Shu”t MaHarik By Rabbi Yosef Colon. Venice 1519.

Shu”t MaHarik By Rabbi Yosef Colon. Venice 1519.

First Edition of a Sefer Yesod, Daniel Bomberg Press.

Rabbi Yosef Colon, known as the The MaHarik (circa 1420-1480), was a leading 15th Century Italian Rabbi and one of the greatest Halachic authorities of all times.

Teshuvot HaMaHarik was first published after the author’s demise, by his disciple Rabbi Chiya Meir ben Rabbi David. The publisher appended “Shorashim” at the front of the book, which comprises a synopsis of the principal points of each responsum. With the passage of time the chapters of responsa were referred to as ‘Shorashim’.

This work was later reprinted a number of times, with some changes. The publisher, Rabbi Chiya Meir relates in his writing that there are additional responsa of the MaHarik. However, despite his great efforts he was unable to obtain them.

Only in recent times was Shu”t MaHarik reprinted along with tens of additional responsa culled from manuscripts.

Upon its printing, Shu”t MaHarik was accepted as a fundamental Halachic work. The Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Yosef Caro printed a few years later, bases many of his rulings on Shu”t MaHarik. This further solidified the MaHarik’s work as a leading Halachic resource. (See R. Y. Buksbaum ‘Toldot Rabbeinu Yosef Colon VeShitato’, Introduction to Shu”t and Piskei MaHarik HaChadashim, Machon Yerushalayim, Jerusalem, 199 p. 19-49).

This is a first edition copy of a work that was subsequently reprinted in 7 editions.

Venice, 1519. Daniel Bomberg Press.

[10] 233 leaves. 24 cm.

Good condition. Very wide margins. First few leaves are worn and stained. Lovely, leather binding.

Otzar Hasefer Computerized Database, No. 41241.