Masa Melech. Salonika, 1601. Only Edition. Rare.

Masa Melech. Salonika, 1601. Only Edition. Rare.
Masa Melech is a unique composition which deals with the laws of various taxes by Rabbi Yosef ibn Ezra, author of Atzamot Yosef on tractate Kiddushin. Rare book.
It was customary during that period for the governing authorities to impose a general tax on the Jewish community. The community heads would divide the tax burden on community members as they saw fit. They would collect the taxes themselves and transfer them to the authorities. This work is the first to deal entirely with this issue, and it is a cornerstone for halachic rulings of these laws.
Rabbi David Chazan, in his book Nediv Lev (C. M. siman 66) complains that the book is not to be found, so that he cannot see what is written therein. Sdei Chemed (mearechet 40, klal 35) writes as well: "and the book Masa Melech is not with me so that I can delve into its holy words."
Rabbi Yosef ben Ibn Ezra [d. c. 1602] was a disciple of the Maharashda"m. He was one of the leading rabbis of Turkey and served as rabbi in Salonika, Constantinople, Larissa, and Sofia, Bulgaria.
72 leaves. 26 cm. Owner's signature in Oriental script from the time of printing. "דוד אלגאזי"?
Fine condition. Aging stains. Taped reinforcements and completions on leaf 9, and slight blemish to text on the last page.