Amudei Golah [Sefer Mitzvot Katan]. Pedigree Copy Belonging to Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit.Constantinople, 1510.

Amudei Golah [Sefer Mitzvot Katan]. Pedigree Copy Belonging to Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit.Constantinople, 1510.

One of the earliest books printed in Constantinople. First Edition. Exceedingly Rare.

The book, Amudei Golah, is referred to as Sefer Mitzvot Katan, authored by Rabbeinu Yitzchak of Corbeil.

The title page features handwritten ownership listings: “A gift to me, the young one, Yitzchak Ardit…”

Rabbi Yitzchak Ardit (1759-1812) was one of Izmir’s Rabbis, and author of Yekar HaErech. He was born in Izmir to Rabbi Shlomo Ardit, the brother of Rabbi Rephael Ardit. Rabbi Yitzchak married Sara, the daughter of the wealthy Rabbi Chaim Mosher Ardit. His father-in -law supported him financially, enabling him to dedicate himself to learning Torah. His outstanding great talents were apparent from a young age, and at age 15 he eulogized his grandfather, Rabbi Ahron Alfandri, author of Yad Ahron.

Rabbi Yitzchak corresponded with the Chida on Torah matters, and the Chida quotes him in his writings. The Chida sent his books inscribed with a dedication to Rabbi Yitzchak. His novellae are similarly quoted by other Torah compositions of that era. Rabbi Yitzchak immigrated to the Holy Land. He remained for only a short period there before returning to Izmir, where he passed away.

Semak – Sefer Mitzvit Katan /Katzar (Originally called, ‘Amudei Golah’):

This is a Halachic book along with ethical teachings, Aggada and parables. Authored by Rabbi Yitzchak of Corbeil and published in the 13th Century.

Rabbi Yitzchak of Corbeil declares at the beginning of his book that his composition is a type of a summary of Sefer Mitzvot Gadon (Semag) authored by Rabbi Moshe of Kotzi. The purpose of the Semak was to serve as an easier and more viable reference for Torah study. The book is divided into seven ‘Amudim’; the author’s intention that each day of the week one ‘Amud’ is studied. This will result in people becoming proficient in all basic Halachot.

Constantinople, circa 1510. Samul Ibn Nachmias Press. First edition.

[146] leaves. Very good condition. Quality paper. Lower wide margins.

The Bibliographical Institute writes that the book originally comprised [148] leaves, although Ya’ari in ‘Dfus HaIvri B’Kushta’ (No. 36) listed [146] leaves. Similarly, other copies (the National Library Catalogue lists an incomplete copy with [140] leaves). We do not know of the existence of any copy with [148] leaves.

Provenance: The Schocken Library (Book comes with a paper noting the book’s details in German, and confirming that the book belongs to Schocken).

This is one of the earliest books printed in Constantinople. It is exceedingly rare to discover a book in a more complete state than this one.