The First Edition of Talmud Yerushalmi – Seder Moed, Venice 1523

The First Edition of Talmud Yerushalmi – Seder Moed, Venice 1523

Talmud Yerushalmi – Seder Moed, Venice 1523. First edition of Yerushalmi, published by Daniel Bomberg in Venice, 1523. This volume contains sections of the Yerushalmi from Shabbos until Chagigah. 

Although Talmud Yerushalmi had existed in manuscript form for centuries prior, it was not until 1523 until it was finally published by Bomberg, after the completion of the printing of the Talmud Babli. This edition is based upon the sole extant manuscript of the Yerushalmi, called the Leiden manuscript, which was written by Yechiel b. Yekusiel b. Binyamin HaRofe in 1289. The scribe explicitly states that he copied it from a woefully corrupt text, full of errors; although he had attempted to correct it as much as possible, "I know that I have not corrected even half of the mistakes", and he begs the indulgence of his readers. 

This manuscript was the basis of this edition, but its editor, Yaakov ben Chaim ibn Adoniyahu, had at his disposal three other manuscripts, which he calls "accurate" ones. All of these have been completely lost, with the exception of the Yerushalmi on Horayos, which was also printed by Bomberg in this edition. Unfortunately though, Yaakov ben Chaim was not conversant with the language and style of the Yerushalmi, and in many places misconstrued the text due to his lack of understanding. It is clear that he did not examine the text before him with sufficient care, or correct it when necessary. Nor did he hesitate to omit passages which he did not understand or add sentences which are not found in the Leiden manuscript. 

The initial word “Yetzios” on Daf 2 is surrounded by a gorgeous historiated floral woodcut, which is also found in the Bomberg edition of Mikraos Gedolos. Likewise, the initial word of each Tractate that follows, is highlighted with a beautiful floral woodcut, which was used by many subsequent works printed by Bomberg during these years. 

The title page features a magnificent arch, which is seemingly an ark for the Torah. Interestingly, this arch was also used on other Bomberg imprints, such as some volumes of the Mikraos Gedolos, Rav Alfas and the Rambam, but was not used in the Talmud Babli. The reason for this is unknown, however it is possible that when Bomberg had begun printing the Babli it had not yet been designed, so it was only incorporated in 1523 and onwards. 

A fine copy, printed on thick, high-quality white paper. With occasional light stains. Bound in a beautiful new leather binding. 

83 pp. Page size: 34cm.