Shu”t Pri HaAretz. Constantinople, 1727. Single Edition.

Shu”t Pri HaAretz. Constantinople, 1727. Single Edition.

Responsa on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch, with novellae of the Rambam. Authored by Rabbi Yisrael Meri Mizrachi, a leading Jerusalemite sage.

Despite his youth, the author received endorsements from the Torah leaders, the Machane Ephraim, the Mishneh LeMelech and others.

On the title page is an unidentified owner’s signature. Above this are ownership listings that have been cut.

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Mizrachi (circa 1690-1752) was a leading Jerusalem Rabbi and was the brother of the Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Nissim Chaim Moshe Mizrachi. In their youth both brothers learned in Yeshivat Beit Yaakov Ferera. They were dubbed, ‘the Eastern Lights’ owing to their outstanding scholarliness.

Rabbi Yirael Meir was a disciple Chacham Yehuda HaKohen Tanuji and Rabbi Avraham Yitzchaki. He served as an emissary (Shadar) abroad, travelling around diaspora communities including Corfu, Salonika, Constantinole and others. He used these opportunities to teach and spread Torah.

On a trip to Salonika, he printed this book – the first of three sections of Pri HaAretz.

Rabbi Yisrael Meir’s disciples included Rabbi Yonah Navon who authored Shu”t Nechapah BaKesef and was the teacher of the Chidah. Rabbi Yisrael Meir was buried in close proximity to his brother and the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh.

Constantinople, 1727. Yonah ben Yaakov Ashkenazi Press.

Single edition.

[3], 92, [3], leaves. 29 cm. Very good condition. Thick, quality paper. Architectural design on title page.