Rare Sefer Yesod: Sefer HaAgudah, first edition, Krakow 1571

Rare Sefer Yesod: Sefer HaAgudah, first edition, Krakow 1571

Sefer HaAgudah, a foundational halachic work by Rabbi Alexander Zuslin Kohen (the Maharach) of Frankfurt, ztl and hyd, one of the Rishonim, a student of the Sha’arei Dora, who died 700 years ago. An important work with piskei din which the author took from the gemara.

Edited for printing by Rabbi Yosef ben Rabbi Mordechai Gershon Katz of Krakow, the Rama’s brother-in-law. Printed by Yitzhak of Prostitz. First edition. [4], 250 leaves. Defective pagination. Stefanski Sifrei Yesod 245. All libraries with a copy place it in the Rare collection.

The title page has a pretty engraving with an illustration of the Binding of Isaac. The indices have a color change, with purple page cuttings. Title page and other pages repaired professionally, stains, a few worming holes and damage, lone detached pages, tears to a few places damaging the text, new inscribed leather binding, overall good condition.

The title page has an antique Mizrahi signature: “This book is mine, Avraham Giron” (it is possible that this is referring to a sage of Edirne (Adrianople), see Arzei HaLevanon 1081, 1958). The body of the work has a number of antique glosses.