Shu”t HaRalbach. Sefer Yesod. First Edition. Venice, 1565. Complete and Magnificent Copy.

Shu”t HaRalbach. Sefer Yesod. First Edition. Venice, 1565. Complete and Magnificent Copy.

A historical and significant debate regarding teachings of the Rambam was first published in this edition.

Responsa authored by the sage, Rabbi Levi ben Chabib of Jerusalem. With elucidation of the laws of Kiddush HaChodesh and ‘Kuntres HaSemichah’.

A most prominent and fundamental book of responsa authored by a leading 16th Century Jerusalemite scholar, the teacher of the MaHarshdam.

Impressive and complete copy with all title pages, indices and Table of Errors. (This copy includes the 2 leaves of Table of Errors that are missing from most copies).

The Ralbach’s prominent composition on the laws of Kiddush HaChodesh is first printed in this edition. It includes illustrations and beautiful sketches. This composition was later also appended to editions of the Rambam.

A historical and significant debate regarding teachings of the Rambam was first published in this edition.

Kuntres HaSemicha: A debate between the sages of Tzefat led by Rabbi Yaakov Berab and the sages of Jerusalem headed by Rabbi Levi ben Chabib, regarding the topic the renewal of Semicha.

In 1538, Rabbi Berab was ordained as Rabbi by 25 Torah sages of Tzfat. Using this Rabbinical authority, he ordained some of his own students, including the Beit Yosef and HaRav HaMabit. Due to Halachic concerns, this greatly disturbed Jerusalem Rabbis including the Ralbach. These concerns are detailed in the Kutres HaSemicha appended to this book.

At first the Ralbach’s Halachic stance was not recognized. The chain of Rabbinic ordination continued, with the Beit Yosef bestowing semicha on his disciple the Alshich, who continued on to ordain his disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital. Eventually after four parts in the chain, the Ralbach’s opinion was predominantly adopted.

Rabbi Levi ben Chabib (1480- c. 1545) was known as The Ralbach or MaHaRalbach: Rabbi Levi was the son of Rabbi Yaakov ben Chabib, author of the Ein Yaakov. Following his father’s demise, Rabbi Levi completed and published the Ein Yaakov. Rabbi Levi was born in Zamora, Spain.

A peer of Rabbi Yosef Taitchek, he disseminated Torah in Salonika. Among his disciples were The MaHarshdam and Rabbi Yissachar ben Susan author of Tikkun Yissachar. He fled with his father during the Inquisition and immigrated to the Holy land. He was a leading Jerusalemite sage at a time that many Spanish and Portuguese exiles immigrated to the Holy Land. He served as a Rabbi in Jerusalem for many years. Rabbi Levi also spent some time in Tzfat. During this period an argument broke out between him and Rabbi Yaakov Berab regarding a commentary on the Rambam.

Rabbi Levi actively encouraged the Jews in Jerusalem to remain there and not transfer to Tzfat. He engaged in Halachic debates with many Torah leaders of communities across the Ottoman Empire. Rabbi Levi’s responsa were published in Shu”t HaRalbach. Torah leaders of subsequent generations held his responsa in highest regard and deferred to his rulings.

Venice, 1565. First edition.

[6], 328 leaves. Some of the final leaves have a light stain on the margins. Lightly taped on the base of the title page.

Stefansky Sifrei Yesod No. 292.

Complete and Magnificent Copy.