Shu”t MaHarik. Pedigree Copy Belonging to the Rishon LeZion, the Kabbalist, Rabbi Avraham Rovigo and Other Great ...

Shu”t MaHarik. Pedigree Copy Belonging to the Rishon LeZion, the Kabbalist, Rabbi Avraham Rovigo and Other Great Sages. With Numerous Handwritten Annotations. Venice, 1519. First Edition. Daniel Bomberg Press.

Responsa of the MaHarik, authored by Rabbi Yosef Colon.

Rabbi Yosef Colon, the MaHarik, (circa 1420-1480) was a leading 15th Century Italian Torah scholar, and one of the greatest Halachic authorities of all time.

Teshuvot MaHarik was first published posthumously by his disciple Rabbi Chiya Meir b”r David. At the front of the book, the publisher added ‘Shorashim’ – a synopsis of the main points of each responsum. With the passage of time, the name ‘Shorashim’ was used with reference to sections of responsa.

Later editions underwent changes. Although Rabbi Chiya Meir was aware that there were other responsa of the MaHarik, however he was unable to obtain them. It is only recently that Shu”t MaHarik was published with the inclusion of tens of additional responsa culled from a manuscript.

With its printing, Shu”t MaHarik was immediately recognized as a fundamental Halachic work. Rabbi Yosef Karo in many places bases his Shulchan Aruch on this work.

The title page features many signatures and ownership listings, including those of leading Torah giants:

1. “Ma”a km”r Moshe Rabba bkm”r Yaakov zlh”h of Padua ly”a”.

2. “Betoch Achim Nechelak Nachalah 6 Kisleiv 5365, VH‘ Menat Chelki Vechosi Hatzair Ari“.

3. „Yp“y Yekutiel Paviato yt”v”.

4. “Kaniti HaSefer HaLaz MeHagaon Kmhr“d – Netanel Trabotto Be’ad v’ Lit”.

5. “Higiah Lechelki Avraham Rovigo”

6. “Miknat Kaspi Bimei Chorpi Anochi Hadal Be’alfei Vehu Hatzair Chaim David Kalifi silt”a mey”t Livorno ye”a shnat 5521 lp”k” (signed an additional time at the start of the Shu”t leaf 1a).

Additional numerous handwritten annotations in the book.

Rabbi Netanel Trabotto (1590-1660) was one of Mondena’s prominent sages. He was a grandson and disciple of Rabbi Yosef Colon. Rabbi Netanel’s responsa are quoted by sages of his era and the Chida testified that he has seen a manuscript of Rabbi Netanel’s responsa.

Rabbi Avraham Rovigo (circa 1650-1714) was a leading Italian 17th Century Kabbalist and served as the third Rishon Letzion. He was very wealthy and known for his philanthropy as well as his scholarship. In his golden years he emigrated to Eretz Yisrael and established a Kabbalah Yeshivah there. A few years later, at the behest of Jerusalem’s Rabbis, he travelled as an emissary (Shadar) on behalf of the poor. He passed away on one of these journeys.

Rabbi Chaim David Kalifi was a Tripoli sage, and author of the Orach L’ Chaim manuscript. Deceased 1886.

Venice 1519. First edition. Daniel Bomberg Press.

[10], 233 leaves, 23 cm. Very good condition. Title page and first 5 leaves have stains. Quality, thick paper. Splendid, renewed leather binding.

Haberman, Daniel Bombergi Press, No. 16.