherings complete).
Approx. 19 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains (traces of past dampness to first leaf with printers' device, with large, dark dampstains). Tears, including open tears affecting text (open tears to inner margin of leaf [2] with book title, affecting text, repaired with paper on both sides of leaf; open tear on leaf [6], affecting text). Worming, affecting text in several places (worming to inner margins of some leaves, close to spine, affecting text in approx. six final leaves). Upper margins trimmed close to text, affecting text in several places, with some loss (margins of first leaf trimmed, with damage to upper part of woodcut border). Several places reinforced with paper. Some detached or loose leaves. Handwritten inscriptions. Early leather binding, damaged (open tear to upper part of spine), partially detached, with extensive and significant worming. Placed in a new slipcase.
Exceptionally rare edition. Does not appear in the NLI catalog (which only includes a microfilm of the incomplete JTS copy), and to the best of our knowledge has never before been offered at auction. Offenberg lists only 8 extant copies, scattered in 7 libraries throughout the world, including some incomplete copies (see below).
Literature:
M. Marx, Gershom Soncino, in: Sefer HaYovel LiChevod Alexander Marx, New York 1943, pp. I-X.
Sh. Iakerson, Catalogue of Hebrew Incunabula from the Collection of the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, New York and Jerusalem, 2004-2005, pp. 362-367.
Hebrew Incunables, a Bibliographical Essay, by Lazarus Goldschmidt, Oxford, 1948, p. III, footnote 6.
A.K. Offenberg, Hebrew Incunabula in Public Collections, Nieuwkoop 1990, no. 60; Catalogue of books printed in the XVth century now in the British Museum. pt. 13 (2004), Hebraica, p. 76.
Bound at the beginning of the book:
• Mehalech Shevilei HaDaat, by R. Moshe Kimchi, with commentary by R. Eliyahu HaLevi Ashkenazi – HaBachur. [Pesaro: Gershom Soncino, ca. 1515]. Second edition. Printed without title page. First page blank. Colophon: "Printed by the printer from the Soncino family, who resides in Pesaro".
[4]; [12]; [18] leaves. Leaves bound out of sequence. Originally: [22]; [12] leaves. [12] leaves of part II bound in middle of part I, after leaf [4]. Good-fair condition.
• Leshon Limudim, grammar, by R. David ibn Yichye. [Constantinople: David and Samuel sons of Nahmias, 1506]. First edition.
[60] leaves. Good condition. Stains. Minor tear to final leaf, slightly affecting text.
• Pirkei Eliyahu, on the rules of Hebrew grammar "brief rules about letters, vocalization and other topics", by R. Eliyahu HaLevi Ashkenazi – HaBachur. [Pesaro: Gershom Soncino, 1520]. First edition.
[19] leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains, including dark stains and dampstains to title page and other leaves. Leaves trimmed close to text, slightly affecting text in several places. Many handwritten inscriptions.
Copy of R. Yitzchak Lampronti, with his signatures on the title pages and first pages of all four books. R. Yitzchak Lampronti (1679-1756), scholar, physician and leading Italian rabbi. Rabbi and yeshiva dean in Ferrara. His disciples served as rabbis of prominent Italian communities. He was famous for his monumental work, the Pachad Yitzchak series – first halachic encyclopedia, part of which was printed in his lifetime.
Other signatures and inscriptions (including: "My acquisition, Moshe son of R. Meshulam of Camaiore"). Marginal glosses in Italian script. Censors' signatures on final (blank) page of Meshal HaKadmoni.