Sefer HaChinuch by Rabbi Ahron son of Yosef HaLevi of Barcelona. Venice 1600.

Sefer HaChinuch by Rabbi Ahron son of Yosef HaLevi of Barcelona. Venice 1600.

Sefer HaYesod: Sefer HaChinuch is a fundamental book which lists the 613 biblical commandments according to the author’s count. Likely authored at the end of the 13th century during the period of the ‘Rishonim’.

Second edition. The identity of the author is a much-debated topic as the author chose to remain anonymous. In the book’s introduction he describes himself as ‘a Jew from the Barcelonian Levi family.’ In his commentary on commandment 315 there is an indication that he also wrote a commentary on Tractate Beitza, although this composition was never discovered. The title page of the first edition names the author as ‘Rabbi Ahron’, and tradition attributes the book to Rabbi Ahron HaLevi of Spain. This is the author’s identity listed in most editions yet is not a proven fact.

This second edition copy includes significant changes to the first edition (Venice 1523).

Venice 1600. Giovanni di Gara.

228 leaves. 20 cm.

Very good condition. Narrow margins that sometimes touch the text.

Otzar Hasefer Database, No. 42149.